Seeing Wu Buwei flee in embarrassment, Du Heng couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.
Traditional Chinese medicine has many folk remedies, all capable of curing diseases. However, the reason they are called folk remedies is that the content of their formulas is often quite peculiar. They might be toxic, or the methods somewhat cruel or bloody. So, often, even when people knew of such a remedy, a look at its ingredients and methods would make them keep their distance, feeling it wasn't something good. Over time, these folk remedies gradually disappeared.
Of course, folk remedies also fail at times, mainly because many patients don't clearly understand their actual illness and use a remedy simply because their symptoms seem similar. When the medicine doesn't match the ailment, their illness isn't cured and instead worsens. For example, boiling green onion root and raw ginger in water to drink is a folk remedy widely known to treat the common cold. However, this particular remedy treats cold syndromes, not heat syndromes. Many people can't distinguish between cold and heat syndromes; they only know that a headache, fever, and runny nose mean they have a cold.
After Wu Buwei ran out, Du Heng was alone in the office again. An irrepressible curiosity welled up, and he unconsciously summoned the screen.
2/1000
Another case completed.
Du Heng was beginning to understand more clearly how the system tallied cases. Judging by these two completed cases, it meant that as long as the treatment direction and medication were correct, it counted as an effective treatment. It wasn't as he had worried—the patient didn't need to be completely cured for it to count as an effective case. After all, with current medical methods, many diseases can't be completely cured; they can only be controlled or their symptoms alleviated, such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. According to the statistical analysis currently provided by the system, as long as the condition could be controlled and the patient's suffering alleviated, it was considered a completed task.
In that case, completing 1,000 effective treatments didn't seem too difficult after all. However, he still needed to find ways to attract more patients.
Du Heng stroked his chin, pondering for a good while. Feeling bored alone in the office, he stuck his hands in his pockets and sauntered out into the hall.
The registration window was empty, save for Wang Zhenzhen inside, scrolling through her phone. Du Heng leaned against the window to chat with her. "Sister Wang, you're not supposed to be on your phone during work hours. Don't get caught."
Wang Zhenzhen rolled her eyes at Du Heng from inside but dutifully put her phone away. Nowadays, all administrative units were cracking down hard on slacking off during work hours. Undercover inspectors from the district or city could show up at any moment. Besides, there were plenty of busybodies who, upon seeing such behavior, would report it without a second thought. By then, they'd face criticism and wage deductions; it simply wasn't worth it.
"What are you doing out here instead of treating patients in the office?" Wang Zhenzhen asked.
"Well, there are no patients right now. I came to see if you, Sister Wang, could send a few more patients my way."
Wang Zhenzhen gave him a sidelong glance, took two oranges from her drawer, and handed one to Du Heng. "That Dr. Zhang was looking for you earlier, wasn't she?"
While peeling the orange, Du Heng casually asked, "How did you know?"
Wang Zhenzhen sneered. "That shrew just threw a fit at me, blaming me for processing Fan Yuxiang's hospital transfer. I gave her a piece of my mind. It'd be a miracle if she didn't take it out on you."
Du Heng chuckled and leaned closer to the window. "You guessed right, Sister Wang. But I gave it right back to her. Then, as luck would have it, Director Li ran into her and gave her another good dressing-down."
Wang Zhenzhen spat out an orange seed, laughing with schadenfreude. "Serves her right! Let her be arrogant. I've been sick of her attitude for ages." Perhaps finding her orange a bit too sour, she stuffed the rest of it into Du Heng's hand. "I never realized how capable you are, kid. In the past, when patients came that you couldn't handle, I sent them all her way. I didn't expect you to have such skills! Don't worry, from now on, I'll register all incoming patients under your name. Let's see if she dares to snarl at me then. I'll put her in her place!"
Du Heng was delighted. A 400-yuan meal for three people... Honestly, this was the most extravagant meal I've had since I graduated and started earning money, he thought. He hadn't expected it to yield such great results. "Then I really must thank you, Sister Wang. If you need anything in the future, just say the word."
"You said it." Wang Zhenzhen smiled, her eyes darting around cautiously before she lowered her voice. "Actually, I do have something I need your help with. See if you have a way. But you absolutely cannot tell anyone."
"Don't worry, Sister Wang. You don't trust me to keep a secret?"
"You cheeky brat! It's not like I've 'used' your mouth before, so how would I know if I can trust it?" Wang Zhenzhen retorted playfully.
Du Heng nearly choked. Are all young married women this wild?
I'm not sure how to respond to that!
After her playful jab, Wang Zhenzhen leaned in and whispered, "Lately, your brother-in-law... well, maybe he's too tired, or perhaps it's his age... he's a bit... a bit..."
"Sister Wang, please be clear. A bit what? How can I make a judgment if you don't tell me plainly?"
"Oh, he's just a bit too fast."
"Fast?"
Du Heng froze for a moment. It took him a good while to realize what Wang Zhenzhen meant.
This woman is really something else!
Sighing inwardly at her directness, Du Heng could only press for more details. "Are there any other symptoms?"
Wang Zhenzhen thought for a moment. "Well, recently he's become rather irritable and hasn't been sleeping well. Sometimes he's up all night, sitting on the sofa smoking. Then, when it's nearly dawn, he's too drowsy to get up. And, well, he's just too quick... you know. Xiao Du, do you think there's something wrong with him? Like kidney deficiency or something like that?"
Too fast?
Just how fast?
Du Heng really wanted to ask for specifics, but fearing Wang Zhenzhen might call him a pervert, he skipped the question. He pondered carefully. It doesn't sound like kidney deficiency... more like neurasthenia. This was because neurasthenia could also cause symptoms like nocturnal emissions and premature ejaculation. Yet, many people mistakenly assumed it was a kidney function problem, buying all sorts of kidney tonics to no effect. So, Du Heng could understand Wang Zhenzhen's suspicions.
"Sister Wang, I recall brother-in-law was promoted to Station Chief just before the New Year, wasn't he?"
"Yes, he was promoted right after New Year's Day. We initially thought that becoming Station Chief would make things a bit easier, but he's ended up even busier than before."
"It's quite normal for someone at the police station to be busy. Besides, brother-in-law is in his prime, career-wise. If he weren't busy, you'd probably be more worried."
Wang Zhenzhen sighed, "You're right."
Du Heng considered for a moment, then said, "Since brother-in-law isn't here, I can't make a definite conclusion. How about this: I'll teach you a method you can try first. Then, when there's time, have brother-in-law come in so I can give him a proper check-up."
"That's fine, tell me."
"Every night before bed, have brother-in-law soak his feet in hot water. As for you, you can massage his acupoints: CV-04, SP-06, CV-03..."
"Wait, let me find a pen to write this down." Wang Zhenzhen hurriedly picked up a pen and paper from a nearby table, spread them out, and said, "You can say it now."
Du Heng couldn't help rolling his eyes. She's really taking this seriously, he thought. "...then ST-36, BL-23, and KI-13. For these six acupoints in total, use your thumb to apply pressure and knead in small circles. The sensation should be a dull ache or distension—don't press too hard, as it can cause injury, but don't be too gentle either, or it won't be effective. While you're doing it, frequently ask brother-in-law how he feels." As Du Heng spoke, he demonstrated the massage technique.
Wang Zhenzhen watched attentively. "Okay, I'll try it tonight. By the way, where exactly are these acupoints?"
Du Heng was speechless. Seriously? You think you can remember all that after hearing it just once?
"When you get home tonight, look them up on your phone. There should be diagrams. Take your time, don't rush." Du Heng paused, then added, "Or, you could have brother-in-law come see me now. I'd have more confidence in diagnosing him directly."
"Sigh, I've asked him several times, but he always says he doesn't have time. Never mind, I'll try your method first."
Watching Wang Zhenzhen take out her phone and start looking up the locations of these acupoints, Du Heng was about to go upstairs to check on the facial paralysis patient he had just treated when Wang Zhenzhen called out to him again.