Doctor Ling

"Doctor Ling is here! Doctor Ling is here!"

The shout came from the courtyard, echoing with urgency. Mo Ring quickly rose from beside Gu Chen and rushed to the door.

A short, wiry man stepped inside, carrying a worn wooden medicine box that clacked softly with every step. His sleeves were rolled up to the elbows, his shirt patched in a few places, and a cloth bag of herbs peeked from his side pocket.

Ling Natong.

"Doctor Ling, quickly—please check on the child," Mo Ring said, holding back her worry.

She fumbled to untie the cloth pouch at her waist and handed him a few copper coins. Ling Natong accepted them without a word, sliding them into his upper shirt pocket. Then he crouched beside Gu Chen's still body.

"What happened?" he asked calmly, opening his medicine box.

"He… fell into the water," Mo Ring replied.

Ling Natong glanced up, "And he hasn't woken up since?"

Mo Ring nodded, swallowing hard. "Not a word. Not a movement."

Ling Natong first opened the boy's mouth, checked his nose, then gently pulled back one eyelid.

The room was silent, save for the soft clinks of metal as he worked.

He pulled out a stethoscope, placed it against Gu Chen's chest, and listened for a long while. Everyone else held their breath.

Behind him stood Gu Yuexue, Mo Ring's eldest granddaughter. She watched with her arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin line. A girl in her late teens, tall and slender with long black hair tied into a neat braid. The hem of her simple sky-blue dress swayed as she moved silently to help, placing a clean cloth nearby and adjusting a pillow under Gu Chen's head.

Ling Natong finally leaned back, sighing through his nose.

Mo Ring moved closer. "Doctor… what is it?"

Ling Natong said nothing at first. He gently lifted Gu Chen and patted the boy's back a few times before laying him down again. Then, reaching into his coat, he pulled out a hand-rolled cigarette and stuck it between his lips.

"I'll get a match!" Mo Ring said quickly, moving toward the stove.

But Ling Natong already had one. He struck it with a practiced flick of his thumbnail, lighting the cigarette and drawing in a deep breath.

The tip glowed orange in the dim room as he exhaled a long stream of smoke.

"Doctor Ling?" Mo Ring pressed, voice rising.

Ling Natong looked at her, his brow furrowed deeply. "How long was the boy under?"

She turned to Gu Bo.

"Only a moment," Gu Bo answered. "As soon as he went under, Grandfather pulled him out."

Ling Natong took another drag from his cigarette, then exhaled slowly, thoughtfully.

"The boy didn't drown. His lungs are clear. No water in his nose, no blockage in his throat. His pulse is steady. He's breathing."

"Then… why won't he wake up?" Mo Ring asked.

Ling Natong didn't answer right away.

He stood, brushing the dust from his knees, and started packing his tools away. The cigarette smoldered between his lips until it burned down to the filter. He pulled it free, dropped it to the ground, and crushed it under his heel.

"I don't know," he admitted finally. "He's not injured. It's not physical."

He paused, then looked Mo Ring directly in the eyes. "The child said, you called Ms. Yue, didn't you?"

"Yes," she nodded. "Gu Ho went to fetch her."

Ling Natong nodded in understanding. "If it's not the body, then maybe it's the spirit. Or fate."

He turned toward the door.

"If he's still like this by nightfall, take him to the town clinic tomorrow. I've can't do anything."

"Thank you… thank you for coming," Mo Ring said, bowing slightly as he passed.

Ling Natong gave a small nod.

Just as he stepped out of the house, a loud voice called from the gate.

"Ms. Yue is here!"

Gu Ho ran inside, panting and wiping sweat from his forehead. "Grandma! She's here!"

Ling Natong paused on the porch.

In the distance, a motorized tricycle rattled its way down the dirt path toward the house, its engine coughing smoke as it approached.