Chapter 379: Chapter 379: Gifting Medicine

Sun Dahai and his wife couldn’t understand some of the technical terms Li Xu was using.

Li Xu explained patiently, "To put it simply, your wife’s spleen and stomach functions are weak, which means her body can’t generate enough qi and blood. This has caused her to become thin and frail, with a severe deficiency. A lack of qi and blood affects all aspects of the body, including causing menstrual irregularities. This weakened state also makes her more susceptible to parasitic infections."

"Given her current thin frame and qi and blood deficiency, we can’t use aggressive antiparasitic drugs right away. Doing so would harm her Primordial Qi."

"I suggest she first take a few doses of medicine to harmonize her body and regulate her menstruation. This will replenish her qi and blood and build up her constitution. Once her body has recovered somewhat, we can then address the parasites while strengthening her spleen. This approach will be more effective and much safer."

The couple understood most of it.

Zou Mei said, "I understand. In that case, Dr. Li, please prescribe the restorative medicine for me first."

Li Xu walked over to the square table, picked up a pen, and wrote out a prescription:

Fried Danggui, Fried Atractylodes, Chuanxiong, white peony, Danshen, Guang Yujin, processed Xiangfu, Albizia bark, Achyranthes bidentata, and rose flower—four doses in total.

Sun Dahai leaned in to look at the prescription.

He had a habit of gathering wild medicinal herbs.

He already had many of these herbs at home, so there was no need to buy them from a pharmacy.

Not only that,

but he also knew the properties of many of the herbs. They were all common ingredients for regulating qi and blood and soothing the liver to relieve stagnation. Not a single one was imbalanced or extreme. This made him even more convinced of Li Xu’s skill.

"Ma’am, take these for four days, one dose per day. Decoct it in water and drink it. While on this medication, stick to a light diet and avoid spicy or greasy foods," Li Xu instructed.

"Okay, okay, I’ll remember all that."

Zou Mei replied quickly.

"Dr. Li, this... how much will it be?"

Sun Dahai asked.

"No need. It was no trouble at all."

Li Xu waved his hand and took the opportunity to state his purpose. "I actually came today looking for some medicinal herbs, especially Banxia. I heard Brother Sun enjoys collecting herbs, so I was wondering if you had any at home?"

Without hesitation, Sun Dahai turned and went into the back room. A moment later, he came out carrying several hemp sacks and bamboo baskets of various sizes.

They were filled with all sorts of dried medicinal herbs.

"Dr. Li, take a look. These are all ones I’ve gathered myself, and I bought some from other herb farmers."

Sun Dahai pointed to the herbs, describing them with fond familiarity. "This Banxia here, I dug some of it up by the riverbank this autumn. The quality is quite good. Have a look."

He pulled a handful of Banxia from one of the sacks and handed it to Li Xu.

Li Xu took the Banxia and examined it closely. The tubers were plump, yellowish-brown in color, and firm. The cross-section was white and very starchy.

He brought it closer to his nose and took a sniff. A strong, pungent aroma filled his nostrils—the hallmark of top-grade Banxia.

Moreover, the Banxia had been thoroughly dried and well-preserved.

"You’re right, the quality is excellent."

Li Xu thought for a moment, then took out a thousand yuan. "This Banxia can sell for 200 yuan a jin. I’ll take five jin."

"Oh, Dr. Li, you’re being too kind..."

Sun Dahai waved his hands repeatedly. "You didn’t even charge us for the consultation. How could I possibly take your money? Just consider it a gift."

"I couldn’t possibly..."

"Nonsense, I just gathered it from outside. I can always dig more next year..."

The two went back and forth a few times, but Sun Dahai was insistent on giving it to him.

In the end, Li Xu had no choice but to accept.

In addition to the Banxia, Sun Dahai also brought out some high-quality Poria Cocos, Mountain Yam, and other herbs, all of which Li Xu accepted.

"Then thank you so much, Brother Sun, and you as well."

Li Xu picked up the herbs and thanked them again. "After your wife finishes this course of treatment, if she still doesn’t feel well, just give me a call."

"Don’t worry, we definitely won’t hesitate,"

Sun Dahai said with a cheerful laugh.

...

「A week passed in the blink of an eye.」

That morning, Li Xu was in the middle of seeing a patient when the clinic door was pushed open.

Wang Xiufang walked in, her face wreathed in smiles.

And following behind her was none other than Ai Shengbing.

Ai Shengbing wasn’t in a wheelchair. Instead, he walked into the clinic step by step on his own.

He moved slowly, needing to lean on a wall or a chair to rest every few feet, and a slight wheezing cough would escape him when he paused.

But compared to the emaciated, barely breathing man who couldn’t even stand just half a month ago, he now looked like a completely different person.

The lifeless pallor was gone from his face.

There was even a hint of a healthy, ruddy color to his cheeks.

"Dr. Li, we’re here for a follow-up,"

Wang Xiufang said with a smile.

Li Xu had them take a number and wait.

A little over twenty minutes later,

it was Ai Shengbing’s turn.

Li Xu gestured for Ai Shengbing to sit down in the chair.

After Ai Shengbing sat and rested for a moment, his wheezing gradually subsided.

He said gratefully, "Dr. Li, I can walk by myself now."

"Mm, that’s excellent."

Li Xu nodded and took his pulse.

His pulse was much stronger than before. Although it still felt weak, it was no longer the thready, deep pulse that seemed to vanish at the slightest touch.

Looking at his tongue, the coating was thin, white, and moist. The tongue itself was a pale red, and the teeth marks along the edges were much less pronounced.

"Very good."

Li Xu said with a smile, "Your qi and blood have recovered somewhat, and your spleen and stomach functions are improving. The previous phlegm and fluid retention have been completely eliminated, and your body is now starting to heal."

He then wrote out the prescription for the third stage of treatment.

It was still based on the Ten-Complete Great Replenishing Soup, with the addition of raw Banxia, Dried Tangerine Peel, and Danshen.

This prescription continued to focus on harmonizing and nourishing the body, while also adding a small amount of tumor-attacking herbs. The hope was to slowly replenish his qi and blood while gradually eroding the lesions.

"Take this prescription for another seven days," Li Xu instructed. "Continue to maintain a light diet and avoid spicy or greasy foods. Get some moderate activity, but don’t overexert yourself."

Wang Xiufang nodded repeatedly, too emotional to know what to say.

Ai Shengbing also listened intently. He had never imagined a day would come when he would actually get better.

With the new medicine in hand, Ai Shengbing and his mother returned home.

In the days that followed, Ai Shengbing’s condition seemed to improve day by day.

He took his Chinese medicine diligently every day.

Though the medicine was bitter, he drank it as if it were a sweet nectar.

He was able to get out of bed on his own and walk around the house for longer and longer periods, and his coughing fits became less and less frequent.

His complexion grew ruddier, and his spirits kept improving.

He even started trying to do some simple chores around the house.

Although he would tire quickly,

the feeling of regaining control over his own body was incredibly invigorating.

One evening, Ai Shengbing was taking a slow walk around the house.

He walked into the living room and glanced at a digital scale in the corner.

He had bought it half a year ago when he was first diagnosed with lung cancer, wanting to monitor his weight.

Since falling ill, his weight had plummeted from over 130 jin to just over 60. Every time he saw the number on the scale, he was filled with despair.

Eventually, he put the scale aside, unwilling to look at it anymore.

But today,

on a strange whim, he walked over to it.

’Maybe... I should weigh myself?’

The thought flashed through his mind.