He Su Ye stepped off the bus and spotted Qiu Tian, headphones on, swaying his head as he strolled toward the hospital entrance. Curiosity piqued, He Su Ye walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. “Don’t tell me you work here now too.”
Qiu Tian feigned an innocent expression. “What kind of world is this where my arrival isn’t welcomed? I’m so hurt!”
He Su Ye laughed. “Welcome, of course. I just can’t imagine any mentor being able to handle you. I’m curious, that’s all.”
Qiu Tian sighed theatrically. “Do you think having a doctorate makes you special? They’re a dime a dozen in hospitals. I’m just another assistant tagging along behind the boss. Besides, the cardiovascular department here isn’t all that strong. Who knows, I might just jump ship one day.”
He Su Ye nodded silently, sharing the sentiment. Qiu Tian continued, “Su Ye, to be honest, I’d love to work under your dad. Too bad it’s impossible—I’m not military.”
He Su Ye paused. “True, it’s not an option. The General Hospital is a military institution; you need a military rank to get in.”
Qiu Tian shot him a look that screamed, How can you be so dense? Reaching out to pinch him, Qiu Tian sighed, “I don’t get you at all. First, you didn’t apply to the Military Medical University. Fine. Then you chose to study traditional Chinese medicine, didn’t go abroad, and stayed here. With a father who’s a hospital director, a major general, and a nationally renowned cardiovascular expert, you had such a head start. What a waste!”
He Su Ye shrugged helplessly. “Some things can’t be forced. I simply prefer Chinese medicine.”
* * *
That day, Professor Gu was on duty. The traditional Chinese medicine building was packed with patients. He Su Ye sat with another doctoral student, a female trainee under Professor Gu, assisting with patients, taking notes, and recording prescriptions.
Professor Gu’s strictness was well known. The female student froze several times while writing prescriptions, earning sharp glares each time.
When a phone call temporarily pulled Professor Gu away, the student sighed in relief. “Every time the boss takes appointments, I feel like I lose a month off my lifespan.”
A nurse called out from across the room, “Dr. He, Professor Gu wants you in the internal medicine building, digestive department.”
The female student glanced at his name badge—Attending Physician. Internally, she marveled. No wonder the professor held him in such high regard. Compared to her title of physician, it was clear she should be calling him senior, even though she had started training earlier.
* * *
The day was unusually hectic. After assisting at the TCM clinic, He Su Ye handled a case in the digestive department, then was called to the hematology department. Finally, his boss asked him to help with a new drug project.
He Su Ye smiled wryly, thinking to himself that year-end was always overwhelming.
The application form for the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine sat buried under papers on his desk. He hadn’t touched it in ages, despite Professor Andy repeatedly expressing a willingness to wait indefinitely for a talented integrative medicine practitioner like him.
Traditional Chinese medicine was far more respected overseas than at home, which left him with a lingering sadness.
* * *
As the year drew to a close, everyone seemed busy. Li Jie, overwhelmed by exams, frequently sought him out for study tips. Fang Ke Xin, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, was reportedly swamped with work in the radiology department. His grandmother called to inform him that his father was in Japan and wouldn’t be home for the New Year.
Feeling irritable from the constant stress, He Su Ye began drinking bitter tea for relief.
Bitter tea, known for its intense taste, is neutral in nature and offers a range of benefits: quenching thirst, brightening vision, dispelling wind-heat, and detoxifying inflammation. It can also help with external injuries, lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and combat aging.
He enjoyed the bitterness, drinking it like plain water.
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