Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor Gao-Yuan

Gao-Yuan prescribed three doses of medicine, but Uncle Zhou only took one. He was worried that if it didn't work again, he wouldn't waste more money.

Throughout the process, Uncle Zhou didn't glance at Li Shengli even once. With his head down, he left, leaving Li Shengli feeling somewhat dejected.

The entire afternoon, Li Shengli was distracted and restless.

Several patients who arrived turned away the moment they saw Li Shengli was on duty.

This left Li Shengli feeling utterly discouraged.

The few who stayed were either from remote villages who couldn’t afford to leave or were just there to pick up medication without needing his diagnosis.

Every time he thought about what Gao-Yuan had said at noon, Li Shengli became even more agitated. The clinic had many medical books, including the much-discussed "Treatise on Cold Damage Disorders" ("Shang Han Lun"). However, when he opened it, he realized the book seemed to know him, but he didn't know the book.

Feeling increasingly frustrated, Li Shengli slammed it shut.

By evening.

“Hey, Xiao He, haven’t finished work yet?”

“Oh, Uncle Zhou, you're back?” He Yu greeted him.

Hearing the voice, Li Shengli darted out of the consultation room. Seeing Uncle Zhou, he felt a bit anxious. “Why...why are you back?”

Uncle Zhou replied, “I’m here for the medicine, of course! I have to say that remedy really works. After taking it, I felt a lot less pain, and my head was clearer. I even managed to pass stool just now.”

“Previously, even when your medicine helped me move my bowels, it felt unbearable! It was more torturous than medicinal. But this time, I felt so much better afterward. Hey, Xiao He, help me prepare three more doses.”

He Yu was surprised; she didn’t expect such an effective result. “There are only three doses in total, Uncle Zhou. You’ve already taken one, so there are only two left.”

Uncle Zhou patted his chest confidently. “If the medicine is effective, I don't mind taking more!”

Hearing this, Li Shengli numbly turned back towards the consultation room.

Watching his retreating figure, Uncle Zhou intentionally raised his voice. “If this doctor had taken care of me from the start, I wouldn’t have wasted so much money and suffered so much.”

Li Shengli paused, his hand gripping the door frame so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

Ultimately, he said nothing and walked back inside.

Later that evening, Gao-Yuan returned with the medicinal herbs and the treatment records for the entire village. He distributed them one by one to the villagers, and to his surprise, they all nodded and thanked him.

He vividly recalled the disdain and guarded looks he had received when he first returned to the village. Why was the attitude so different this time?

Puzzled, Gao-Yuan headed home.

His mother was preparing dinner. Seeing him return, she quickly wiped her hands and approached him with concern. “Are you tired from collecting the medicine today? Want to rest for a bit?”

“No, Mom, I’m fine,” Gao-Yuan replied.

“Did you check on Grandpa Yang?” she asked.

“Yes, I did. Grandpa Yang is recovering well and can walk around now. I also gave him his new medicine.”

“Do you know what Grandpa Yang did when he got out of bed?” she asked with a mysterious smile.

Gao-Yuan shook his head.

“You should really thank him,” his mother continued.

“Why?” he asked, puzzled.

“He went around the village today, leaning on his cane, and told everyone, especially those you helped with medicine, not to call you a traitor anymore and not to be ungrateful.”

Warmth spread through Gao-Yuan’s heart. Grandpa Yang had just recovered but went to such lengths for him. No wonder people weren’t as hostile when he returned today.

“Mom, I understand,” Gao-Yuan nodded earnestly.

“Ah...” his mother sighed deeply. “It’s just about you and Yang Xiuying.”

Before she could finish, a voice called out from the doorway. “Is Gao-Yuan home?”

“Yes, I’m here,” Gao-Yuan answered, quickly walking outside.

His mother was left hanging mid-sentence. She sighed again and hurried to catch up.

Standing outside was Uncle Wei from their village. “What’s the matter, Uncle Wei?” asked Gao-Yuan.

Uncle Wei rubbed his hands together nervously. “I heard you learned to treat illnesses? Grandpa Yang said it was you who cured him. I saw him before, all swollen beyond recognition.”

“Yes, I treated him. What happened? Is someone unwell?” Gao-Yuan asked.

“It’s my wife. She suddenly has a fever and is confused,” Uncle Wei replied anxiously.

“All right, I’ll come with you to take a look,” Gao-Yuan agreed without hesitation.

“Great!” Uncle Wei responded, relieved.

As Gao-Yuan followed him, his mother quickly extinguished the cooking fire and hurried after them.

Earlier that day, Grandpa Yang had scolded half the village, telling everyone how Gao-Yuan had saved his life. It was quite a sensation. Now that they heard Gao-Yuan was going to treat another patient, even those idle men loitering around after dinner couldn’t resist following them to watch.

Arriving at Uncle Wei’s house, Gao-Yuan entered with him while a crowd gathered in the courtyard, whispering amongst themselves.

Inside, he found Aunt Wei lying in bed, delirious.

“What happened?” Gao-Yuan asked.

Uncle Wei answered, “Maybe it’s because she ate something cold last night. She had a bowl of chilled sweet potatoes before bed. This morning she complained of weakness, thirst, and shaky legs. After drinking hot water, she felt hot, dizzy, and chills. She developed a fever this afternoon, and it hasn’t improved since. She refuses to eat and feels nauseous. She’s been drinking water all day but seems anxious and is now completely out of it.”

“I see,” Gao-Yuan nodded. He checked her forehead and was startled. “She’s burning up!”

“I know!” Uncle Wei exclaimed anxiously. “It’s scalding! That’s why I came to find you.”

The bystanders in the doorway exchanged nervous glances, whispering in concern.

Gao-Yuan carefully examined Aunt Wei’s tongue and noticed a thick white coating with little moisture. Her pulse was rapid.

“Is it serious?” Uncle Wei asked, worry etched across his face.

“It’s quite severe,” Gao Yuan confirmed.

“What should we do?” Uncle Wei wrung his hands in distress.

“We can’t wait until tomorrow for the medicine. By the time we go to the town in the morning, get back in the afternoon, and have her take the medicine, it’ll be evening. I’ll head to the town now to get it,” Gao-Yuan said decisively.

“What?!” Uncle Wei was taken aback. He hadn’t expected such an offer.

The entire courtyard fell silent.

“N-no… I’ll go instead,” Uncle Wei stammered.

“You’re not used to walking the mountain paths at night. Besides, Aunt Wei needs someone here. You don’t even know where the town doctor lives. Give me her treatment record; I’ll head out now,” Gao-Yuan insisted.

Taking the record, he immediately set off.

“Wait! You haven’t eaten dinner yet!” His mother called after him.

But Gao-Yuan had already disappeared into the night.

It was only then that everyone realized he wasn’t joking. He truly intended to travel dozens of miles in the dark for someone unrelated to him.

Everyone stood there, stunned.

“Open your eyes, open your eyes, and see!” A voice rang out behind them.

The crowd turned to find Grandpa Yang leaning on his cane, his eyes blazing with emotion. “Look at him! A fine young man like this, could he possibly be a traitor? Could he possibly be a bad person? Who among you could do what he’s doing? Are you all blind?”