CHAPTER 109: 109 CONTINUOUS SWEATING

Another boring day passed just like that.

「Today, however, marks the last day of the May Day holiday.」

Thinking about this holiday makes Du Heng’s head hurt.

Li Qiuhua drank the medicine yesterday, but she hadn’t sweated at all.

By this morning, Du Heng couldn’t wait any longer.

A little after nine, once the medicine had been decocted, he carried it directly upstairs to the hospital room.

After she drank the medicine this time, another hour passed, but still no sweat appeared.

Du Heng frowned. He didn’t expect the cold syndrome in Li Qiuhua’s body to be so stubborn. By now, two high-dose prescriptions of Ephedra, Aconite, and Asarum Decoction had been administered, yet there was still no effect.

The family members didn’t dare to say anything. They just looked anxiously from Du Heng to their old mother on the bed, their breathing growing shallow, afraid of disturbing Du Heng’s thoughts.

Wu Buwei had heard the explanation. He, too, felt a little panicked that the patient showed no response to such a high dose of medication. After enduring for a moment, he couldn’t help but ask softly, "Senior Brother, what should we do now? Should we stop trying to induce sweating?"

Du Heng shook his head. "No. Without sweating, the damp phlegm and dead blood inside the body will remain as solid as a rock."

In this situation, either the house was wrong, or the dose was not enough. However, the house couldn’t be wrong. It had been carefully considered and syndrome differentiated, and it was the most suitable prescription for the current situation. As for the dosage... it was already enough. Any more would damage the body. Even if more medicine ingredients were added, it wouldn’t be able to counteract the toxicity produced by the medicine.

"Buwei, go decoct the medicine again. I’ll prepare something else," Du Heng said, deciding to add something, but not medicine ingredients.

Fifteen minutes later, Wu Buwei returned with the medicine, and Du Heng also walked in, carrying a bowl.

Wu Buwei was curious. "Senior Brother, what’s this?"

"Fresh ginger, brown sugar, and pepper, boiled into a soup. Do you want some?"

"No, thanks. I imagine it doesn’t taste very good."

"But it can boost the medicine’s efficacy, allowing it to work to a greater extent."

Subsequently, 600 ml of medicine was administered, followed by a bowl of the hot, sweat-inducing soup.

And, surprisingly, the effect was quite good. By noon, Li Qiuhua’s head began to sweat. Shortly after, her neck, chest, and back were also covered in sweat.

Only then did Du Heng finally feel relieved.

"Continue inducing sweat this afternoon; two more doses should suffice. But remove the Ephedra Decoction; don’t add it again."

"Aren’t we changing the medicine?"

"Not yet. Today, the focus is on consolidating her original qi."

Du Heng didn’t want to linger in the hospital room. He asked Wu Buwei to keep a close watch and hurried downstairs.

He had just returned to his office and barely settled into his chair when someone entered.

"Brother, you guys are inhumane! It’s a holiday, how can you keep forcing people to work overtime without a break?"

Wei Kaida walked in, beaming, his entire being radiating joy.

Du Heng tensed up for a moment, then relaxed. "What are you doing here?"

"Hehe, for a date, of course."

"If you have a date, go to the park. What on earth are you doing coming to the hospital for it?"

"My Tingting Goddess called and asked me to go to a movie with her this afternoon. I’m here to pick up my little treasure."

Du Heng was momentarily speechless. "Kai, do you consider me your buddy?"

"Isn’t that obvious? I’m picking up my girlfriend, but I came to see you first. Isn’t that considerate enough?"

"Then, would you believe what I say?" Du Heng wanted to persuade Wei Kaida not to be so impulsive; being a playa was actually good for him.

Wei Kaida looked puzzled. "What’s wrong with you today? You’ve never been this polite with me. If you have something to say, spit it out."

"I..."

"Never mind! My little creature just sent me a message. We can talk later. Goodbye!"

Wei Kaida glanced at his mobile phone and excitedly ran out, looking like a love-struck young virgin who had just secured a date with the girl of his dreams.

「In the afternoon, he visited the hospital room again, giving Li Qiuhua a thorough check-up.」

"Auntie, how are you feeling?"

Li Qiuhua’s voice was still a bit weak, but she was speaking clearly enough to be understood, and she was much more alert.

"I’m uncomfortably sweaty all over, but my whole body feels very relaxed. Before, I always felt like I was tied up with ropes, but that feeling is gone now."

"It’s good that you feel comfortable. Don’t worry about the sweat; just have your daughter help you wipe it away."

Du Heng stretched out his hand to perform pulse diagnosis, then felt her wrist and arm; they were both warm now.

"Doctor, am I... not going to die after all?"

"Auntie, you’re joking. You’re alive and well! See, your speech is clear, and the rattling of phlegm in your throat is gone. Look at your fingers yourself, haven’t they regained some healthy color?"

Li Qiuhua slowly raised her hand and looked at her now reddish fingertips, tears welling in her eyes. "It would have been better if I’d died. I’m always causing trouble for my children."

Her eldest son lunged forward, grabbed Li Qiuhua’s hand, and said in a tearful voice, "Mom, what are you saying? You have to live, and live well!"

"I can’t get better. I’ve been sick for over thirty years. Even if I’m saved, I’ll just be a burden."

"Mom~~~"

Du Heng was getting a bit overwhelmed. I’m just examining her; why are you all starting a soap opera?

"Auntie, please relax and live well. If I could bring you back from Yan Wang, are you still afraid I can’t cure your illness?"

"Don’t try to fool me. My previous doctor told me I have pulmonary fibrosis and that it’s irreversible. Living like this is just a burden on my children."

"Auntie, they gave up on you, yet you still believe them. I saved your life. Why don’t you believe me? I told you I can cure you, and I wouldn’t lie to you."

This wasn’t Du Heng deliberately trying to demean his colleagues; it was crucial to instill confidence in the patient at this moment. Any small doubt could affect the outcome of the treatment.

"You’re not lying to me?"

"Why would I lie to you? Be obedient, cooperate fully with the treatment. You can’t let down your children’s filial devotion. They’re waiting for you to help take care of their children in the future."