Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“What happened in this village?” Mr. Wu asked.

“Check this out.” Zheng Shixiong handed Mr. Wu his phone. “The village was in quarantine a short while ago because of the outbreak of a contagious disease. More than 10 people died because of the disease.”

The outbreak of the contagious disease was handled well. The medication to treat the disease came out in time to stop the disease from further spreading. Therefore, the news didn’t travel far. Even people from other parts of Qi Province had no idea about the outbreak of the disease, let alone people from south.

“Hmm, I’ve never heard of this,” Mr. Wu said.

“Take a look at this,” Zheng Shixiong said.

“Wu Xingyun?” Mr. Wu wondered.

“He and you might be from the same ancestor,” Zheng Shixiong said.

Of course, that was joke.

Mr. Wu. laughed. “I know him. He’s a well-known doctor.”

“Take a look here. The medication to treat the disease was created by Professor Wu and Dr. Wang,” Zheng Shixiong said.

“I see. It should be the same Dr. Wang,” Mr. Wu said.

“I agree,” Zheng Shixiong said.

“So, where is the source of the bacteria?” Mr. Wu asked.

“I’ve asked around. I was told the bacteria came from Xishan Hill.” Zheng Shixiong pointed west.

“We need to be careful then. Stay away from that hill. Although they’ve got medication to treat the infection, we don’t want to pass the bacteria onto Weijun,” Mr. Wu said.

“Sure, I’ve asked them to stay away from Xishan Hill,” Zheng Shixiong said.

After he returned to the clinic, Wang Yao took out his black notebook to document the change in Zheng Weijun’s symptoms.

Zheng Weijun was like barren land. His body was completely wasted. The worst part was that there were all kinds of harmful insects living in the wasted land.

As Wang Yao was thinking of how to treat Zheng Weijun and kill those harmful insects, he heard someone knocking at the door. “Come in please.”

His voice floated through the door to reach the person outside.

Hmm?

Wang Yao sighed gently.

“Dr. Wang?” A lovely voice came into the room. It was like a twittering bird or running spring water.

“Hello, Xiaoxue. What brings you here?” Wang Yao asked with surprise as he looked at the beautiful girl who was like a fairy.

“Because I miss you, so here I am.” Su Xiaoxue’s answer was honest and direct. She had nothing to hide.

“What?” Wang Yao didn’t know what to say.

She missed him, so she came. That was a good excuse.

“Dr. Wang, let me introduce Auntie Lian to you.” She gestured at the woman standing next to her. The woman seemed to be in her 30s.

“Hello, Dr. Wang,” Auntie Lian said.

“Hello, please come in and take a seat.” Wang Yao invited them into the clinic and made them a pot of tea. “Have some tea please.”

“Thank you,” Su Xiaoxue said.

Miss Su looks so happy, Chu Lian thought as she glanced at a smiling Su Xiaoxue. I’ve never seen her this happy in Beijing.

“Have you been busy lately?” Su Xiaoxue asked.

“Not really,” Wang Yao said.

“Did the disease that happened a while ago bring you a lot of trouble?” Su Xiaoxue asked.

“A bit, but it’s settled for now,” Wang Yao said.

Su Xiaoxue was like a twittering lark. She kept asking Wang Yao questions.

Miss Su was not like this when she was in Beijing, Chu Lian thought.

Su Xiaoxue often sat in the courtyard alone staring at the sky when she was in Beijing. She didn’t talk much. Her voice was always soft, but she never talked excitedly. She had completely changed into a different person once they were in the clinic.

Miss Su completely trusts this Dr. Wang, Chu Lian thought. She is not guarded at all. What Ms. Song has been worried about is true.

Few people would completely trust and want to be close to someone who had no family relationship to them, unless they really liked the person and wanted to do everything for them.

“Dr. Wang, I think I’ve made progress with my breathing exercise,” said Su Xiaoxue, who was like a primary school student seeking reassurance from the teacher.

“Yes, I can feel it. Congratulations. Keep up the good work,” Wang Yao said.

Since he taught Su Xiaoxue how to practice the breathing exercise, he could instantly feel her progress after talking to her for a while.

“I will,” Su Xiaoxue said as she made a fist.

…

In the stroke unit of Lianshan People’s Hospital, doctors were busy seeing patients.

“Doctor, do you think my dad will get back to normal?” a patient’s son asked.

“To be honest, it is very unlikely for your father to get back to normal. I would be happy if he was be able to live independently without any assistance,” the doctor said. “Don’t give up. Help him exercise the best he can. Make sure he stays warm and doesn’t have another fall. The movement of his limbs is impaired. If he fell, he wouldn’t be able to make a quick response to land on his arm or leg. He would likely land on his head, and that would be disastrous.”

The doctor didn’t say it to scare the patient and his son. A lot of people suffering from a stroke fell due to carelessness. As a result, their symptoms got worse. Some of them even died after a fall.

“Doctor, I noticed you have a Department of Acupuncture in the hospital. Do you think acupuncture would help my husband?” another patient’s wife asked.

“The effect of acupuncture is limited. But, a lot of patients recover well after receiving intervention in our rehabilitation center. You can consider sending your husband there,” the doctor said.

“I see. How about the fee?” the patient’s wife asked.

“It’s $60 for one session. You can get a rebate from the government or private health insurance. Take a look at the process.” The doctor pointed at a piece of paper describing the process sticking on the wall.

The Department of Health had continuously improved the National Medical Insurance Scheme. The citizens were getting more benefit from the scheme.

“OK I’ll consider it,” the patient’s wife said.

This was her husband’s second hospitalization. She went back to the hospital room to discuss with her husband about a plan for rehabilitation.

“OK, go ahead,” her husband said. His speech was blurred. It sounded like he had something inside his mouth. He had facial paralysis and hemiplegia following the stroke.

“OK,” the wife said.

She happened to hear a conversation after she walked out of the room.

“One of the villagers in the neighborhood was hospitalized some time ago. He used to walk very awkwardly, and his hands couldn’t move probably. But, he got much better after a few massage sessions,” a person at the corridor said.

“Excuse me, Ma’am, can I ask where the person received the massage?” the stroke patient’s wife asked.

“Well, I’m not sure,” the woman said.

“Which village are you from?” the wife asked.

“I’m from Dongdianzi Village. The man I was talking about lives southwest of the village. His house is on the second row. His name is He Shili. You can ask him about it. It is not difficulty to find him,” the woman said.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” the wife said.

“You are welcome.” The woman shook her hand.

The wife told her husband and son about what she heard after she had returned to the room.

“Mom, she must be exaggerating. How can you believe that sort of nonsense,” her son asked.

“I don’t think so. We should take your dad there. What if it really works?” the wife asked.

“Mom, why don’t you listen to me? I’ve told you that nowadays those frauds have a thousand ways to trick you, and they like targeting middle-aged women with limited education like you,” her son said.

“Stop it. Keep an eye on your dad. Call a doctor. Ring me if anything happens. Remember, don’t play with your phone all the time. I’ll be back soon,” the wife said.

“See? You just don’t get it. Well, be careful, don’t let people fool you. Don’t buy any medications from people you don’t know. By the way, which village are you going to?” the son asked.

“Dongdianzi. It’s not far from here,” she replied.

She went to Dongdianzi village and asked around. She soon found where He Shili lived. He was feeding chickens when he heard knocking at the door. He went to open the door and saw a stranger standing outside.

“Hello, I’m looking for He Shili,” the stroke patient’s wife said.

“I am He Shili. What can I help you with?” He Shili asked the woman he didn’t know.

“Look, I heard that you had a stroke a while ago and were hospitalized,” the woman said.

“Yes,” He Shili said.

“You are recovered now?” the woman asked as she sized him up and down.