Chapter 38 - Let's Get Acquainted with This

A malignant tumor is what people commonly refer to as cancer. It encompasses more than a hundred different diseases. Normally, cells grow and differentiate to meet the body’s needs. However, when specific cells undergo mutations and begin uncontrolled growth and differentiation, a tumor is formed. These mutated cells are known as cancer cells. Once cancer cells develop, they can harm nearby organs and tissues, and they can even enter the bloodstream and lymphatic system, leading to the creation of new tumors in other parts of the body. This process is called cancer metastasis.

After the emergency treatment yesterday, Shen Ruicong’s condition gradually improved, and he regained consciousness. Following a series of tests conducted by Lu Ming, he was transferred back to his hospital room. However, some monitoring equipment couldn’t be removed, as his condition required continuous 24-hour monitoring.

A few hours later, Lu Ming received all of Shen Ruicong’s test reports. The indicators for various enzymes in his body were within normal ranges. The indicators for relevant antigens were also normal. The results from gene amplification and gene mutation tests were all normal. Various imaging tests, such as CT scans, consistently showed no abnormalities.

So, everything appeared to be normal. It was confirmed that there was a tumor, but this tumor had a clear capsule, could not spread, and posed a minimal threat to the body. It was a benign tumor that could be either removed or left in place.

Considering the current situation, it was not advisable to perform a removal surgery at the moment because the real underlying issue likely lay with Shen Ruicong’s three hearts.

The problem that Lu Ming needed to address now was related to the three hearts.

“Teacher, it’s a heart problem, isn’t it?” Inquired Gu Yongchao from the side.

Lu Ming nodded and replied, “Yes, it’s indeed a heart problem, and it is unrelated to the tumor.”

Gu Yongchao sighed and said, “Dealing with one problematic heart is already challenging, and now there are three…”

“How can we handle this?” She asked.

Lu Ming stood up, patted Gu Yongchao’s shoulder, and said, “What other option do we have? We need to seek assistance!”

Lu Ming decided to make Shen Ruicong’s condition public and contact heart specialists. While Lu Ming’s medical skills were impressive, cases as complex as this one required a collaborative effort.

“Seeking help?” Gu Yongchao was secretly thrilled.

Doesn’t this mean they will have the opportunity to meet many expert heart doctors? This would be a valuable learning experience, and he was determined to make the most of it.

“Teacher!”

“Tag along!” Gu Yongchao watched Lu Ming as he left and then hurried after him.

Inside the hospital room, Sun Kaili returned after finishing her meal, only to find her son missing.@@novelbin@@

“Ajie? Where are you, Ajie?”

Sun Kaili searched around but couldn’t find Chu Wenjie.

“This child…”

This left her quite upset. Meanwhile, Chu Wenjie was in Shen Ruicong’s hospital room.

“Whose child are you?”

“How did you end up here?”

Luo Sanmei, seeing Shen Ruicong, immediately approached and asked with concern.

“I’m Chu Wenjie,” replied Chu Wenjie.

“Chu Wenjie? How old are you this year?”

Luo Sanmei found this child quite interesting.

“I’m seven years old, just started first grade this year,” Chu Wenjie answered.

“So why are you here alone? Where are your mom and dad?” Luo Sanmei continued to inquire.

“My mom is making lunch, and my dad is at work. My dad is very busy. I can only see him once a year,” he replied.

Hearing this, Luo Sanmei couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. Seeing his father only once a year?

This child must also be lacking paternal love.

“What illness are you staying in the hospital for?” Asked Luo Sanmei.

“My mom says it’s congenital heart disease,” replied Chu Wenjie.

“Congenital heart disease?”

Luo Sanmei hadn’t expected that Chu Wenjie also had a heart condition and couldn’t help but embrace him with sympathy.

“What’s wrong with my little brother? Why does he have so many tubes on him?”

Chu Wenjie gazed inquisitively at Shen Ruicong in the hospital bed.

“Younger brother?”

“He… he also has cardiac issues.”

Luo Sanmei’s emotions sank as she observed Shen Ruicong lying in the bed.

“Ajie, why did you come here?”

Just then, Chu Wenjie’s mother, Sun Kaili, appeared at the hospital room’s entrance.

“You must be Chu Wenjie’s mother, correct?”

“This child is so well-mannered,” Luo Sanmei politely praised.

Sun Kaili nodded slightly and summoned Chu Wenjie to her side before leaving with him. Luo Sanmei forced a smile and didn’t take it to heart.

Due to Shen Ruicong’s condition, Lu Ming returned to Jimin Medical Center. He wanted to prepare a few doses of gentle medication specifically for heart maintenance, just in case. When he arrived at the medical center, he found that his parents had also returned. Lu Ming was somewhat surprised. They hadn’t even informed him of their return?

Is he truly their son?

Well, he didn’t ask them when they were coming back either, so they shared the blame.

“Dad, did you guys discover anything interesting this time?”

Lu Ming located his father, Lu Shenghua, who was working on prescriptions.

“Son?”

“Haha, let me tell you, this time was a great success! Your mom, grandma, grandpa, and paternal and maternal grandparents found many valuable items! There are rare and precious medicinal herbs, as well as numerous ancient prescriptions, both complete and incomplete!”

“Your paternal and maternal grandparents are currently engrossed in researching ancient prescriptions. I’m working on an ancient prescription myself.”

Lu Shenghua pointed to a sheet of A4 paper on the table with several prescriptions printed.

“I see. Dad, now that you’re back, there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

Lu Shenghua looked at Lu Ming, puzzled, and asked, “Oh? What would you like to talk about with me?”

Since Lu Ming started working away from home, he rarely sought his father’s input, typically making decisions independently. So, whenever they needed to discuss something, it usually meant a significant matter.

“I’d like to request a HeartGuard Pill,” Lu Ming said.

Lu Shenghua paused for a moment.

A HeartGuard Pill? It’s not particularly rare. He can have it if he wants. Nothing unusual about it. Or is there?

Lu Shenghua quickly realized that something was amiss.

A HeartGuard Pill that requires discussion to obtain… Could it be?

“You cheeky child, are you considering taking those 52 HeartGuard Pills that your great-grandfather left behind in ’52?”

The “52 HeartGuard Pills” refer to the special HeartGuard Pills left by Lu Ming’s great-grandfather in 1952. During that time, certain medicinal herbs were not extinct, and some animals weren’t endangered species, so they could be hunted and their tissues added to the prescriptions. As a result, the efficacy of these 52 HeartGuard Pills was exceptionally potent.

“Is it not allowed?” Lu Ming asked.

“You defiant child, don’t you understand that those 52 HeartGuard Pills are our treasured possessions?” Lu Shenghua said.

“Our treasured possessions? If they can’t be used to save lives and demonstrate their value, what kind of treasured possessions are they?” Lu Ming firmly replied.

This question left Lu Shenghua bewildered. Are treasured possessions that can’t be used to save lives and demonstrate their value still considered treasured possessions? When did his son’s thinking become so profound, like a three- or four-story building?

“This…” Lu Shenghua didn’t know how to respond to that.

Indeed, medicine is meant to treat and save people, not gather dust on a shelf. But the value of those 52 HeartGuard Pills is genuinely immense. Taking one could extend the life of a dying person by over half an hour or more.

Even Lu Shenghua’s father, Lu Jimin, the founder of Jimin Medical Center, couldn’t bear to take one before he died.

“I understand the value of the 52 HeartGuard Pills, so I’m not asking for those. Just give me two 82 HeartGuard Pills,” Lu Ming requested.

The “82 HeartGuard Pills” were a confidential formula from Lu Ming’s grandfather, Lu Jimin. Due to the absence of some rare medicinal herbs, their efficacy was not as high as the 52 HeartGuard Pills. However, they still outperformed ordinary heart medications on the market significantly. When Lu Jimin passed away, he left behind hundreds of 82 HeartGuard Pills. Even today, only a dozen or so have been used, so there is still a considerable stock.

“82 HeartGuard Pills? Well, go ahead and take two.”

Lu Shenghua felt relieved when he heard Lu Ming wanted the 82 HeartGuard Pills. These pills could still be produced with special permission from the government, provided they obtained some restricted medicinal herbs, which was not the case with the 52 HeartGuard Pills. The 52 HeartGuard Pills couldn’t be replicated and were used individually.

“Thank you, Dad!” Lu Ming expressed his gratitude.

“Why do you need 82 HeartGuard Pills?” Lu Shenghua inquired about the purpose of Lu Ming’s request for these heart medications.

“This is something you might find unbelievable,” Lu Ming began. “I’ve encountered a patient, a five-year-old boy. He… has three hearts!”

Lu Shenghua was taking a sip of water when he heard Lu Ming’s words. He spit the water out, splattering the A4 paper in front of him. Quickly, he picked up the A4 paper and shook off the water droplets. While doing so, he asked, “Is this for real?”

“Three hearts?”

“Why is it so hard to believe?” Lu Shenghua continued, shaking the paper and trying to dry it.

Lu Ming nodded earnestly and presented some photos he had taken with his phone as evidence.

Lu Shenghua, despite being a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, had some knowledge of Western medicine and could interpret certain medical images.

“It really is three hearts!” Lu Shenghua widened his eyes in astonishment.

This was something he needed to see for himself.

“May I go and visit this young patient?” Lu Shenghua asked Lu Ming.