"Tony, your headache is probably due to overworking lately. Just take some time to rest and go for a walk, and you'll feel better!" On this day, Monet visited the newly acquainted Dr. Le, seeking treatment for his headache.
At this point, Dr. Le seemed to recall something suddenly. He took out a small vial in a secretive manner and said, "By the way, I have a new medicine here. Although it's a bit expensive, it contains radium!"
"Radium? Are you referring to the new element discovered by Madame Curie?" Monet inquired cautiously.
Dr. Le nodded and replied, "Exactly, that's it. It seems you know quite a bit, Tony. This discovery even earned a Nobel Prize. It's exceptionally rare. However, I believe you can afford it!"
If Monet hadn't known about the "radium craze" that swept through Europe and America in the early 20th century, he might have thought that Dr. Le was trying to harm him after realizing Monet's interest in his wife.
Nowadays, it might be hard to believe, but after Madame Curie discovered the radioactivity of radium in 1898, "radiation" was considered by Westerners for several decades as a "source of health and vitality," a cure-all remedy.
This was because Mr. Curie had conducted experiments by placing radium on his arm, which caused the skin to immediately redden, necrotize, scab, and only regenerate a month later.
Businesses seized the opportunity, believing that applying radium to the skin could make it "rejuvenate." As a result, a variety of bizarre products emerged that might seem absurd by today's standards. These included, but were not limited to, radium-infused face masks, radium-enriched nail polish, radium-containing facial creams, radium-infused cigarettes, radium toothpaste, radium chocolate, radium mineral water, and even condoms with a touch of radium for added pleasure.
It wasn't until the emergence of the "radium girls" that people realized the horrors of radium, putting an end to this absurd and frightening episode. (In truth, such practices have persisted over time. If you don't believe it, just search online for the various trends in pseudoscientific remedies.)
Thus, Monet hastily waved his hand and said, "No, there's no need. Just prescribe me some common medicine. Oh, and I suggest you stay away from these radium products. I've heard they're not good for the human body!"
"Who told you that? It's not that Professor Heinrich Hertz again, is it?" Dr. Le asked.
Since Monet couldn't clearly explain the specific principles behind radium's harm to the human body, he changed the topic and asked, "Oh? You also know Professor Heinrich Hertz?"
"Of course, I know. First aid methods and using cola to treat gastric stones have been hot topics in our medical community recently. I just didn't expect that all of this happened to you, Tony. It's a shame I got to know you so late; otherwise, I could have published a paper on using cola to treat gastric stones!" Dr. Le expressed his regret.
While the two were engrossed in their conversation, a nurse suddenly knocked and entered. She addressed Dr. Le, saying, "Dr. Brown, Mr. Song is here!"
Upon hearing that there was a visitor for Dr. Le, Monet thought of leaving. However, Dr. Le halted him with a gesture, "Tony, I remember you mentioned your interest in Chinese culture. This gentleman, Mr. Song, holds a prominent position in China. Let me introduce you two!"
Then, turning to the nurse, he said, "Please, bring Mr. Song in."
About two minutes later, the nurse entered with a middle-aged man in a suit, and a girl around fourteen or fifteen years old.
Dr. Le introduced them, "Mr. Song, this is my good friend, Mr. Tony Monet. He's heard about your esteemed position in the realm of Chinese knowledge and wanted to meet you. Tony, this is the Mr. Song Jiashu I mentioned earlier, and this is his third daughter, Miss Meiling."
When Monet heard the name Song Jiashu, he didn't react much. However, when he heard "third daughter, Miss Meiling," and connected it with the surname, his mind was suddenly struck. This was probably the most famous person he'd encountered since his time-traveling journey. Of course, she was currently just a fourteen or fifteen-year-old girl, but in fifteen years' time, she would become someone remarkable! (It's quite unbelievable that the protagonist of another novel about the Titanic dared to court Miss Song, but it has to be said that the online literary environment back then was truly remarkable, making one envious.)
Observing Monet's expression, Dr. Le found it rather odd. Just as he was about to ask, Miss Song suddenly seemed to recall something and asked Monet, "Are you Mr. Monet who invented tomato scrambled eggs and cola chicken wings?"
Monet nodded, answering, "Yes, that's me. Miss Meiling, do you enjoy those two dishes?"
"Yes, I really enjoy them. Honestly, I never thought these two dishes were invented by an American!" Miss Song replied.
"Um, although I'm American, I have a strong affinity for Chinese culture, especially Chinese cuisine!" Monet switched to speaking in Chinese for this part.
However, to his surprise, though Miss Song responded in Chinese, it was a bit hesitant. This prompted Miss Song Jiashu, who was beside her, to explain somewhat embarrassedly, "My daughter has been living and studying in the United States since she was ten. She hasn't used Chinese much. I hope you don't mind, Mr. Monet."
"The saying goes, 'Practice makes perfect.' Nobody becomes an expert overnight," Monet said understandingly.
"Mr. Monet, you even know that Chinese proverb. Have you ever lived in China?" Miss Song Jiashu asked, clearly surprised.
"No, I haven't, but my chef is Chinese. I learned all this Chinese from her." Monet attributed the credit to Shan Shan, assuming that there wouldn't be a chance for Miss Song Jiashu to meet her.
Miss Song Jiashu accepted Monet's explanation, "Oh, I see. You're truly a language genius, Mr. Monet. Among the many languages I've encountered, Chinese is undoubtedly the most challenging." (In her youth, Miss Song Jiashu had lived and traveled in many countries, including Cuba and the United States.)
"Well, I guess so. Mainly, I'm just interested in Chinese culture, which is why I've been able to learn quickly." Monet modestly replied and then asked, "By the way, Mr. Song, which city in China do you live in?"
"Mr. Monet, have you heard of Shanghai?"
"How could I not have heard of the grand Shanghai? Um, if you don't mind, could I inquire whether there's a coffee shop called Ruimei Coffee in Shanghai now?"