"I'm just speaking the truth. I'm currently a sophomore, still far from the high-achievers you mentioned, Mr. Guo."
"Miss Wang, what did you major in at school, Chinese medicine or Western medicine?" Wu Youzhi asked.
"I majored in Traditional Chinese Medicine Psychology, which is strictly speaking a branch of TCM."
"No wonder you speak so highly of TCM; it turns out that's what you study," Guo Xuyang said.
"It's not that I praise TCM simply because I study it, but because TCM is a treasure of our nation. It has been passed down through five thousand years of history, and it must have its unique charm.
Before Western medicine was introduced to China, weren't people treated with TCM?
Western medicine became popular and favored by the public mainly because of its fast efficacy and strong targeting.
TCM emphasizes the balance of Yin and Yang and individualized treatment based on diagnosis. Each prescription is tailored to the individual, as people's constitutions differ.
For a common cold, there are various symptoms such as external contraction of wind-cold, wind-cold mixed with dampness, external contraction of wind-heat, wind-heat mixed with dryness, or internal heat from external cold.
Because the symptoms differ, the prescriptions also vary.
Western medicine, on the other hand, uses anti-cold medications for treatment. They do not issue different prescriptions based on your physical condition.
The reason why some people experience side effects like sudden voice loss or deafness after taking Western medicine is that some of their medications cause adverse reactions with the patient's body."
"I know about that.
My former classmate, when she was young, suffered hearing and speech impairment due to medication. Her mother went through a lot of hardship for her."
The classmate Guo Xuyang mentioned was actually his primary school classmate.
When she was just over two years old, she was taken to the hospital for a cold. After taking cold medicine, she gradually became different from other children.
Later, after examination at a large hospital, it was discovered that the classmate had become partially deaf and mute.
Because she was young, she couldn't speak and could only make "ah ah ah" sounds.
Her condition couldn't be cured despite seeking treatment in multiple places.
To help her grow up, her mother gave up her job and devoted herself to her upbringing.
Every day, she would practice lip-reading with her and teach her to speak.
Later, this primary school classmate reportedly got into university, though he couldn't recall which one.
It was only when Wang Yu mentioned this today that he suddenly remembered his classmate.
Later, his classmate's mother's story was even interviewed and reported as that of a great mother, though he couldn't recall the specific article's title.
"Is that true? Are you just bad-mouthing Western medicine?" Pi Xiaoqian asked from the side.
"Am I that kind of low-quality person? Do you think I'm like the United States, always shifting blame?" Guo Xuyang retorted.
"I heard they have a barbaric laboratory that researches various biochemical viruses and then shifts blame everywhere, not valuing human lives at all," Wu Youzhi said.
"That's a bit far from us; it's all high-level game-playing and has nothing to do with us," Pi Xiaoqian said.
"How does it have nothing to do with us? What if the viruses they research invade us someday?
These viruses don't care about who you are; do you think they'll ask for your name when they come?" Guo Xuyang said.
"I heard they have a plan for racial extermination, something about collecting human DNA for comparison and then developing targeted viruses," Wu Youzhi said.
"Where did you hear all this? Stop creating panic and fear-mongering, will you?"
Pi Xiaoqian shivered, pretending to be scared.
"If you don't believe it, then don't. Nothing happens without a reason in this society.
Since rumors are circulating with details, there must be things we don't know," Wu Youzhi said.
"We're here to discuss the wedding ceremony abroad. Why are we talking about all this nonsense?
Let's not spread hearsay.
Until the officials release something, we should only discuss these matters in this room and absolutely not talk about them outside," Guo Xuyang said.
"We're just chatting. We'll stop here," Wu Youzhi said.
"What Mr. Wu said has some truth to it. However, it's best not to speak carelessly outside."
Lü Liang affirmed Wu Youzhi's statement.
His current position gave him access to more and more accurate information than Wu Youzhi and the others.
However, spreading rumors outside was ultimately not good.
If the authorities investigated, Wu Youzhi would likely face trouble.
Thus, he gave Wu Youzhi a heads-up.
"Brother, you're saying what I said is true?" Wu Youzhi asked, looking surprised.
After all, he had heard these things from friends while eating and chatting outside.
He had just spoken them casually today.
"When the truth becomes falsehood and falsehood becomes truth, these are not matters we can control. So, it's best to say less,"
Lü Liang said serenely.
"Understood, understood. I'll be careful."
"Alright, let's not discuss these sensitive topics anymore.
Those scoundrels in the United States are not good people; heaven will punish them.
We won't bother ourselves with what those scoundrels do.
Let's just focus on our small businesses and live our lives peacefully with our wives, children, and warm beds."
Guo Xuyang said, raising his wine glass.
"To our happy life and to the smooth proceeding of the wedding ceremony in Brazil, I propose a toast."
Everyone agreed and started drinking.
Of course, tonight was the men's domain. The women, whether married or not, did not drink and were chatting about everyday matters.
"Wang Yu, is it? You look quite unfamiliar," Xiao Yu said.
"I'm a classmate of Mr. Guo's girlfriend. I came along with his girlfriend to freeload," Wang Yu replied.
"I remember now. Where is your classmate?"
Xiao Yu recalled upon hearing Wang Yu's explanation.
"She returned to school earlier. She only took two days off."
"Why didn't you go back with her?"
"Mr. Pi invited me to visit his shop in Kyoto, so I asked Xiaoxi to help me get another week of leave."
"Oh, I see? Aren't you afraid of falling behind in your studies?"
"At this stage, most of our studies are self-directed. Apart from some professional courses, missing one or two classes is not a problem."
"Oh, I see. I noticed you seemed very impressed with TCM earlier."
"Of course, otherwise, I wouldn't have applied to this school."
"Do you plan to pursue further studies?"
"I'll take it one step at a time. My family's financial situation isn't very good. I'm working part-time to help support my family."
"Where is your family from?"
"My home is in the South of Heaven."
"That's a beautiful place."
"Yes, but my family is very poor, and I have a younger brother in high school."
[Author's Aside]: This book will have three chapters today. Please continue to follow along, esteemed readers. Vote with your free silver tickets, and let's all have fun.