CHAPTER 382: CHAPTER 365: TREATMENT CANNOT REPLACE FAMILY LOVE (2)

While waiting for the medicine to brew, Li Yuzhu chatted leisurely with Old Mrs. Zhao.

Basically, it was the old lady talking, and she echoing.

The words of an Alzheimer’s patient often get jumbled, praising your nice-sounding name in one sentence, and then asking what your name is in the next. Praising your obedient child for growing a few teeth in one sentence, then asking how old your grandson is in the next.

People without patience, or those unaware of the elderly person’s illness, would be driven mad and not engage much in conversation.

Li Yuzhu accepted money, solving problems for others.

So she accompanied the old lady in idle chat.

The old lady regarded her as a just-weaned baby, so she admitted she was a baby.

The old lady asked when her son would marry, and she twitched her mouth, saying he would marry next year.

The old lady said, "You’re talking nonsense! Isn’t your son only eleven? How can he get married?"

She replied with a smile, "The eleven-year-old is my younger son, the older one is twenty, just the right age for marriage."

The old lady realized and let out an "oh".

Mrs. Zhao became impatient, wanting to leave several times, but feared Li Yuzhu might gossip about her.

She had no choice but to sit holding her temper.

Seeing Li Yuzhu engaged in conversation with her family’s old lady, Mrs. Zhao got an idea.

She sighed and said, "Miss Li, as you know, I have a big family. Several nieces and nephews are living with us, and as the eldest aunt, I can’t ignore them. If I don’t manage things, the house will be in chaos."

Li Yuzhu realized she was impatient and wanted to run away, but it was their own home, so she couldn’t possibly stop Mrs. Zhao from leaving.

Mrs. Zhao politely asked to leave only out of courtesy.

"Mrs. Zhao, you are the manager of the household with many matters; I understand," Li Yuzhu said.

Mrs. Zhao said awkwardly, "Miss Li, I have an unreasonable request..."

Li Yuzhu smiled faintly, "Go ahead, Mrs. Zhao."

Mrs. Zhao smiled, "Miss Li also said our old lady’s illness is chronic, flaring up slowly, and likewise, treatment takes time. From the looks of it, Miss Li would have to come to our house regularly to chat with our old lady. Instead of traveling back and forth daily, why not stay at our home for just a month?"

Seeing Li Yuzhu say nothing, just smiling slightly, she continued, "Rest assured, Miss Li, you won’t be wronged. We have plenty of guest rooms, all set up like the rooms for young ladies, and we’ll arrange a maid for you."

"..."

"As for the consultation fee, I’ll advance ten taels to you, and when the old lady recovers, I’ll pay another hundred taels. By the way, living with us, besides treating the old lady, you can just chat with her? All expenses will be covered by us, and you’ll eat like the young ladies."

Mrs. Zhao thought, even though the Li family is related to the county magistrate’s family, even the Emperor has poor relatives, doesn’t he?

Li Yuzhu, working at such a young age, must have a poor family.

Give Li Yuzhu some money, and she would surely agree to take care of the old lady.

Hearing her plan, Li Yuzhu laughed inwardly.

For treating Old Mrs. Zhao’s illness, it would take at least three to five months, or even half a year, to see any effect; thinking of a complete cure in one month is simply impossible.

And to have her live to look after Old Mrs. Zhao?

She was a doctor, not a maid.

Mrs. Zhao said one month, but who knows if it wouldn’t be extended to half a year.

Moreover, Alzheimer’s patients need family love to slowly improve or stabilize their condition, not bitter medicine from a stranger doctor and tedious rehabilitation training.

Mrs. Zhao was paying for peace, hoping to wear down the old lady until she died for a quiet life.

What a clever calculation.

Li Yuzhu smiled and said, "My parents would worry if I stayed long at Mrs. Zhao’s house. How about this, I’ll come to your house twice a month, staying three days each time."

"How can that work? Isn’t the old lady’s illness slow to recover?" Mrs. Zhao disagreed.

Li Yuzhu said, "Mrs. Zhao, if it were other illnesses, like post-surgery wounds or severe bleeding injuries, where doctors need to be ever-present to prevent major bleeding or sudden infection for timely treatment, but obviously, the old lady’s illness isn’t like that."

"Miss Li, if you think the consultation fee is too little, how about I add ten taels? I’ll advance twenty taels and give you another hundred taels once she recovers," suggested Mrs. Zhao.

Li Yuzhu smiled, shaking her head.

Mrs. Zhao’s face darkened, "Then, I’ll advance fifty taels and pay another hundred taels when she’s better. How about it?" She sneered, "Only my Zhao family can afford such a price. I heard you treated Mrs. Sang too; that Mrs. Sang isn’t as generous as we are, is she?"