Lu Hongjun had someone inquire about a skilled traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who was adept at regulating the body and gave Lu Jiaxin a heads-up. The next morning, he came to pick her up.
Originally, Lu Jiaxin wanted to bring Xue Mao along since his health deteriorated after five years of wandering, although outwardly he seemed strong. However, Xue Mao refused to go, adamant about not wanting to take Chinese medicine. With no other choice, Lu Jiaxin had to go with Lu Hongjun by herself.
This senior doctor, with the surname He, had a temperament that matched his name, mild and kind-hearted. In the past years, he had benefited many people. Knowing that someone wanted to harm him, he took the initiative to request a transfer to the countryside.
Over a decade ago, rural areas suffered from a lack of medical personnel and supplies, and the government was always encouraging urban hospitals to support rural medical care. He volunteered to go to the health clinic in his hometown, and his request was quickly approved. Over the years in his hometown, he had treated countless people, and even as he approached seventy, his hair was still jet black, and he had a vibrant spirit.
After taking Lu Jiaxin's pulse, Doctor He said she had been overly troubled by melancholy thoughts, which had congealed in her heart, and had severely depleted her energy and blood: "Young lady, you must take good care of yourself, otherwise it will affect your fertility and lifespan in the future."
She knew she was deficient in energy and blood because her hands and feet were very cold even during the height of summer, but she hadn't expected that the young girl had developed depression.
Upon reflecting, she realized that the original occupant of her body felt terribly oppressed after Ding Jing entered the household; she even had thoughts of ending her life when bullied by Zhao Siyi and unable to speak out. These symptoms were indeed indicative of depression. Alas, in unhappy families, it is indeed easy for children to develop psychological issues.
Lu Hongjun was terrified, "Doctor, my daughter is still young, please, you must cure her."
Doctor He smiled and said, "As long as she is willing to follow the doctor's orders and take the medicine every day, she can be treated in about a year. However, her prescription requires two expensive herbs, and it won't be cheap over the course of a year."
If a woman is unable to have children, her life is considered ruined. Without any hesitation, Lu Hongjun said, "No matter the cost, even if I have to sell my belongings, I will get her treated."
Lu Jiaxin glanced up at him and quickly lowered her eyes again.
Lu Hongjun then asked, "Doctor He, my daughter failed her college entrance exam this year, and I want her to retake it. How soon after taking her medication can she start preparing again?"
Doctor He shared the same opinion as the other doctor, feeling that the intense study and pressure of the third year of high school was too much for Lu Jiaxin in her current physical state.
Lu Hongjun knew that it would be impossible for her to start retaking the college entrance exam this month.
Doctor He lived on the outskirts of town, and because it wasn't easy to come by, he prescribed twelve doses of medicine. When handing them over to Lu Jiaxin, he cautioned, "Come back for a check-up after finishing the medicine so I can adjust the prescription."
"Thank you, Doctor He."
After leaving Doctor He's place, Lu Jiaxin asked about the home tutor, "Dad, it's been three days already, haven't you found a suitable one yet?"
Her English was quite good, enough to communicate with foreigners. It was just that the original person had learned mute English, so for her to possess this skill, it had to come from somewhere. These past few days, she had been listening to recorded English lessons upon waking up. However, having an oral English tutor would make her skill more credible and persuasive.
Lu Hongjun replied, "Your requirements are too high; it's going to take some time."
Many students from the Foreign Languages Institute were outstanding, but those from poorer families needing to tutor to supplement their income had already made commitments early on; those from more fortunate backgrounds wouldn't consider it.
Lu Jiaxin uttered an "Oh" and then said, "Remember to come early for the housewarming banquet on Sunday."
"Alright."
Lu Hongjun had already arranged everything, Lu Jiajie and Ma Lili would bring the necessary items over to cook, and he would just need to turn up in time to eat.
Because Ma Lili was an employee at the department store, the news about Lu Jiaxin's housewarming banquet quickly spread within the residential complex.
Upon seeing Ding Jing, Aunt Xue asked deliberately, "I heard Jiaxin is going to have a housewarming banquet. Xiao Ding, that's quite the joyous occasion, isn't it? How many people do you plan to invite?"
Ding Jing knew this was a chance for them to mock her, so she shook her head and said, "I don't know, Old Lu hasn't told me."
"But you're Xinxin's mother, how can you not know?"
The way she said "mother" was dripping with sarcasm.
Ding Jing seethed with frustration. When she stepped through the door, that bratty girl refused to call her mom, and at the time, wishing to appear magnanimous, she had said she would give the child time to adjust. Yet, she never managed to win her over, and up to now that bratty girl never once called her mom. The people in the residential complex had frequently used this to attack her, and now it seemed even worse.
Aunt Xue, feigning surprise, asked, "Oh, Xiao Ding, could it be that Jiaxin didn't tell you?"
Ding Jing didn't bother with her anymore and clacked upstairs in her high heels.
Aunt Xue spat out disdainfully, "Stinking fox spirit, putting on airs. Doing such vicious deeds, sooner or later, she will be struck by lightning."
On Sunday, Lu Jiajie and Ma Lili came over early in the morning. They not only brought chicken, duck, fish, pork belly, lamb and other groceries, but also a variety of fruits and nuts.
After looking at the groceries they bought, Lu Jiaxin said to Xue Mao, "Could you go to the market and see if they're selling prawns and crabs? If they are, buy some more to bring back."
She loved prawns and crabs the most, and now, in early September, it was the perfect season for eating crabs. She wanted to indulge to her heart's content.
Lu Hongjun, knowing her fondness for prawns, explained, "Zhenzhen is allergic to shrimp. If we make them, she might not be able to resist and could end up needing to go to the hospital again. Jiaxin, if you want to eat shrimp, I can buy some for you in a couple of days."
Xue Mao chimed in, "Sister, I heard that when taking medicine, you shouldn't eat things that are 'fa' or cold in nature. Shrimp are 'fa', and crabs are cold. These foods will affect the efficacy of the medicine."
Lu Jiaxin thought for a moment, "Didn't Doctor He say anything?"
Lu Jiajie, thinking it was safer not to eat, in case it neutralized the effects of the medicine, said, "Just hold off for now. Once your body is better regulated, you can eat whatever you like."
To his knowledge, the prescription Lu Jiaxin was taking cost over four yuan each. Taking them for a year would lead to medical expenses of over a thousand yuan. It was only because Third Uncle held a high position, with good salary and perks and the occasional bonus, that this was feasible. If it were him, there's no way he could afford it.
Upon hearing this, Lu Jiaxin gave up the idea immediately. Wasting money was one thing, but the most important was just how bitter the traditional Chinese medicine was. Every time after taking the medicine she felt like vomiting, and to avoid taking more medicine, she had to bear with it.
The chicken, duck, and fish were all bought live. Lu Jiaxin wanted to help alongside Ma Lili in preparing them, but unfortunately, she was shooed out of the kitchen, "You go rest; your Fifth Brother, Xue Mao, and I are enough."
Lu Jiaxin couldn't argue with her, so after washing her hands, she went inside to get Big Rabbit milk candy, peanuts, melon seeds, and red date cake for the two children to eat.
Xiao Feng, being young, lit up at the sight of the Big Rabbit milk candy, "Auntie, you have so many milk candies here. Can I take two back for my best friend to taste?"
Lu Jiaxin couldn't help but pinch her soft, chubby little face and said with a smile, "Of course you can. My little Xiao Feng is so wonderful, knowing to share tasty treats with her best friend."
Xiao Feng, praised, beamed with a smile that split her face, showing off her baby teeth. As for Qiangqiang, he was busy devouring the red date cake with no time to talk.