Chapter 539: Chapter 230: The County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Director as an Assistant? (2)

"You should still take it easy," Lu Guoquan said with a mixture of laughter and helplessness.

Lu Qinian didn’t mind and, after asking a couple of questions, turned to Lin Fangling: "Fangling, is the food ready? I think around this time, my eldest grandson and the others should be back."

"They should be back soon, Old Lu just called them earlier," Lin Fangling replied.

Lu Qinian directly looked at Lu Guoquan: "Go, get the wine I made a few years back. Tonight I want to have a good drink with my eldest grandson."

Hearing this, Lu Guoquan couldn’t help but roll his eyes: "Whether you can drink or not, let’s wait until your eldest grandson returns. If he says you can drink, it’s not too late to bring it out; if he says you can’t, it’s useless to bring it out anyway."

Lu Qinian was immediately frustrated.

He initially thought he could happily have a little drink, but now it seems that’s not going to happen.

There’s no way he’d win against his eldest grandson.

The three of them didn’t wait long before Lu Xuan and his group returned.

At the dinner table, the old man didn’t mention drinking; he guessed if he brought it up, his grandson wouldn’t agree either. Instead of being lectured by his grandson, he chose not to mention it.

Since the old man didn’t bring it up, Lu Guoquan naturally felt at ease. He really feared the old man’s stubbornness insisting on drinking, but to his surprise, he was so obedient this time, not mentioning it at all, and couldn’t help feeling grateful. His eldest grandson indeed had more influence.

If it were him, his father would probably ignore him completely.

However, even without drinking, the old man’s happiness was unmistakable. At the dinner table, he occasionally looked up, smiling at Lu Xuan.

Thinking of Lu Xuan going to Huian Pharmacy for community service the next day, the old man couldn’t help but ask, "Grandson, if you go to Huian Pharmacy for the community service, how are the patient fees calculated over there?"

Lu Xuan looked up and replied, "As for the cost of traditional Chinese medicine, Huian Pharmacy said they’ll halve it directly. I don’t plan to charge for consultation; it will be a free clinic so that those seeking medical treatment can spend less."

"Won’t Huian Pharmacy suffer a loss then?" Lu Qinian was a bit stunned.

With traditional medicine costs halved and Huian Pharmacy still having to pay for Lu Xuan’s consultations, it’s not a small expense. To put it bluntly, if there are many patients, the loss could be tens of thousands in a day, plus the cost of Lu Xuan’s consultations. For a pharmacy in Anjiang County, just these costs alone would take several days to recover through regular operations.

"They won’t necessarily lose money."

Lu Xuan explained, "Although the cost of traditional medicine is halved, the foot traffic attracted should not be small. By then, various Western medicines and health products can be sold; they can break even and potentially make a substantial profit.

Moreover, with such significant publicity by Huian Pharmacy, if successful, there might not be many pharmacies in Anjiang County able to compete with it in the future.

Even if they lose out during the free clinic days, they’ll be able to make it back later." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"That’s quite good."

Lu Qinian nodded and said, "The patients get benefits, and Huian Pharmacy makes money; it’s a win-win situation."

"Dad, you don’t need to worry about these things. After all, Huian Pharmacy is such a big business; they won’t make a loss. I heard those health products will be discounted by 20 to 30 percent; there won’t be a shortage of buyers. I actually think they won’t lose money, and they’ll gain reputation, which is the most important."

Lu Guoquan said, "Once Huian Pharmacy establishes its reputation, other pharmacies in Anjiang County will have a hard time doing business."

After thinking carefully, Lu Qinian felt it was the case, so he stopped talking about these things.

After dinner, the old man took Lu Xuan to the balcony for a chat.

Since it wasn’t often he was back, Lu Xuan chatted and laughed with the old man.

For an elderly person around seventy, every year counts.

While chatting, Lu Xuan decided he must take the old man to Yong City this time.

Although the old man’s condition wasn’t severe, it wasn’t something a few doses of medicine could fix. It would take at least a month or two of treatment, and the prescriptions needed adjustments based on his symptoms each time. Staying in Anjiang wouldn’t work; the old man would have to go with him to Yong City.

...

The next day.

Lu Xuan got up early due to the community service at Huian Pharmacy. After brushing his teeth and coming out of the room, he found the old man doing Tai Chi on the balcony.

"Grandpa," Lu Xuan called out.

The old man stopped his Tai Chi and turned with a smile: "You’re up?"

"Yes."

"Go have breakfast first; I’ll finish my Tai Chi," the old man said, full of smiles.

"Grandpa, how about I teach you the Vajra Longevity Skill instead? It’s more beneficial to health than Tai Chi. Tai Chi is primarily for martial purposes; it has fitness benefits, but for elderly fitness, I think the Vajra Longevity Skill works better."

"The Vajra Longevity Skill?"

Lu Qinian looked surprised: "I’ve never heard of it."

Lu Xuan smiled and said, "Very few people know about the Vajra Longevity Skill, so you naturally haven’t heard of it."

"I mainly heard that Tai Chi is good for health and suitable for the elderly. I learned it from some old men in the park, and now I do it twice a day," Lu Qinian explained.

Lu Xuan smiled slightly.

There’s been debate on whether Tai Chi or the Vajra Longevity Skill is better. One viewpoint is that Tai Chi is more advantageous. Tai Chi is a full-body exercise beneficial to all parts and is gentle and slow, avoiding muscle or joint injuries caused by overexertion or missteps.

Another viewpoint argues the Vajra Longevity Skill is better, as part of the longevity skill series. It’s simple and easy to learn for beginners. It mainly benefits by unblocking and strengthening the body’s meridians and bones.

Overall, regarding which is better, each has its emphasis. The choice largely depends on an individual’s physical condition and needs.

However, in Lu Xuan’s view, the Vajra Longevity Skill is more suited for the elderly than Tai Chi.

Of course, Tai Chi isn’t bad either.

Since ancient times, there’s been a saying about the civil use of Tai Chi to pacify the world and martial use of Baji to stabilize the universe, illustrating Tai Chi’s influence.

Both Tai Chi and the Vajra Longevity Skill have their benefits with different emphases.

If it’s for martial purposes, Tai Chi seems more suitable.

However, the Vajra Longevity Skill is undoubtedly a health regimen, naturally more suitable for the elderly.

"Alright, since my eldest grandson says the Vajra Longevity Skill is good, I’ll try it then." Lu Qinian readily agreed; to him, it didn’t matter what he practiced as long as he spent time every day.

"I’ll get some water."

After a few sips of warm water, Lu Xuan went to the balcony to guide the old man through the Vajra Longevity Skill’s formulas and movement essentials.

Half an hour later.

The old man indeed understood, and despite his age, his memory wasn’t bad. He might not have remembered all the formulas, but he had the movement essentials down. After a full set of the Vajra Longevity Skill, even Lu Xuan couldn’t find many faults. At this rate, another two to three sessions, and the old man could practice it on his own.

Meanwhile, Lu Xuan, after completing his half-hour session, returned to the living room to have the breakfast his mother prepared.

Halfway through, Ji Xiuwen and his cousin woke up, and half an hour later, the three arrived at Huian Pharmacy.

Due to yesterday’s publicity, there was already a long queue outside Huian Pharmacy even before opening time, which startled the staff.

Despite the grand promotion yesterday, no one expected so many people to show up today. Surprisingly, people were already queuing early in the morning.

Upon arriving, Manager Lin Mu of Huian Pharmacy came out early to greet Lu Xuan.

After exchanging pleasantries, Lu Xuan said, "Manager Lin, perhaps we’ll need an extra chair later."

Lin Mu seemed to remember something, patting his forehead: "Look at me, I almost forgot! Dean Zhang from the County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine said he’d be coming over today to assist you, Dr. Lu, and lend a hand."

Lin Mu said with a laugh, but little did he realize that his words were like a bolt from the blue to the pharmacy’s staff and those queuing.

The dean of the County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine assisting?