I Can Talk to the Internal Organs-Chapter 133 - 108: Depression

Lu Jiu, a Chinese medicine practitioner!?

Jing Li and the other two were a bit stunned!

First, the name was a bit unfamiliar, and second, why could a Chinese medicine practitioner be the first author on this project?

On what grounds?

"Director, wasn’t this project led by you?" Jing Li asked.

"I am leading it, but the application of sugar for treating diabetic foot cases originates from Lu Jiu. I just proposed the research value based on that," Fang Qian replied.

"Will he join our research?" Jing Li asked.

"No, after all, he’s a Chinese medicine practitioner and doesn’t quite understand our research. He wouldn’t be much help here," Fang Qian replied.

"Then why is he the first author? Just because the case was his? In the medical field, it’s unheard of for a case handled by someone to demand they be the first author when others are doing the research," Jing Li said.

Jing Li’s meaning was clear: treating a disease and researching it are two different things. You can’t treat a disease once and then do nothing while claiming to be the top contributor when others are researching it. Who would still want to do research then?

"We aren’t doing this research to argue over who contributes more. As long as we can prove sugar is useful for diabetic foot, our goal is met. Who’s the first author is irrelevant. You, don’t be too ambitious; the work isn’t even done yet, so why worry about these things?" Fang Qian laughed.

"I disagree," Jing Li said.

"Alright, you can disagree. Anyway, if there’s anything unclear in our ongoing research, you can consult Lu Jiu anytime. Then you two can discuss and see whether Chinese or Western medicine is superior. For now, just focus on researching this topic and don’t overthink other things," Fang Qian said.

"Okay," Jing Li said.

"Let’s leave it at that. Now, go to the wards and discuss with all the diabetic foot patients and their families to select thirty case samples. After that, we’ll conduct experimental comparisons and data analysis," Fang Qian said.

"Understood," the three replied.

"Go ahead," Fang Qian said.

The three nodded and then left the director’s office together.

In the hallway, Wen Cheng suddenly spoke up, "I’ve heard the name Lu Jiu somewhere."

Tong Fei said, "You know him?"

Jing Li also looked at Wen Cheng.

Wen Cheng shook his head, "I don’t know him, but I know of him. A girl who joined at the same time as I did went to the gastroenterology department. She once told me about a case where a Chinese medicine practitioner diagnosed gallstones just by feeling the pulse. That Chinese practitioner was called Lu Jiu."

Diagnosing gallstones by feeling the pulse?

Is this a human CT machine?

"Could it be the patient made up the story?" Jing Li asked.

"I don’t know. I used to think it was unlikely, but even today, the director said that Chinese doctor could treat diabetic foot with sugar, so I think he must have some skill," Wen Cheng said.

"That’s true. Treating diabetic foot with sugar sounds ridiculous to anyone, yet the director is researching it as a project. I think, given his level of expertise, he couldn’t have been fooled," Tong Fei said.

"Hearing you say this makes sense, but doesn’t Lu Jiu have any shame? He does nothing yet claims to be the first author. Doesn’t he feel embarrassed?" Jing Li said.

"Everyone seeks fame and fortune; Chinese medicine practitioners are no exception. They need to earn qualifications too," Tong Fei said.

"Then he’s stealing our hard work?" Jing Li said.

"Come on, like the director said, nothing is accomplished yet. What is there to steal? Just focus on the work," Tong Fei said.

...

Lu’s Clinic.

"Next, number 32."

With Lu Jiu’s call, a woman around thirty walked up to him. Accompanying her was an older man, who looked quite similar to her. He was likely her father.

"Hello, Dr. Lu."

The woman was very courteous and had a sweet smile.

While observing, Lu Jiu was already performing observation. Based on her complexion, even though the woman was smiling, there was a slight trace of fatigue at the corners of her eyes. Moreover, Lu Jiu could sense an emotion of crying from her smiling face.

"Dr. Lu, could you please check on my daughter? She’s not been feeling well recently" the man asked, his face clearly filled with anxiety and seemingly struggling with what to say.

Lu Jiu nodded and then looked at the woman, "Please sit down. How should I address you?"

"Wang Mengfei," the woman replied with a smile.

"How old are you?" Lu Jiu asked.

"I just turned thirty this year," Wang Mengfei replied with a smile.

"Are you feeling unwell anywhere?" Lu Jiu asked.

"Not really, just occasionally feel suffocated, but otherwise, I’m fine," Wang Mengfei replied with a smile.

"How’s your sleep quality? Do you wake up at night?" Lu Jiu asked.

"I sleep well, no waking up," Wang Mengfei replied with a smile.

"What about your appetite? How’s your eating?" Lu Jiu asked.

"Appetite’s great, everything tastes good," Wang Mengfei replied with a smile.

"How about your bowel movements? Any difficulty in passing stools?" Lu Jiu asked.

"No issues, everything’s fine!" Wang Mengfei replied with a smile.

Huh?

Lu Jiu looked at Wang Mengfei’s smile, feeling something was off.

This woman seemed to resist his questions.

Wang Mengfei’s father immediately frowned, "Speak properly with the doctor, what are you doing?"

Wang Mengfei turned to her father, "I have been speaking properly..."

There’s something strange indeed!

"Let me see your hand," Lu Jiu said.

Wang Mengfei turned back, calmly looked at Lu Jiu, and then extended both hands.

As Lu Jiu’s fingertips touched her wrist, the Five Viscera began their usual dialogue...

"So tired!" Fei Jin said.

"Fei Jin, is she worried again?" Spleen Earth asked.

"Yes," Fei Jin replied.

"A day in and day out, she doesn’t know how to rest, doesn’t eat well, always lost in thought, I really don’t know why she worries," Spleen Earth said.

"Is it not her father, always wanting her to see the world, clueless about her struggles outside? When she returns, he just criticizes her. And she, whenever they argue, locks herself in the room, sulking, making me suffer with her. Now, they want her to take medicine every day, it’s truly insane!!" Liver Wood said angrily.

"And me, why do those things always want to steal my little essence reserves? Why? Is it just to bully me? If they keep stealing, I might as well stop hiding it, take what you want, it’s pointless to guard it anyway," Hydronephrosis complained bitterly.

"Heart Fire, yesterday you said you were tired. How do you feel today?" Spleen Earth asked.

"The same. I constantly have to control the Spirit, can’t let it wander. But now the medicine stops me from grabbing the Spirit. I’m fighting it while keeping the Spirit by day in the brain, and by night here. I’m exhausted, I don’t know how much longer I can go on. Maybe if it continues, I might take everyone with me," Heart Fire said.

"Ah!? Heart Fire, what are you saying?" Spleen Earth was shocked.

"Surprised? I think it’s fine. It’s tiring and pointless every day. Don’t you find death interesting? We haven’t tried it yet," Heart Fire laughed.

"Heart Fire, you’re terrifying now, I’m so scared!!" Hydronephrosis trembled at Heart Fire’s calm words. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"What’s there to fear, Hydronephrosis, think about it. This medicine will keep stealing from your little essence reserves, while you can’t beat it. Once your reserves are depleted, you’ll lose function completely. Is there meaning to living then?" Heart Fire persuaded Hydronephrosis.

"You make some sense," Hydronephrosis said.

"Hey, hey, hey!? You two, don’t do anything rash..." Spleen Earth panicked.

Listening to the Five Viscera’s dialogue, Lu Jiu felt his heart sink.

Faced with previous patients, their Heart Fire tended to be more agitated. Why was this Heart Fire so unusually calm, discussing death topics seriously, unlike other Heart Fires who made jokingly scary remarks?

Wait!

The heart is home to the spirit, overseeing all emotional activities.

In other words, emotional activities can also affect the heart. Could it be that Heart Fire’s calmness or even eagerness for death is influenced by the person’s emotions?

Lu Jiu’s heart jolted. Could it be... depression!?