Chapter 12: The Lion's Roar, the Xu Family Bleeds Deeply
Chen Mo’s words almost made Xu Damao, who had just finished kowtowing, choke on his breath.
“Wailing? Damn it, I was kowtowing to admit my mistake!”
Xu Damao knelt on the ground, burying his head even lower, his teeth chattering fiercely. He had never endured such a humiliating disgrace in his life.
Lou Xiao’e was also anxious and hurriedly stepped forward.
She bowed and cupped her hands to Chen Mo, her voice choked with tears, “Doctor Chen, you are a man of great magnanimity; please don’t stoop to his level. He knows he was wrong, truly knows his mistake. I beg you, please save him!”
Only then did Chen Mo seem to truly notice them. He rubbed his eyes and looked as if he suddenly understood, “Oh, you’re Projectionist Xu. So, have you come to your senses?”
“Yes, yes, I have!” Xu Damao quickly lifted his head, forcing a smile more awkward than crying.
“Doctor Chen, yesterday I was blinded by pig fat. I admit everything you said! Please show mercy and guide me out of this darkness!”
Chen Mo put his hands in his pockets and leisurely paced to stand before him, looking down from above, speaking calmly, “You remember my rules, right?”
“I remember, I remember!” Xu Damao nodded vigorously, “I’ve apologized already. The consultation fee... ten times the fee—I accept that too!”
“Hmm, your attitude’s fairly sincere,” Chen Mo nodded, “Then let’s talk about this consultation fee.”
He held up two fingers.
“My base consultation fee is ten yuan. Ten times that is one hundred yuan.”
“Gasp—”
The neighbors all inhaled sharply.
One hundred yuan!
In these times, an ordinary worker’s monthly wage was about 27.5 yuan.
One hundred yuan was more than three months’ salary for a worker without eating or drinking! This wasn’t just a medical fee—it was outright robbery!
Xu Damao’s face twitched.
Though he was a projectionist and earned a bit more—around 37.5 yuan a month—one hundred yuan was still a huge blow.
“What? Too expensive?” Chen Mo glanced at him.
“No, not expensive! Not expensive!” Xu Damao hurriedly shook his head, knowing this wasn’t the time to bargain.
He bit his lip, took out a cloth pouch from his pocket, and peeled it open layer by layer.
Inside were some large denomination bills and some small change—only about twenty or thirty yuan in total.
“Doctor Chen, I... I don’t have that much on me. Here, take this first. I’ll gather the rest and definitely bring it this afternoon!”
Chen Mo looked at the small amount of money and laughed.
“Projectionist Xu, have you misunderstood something?”
Chen Mo said slowly, “The one hundred yuan I mentioned is just the base price.
Your illness runs deep and has lasted long. The treatment is time-consuming and laborious, and the herbs are precious.
So, the one hundred yuan is only for the medicine.”
Xu Damao was stunned. “Medicine fee? Then... then your consultation fee...?”
“My consultation fee is separate.”
Chen Mo’s tone was as matter-of-fact as if he were talking about the weather.
“If I treat you once, I can’t just work for free, right?”
Xu Damao felt as if his heart was bleeding. “Then... how much is your consultation fee?”
Chen Mo said nothing but held up two fingers again.
Xu Damao’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably as he cautiously asked, “T-twenty yuan?”
Chen Mo shook his head.
“Then... two hundred?” Xu Damao’s voice faltered.
“Projectionist Xu, do I look like someone so ignorant?”
Chen Mo scoffed, “I’m not fond of money. Money is vulgar.”
Not fond of money? Then why the hell are you charging one hundred yuan just for medicine!
Xu Damao raged inside but kept smiling on the surface. “Yes, yes, Doctor Chen, you are a sage who treats money like dirt. So you mean...”
“I don’t want money,” Chen Mo finally revealed his purpose, “I want two things.”
“Say it! Say it! As long as Xu Damao has it, I won’t hesitate!” Xu Damao just wanted to settle this quickly.
“First,” Chen Mo raised a finger, “I want your brand-new ‘Dongfanghong’ radio. Bring it to me this afternoon.”
That radio was a treasure Xu Damao had bought with great effort—one hundred twenty yuan plus many industrial vouchers. Lou Xiao’e wouldn’t even dare to touch it lightly.
Now Chen Mo asked for it outright, like cutting into his heart.
“Um...” Xu Damao’s face turned green.
“Don’t want to give it?” Chen Mo raised an eyebrow. “Fine, then hold on to your radio for life.”
“I want to! I want to!” Xu Damao barely squeezed out the words.
Compared to continuing the family line, a radio was nothing.
“That’s better.” Chen Mo nodded approvingly. “The second thing...”
He stroked his chin, eyes scanning Xu Damao and Lou Xiao’e before settling on Lou Xiao’e.
Xu Damao’s heart leapt to his throat, nervously watching Chen Mo, fearing some outrageous demand.
“I heard your wife’s family is in business and well-off. Surely, they must have some stockpiles?” Chen Mo smiled slyly.
Lou Xiao’e’s expression changed instantly. “Doctor Chen, these days, those things are no longer in fashion.”
“Don’t be nervous, I’m not asking for your family’s gold and silver.”
Chen Mo waved his hand.
“I’m a practical man. Here’s the deal: I want twenty jin of national grain coupons, twenty jin of pork coupons, ten chi of cloth coupons, five jin of cotton coupons, plus two bottles of Maotai liquor.”
When Chen Mo said this, everyone’s eyes nearly popped out.
My God!
In these days, what is most valuable? Not money, but coupons!
Having money without coupons, you can buy nothing.
Especially the national grain coupons—they were hard currency, usable anywhere.
Pork and cloth coupons were rationed per person. Ordinary families got only a few liang a month, saving every bit.
Chen Mo was asking for twenty jin each of grain and pork coupons, plus cloth and cotton coupons—a lion’s demand!
Not to mention the two bottles of Maotai—never seen on the market, strictly rationed!
Xu Damao nearly blacked out upon hearing this.
One hundred yuan medicine fee, a radio, plus all these coupons and liquor—altogether at least four or five hundred yuan! Enough to build two large tiled houses in the countryside!
“Doctor... Doctor Chen...” Xu Damao’s voice trembled.
“This... this is too much. We really can’t afford it!”
“If you can’t, can your wife’s family?”
Chen Mo looked at Lou Xiao’e with a meaningful smile.
“As far as I know, the Lou family used to be famous capitalists in the capital. This little bit should be nothing to them. Even a hair plucked could be thicker than this.”
He was signaling Lou Xiao’e.
He knew the Lous had been brought down, but even a dying camel is bigger than a horse—they must still have assets.
Moreover, this was also a way to drive a wedge between Xu Damao and Lou Xiao’e.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Xu Damao immediately turned to Lou Xiao’e, eyes shining.
Right! I can’t pay, but her family can!
Lou Xiao’e felt a chill in her heart under his gaze.
She knew her husband was once again aiming to squeeze her family.
After all these years, Xu Damao had taken numerous benefits from her family, and now again...
But thinking that her husband’s illness could be cured and they could have a child of their own, her reluctance was finally suppressed.
She gritted her teeth and said to Chen Mo, “Doctor Chen, we will try our best to gather these things. But can you guarantee that you will definitely cure Damao’s illness?”
“I never joke.”
Chen Mo’s smile vanished, replaced by a solemn expression.
“As long as you collect everything and follow my prescription, within three months, I guarantee Projectionist Xu will be vigorous and full of vitality. By then, not just one child, but a whole football team would be possible.”
“Pfft!”
Nearby, the simple-minded Sha Zhu couldn’t help but laugh.
Xu Damao’s face turned dark red, but at the mention of “vigorous and full of vitality,” hope flared in his eyes.
“All right! Doctor Chen, we accept!” Lou Xiao’e made the decision for Xu Damao. “This afternoon, we will definitely bring everything to you!”
“Fine, then get up. Kneeling here affects the feng shui at my door.”
Chen Mo waved his hand dismissively, as if shooing flies.
With Lou Xiao’e’s help, Xu Damao shakily stood up, both legs numb from kneeling.
“Doctor Chen, the... the prescription?” Lou Xiao’e asked cautiously.
“When the things arrive, I’ll give it to you,” Chen Mo said, then turned and headed back inside.
“Hey, Doctor Chen!”
Xu Damao hurriedly called after him.
“Um... what should I pay attention to in daily life for my illness?”
Chen Mo stopped, looked back, and said seriously, “Pay attention... From today on, no sexual activity, no smoking or drinking, no spicy food. Also, every morning and evening, pour a basin of cold water over yourself, from head to toe, for three months straight. This is called ‘cooling the fire.’”
“What?!” Xu Damao was dumbfounded. “D-drench myself with cold water in the dead of winter?”
“Yes,” Chen Mo nodded. “You have excess internal heat, and cold water is needed to suppress it. What, can’t do it?”
“I can! I can!” Lou Xiao’e quickly promised for him.
As long as it cured the illness, she’d agree to anything—even jumping into an ice hole.
Chen Mo ignored them and went inside, slamming the door behind him with a bang.
Xu Damao and Lou Xiao’e returned home in a daze, discussing how to gather the goods.
Meanwhile, their courtyard erupted with gossip.
“My God, a radio, one hundred yuan, plus so many ration coupons! Xu Damao’s skin is being peeled off!”
“Not just the skin, even the bones are about to be crushed! Serves him right for talking so big!”
“Chen Mo is ruthless! Who’d dare mess with him from now on?”
Yan Bugui, sweeping the yard nearby, listened to the neighbors and looked at his broom, suddenly overwhelmed by an unprecedented sense of happiness.
Sweeping is great! Sweeping can cure disease and costs nothing!
Compared to Xu Damao, this was the biggest bargain ever!
Thinking this, he swept with even greater vigor.