Chapter 11 Embarrassing Illness

• "Doctor, thank you. Please accept my gratitude. By the way, how much are the herbs? My family is not doing well financially," the patient inquired.
• "It costs around one hundred or so," Cole answered.
• "What, only a couple hundred? Thank goodness!" The patient's gloomy expression vanished and was replaced by happiness. The relief on his face suggested that his illness had been cured, and he quickly expressed his gratitude to Cole. Then, he skipped away, holding the prescription close to his chest like a valuable treasure.
• At that moment, Michael extended his hand to stop him. "Wait! You'll need an operation to get those stones out. You can't rely solely on that herbal remedy."
• "Do you think I'm an idiot? Even Dr. Calhoun and Dr. Howard agreed with this prescription," the patient retorted. "If I can be cured by spending a few hundred, why should I spend thousands on an operation?" Then, he shoved Michael aside and strode down the hall, muttering as he walked, "Doctors are all blood-sucking vampires these days. Nonetheless, Broynia's traditional medicine practitioners are still the best!"
• Suddenly, Michael's face darkened, and his entire body trembled in anger as he heard that. The fool actually values this absurd prescription. "Cole, stop being so full of yourself. This round will be a tie, and you have not yet won!"
• As soon as the attendees found out what he had said, they all began to boo.
• While Michael took thirty minutes to diagnose, Cole identified the patient's decreased kidney function without performing a physical examination, and the patient agreed to follow Cole's treatment plan. Therefore, Cole should be the winner in terms of time and suggested treatment. Nevertheless, it was evident that Michael was a sore loser when he declared that round a tie.
• "Sure. It's a tie if you say so." Cole shrugged, unmoved by the declaration.
• "Since it's a tie, I dare you to compete in another round with me." Michael barked in rage.
• "We can go as many times as you wish." Then, Cole fixed his gaze on him and said indifferently, "I will make sure today is an absolute loss for you."
• "How arrogant!" Michael remarked in a huff. Then, he became silent, his expression turning cold, and pondered for a moment before making a sudden suggestion. "Why don't we diagnose each other? Let's see if you can continue to bluff your way to the same diagnosis I do."
• "Diagnosing one another? I have no objections. Okay, so let's get started." Cole was too tired to continue the conversation, so he walked over to Michael and sat in front of him.
• An hour later, Michael put away his tools. His gaze swept across the hall as he declared loudly, "According to my diagnosis, you have a herniated disk and gastrointestinal issues." Then, as if he were concerned the conference attendees would not believe him, he turned to Aiden and the other panel judging members. "Dr. Calhoun, Dr. Howard, could you please take a look and confirm the diagnosis?"
• Aiden nodded, and to maintain objectivity, he and Gabriel separately diagnosed Cole's health. Subsequently, they announced, "The diagnosis made by Dr. Baxter is accurate."
• After the judges confirmed the diagnosis, the attendees nodded and turned their attention to Cole.
• "You're right. I have a herniated disk and severe gastrointestinal problems." Cole had spent three years bedridden, so it was not surprising that his back and digestive system were unaffected.
• "Wow! I did not expect you to admit that so quickly," Michael said with a chuckle. Soon, a smug expression was plastered across his features as he hurriedly scribbled a prescription on a scrap of paper and then flung it at Cole. "Here is my prescription. Every medication listed there is internationally renowned and the most recent development in its field. They are highly effective, and a single course of treatment will cure you. Of course, it's not that expensive, at around five hundred thousand. You should be able to afford it, right?"
• He said the last part of that sentence mockingly because he knew Cole was a rich kid who had fallen from grace and relied on his wife for everything.
• On the other hand, Madison was enraged as she watched from the audience. How can treatment for a herniated disk and gastrointestinal problems cost five hundred thousand? Michael must have accepted a lot of kickbacks over the years!
• "Okay, I'm done. It's now your turn," Michael huffed coldly and held out his arm. "Do what you want!"
• Cole smiled but did not immediately check Michael's pulse; instead, he sat silently and observed Michael.
• "What? Are you afraid?" Michael laughed sarcastically. "In the previous round, you could use my diagnosis, but now you cannot."
• "That's not it," Cole responded, shaking his head.
• "Ha! So, why aren't you doing anything?"
• "It's because I'm finished with the diagnosis."
• "What?"
• Everyone in the hall was taken aback when they heard that. How could Cole diagnose Michael simply by observing him?
• Standing on stage, Aiden let out a cold huff. "This brat is far too cocky."
• However, Gabriel's entire body began to tremble as if a sudden realization had hit him.
• "Well, in that case, tell us your diagnosis!" Michael sneered at Cole and withdrew his arm. He had never before witnessed anyone diagnose a patient without checking the pulse, and it struck him as highly amusing.
• Then, Cole fixed his eyes on him for a moment and asked, "Are you sure you want me to say it in front of everyone?"
• "In my opinion, you are nothing but a liar. You can say it in front of everyone if you have the chops," Michael snorted.
• "Observations and questions are the primary tools of the trade in traditional medicine. As long as you have the necessary skills, it is unnecessary to feel for a pulse to make a diagnosis." Cole responded. Afterward, he glanced at Michael before continuing, "Dr. Baxter, you have a penchant for young, attractive, fair-skinned men. Due to your lack of self-control, you currently have an anal fissure."
• Shoot! Anal fissure? As soon as these words were uttered, the entire audience turned white with shock.
• "It can't be!" someone gasped.
• "Why would a doctor at the prestigious Benevolence Hospital enjoy such an interest?"
• Suddenly, Michael leaped to his feet upon hearing the audience's response. "What nonsense is this? Anal fissure—"
• "There's no need for such a strong reaction, Dr. Baxter," Cole interjected with a chuckle. "Your problem is so subtle that you probably aren't even aware of it yet. If you're not convinced, press on your tailbone."