Chapter 21: Housewarming Banquet (1)
Chapter 21: Housewarming Banquet (1)
Lu Hongjun managed to find out about a renowned elderly Chinese medicine practitioner who was skilled at restoring one's health. He informed Lu Jiaxin beforehand and came to pick her up early the next morning.
Lu Jiaxin had originally wanted to bring Xue Mao along, as his health was also fragile after wandering outside for five years. However, Xue Mao refused adamantly, citing his reluctance to take Chinese medicine. Helpless, Lu Jiaxin had no choice but to go with Lu Hongjun alone.
The old doctor's surname was He, and his temperament was as gentle and harmonious as his name. In the past few years, he had bestowed favors upon many people. When he learned that someone intended to harm him, he voluntarily requested to be transferred to a rural area.
More than a decade ago, medical resources were scarce in the countryside, and the government actively encouraged urban hospitals to support rural healthcare. He proactively offered to go to the health clinic in his hometown, and the relevant departments approved his request promptly. Despite being in his sixties, he had dedicated over a decade to treating countless patients and still possessed a full head of black hair, exuding vigor.
After taking Lu Jiaxin's pulse, Doctor He remarked that she had been overly worried and that her emotions were deeply suppressed. Moreover, her qi and blood deficiency were severe: "Young lady, you must take good care of your health. Otherwise, it may affect your fertility and lifespan in the future."
Lu Jiaxin was aware of her qi and blood deficiency, as her hands and feet were always icy cold, even during the hottest days of summer. However, she hadn't expected that the young lady had actually fallen into depression.
She carefully recalled her original self's life after Ding Jing's entry into the family. It had been a repressive existence, and when she was bullied by Zhao SiYi, she had even felt so disillusioned that she didn't want to live anymore. These symptoms indeed aligned with depression. Alas, in an unhappy family, it was common for children to develop psychological issues.
Lu Hongjun was terrified at the prospect of his daughter's illness: "Doctor, my daughter is still so young. I beg you to please cure her."
Doctor He smiled and said, "As long as she follows my instructions and takes her medicine diligently every day, she should recover within a year or so. However, her prescription requires two expensive medicinal ingredients, and the cost will be considerable over the year."
For a woman, the inability to bear children was akin to a ruined life. This time, Lu Hongjun didn't hesitate at all: "No matter the cost, even if I have to break the pot and sell the iron, I'll do whatever it takes to cure her."
Lu Jiaxin glanced at him and quickly lowered her eyes again.
Lu Hongjun asked, "Doctor He, my daughter failed the college entrance exam this year, and I want her to retake it. How long do you think she'll need to take medicine before she can start her studies again?"
Doctor He shared the same opinion as the previous doctor, feeling that the third year of high school was intense and stressful, and Lu Jiaxin's current physical condition might not be able to handle it.
Lu Hongjun understood that it was impossible for her to start retaking the exam this month.
As Doctor He lived in the suburbs, it wasn't easy to visit him, so he prescribed twelve doses of medicine at once. When he handed the medicine to Lu Jiaxin, he instructed, "Come back for a check-up after finishing the medicine. I'll need to adjust the prescription then."
"Thank you, Doctor He," Lu Jiaxin said.
After leaving Doctor He's residence, Lu Jiaxin asked about the private tutor: "Dad, it's been three days, and you still haven't found a suitable one?"
Her English skills were fairly good, and she could communicate with foreigners. However, her original self had learned a mute version of the language, so she needed to come up with a plausible explanation for this skill. These days, she had been studying English with a tape recorder after waking up. Still, having a spoken language teacher to guide her would be more convincing.
Lu Hongjun said, "Your requirements are too high, so it'll take some time."
There were many excellent students at the Foreign Language Institute, but those from impoverished families who relied on tutoring to subsidize their living expenses had already been booked. Meanwhile, those from affluent families wouldn't consider such work.
Lu Jiaxin nodded and said, "The housewarming banquet is on Sunday. Make sure you come early."
"Alright," Lu Hongjun agreed.
He had already made arrangements, and Lu Jiajie and Ma Lili would bring the necessary items over to prepare the meal, while he would arrive at the appointed time to join them for the feast.
The news of Lu Jiaxin hosting a housewarming banquet soon spread within the residential compound, thanks to Ma Lili, who worked at the department store.
Upon seeing Ding Jing, Madame Xue asked with feigned curiosity, "I heard Jiaxin is holding a housewarming banquet. Ah Ding, it's such a joyous occasion. How many people are you planning to invite?"
Knowing that she was being mocked, Ding Jing shook her head and replied, "I'm not sure. Lu Hongjun didn't discuss it with me."
"You're her mother; how can you not know?" Madame Xue emphasized the word "mother," dripping with sarcasm.
Ding Jing seethed with hatred. She recalled how that little brat refused to call her 'mom' when they first met, and she had magnanimously said she would give the child time to adjust. But now, that little brat had never once called her 'mom.' The residents of the compound had often used this against her in the past, and it seemed to be getting worse.
Madame Xue pretended to be surprised and asked, "Oh, Ah Ding, did Jiaxin not tell you?"
Ding Jing ignored her and walked upstairs, her high heels clicking with each step.
Madame Xue scoffed and cursed under her breath, "Stinky fox spirit, who do you think you are? After doing such vicious things, you'll eventually get struck down by lightning!"
On Sunday, Lu Jiajie and Ma Lili arrived early in the morning. They brought with them chicken, duck, fish, pork belly, mutton, and an assortment of fruits and dried fruits.
After looking over the ingredients they had purchased, Lu Jiaxin instructed Xue Mao, "Go to the market and see if there are any fresh shrimp and crabs. If there are, buy plenty of them."
She loved eating shrimp and crab, and with the beginning of September came the season for delicious crabs. She wanted to indulge herself.
Lu Hongjun, knowing her love for shrimp, explained, "Zhenzhen is allergic to shrimp. If we make it, she might not be able to control herself and end up in the hospital again. Jiaxin, if you want to eat some, I'll buy some for you in a couple of days."
Xue Mao chimed in, "Sister, I heard that when you're taking medicine, you shouldn't eat things that are too 'yang' or cooling. Shrimp are 'yang,' and crabs are cooling. These foods might affect the efficacy of your medication."
Lu Jiaxin pondered for a moment, "Didn't the doctor say anything about it?"
Lu Jiajie thought it was better to be cautious and avoid eating them, just in case it interfered with the medicine, "Just hold on for now. Once your body is in better shape, you can eat whatever you like."
As far as he knew, each dose of the Chinese medicine Jiaxin was taking cost over four yuan, and she would be taking it for a whole year, amounting to more than a thousand yuan in total. It was only thanks to their third uncle's high position, good wages, and benefits that they could afford this. If it were him, he wouldn't be able to manage it.
Upon hearing this, Lu Jiaxin immediately dropped the idea. It wasn't just about the money; the most important thing was that Chinese medicine was just too bitter and difficult to drink. Every time she finished taking the medicine, she felt like vomiting. To avoid taking too much medicine, she had to endure it.
The chicken and duck they bought were still alive, and Lu Jiaxin wanted to help prepare them with Ma Lili, but Ma Lili gently pushed her out of the kitchen, "You go and rest. With me, your fifth brother, and Xue Mao, we have more than enough hands."
Lu Jiaxin couldn't argue with her, so after washing her hands, she went inside and brought out some Big White Rabbit Creamy Candies, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and jujube cake for the two children to enjoy.
Little Feng, being the younger child, lit up at the sight of the creamy candies. Her eyes sparkled as she asked, "Auntie, can I take two home for my best friend? Please?"
Lu Jiaxin couldn't resist pinching her soft, round cheeks and said with a smile, "Of course! Our little Feng is so thoughtful, wanting to share treats with her friends."
Flattered by the praise, little Feng grinned widely, revealing her cute baby teeth. As for Qiangqiang, he was too busy savoring the jujube cake to say a word.
(End of Chapter)
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