Chapter 90: A Doctor’s Visit and a Bitter Remedy

In class today, Lin Duo was once again seated beside Gu Xuexuan. However, for some reason, Gu Xuexuan’s mood seemed subdued, and her conversation with Lin Duo lacked its usual enthusiasm.

During their lunch break, as they packed their bags, Lin Duo offered a suggestion: “I saw some online reviews for a highly-rated Taiwanese snack place nearby. How about we go there for lunch today?”

Upon hearing their discussion, a boy from the front row turned around and joined the conversation. “My friends and I were planning to go there today too. Why don’t we all share a table?”

After all, he was a classmate, and there was nothing inherently wrong with sharing a meal and chatting. Just as Lin Duo was about to agree, Gu Xuexuan spoke up first, her voice sharp. “Hey, aren’t you just trying to hit on my pretty best friend? Don’t bother with these tricks!”

Male students, too, had their pride. Naturally, the boy was quite displeased with Gu Xuexuan’s attitude. “It’s just lunch. If you don’t want to eat, then don’t. Why be so arrogant?” With that, he and his friends left.

Considering the harshness of Gu Xuexuan’s words, Lin Duo couldn’t help but gently chide her. “Xuanxuan, that boy didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t need to be so mean to him.”

“Hmph, have you forgotten how that Cai Jingyao first approached you?”

“That’s a bit different, isn’t it?”

“Alright, alright, lunch break isn’t long. Let’s hurry and grab some food!”

With that, Gu Xuexuan took Lin Duo’s small hand and led her out of the classroom.

****

After enrolling in the intensive class, Lin Duo’s summer had become significantly busier. Not only did she have a mountain of summer homework to complete, but the intensive class assigned new tasks daily, often keeping her occupied until midnight.

One evening, as Lin Duo was still battling her exercise books in her bedroom, her adoptive mother, Wu Bijuan, knocked and entered. She carried a plate of freshly stir-fried walnuts.

“Studying tires the brain,” Wu Bijuan said, offering the plate. “These are homemade honey-glazed walnuts, freshly fried. They say they’re good for the brain, so have some first.”

Lin Duo promptly set down her pen, lifted her small face, and smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Mom!”

“No need to be so polite among family,” Wu Bijuan said, settling onto the edge of the bed, her gaze tender. “Our daughter has truly blossomed, becoming more beautiful by the day. I remember when you first arrived, you hadn’t really developed, still a complete child. Now, only two years later, you’re already a graceful young lady.”

“Mom, stop it!” Lin Duo protested, playfully tugging at her adoptive mother’s arm.

“Alright, alright,” Wu Bijuan chuckled, the corner of her eyes crinkling with the faint crow’s feet left by years of hard work. “But, my dear, your father and I have a concern. Your complexion has been quite pale lately. Others might think it’s because young girls diet for beauty, but your parents know you’re never picky about food. Tomorrow is a day off from tutoring, so how about I accompany you to the nearby hospital this afternoon to get it checked out?”

Lin Duo’s heart instantly chilled, and she shook her head repeatedly. “Mom, I’m perfectly fine. There’s really no need!”

“It’s just for a check-up, to hear what the doctor says. What harm could it do?” Wu Bijuan seemed resolute. “You should get some rest early tonight. Don’t overwork yourself. After all, you’re our greatest treasure. If you were to fall ill—”

Her adoptive mother didn’t finish the sentence, leaving Lin Duo with a complex mix of emotions. Still, she managed to force a smile. “Don’t worry, Mom. Your daughter just has a little less strength, but I’m not that weak.”

Wu Bijuan continued to chatter on for a while before finally leaving. Once the room was quiet again, Lin Duo slumped onto her desk, pulling out a tissue to wipe her slightly moist eyes.

****

The following afternoon, Wu Bijuan indeed took Lin Duo to a nearby hospital. Unsure which department to visit, she approached the reception desk. “My daughter’s complexion isn’t very good. Which department should we see?”

“Not feeling well?” The receptionist scrutinized Lin Duo carefully. “Little sister, do you have any specific discomfort, or any places that occasionally hurt?”

Lin Duo shook her head repeatedly.

“I see… In that case, you should try the Traditional Chinese Medicine department. We have an old TCM doctor here who is incredibly experienced; he was specially re-hired after retirement.”

After completing the queueing, registration, and other procedures, Lin Duo finally met the renowned old TCM doctor.

The elderly doctor appeared to be in his seventies, sporting a wisp of a goatee. He exuded an air of timeless wisdom, with a youthful face framed by white hair. He first listened attentively to Wu Bijuan’s account, then meticulously took Lin Duo’s pulse before delivering his conclusion. “Your daughter’s pale complexion indicates a deficiency syndrome, specifically a collapse syndrome and cold syndrome, suggesting a body with blood deficiency.”

Wu Bijuan quickly inquired with concern, “What should we do then?”

The old doctor waved a hand. “Do not fret! I have an ancestral secret remedy that specializes in treating blood deficiency. Furthermore, in her daily diet, allow your daughter to consume more red dates and donkey-hide gelatin for a reinforcing effect.”

“Alright, thank you, divine doctor!” Wu Bijuan gratefully accepted the secret prescription, expressing her thanks profusely before leading Lin Duo to collect the medicine.

Lin Duo, on the other hand, let out a long sigh of relief. Thankfully, it was a Traditional Chinese Medicine consultation, so there were no X-rays or CT scans, which she genuinely worried might reveal her biological gender.

As soon as they returned home, Wu Bijuan, without a moment’s delay, went upstairs to decoct the medicine. The medicinal aroma was so pungent that even Lin Duo, hiding in her bedroom, couldn’t bear it and had to retreat to the fruit shop downstairs to escape. Two hours later, the concoction was ready, and its taste was, predictably, extremely unpleasant. Lin Duo held the bowl, her usually pretty face contorted into a bitter gourd expression. “Mom, this is so bitter! I don’t want to drink it!”

“My dear, just bear with it. All Chinese medicine tastes like this. You are your parents’ precious treasure; nothing must happen to you.”

With her adoptive mother’s words, Lin Duo had no choice but to pinch her nose and gulp it down in one go.

Perhaps it was due to the medicine being slightly warm, but after Lin Duo drank it, a faint blush genuinely appeared on her face. Wu Bijuan was naturally overjoyed. “It truly is a divine doctor! The medicine works so quickly. My dear, you must not stop taking this medicine throughout the summer. Strive to be cured as soon as possible!”

From that evening onward, Lin Duo’s summer routine gained another arduous task besides studying.

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