Chapter 137: Is It a Coincidence?

Manager Bai glanced around and noticed there were still outsiders present, so he refrained from continuing to speak about the miraculous effects of the name "Gouwa." He was wary of being overheard and accused of superstition.

Yet, the truth remained that unfortunate names often correlated with poor health. He recalled how his little nephew was on the brink of death, but ever since changing his name, his health had steadily improved day by day. Had it not been for the premature birth, the child would have recovered fully long ago.

Unaware of his uncle’s thoughts, Yufei Lin sat obediently in front of Lin, extending his wrist for a pulse diagnosis, his face flushed as he kept his gaze fixed on his toes.

After a moment’s contemplation following the pulse reading, Lin devised a plan and looked at Manager Bai, asking, “Will you be purchasing the herbs to prepare yourself, or would you prefer that I make them into pills?”

“How long will he need to take the medicine?” Manager Bai countered. “If it’s just a few doses, we can boil the herbs ourselves, but if—”

He spread his hands. “If he needs to be on the medicine for months or even years, pills would definitely be more convenient.”

Yufei Lin, standing nearby, opened his mouth a few times before finally asking, “Are the pills bitter?”

“Somewhat bitter, but definitely not as bitter as the decoctions.” Lin then turned back to Manager Bai. “You must be aware of his condition. To restore his health, he’ll need to take medicine for six months. If supplemented with medicinal cuisine, his recovery will be much faster, but—”

Before Lin could finish, Manager Bai already understood: it was the scarcity of resources. Even with some connections, ensuring daily access to medicinal cuisine was impossible. They would have to settle for a less ideal alternative.

“We will strive to improve his living conditions. Without the medicinal cuisine, how long would it take for him to recover?”

“Half a year. With the cuisine, recovery can be accelerated.”

Lin’s gaze flicked to Yufei Lin. “He should have a pulse check once every month. If there’s a need to adjust the dosage, I will inform you promptly.”

“All right, thank you,” Manager Bai said, rubbing his hands together. “We want the pills, but when can we get them?”

“The day after tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll prepare the pills for him. He can take the decoctions for the next couple of days.”

As Lin mentioned the decoctions, Yufei Lin’s face scrunched up pitifully, which made Lin smile. It seemed the boy was no stranger to bitter herbal soups.

“Very well, thank you.” Manager Bai hastened to hand over paper and pen to Lin, requesting a prescription.

Without hesitation, Lin immediately wrote two prescriptions: one for a few doses to be boiled for Yufei Lin over the next two days, and a larger quantity for making into pills.

***

After handling Yufei Lin’s matters, Lin was about to leave when Liu Huairen approached again.

Noticing the time was past five, and the state-run restaurant had started business hours, Lin was eager to eat.

“Old Liu, anything else?” Lin asked.

“The patient wishes for you to continue treatment,” Liu said awkwardly, hoping Lin would stay.

“No objections. Tell him I’ll come by the day after tomorrow. If he wants treatment, you can hand him over to me; if not, he can leave.”

Lin rolled her eyes. “I’m not a doctor at Renji Hall, and the consultation fee is one hundred. Can his family afford that?”

Liu chuckled, knowing the Zhu family really couldn’t afford it. He also understood Lin’s dislike for sitting in the clinic all day. If he forced her to stay, she might make things difficult for him later.

No choice but to bid farewell with a heavy heart.

Before Lin had gone far, Tu Hai arrived.

“Xu Zhiqing, wait a moment. I have a few questions to ask you.”

Lin sighed but had no choice but to turn around again. Tu Hai pointed to an empty room nearby, and Lin shook her head before walking over.

Once inside, Tu Hai’s expression turned serious. “Xu Zhiqing, this is a formal interrogation. I hope you cooperate.”

“Mm, ask away. I’ll cooperate,” Lin said, sitting up straight.

Tu Hai wasted no time. His first question: “How did you know Zhu Daqiang was poisoned?”

“I’m a doctor.” Lin shot Tu Hai a look that made his face flush with embarrassment, prompting him to quickly ask the next question.

“How can you be sure it’s related to the toxic gas left behind by the island nation?”

“I’m a doctor,” Lin repeated with emphasis. Tu Hai wanted to curl up and die. Couldn’t she give a different answer?

Seemingly sensing his thoughts, Lin added, “When I was in the capital, Xu Chenglin trapped me in a room. They sprayed poison mist at me.”

Lin recounted in detail the events before and after Xu Chenglin’s capture, though she omitted that she was the one who traced the source of the poison and reported those involved.

None of the villains she exposed escaped justice. What happened to them afterward, she did not know.

Tu Hai diligently took notes and asked curiously, “Can the poison mist really cause people to become mentally impaired?”

“Yes. The poison mist damages the brain’s nerves.”

Lin carefully explained and cautioned, “If you find someone suddenly becoming stupid for no reason, it’s worth investigating thoroughly.”

“Thanks for the tip.” Tu Hai made a heavy mark in his notes and suddenly slapped his forehead. “I remember a mountain village where many people are mentally impaired. Could it be related?”

The thought made Tu Hai pale. If it was the poison gas’s influence, then—

“Is that village the same as Zhu Daqiang’s, or are they nearby?”

Lin’s interest piqued—she was eager to trace the source of the poison mist.

“They’re not the same village, but both are in the same mountain range.” Tu Hai’s hand trembled as he held the pen.

Suddenly, he closed the notebook and stood up, heading toward the exit.

“Xu Zhiqing, I have urgent business and must leave. I may need your help later.”

“Understood. I’ll cooperate.” Lin stood and followed him out.

Outside Renji Hall, Lin first went to the restaurant for a hearty meal, then mounted her bicycle to leave.

On the outskirts of the county town, she saw a man in his twenties sprawled by the roadside, his head bleeding badly, looking utterly miserable.

Lin hadn’t intended to meddle, but an inadvertent glance made her stop her bicycle.

The man’s condition was strikingly similar to Du Yong’s—both utterly bereft of fortune, destined only for misfortune in life.

Meeting two such individuals in one day—was it mere coincidence?

Lin scrutinized the man’s face closely and exclaimed inwardly, “Good heavens, it’s someone I’ve met before.”

This was one of the men who had previously stalked Qin Fang in the black market. Back then, Qin Fang had fled so hastily she even abandoned her basket.

This man was among those who relentlessly pursued Qin Fang.

But his loss of fortune happened today—could it be connected to Qin Fang?

“What are you staring at? Haven’t you seen your own father before?” the man snapped, clutching the wound on his head and glaring at Lin with hostility.