He began writing a prescription, murmuring as he wrote: “Jin Yin Hua, Lian Qiao, Dou Chi, Pu Gong Ying, Chai Hu, Huang Qi, Fang Feng, Fu Ling, Huo Xiang, Fa Ban Xia, Sheng Jiang, and red dates. That should do.”
Pointing to “Huo Xiang,” she said, “I really like that name!”
He nodded. “Huo Xiang—used to dispel dampness, regulate the stomach, relieve summer heat, and treat symptoms like fever, chills, and chest tightness. It’s also an ornamental plant, by the way.”
Not knowing how to respond, she nodded, taking the prescription and preparing to leave.
“Wait,” he called. “You still have a fever. Here’s the plan: you go pay the fees, and I’ll brew the medicine for you. You won’t need to come back this afternoon. Can you wait for half an hour?”
Shen Xi Fan was stunned. This doctor was unusually kind. Mechanically, she thanked him. “You’re too kind, Dr. He. Thank you so much!”
Sure enough, just over half an hour later, He Su Ye handed her a steaming packet of medicine. “Three times a day for two days. Don’t forget this time!”
With a wry expression, she complained, “Dr. He, I feel like I’m drowning in herbal medicine!”
He gave her a mock stern look. “If you take this one, you can skip the other. But if you really feel the need, both won’t conflict.”
She laughed awkwardly, thinking to herself, Aside from occasionally scolding me, this doctor is really quite nice.
* * *
At home, Shen Xi Fan immediately took out the still-warm medicine, poured it into a bowl, and sniffed it. The slightly spicy aroma was pleasant. Thinking it would be as sweet as the last batch, she took a sip without hesitation, only to nearly spit it out—it was unbearably bitter.
She forced herself to gulp it down, gagging slightly, then rinsed her mouth with plain water several times before recovering. This time, her lips and teeth carried a faint spiciness, likely from the Huo Xiang and Sheng Jiang, but it was rich and mellow, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
The saying “Good medicine tastes bitter but heals illness” crossed her mind. The medicine brought on a sweat that had been suppressed by her fever. Soon, beads of perspiration formed on her forehead, and she felt relief. Crawling into bed, she buried herself under thick blankets and fell into a deep sleep.
By midnight, her fever had broken. Touching her forehead, she felt normal again. Overjoyed, she muttered, “Herbal medicine really works,” and rolled over to continue sleeping.
* * *
The next morning, she woke feeling refreshed. Her sleepwear was drenched in sweat, so she went to take a shower. Halfway through, her phone rang loudly. She ignored it, but it rang several times in succession.
After getting dressed, she saw it was a missed call from Xu Xiang Ya. Smiling, she decided not to return the call. Instead, she took some juice and eggs from the fridge, toasted a few slices of bread, and settled at the table. Enjoying the warm sunlight streaming in, she began her breakfast.
The phone rang again. Slowly, Shen Xi Fan picked it up, only to hear Xu Xiang Ya’s exasperated voice on the other end.
“Xi Fan, what on earth does Yan Heng want to eat? I’ve asked everyone, and no one has a clue. I had no choice but to call you.”
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