Chapter 842: Private Number

Chapter 842: Chapter 842: Private Number

Tian Wen took a sip of the slightly bitter medicinal liquid. Changing the subject, her tone took on a professional earnestness. "By the way, how are the nomination submissions from major hospitals coming along for the ’Top Ten Outstanding Young Provincial Physicians’ selection next March?"

Kang Yanyan’s heart stirred, and she quickly replied, "Most of the Level 3A hospitals have already submitted their lists, and some of the Level 2 hospitals and county-level medical institutions are doing their final reviews. The deadline is next March, so everyone should be accounted for after the New Year. At present, there are already over a hundred nominated candidates."

Tian Wen nodded, her fingertips lightly tapping on the desk.

Although she didn’t mention Li Xu by name, how could Kang Yanyan, as her secretary, not understand her boss’s thoughts?

Li Xu had exceptional skills and an excellent reputation. Moreover, he was the "great contributor" to Director Tian’s recovery. Whether public or private, his name was meant to appear in the most prominent position.

Meanwhile, at the Feng City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the festive atmosphere was gradually thickening.

Red paper cutouts were pasted on the windows of the ward corridors, and the administrative department began compiling the duty roster for the Spring Festival.

Although the medical profession was destined to have nothing to do with "long holidays," aside from New Year’s goods and red envelopes, the most discussed topic in everyone’s private chats was the upcoming battle for provincial honors.

"Dean Li, have you heard? The department has been discussing the nominations these past two days."

Inside the consultation room, Wu Mengmeng took advantage of a gap between seeing patients to mysteriously lean in close to Li Xu.

Li Xu was flipping through the medical records in his hand. Without looking up, he asked, "Nominations? What nominations?"

"The Top Ten Outstanding Young Provincial Physicians!" Wu Mengmeng grew a bit anxious, her voice rising slightly. "Our hospital has three nomination spots. Although they haven’t been officially announced yet, everyone says the first spot is definitely yours. As for the remaining two, Director Zhang from Internal Medicine and Director Wang from Surgery are fighting tooth and nail for them."

Li Xu put down his pen, looking at his boisterous assistant with an amused smile. "How long have I been at the hospital? In terms of seniority and qualifications, it wouldn’t be my turn. Besides, there are so many Level 3 hospitals in our province. There must be at least a few hundred nominees. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack; what’s there to discuss?"

"That’s different!" Wu Mengmeng retorted. "The nominees from other hospitals are mostly propped up by research papers and projects. Over here, we earned it solidly through reputation. Moreover..." She lowered her voice and winked. "Word has spread! They say you cured Director Tian from the Health Commission of her chronic illness a few days ago. Who’s in charge of this selection? The Health Commission! With this goodwill in place, it would be a travesty if you weren’t selected."

Hearing this, Li Xu frowned slightly, but his brow quickly smoothed out. He knew that in a place with complex interpersonal relationships like a hospital, gossip always traveled faster than doctors’ orders.

"Mengmeng, it’s fine to say things like this in the consultation room, but don’t go spouting nonsense outside." Li Xu’s expression turned serious. "Director Tian came to me for medical treatment. That is a patient’s trust in a doctor, and curing her is our duty. If we start linking treating illnesses and saving lives with awards and promotions, then we’d be soiling these white coats."

Seeing Li Xu turn serious, Wu Mengmeng sheepishly stuck out her tongue. "Dr. Li, I just think you should win this award to earn some glory for traditional Chinese medicine. If you’re selected, the status of our Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the province will be completely different."

Li Xu didn’t speak, but he thought to himself that the title of "Top Ten Outstanding Young Provincial Physicians" was certainly a form of recognition. However, what he valued more was whether he could use this platform to let more people see the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in handling complex and difficult diseases.

With less than a week left until the Spring Festival, Tian Wen visited Li Xu’s consultation room once again.

This time, she wore a dark red down jacket. Her complexion had grown much rosier, and her steps seemed brisk and energetic as she walked through the door.

"Dr. Li, I’m here to test you again," Tian Wen greeted Li Xu with a smile as soon as she entered.

Kang Yanyan followed behind her carrying a briefcase, also smiling and nodding in greeting.

Li Xu stood up to welcome them and pointed to the patient’s chair. "You look well, Director Tian. It seems the medicine for this course of treatment has achieved the expected results."

After taking her pulse and checking her tongue coating, Li Xu nodded in satisfaction.

Tian Wen’s previously deep, string-like, and rapid pulse, which had carried traces of internal heat, had now become much softer. Although her chi pulse was still a bit superficial and weak, indicating that her yin and blood had not yet been fully replenished, it was a world of difference compared to her previous anxious state.

"Have the symptoms of frequent urination completely disappeared?" Li Xu asked.

"It basically doesn’t happen anymore. I occasionally get up once during the night, but sometimes I sleep straight through until dawn." Tian Wen sighed with deep emotion. "Dr. Li, to be honest with you, I finally feel like I’m living like a normal person now. That constant, urgent need to find a restroom no matter where I was... it was enough to drive anyone crazy."

"The root of the illness has been eradicated," Li Xu noted as he modified her prescription on the computer. "However, given your age and the previous toll on your body, your underlying constitution is still somewhat deficient. Have you felt that your hands and feet are a bit cold these past two days?"

"Yes, especially towards the evening. My heels always feel like a draft is blowing right through them," Tian Wen nodded hastily. By now, her trust in Li Xu’s judgment bordered on blind faith.

"That’s because after clearing the internal heat, the pre-existing yang deficiency and yin depletion have surfaced. It’s nothing to worry about; it’s a sign of improvement." Li Xu’s fingers flew across the keyboard. "For the next prescription, I’ve removed the heat-clearing herbs and added Cornelian Cherry, Rehmannia Glutinosa, and cinnamon. It will mainly warm the yang, nourish the kidneys, replenish blood, and regulate menstruation. After you finish this seven-day course of medicine, get plenty of rest over the New Year. Don’t stay up late, and don’t lose your temper."

Pausing here, Li Xu looked at Tian Wen, his gaze becoming sincere and professional. "When you return for a follow-up after finishing this prescription, if all your indicators are stable, we can officially enter the second stage—conditioning your body for pregnancy."

Hearing the word "pregnancy," Tian Wen’s body trembled slightly, and Kang Yanyan held her breath.

"Dr. Li... is it really possible?" Tian Wen’s voice carried a hint of a tremor, revealing her years of pent-up yearning and apprehension.

"Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes that ’to conceive, one must first regulate menstruation,’" Li Xu smiled comfortingly. "Your body right now is like a plot of land that has been parched for a long time. We’ve just cleared out the weeds, and now we are bringing in water for irrigation. As long as the soil becomes fertile and the climate is favorable, a seed will naturally sprout. I will do everything in my power to take full responsibility for your subsequent pregnancy preparations and to protect the fetus."

Tian Wen’s eyes grew hot. She stood up and solemnly extended her hand to Li Xu. "Dr. Li, I will leave it in your hands then. Whether in work or in life, I’ll be seeking your guidance much more in the future. Here is my private number. Let’s stay in touch whenever anything comes up."