Chinese Medicine: Starting with Daily Intelligence-Chapter 198: Participating in the Show

Ji Youyou argued, "That doctor is different. He..."

"That's enough!" Ji Feng cut her off. "I've already rejected the invitation from 'Appointment Today' on your behalf. The most important thing for you right now is to rest, not make a public appearance."

Ji Youyou shot her head up. "What gives you the right to make decisions for me?"

Ji Feng was stunned. He clearly hadn't expected his usually docile sister to fight back.

He narrowed his eyes. "Because I'm your brother and your manager, and I know what's best for you better than you do."

"No," Ji Youyou's voice was soft but firm. "I'm going to accept this invitation."

"You—"

"I'm thirty years old, Ji Feng." Ji Youyou looked her brother straight in the eye. "I can't hide in your shadow forever. My fans have been waiting for over a year. They deserve an explanation."

Ji Feng's expression shifted from anger to surprise, finally settling into a complex, scrutinizing look.

He was silent for a long time before finally speaking. "If you insist on going on the show, at least let me go with you."

Ji Youyou shook her head. "I want to do this by myself."

Seeing that her brother was about to get angry again, she added, "But... you can help me contact the production team and arrange the details."

Ji Feng snorted coldly, which was his way of compromising.

Before leaving, he turned back to warn her, "Don't expect me to support this decision. The way you look now, all anyone will see on camera is a walking skeleton."

After the door closed, Ji Youyou collapsed onto the sofa, her heart pounding like thunder.

It was the first time in years she had said "no" to her brother. The feeling was both terrifying and... exhilarating.

After a moment of thought, she picked up her phone and dialed Li Xu's number.

"Dr. Li, I... I accepted the invitation from 'Appointment Today.' But I'm a little worried about my physical condition..."

"That's good news," Li Xu said gently. "It means you're starting to find the courage to return to your life."

"My body should be able to handle a show, right...?"

"When are you scheduled to film?"

"They said it's next week."

"There's still a week... With the conditioning, your body will be fine."

"Okay."

Ji Youyou felt relieved.

After they hung up, Song Sisi said excitedly, "Wow, Sister Youyou is making a comeback! This is great!"

Li Xu asked, "You're not going to go cheer for her in person, are you?"

"Haha..." Song Sisi shook her head and laughed. "I may be her fan, but I'm not that crazy."

...

For five consecutive days, Ji Youyou ate a bowl of the special rice, and her body recovered at a visible rate.

On the morning of the sixth day, when she stepped on the scale, the number made her hold her breath—she had gained three pounds since her first visit.

She had even managed to eat a bite of cake in addition to the rice.

Before this, she had been repulsed by all food.

While eating the cake, Ji Youyou found it very sweet and rich, but she didn't feel nauseous.

Today was the day of the filming.

Because she didn't know how long the filming would take, she made a point of cooking a bowl of rice and packing it in a thermal flask. That way, she could eat it anytime she got hungry.

...

The 'Appointment Today' production team had started building hype three days in advance, and all major social media platforms were flooded with promotions for "Ji Youyou's Comeback Debut."

On the day of the filming, hundreds of fans had gathered early in front of the TV station, holding glow sticks and posters, completely blocking the entrance.

As the black minivan slowly drove into the dedicated lane, Ji Youyou saw the sea of people through the car window.

"It's not too late to back out now," Ji Feng said coldly from the opposite seat. "Are you sure you want to show your current state to a national audience?"

Ji Youyou took a deep breath. "Ji Feng, I'm not your puppet to be manipulated anymore."

Ji Feng narrowed his eyes, as if seeing his sister for the first time.

Lately, he had watched Ji Youyou get better day by day—she no longer avoided eating with family, no longer secretly took laxatives, and even dared to object to his arrangements.

This change both annoyed and confused him.

After the car came to a steady stop, a staff member pulled open the door.

Ji Youyou put on her sunglasses, holding the thermal flask as she stepped out of the car.

When the fans recognized her, a tidal wave of screams erupted.

"Youyou! We love you!"

"Youyou, take care of yourself!"

"We're waiting for your new album!"

Ji Youyou stopped, took off her sunglasses, and waved to her fans.

This simple gesture triggered an even bigger roar from the crowd.

Camera flashes went off one after another, and her thin but no longer gaunt face was captured by countless lenses.

"Miss Ji, this way, please." A production assistant guided her into the building, with Ji Feng following closely behind, his expression dark.

The dressing room was more luxurious than Ji Youyou had imagined. The spacious room was filled with fresh flowers and fruit platters—obviously prepared especially for her.

The makeup artist, a young woman, lit up when she saw Ji Youyou. "Teacher Ji! I'm a huge fan! You look so much better than I expected! People online were saying you..."

After her makeup was done, a stylist wheeled over a clothing rack. "Teacher Ji, would you like to change your outfit?"

Ji Youyou shook her head and pointed to the light blue dress she was wearing. "This is fine. It's comfortable."

It was the first piece of clothing she had chosen for herself since getting sick, instead of being forced to wear the strange and flamboyant outfits others picked for her.

A knock sounded, and a woman in a beige suit walked in—Lu Yu, the host of 'Appointment Today'.

"Teacher Ji, I've heard so much about you."

Lu Yu extended her hand, her smile professional and perfect. "Shall we go over the script?"

Ji Youyou stood up to shake her hand, noticing that Lu Yu's fingers were icy cold and slender, her knuckles prominent—much like her own hands had been when she was sick.

Up close, the host known for her intellect and elegance was much thinner than she appeared on television, with high cheekbones and a deep-set collarbone.

Lu Yu seemed to notice Ji Youyou's gaze and subtly adjusted her collar. "Our show is known for being authentic, so we won't follow the script exactly. But I'd like to know if there are any topics you'd rather not touch on—any red lines."

"That's fine," Ji Youyou said. "We can talk about any topic, including the anorexia."

She patted the thermal flask beside her. "In fact, I was hoping to share with the audience how I've been recovering."

Lu Yu's gaze fell on the thermal flask, and the corner of her mouth curved into a subtle smile. "Interesting. I heard you've been seeing a traditional Chinese medicine doctor recently?"

"Yes, a very special doctor. He..."

"Teacher Lu, we're starting in five minutes!" a stagehand shouted from outside the door.

Lu Yu stood up. "Then I'll see you on set. I hope you don't mind, but I might ask some... pointed questions. After all, what the audience wants most is the real Ji Youyou."

"No problem."

The studio was smaller than she'd imagined, but it was decorated in a warm and elegant style.

About a hundred audience members were already seated. The front rows were clearly filled with Ji Youyou's fans, handpicked by the production team, holding small support signs. When Ji Youyou walked out, the studio erupted in fervent applause.

"Ladies and gentlemen, today we are incredibly honored to have with us a famous singer who has been out of the public eye for over a year—Ji Youyou!"

Lu Yu's opening was full of enthusiasm. "Youyou, why don't you start by saying hello to everyone!"

Ji Youyou faced the audience and bowed slightly. "Hello, everyone. I'm Ji Youyou. It's been a long time."

Her voice was steadier than expected, even carrying a hint of its long-lost vitality.

Cheers erupted from the audience, and a few female fans were even wiping away tears.

Lu Yu crossed her legs elegantly. "Youyou, we all know you took a break from work for over a year due to health reasons. Can you share with us what you went through during that time?"

Ji Youyou nodded. "I developed severe anorexia nervosa. At my worst, I weighed less than seventy-seven pounds."

Gasps rippled through the audience.

Lu Yu showed timely concern. "For a singer, that's undoubtedly a devastating blow. What made you decide to make a comeback now?"

"Because I finally found a way to heal." Ji Youyou patted the thermal flask beside her. "A doctor gave me this rice, and it restored my appetite."

Lu Yu's tone was laced with obvious skepticism. "Are you saying that rice cured your anorexia?"

Ji Youyou's expression was earnest. "Yes. It made me rediscover my desire for food."

Lu Yu shook her head. "Really? I don't believe it."