I Can Hear the Heart's Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Chapter 425 - 175: In This World, There’s Only One Illness—Poverty

Lu Xuan returned at a reasonable time, not even eight o’clock yet.

The main reason is that the Ji family has dinner early, around six o’clock. After finishing dinner, Lu Xuan didn’t intend to linger at the Ji home. After a brief chat with the two elder brothers of the Ji family, he got into Ji Qinglan’s car and returned to the residential area.

"Whose BMW 5 Series was that downstairs just now?"

"It looked like a beauty was sitting in the driver’s seat?"

As soon as Lu Xuan pushed the door open, he was greeted with Ji Xiuwen’s barrage of questions: "You’re really lucky with the ladies. Su Kenan just returned to school for a couple of days, and in no time, another beauty brings you back. Plus, there’s a Mi Nannan in our class who can’t forget you. How can there be such a big gap between people?"

"Ji Qinglan, Vice Mayor Ji’s niece, is nearly twelve years older than me. If you like her, you can pursue her; I can play matchmaker for you." 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Nearly twelve years older?"

"Wouldn’t that mean she’s already thirty-five or thirty-six?"

Ji Xiuwen immediately shrank back: "Forget it, I can’t handle that blessing."

Vice Mayor Ji’s niece — if you really pursued her and succeeded, you’d have no problem advancing in Yong City’s medical world. The key issue is his parents; they definitely wouldn’t approve. Being three or four years older isn’t much, and parents might accept it, you know, older women mean good fortune.

But being over ten years older? He thought if he really brought her home, his parents might just kill him.

Also, such older single women aren’t easy to win over. If he had Lu Xuan’s excellence, there might be a chance, but he doesn’t, does he?

If he did, he wouldn’t need to find someone over ten years older!

However, Ji Xiuwen was curious: "How did you get to know her niece?"

Lu Xuan knew that if he didn’t say anything, this guy would probably dwell on it all night, so he had to explain the situation briefly. After hearing it, Ji Xiuwen had a strange expression: "That’s too dramatic, isn’t it?"

"Isn’t it possible she staged such a dramatic scene just to invite you to a meal?"

"As dramatic as it is, I’m pretty sure it wasn’t staged."

Lu Xuan shook his head and said, "Besides, if she really wanted to invite me to a meal, once she asked, do you think I could refuse?"

"Seems like you couldn’t refuse." Ji Xiuwen shook his head.

"There you go." Lu Xuan spread his hands.

"Alright, enough about this. Wanna take a walk downstairs?"

"Sure!"

...

The next day.

Wednesday.

The Health Center, Lu Xuan is consulting as usual.

In the corner of the second-floor lobby, a sixty-year-old man was sitting worriedly. Beside him, Liu Shao patiently said, "Uncle, don’t be nervous. Dr. Lu is really skilled. Although your condition is quite serious, I think with Dr. Lu’s ability, even if he can’t completely cure you, he can at least help you return to normal.

And look, your son quit his job back home, rented a place near the Health Center, and found a job just to prepare for a long fight alongside you, so no matter what, don’t give up!

Of course, thank you and your son for trusting me so much, traveling over seven or eight hundred kilometers to come here. Just for this trust, I’ll cover your living expenses during this time. Don’t worry about the treatment costs.

How much does a dose of Chinese medicine cost? Your monthly dialysis cost could feed you for almost half a year.

With Dr. Lu’s skill, you might see results in just one or two weeks, so rest assured."

Old Li was skeptical.

"Brother Liu, I won’t say thank you. Once I settle down here, I’ll definitely repay you for the rent. I still have a bit on me, but I need money to see the doctor. Over the years, I earned a bit from working, but it all went to hospital stays, dialysis, and medication—costing tens of thousands a month. Since I can’t work, watching my savings deplete is unbearable. Otherwise, I wouldn’t need to take your rent money." Old Li’s son looked at Liu Shao gratefully.

"Brother, no need to say anything. Your coming here is a sign of trust in me, Liu Shao. What’s rent anyway? And you’ve seen in the livestream, many brothers have tipped you. This money is originally yours, so spending it on you is only right. No need to mention repayment; the important thing is your father’s health. Whether it’s cured or not, as long as it allows for a normal life, that’s enough." Liu Shao comforted him.

"Brother Liu, I don’t really hope for a cure anymore. I’ve spent over a hundred thousand in the hospital and haven’t heard any good news."

Li Chengyuan said helplessly: "In these past few months in the hospital, I’ve realized one thing: in this world, there’s only one disease—poverty. Without money, even King Yama would come to claim your soul sooner."

Watching the slightly agitated Li Chengyuan, Liu Shao fell silent.

"Just talking about the hospital in our hometown..."

Li Chengyuan started recounting his experiences with his father, from going to the hospital to being discharged, especially the recent ones, as Liu Shao listened quietly. When Li Chengyuan mentioned the monthly cost of dozens of dialysis sessions, even with rural insurance coverage, it still cost six or seven thousand a month, not including other expenses, Liu Shao felt conflicted.

Six or seven thousand a month for dialysis, one or two thousand for medication, one or two thousand for hospitalization, plus other medical expenses—it barely stops at fifteen thousand a month.

Nowadays, how many can earn fifteen thousand a month?

Furthermore, Old Li’s condition worsens with time, with daily medical expenses multiplying. Li Chengyuan is merely a salaried worker, earning under five thousand a month. Even without spending time at the hospital, he still can’t afford Old Li’s costly medical bills.