Chapter 104: Traditional Medicine Shows Its Weakness

Page 1 of 3

Confronted with the deep sorrow and pain of the two elders, Zhong Yuxiu felt a sense of melancholy. In their youth, they too had pursued the development of traditional medicine with immense conviction; yet, the tides of the era were unforgiving, and individual strength could not alter the course of history.

In those years, countless talents lost their purpose for one reason or another, living each day in panic, some even losing their lives as a result.

She was not sure how she made her way out of the consulting room, but outside, a cold wind swept in through the window, sending a shiver through her.

“Teacher.”

“What is it?” Principal Xu glanced over and asked.

Zhong Yuxiu hesitated for a moment but decided to speak her mind. “Teacher, you know my original intention in studying medicine; I fear I don’t have enough time to devote myself to the study of traditional medicine, and I am afraid I’ll disappoint you and Uncle Cheng.”

Principal Xu’s gaze grew heavy, and he let out a long sigh.

“Teacher?” Seeing him silent for a long time, Yuxiu gently prompted him.

“What made you decide to go to the physics department back then?” He couldn’t help but lament—she was clearly talented in medicine, yet she chose to study physics.

A barely perceptible twitch flickered across Zhong Yuxiu’s face. “Teacher, I was only interested in physics at the time…” Physics was her true passion; medicine was an accident.

Principal Xu was at a loss for words, waving his hand in disappointment.

“Let’s go.”

Zhong Yuxiu looked helplessly at the old man before her, his once-straight back now slightly hunched. “Teacher, I will study medicine seriously and will set aside time to delve deeper; if you ever need me in the future, please just let me know.”

“I understand.” With that promise, he was content.

After all, his little disciple was talented in both physics and medicine. He could not, for his own selfish desires, cut off her interests. In the end, everything was up to fate.

Yuxiu did not know if the old man truly accepted it, but she herself could not compromise; medicine was important, but so was technology, and if she had to choose, technology was the more crucial path.

When they reached the consulting room, Principal Xu took out the key and opened the door, leading Zhong Yuxiu inside.

The room was about thirty square meters, simply furnished with only a desk, a few stools and chairs, and a cabinet.

On the desk lay some books and medical records; Zhong Yuxiu glanced at them briefly, but without her teacher’s permission, she would not look further.

“Teacher, do you come here to consult patients every time you’re on holiday?”

Page 2 of 3

Principal Xu sat down and nodded lightly. “I come when I have time. The hospital doesn’t require me or the other professors to be here every day; our main task is still teaching, to nurture more talent in medicine.”

“You work so hard.” She wanted to ask more, but the words caught in her throat; so many senior figures like him were still shining in their posts, doing what they believed they must, never resting even when plagued by illness.

She knew she could never match that.

A sense of shame welled up in Zhong Yuxiu’s heart. In this era, everyone she met had their own goals and ambitions; each of them was strong, self-disciplined, striving forward, and gave selflessly for the country and their families. Yet with her privileged background and the better treatment she received, she still spent her days muddling through.

Her ideological awareness was lacking, too influenced by the world around her, always wishing to avoid trouble and settle for an easy life.

From this day on, Yan Rushan noticed that the girl he cared for became even more diligent, more focused, and had even less time for him. Even when eating roast duck, her mind was elsewhere, completely absorbed in her medical studies. When the new electric scooters went on sale and he invited her to the department store, she refused to go.

Yan Rushan: “…”

Abandoned, pitiful… No, he refused to admit to being pitiful.

“Yuxiu, you’re reading medical books again.” She came home and didn’t even have time to talk to him.

Zhong Yuxiu didn’t even look up, simply nodding. “Mm.”

“Take a break. How long have you been reading already?” Yan Rushan reached out to pull the book from her hands, but no matter how he tugged, it wouldn’t budge. “Rest for a bit, your eyes can’t take it.”

Only then did Zhong Yuxiu look up, a bright smile lighting her face. “It’s fine, I’ll rest after I finish this last bit.”

She lowered her head again, her long and thick lashes casting a shadow beneath her eyes; when she bowed her head, her neck was slender and fair, gracefully shaped, her lips pressed together as if in confusion, or deep in contemplation.

“Comrade Yan,” Hao Nan called from the side, and Tian Shangguo nodded for him to go over.

Yan Rushan turned and walked over. “Comrade Hao, Comrade Tian, is there something you need?”

“There is,” Hao Nan glanced at Tian Shangguo.

Tian Shangguo spoke helplessly, “Comrade Yan, Comrade Zhong has been studying so hard lately that she often forgets to eat. We’ve reminded her twice and it hasn’t helped; could you try persuading her?”

“I understand. You two go help Gou Dan serve the food.”

“Alright.”

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo nodded and left.

Page 3 of 3

Yan Rushan frowned and thought for a moment before returning to sit beside Yuxiu, his eyes falling on her focused face, then to the book in her hands—a treatise on traditional medicine diagnostics. He quietly waited until she put down the book before speaking with concern.

“Yuxiu, are your eyes uncomfortable?”

Zhong Yuxiu put the book on the small table by the sofa, rubbing her eyes with both hands and nodding. “A bit, but it’s tolerable, not too bad.”

“Don’t read for so long next time; it’s not good for your eyes. After half an hour, you should get up and walk around, look outside, rest for ten minutes, then continue if you must.” She was straining herself too much, and he couldn’t understand why she had suddenly become so driven.

She had become utterly absorbed in her studies.

Yan Rushan raised his hands to her temples and gently massaged them. “After we eat, I’ll get some hot water for you to use as a compress for your eyes—it’ll feel better afterward.”

A warm compress helps circulation, and those who have tried it know it makes it easier to fall asleep.

“I’ll be more careful next time.” Zhong Yuxiu closed her eyes, her eyeballs moving in all directions to relieve the strain; after a while, she began to massage the acupoints around her eyes.

After the massage, the heaviness in her head dissipated, the soreness in her eyes eased, and she felt much more relaxed.

“All right, let’s eat.” He took her hand and led her to the dining room.

The food was already on the table; Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo had been waiting for some time.

“Comrade Zhong, after eating, you should go upstairs and rest for a while; you have to go to the school this afternoon,” they reminded her, wanting her to be in good spirits.

Zhong Yuxiu opened her mouth to protest, but Yan Rushan cut her off. “You should rest—there’s no rush to finish reading.”

With Yan Rushan blocking her, she couldn’t say anything more.

“All right then.”

After lunch, Zhong Yuxiu washed up and was escorted upstairs by Yan Rushan, who didn’t leave until she lay down. He closed the door behind him and went downstairs, where he ran into Hao and Tian in the hall.

“Comrade Hao, Comrade Tian, please keep an eye on Comrade Zhong for me; remind her to care for her eyes and drink more water.”

As the winter months approached, the damp cold set in. Only by eating well, resting, and drinking plenty of water could one maintain their strength.