Chapter 004: The Unusual and Ingenious Pursuit of True Mastery, Alas, the Monkey Admiring the Divine Needle

"The villagers have contributed money for me; I have over 6,000 in my bag, which should be enough to pay the tuition," Mei Xi said as she picked up her backpack from the side seat, opened it, and was about to take out the money, appearing completely unguarded, just like the character Silly Gen from the movie 'A World Without Thieves'.

During this sensitive time of new students starting school, begging near the train station startled the school staff. Mei Xi was not surprised, but coincidentally encountered his counselor, Qu Yimin, which showcased both Mei Xi's acting skills and luck. As Qu Yimin pointed out, Mei Xi had not committed any wrongdoing.

The official thought that Elder Qu could not understand foreign languages, but to his surprise, the old man was quite proficient in English. Before he could finish speaking, a deafening sound was heard. It turned out that Qu Zhengbo had heavily slapped the table in front of him, causing the wine glasses in front of everyone to nearly jump up, startling everyone.

However, Qu Zhengbo's "status in the community" is extremely high, with his students and disciples spread across the globe, many of whom have made significant contributions not only in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. Professor Qu is also a legendary figure at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Shortly after Mei Xi started university, he heard a story about the old man.

Qu Yimin stopped and looked at him: "I almost forgot that you haven't had dinner yet. Just in time, I haven't had dinner either, so let me treat you to a meal."

I see, it is not surprising that such a situation has occurred. Mei Xi displayed a naive and innocent smile, saying: "You are so young and only a few years older than me, and you are so beautiful. Calling you 'teacher' makes me sound too old; I should call you 'sister'"

Qu Yimin: "I will help you with it; it's not too complicated. You just need to fill out some application forms and provide certain supporting documents. Some materials need to be provided by your hometown... Some students experience significant mental pressure, fearing that their classmates will look down on them, and are reluctant to proactively apply for these procedures"

Meixi stood up and asked, "What are you afraid of, sister?"

Qu Yimin shook her head: "The reality is quite complex, and this is not your fault. The tuition for your major this year is 5,800, and there are many other expenses associated with attending university. The amount of money you have is truly insufficient. However, do not worry; you can apply for a reduction in tuition and miscellaneous fees, as well as for financial aid for students in extreme hardship and student loans. If you perform well academically, you may also be eligible for scholarships each year, and the school can prioritize arranging work-study opportunities. In short, there will definitely be ways to overcome the current difficulties."

Meixi was very fortunate; Qu Yimin truly helped him save a lot of trouble, so everything went smoothly. As the new year arrived, in the second semester, Qu Yimin helped him secure a good work-study position. He successfully completed his first year of university and even received a scholarship

Upon hearing this, Mei Xi immediately understood and hurriedly picked up the notice and her ID card, handing them over with a look of panic, as if she had done something wrong, and explained: "Master, I am not a fraudster; these are all genuine."

After finishing the call, the woman's expression was one of great astonishment as she returned the documents to Meixi, her demeanor somewhat awkward. Meixi, still appearing very frightened, asked, "Teacher, do you now believe that I am not a fraud? Have I made any mistakes? If there is anything wrong, I will definitely correct it"

Present at the gathering was a British medical expert who fundamentally disbelieved this, and under the influence of alcohol, made somewhat frivolous remarks, suggesting that Professor Qu resembled a quack. Before Professor Qu could express his anger, a health department official present apologetically explained: "This gentleman holds very traditional views, Professor Blair, please do not take offense. My perspective on traditional Chinese medicine is quite similar to yours; for instance, the efficacy of acupuncture does not actually exist, and if it does, it is merely a phenomenon of psychological suggestion studied in the West..."

Qu Yimin pondered for a moment and said in a measured tone: "Could you tell me why you did that? What is your family situation? What do your parents do? I have truly never seen a university freshman who has to beg for food right after getting off the train"

The woman was very angry, her pretty face showing displeasure as she pointed at the admission notice on the ground, and exclaimed in a sharp voice: "Beijing University of Chinese Medicine! Why do you have to use our school's name to deceive people for money with fake documents? Where are the police? Why aren't they doing anything about this?"

The woman replied without turning her head: "How can you still say that? The senior from another school who is responsible for picking up new students saw you and called to tell me... Why are you calling me sister?"

Hearing him say this, the woman widened her eyes again: "Do you think what you did was right? Arriving in Beijing and not reporting to the university, but instead setting up a stall at the train station to beg for money? What a negative impact this has! Is there any difficulty that cannot be resolved by the school?"

Qu Yimin couldn't help but laugh: "Let's not mention the begging anymore, and please don't bring it up at school! I will help you with those procedures, so you don't need to worry too much. Your personality is great!"

However, the act of "playing the monkey" is a fixed routine, while Professor Qu's "playing the monkey" at the dinner table was done out of necessity. One can understand this; a renowned traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who has spent a lifetime in the field does not need to prove his medical skills by inserting needles into glass. Yet, some outsiders are impressed by this; it is only through such means that they can be subdued. In a certain sense, Old Qu was also playing the monkey—at that moment, he was seated before a table full of monkeys.

Meixi asked while packing her things, "Teacher, I still don't know who you are?"

Meixi quickly nodded and said, "Teacher, I was wrong, please don't be angry! I came from the countryside, and this is my first time in college. I am not familiar with the situation. After getting off the train, I was indeed short on money, which is why I resorted to such measures. I will definitely change in the future." As he spoke, he used the sole of his shoe to wipe away the marks on the road, while secretly laughing in his heart.

The woman's expression softened: "My name is Qu Yimin, and I am the counselor for your class team. We will have many interactions in the days to come. You are the first student I have encountered since taking office, and you truly surprised me!"

Qu Yimin reached across the table and gave Mei Xi's hand a sharp slap, whispering, "Put that down quickly; this is right next to the street. How can you take all the money out like that? You really lack social experience!"

Meixi smiled, and the handsome young man's smile was very genuine: "I am not afraid; it is what it is, even if it means going without food."

Meixi: "I am sorry, I accidentally almost got you into trouble. I will never do this again in the future"

Qu Yimin felt a bit uncomfortable with what he said: "Your words are quite sweet. Do you call your teachers like this in the countryside as well?"

Qu Yimin has a cheerful and generous personality, and she is also beautiful. She is regarded as the most beautiful woman in the hearts of many male teachers and students at Beizhong Medical University, with a head-turning rate of often two hundred percent—one glance is not enough, as people frequently look back a second time. This "teacher" is not without her flaws; for instance, she often has a big temper and tends to get into trouble. Mei Xi has suffered quite a bit because of her, and there are unspoken hardships!—The subsequent text will explain further, but for now, it is not to be mentioned. This "teacher" is not without her flaws; for instance, she often has a big temper and tends to get into trouble. Mei Xi has suffered quite a bit because of her, and there are unspoken hardships!—The subsequent text will explain further, but for now, it is not to be mentioned.

I found a clean little restaurant by the roadside, ordered two dishes and two bowls of white rice. Meixi deliberately appeared very hungry, eating little of the dishes but a lot of rice. After finishing one bowl, he ordered two more bowls of rice—he was indeed hungry. Qu Yimin initially maintained a stern expression, but as she watched him, her heart gradually softened. She sighed and softly advised, "Eat slowly and have more vegetables"

Meixi followed her with a backpack, walking while asking, "Sister, how did you know I was begging here?"

Qu Yimin smiled and said, "Your handwriting is very beautiful; you could join the school's calligraphy club"

At the age of twenty-four or twenty-five, she has a tall and slender figure, dressed in tight-fitting jeans that accentuate her small round hips and shapely legs. Her waist is slim, yet her bosom is quite ample, standing proudly beneath a silk and linen T-shirt, making her look particularly alluring. With elegantly arched eyebrows and a pair of captivating eyes that have slightly deep-set sockets, she possesses a striking charm. Her soft, delicate lips curve slightly upward at the edges, adding to her charm. Her features bear some resemblance to the film star Yang Gongru, yet in Mei Xi's eyes, she is far more beautiful than Yang Gongru.

Qu Yimin smiled bitterly: "No, our school does not have such discipline... Sigh! It seems you really do not understand. Forcing freshmen who just reported for their first year to beg on the street, if this gets out, what a terrible influence it would have. The current public opinion on higher education is quite significant; those who are unaware might think that the student affairs at our school are in terrible shape. The work-study department and I, as their counselor, will also be criticized along with it."

Everyone was stunned and speechless. Qu Zhengbo stood up and first addressed Professor Blair, saying: "I admit that from a medical perspective, you may have many aspects from which we can learn. However, not understanding Traditional Chinese Medicine means you do not understand it. While it is somewhat excusable to speak imprecisely, as a guest in our home, you should show courtesy. This is not merely a matter of politeness in conversation"

One year, an international academic delegation visited the school for academic exchanges. Such occasions inevitably require the accompaniment of certain departmental leaders, and the school also cannot avoid hosting a banquet. Professor Qu was present at one of the gatherings. During the meal, the attendees discussed acupuncture treatment, and Professor Qu, feeling inspired, spoke about the concept of "the unity of man and needle." He explained to the international friends, who were very curious about acupuncture, that truly skilled acupuncture not only involves learning to identify acupoints and insert needles, but that some ancient doctors also cultivated a special "skill" that could achieve the best therapeutic effects.

Qu Yimin: "Don't say these useless things. Just perform well in the future. I am your counselor; if I don't help you, who will? ... ... Finish your meal and leave quickly. When you get to school, don't carry too much cash with you. Remember to get a bank card ... ... Sigh, I am really a bit afraid of you now!"

Meixi quickly replied solemnly: "No, absolutely not!"

... ...

Meixi: "Sister, you have helped me so much; I really don't know how to express my gratitude."

Seeing everyone looking at him in astonishment, Qu Zhengbo took out a needle he carried with him, a fine stainless steel needle commonly used for acupuncture in hospitals. He did not speak, but with his right thumb and middle finger pinching the needle and his index finger lightly supporting it, he gently twisted it on the table in front of him. Everyone is familiar with the round tables in hotels, right? The center where the dishes are placed is a tempered glass plate with a rotating mechanism, approximately half a centimeter thick. The needle in Qu Zhengbo's hand silently pierced through the glass plate, leaving not even a trace of a crack on the surface.

Old Qu's temper and exceptional skills became well-known, earning the respect of all who heard of them. Later, someone invited Old Qu to go abroad for a lecture tour, primarily to showcase his miraculous needle technique. Once again, Old Qu slammed the table and exclaimed, "I am a healer, not a monkey performer!" He declined the invitation on the spot. This statement became a celebrated anecdote; however, Mei Xi had a different perspective upon hearing it—not that Mei Xi did not admire Professor Qu, but rather because Mei Xi did not look down upon monkey performers.

"I also do not know what my parents do..." Mei Xi lowered his head slightly and briefly described his situation. He did not use an exaggerated or pitiful manner, nor did he deliberately conceal anything. His expression and tone were quite ordinary; in fact, he had already briefly written those circumstances on the sidewalk.

Meixi nodded: "I remember, Teacher Qu! ... ... Thank you, sister, for treating me to dinner today. When I earn money in the future, I will definitely treat you back"

Professor Qu then said to the official in charge of the *Diagram* book, "Director Wang, as long as you can pull this needle out with three fingers, I, an old man, will apologize in any way you wish. Otherwise, I suggest you go to the Medicine King Temple to bow and repent yourself". With that, he waved his sleeve and left.

Qu Yimin looked at him with a mix of anger and amusement: "I’m afraid you’ll go out begging again! ... ... Also, in front of classmates, don’t call me sister; call me Teacher Qu. Do you remember?"

Meixi did not decline and replied politely, "Thank you, sister, you are truly wonderful"

Meixi thought to herself: "How else could it show that you have experience?" Yet, with a face that appeared to be educated, she said: "Thank you for the reminder! ... ... Sister, why were you so angry by the roadside just now? Did I make a serious mistake? Did I violate the school's rules?"

As she listened, Qu Yimin's expression softened. She did not press for further details but gently sighed and asked, "So how did you come to Beijing? Have you managed to gather the tuition fees?"

At that time, Mei Xi thought this way, but he did not expect that shortly thereafter, he would become close friends with Professor Qu Zhengbo, despite their age difference

The woman took the identification and examined it for a long time, yet could not find any flaws. Still maintaining a stern expression, she coldly laughed and took out her phone. She dialed a number and called out, "Teacher Wang, are you still in the office? Could you help me check if there is a new student named Mei Xi in the 2007 class of the Traditional Chinese Medicine program? Mei as in the plum blossom, and Xi as in stream!" While speaking, she glared at Mei Xi, her expression seemingly saying—"Kid, watch how I expose you!"

Meixi's eyes lit up: "Is that so? Are the procedures complicated?"

"I am full. Don't you have something to discuss with me?" Mei Xi asked as she set down her chopsticks

Meixi: "I write on the street to make a living, how can I perform? Besides, given my situation, I can't afford the Four Treasures of the Study... Sister, where are you taking me?" As they spoke, the two had already crossed the tunnel and arrived at a bus stop.

Meixi: "We have never seen such a good teacher in our countryside!"

Qu Yimin: "You don't need to thank me; I was just about to look for you to have a conversation."

After a while, there was a query result on the other end of the phone. The woman, upon hearing it, widened her eyes and opened her mouth wide: "What? There really is such a person? It can't be a mistake, right? What is the ID number? ... ... Alright, I understand now. No, nothing happened, just asking. I will hang up first"

Qu Yimin: "Of course, I will take you back to school. The main campus is located on East Third Ring Road, which is quite far from here. It is currently rush hour, so we will have to travel for a while."

Seeing the sincerity in the big boy's attitude of admitting his mistake, his expression resembling that of a frightened child, the woman's anger diminished significantly. She waved to Meixi and said: "The promotion of educational assistance work in remote areas is indeed inadequate. Forget it, I won't criticize you any further. Pack your things and come with me!"

"Sister, https://www.hetushu.com, I have been sitting by the roadside for quite a while, feeling both thirsty and hungry. Could we eat something before we leave? If not, I can buy something to eat on the way," Mei Xi said in a pleading tone, her pitiful gaze making anyone's heart soften.

Qu Yimin is a teaching assistant at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine and a counselor for the undergraduate class of 2007 in Traditional Chinese Medicine. At that time, she had just been admitted to a part-time doctoral program, with her grandfather, the renowned first-level professor Qu Zhengbo, as her supervisor. Professor Qu is seventy-two years old this year, yet he remains remarkably vigorous, climbing stairs two steps at a time with great energy, showing no signs of slowing down compared to younger individuals. At his age, he could have retired to enjoy a life of leisure, but he continues to be active on the front lines of teaching, making him a notable presence on campus.

In Mei Xi's eyes, Professor Qu's performance at the dining table can also be described as a form of street art, colloquially referred to as "Chui Gang An Men Kan," which means to showcase a skill to establish authority. For instance, in a monkey show, the performer first strikes a gong and leads the monkey to perform a series of impressive acrobatic flips to attract attention while simultaneously marking out the performance area among the audience. In the Mei family's monkey show, the performance begins with a demonstration of the monkey whip technique, where the whip tip is used to outline the performance area on the ground, and the sharp crack of the whip commands the monkeys to stand straight, line up, and salute, eliciting laughter from the audience.

Meixi stood up and politely said, "Sister, I don’t understand what you are saying. I am just having a bit of difficulty and seeking help from kind-hearted people, not trying to tarnish anyone’s reputation." It is common for passersby to ignore beggars without giving them money, but it is rare to see someone inexplicably getting angry at a beggar. Moreover, this person is neither a city management officer nor a police officer. Seeing her reaction, Meixi felt a stir in her heart and vaguely guessed something.

Qu Zhengbo's official "academic status" is not considered top-tier, at least one level below the academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The reason is quite simple: when evaluating research achievements in the domestic academic community, a crucial standard is the number of papers published in internationally "recognized" core academic journals, most of which are foreign. As a traditional Chinese medicine expert like Qu Zhengbo, he naturally has not published a single paper—indeed, even translating his medical cases into foreign languages is challenging. Some "elite individuals" often use this to attack traditional Chinese medicine and its practitioners. As a traditional Chinese medicine expert like Qu Zhengbo, he naturally has not published a single paper—indeed, even translating his medical cases into foreign languages is challenging. Some "elite individuals" often use this to attack traditional Chinese medicine and its practitioners.

The school has various policies such as waiving tuition and miscellaneous fees, providing assistance for students in financial distress, and offering student loans. However, applying for all of these can be quite cumbersome, and one often faces disdain and difficulties from others. Not everyone who handles these matters possesses good manners; many individuals, while fulfilling their duties, treat their responsibilities as acts of charity, which can be quite uncomfortable.

Qu Yimin waved her hand generously and said, "You really know how to talk, so let's wait until you make some money before we discuss it!" At this point, she suddenly remembered something, her expression becoming serious as she asked, "You didn't encounter any reporters interviewing you on the street today, did you?"