’What should I do?’
Dean Song felt a terrible headache coming on.
He thought for a mont and decided to report the situation to his superiors.
However, just as he was about to make the report,
the landline on his desk rang first.
Dean Song picked up the phone. A serious voice from his superior ca through the receiver. "Dean Song, this is an urgent notice. There have been recent cases of lead poisoning in children in Feng City. The higher-ups are taking this very seriously. They’re demanding that all hospitals receiving similar patients provide active treatnt while also keeping it under wraps. It is strictly forbidden to leak this information. We cannot stir up public opinion and cause unnecessary panic."
Dean Song sighed.
He understood the implication.
They were being told to "put a lid on it."
If sothing like this blew up, no one could bear the responsibility.
Though he struggled internally, faced with an order from his superior, he could only sigh and reluctantly agree. "Yes, I understand. Our hospital will strictly follow the directive."
After hanging up, Dean Song gave his instructions.
He had Lin Guorui write up an admission form for the patient and arrange for imdiate hospitalization.
At the sa ti, he thought of soone—Li Xu.
"Lin Guorui, have Hu Qiming call Li Xu. As his forr classmate, he should appeal to him with reason and emotion. Tell him to please, under no circumstances, publicize this matter."
Dean Song ordered.
Li Xu was very famous now. If he revealed this to the dia, the situation would spiral out of control.
Lin Guorui returned to his office and relayed the dean’s ssage to Hu Qiming.
After hearing the ssage, Hu Qiming’s face turned grim, as if he’d just swallowed a fly.
But it was an order from his superior, and he had to obey.
Hu Qiming dialed Li Xu’s number.
"Li Xu, what are you up to?"
"Just saw a patient out. I’m getting ready to close up for the day."
Li Xu asked, "What’s up? Calling this late... are you treating to dinner?"
Hu Qiming hesitated for a mont, but then he told Li Xu everything—about Liu Chao’s confird lead poisoning diagnosis and the hospital’s gag order.
After listening, Li Xu was silent for a long ti.
After a while, he let out a sigh. "Just as I expected... I had a feeling they would do this."
"A cover-up to avoid negative press... But the truth is already out, and they still want to hide it? What if this delays the diagnosis for other patients who haven’t been tested yet? With sothing like this, the sooner it’s out in the open, the better."
Li Xu was angry. "You tell Dean Song that if the city doesn’t make a public announcent tomorrow, and if other children who might be suffering from lead poisoning aren’t given tily examinations and treatnt, I will consider going to the dia."
Hu Qiming was taken aback by Li Xu’s resolve.
He knew Li Xu’s temperant; once Li Xu made up his mind, it was very difficult to change it.
He didn’t dare to delay and imdiately relayed Li Xu’s words to Dean Song.
When Dean Song heard the ssage, cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
Li Xu had a great deal of influence now. If he really ca forward and exposed this, the consequences would be unimaginable.
He didn’t dare to hesitate and imdiately reported Li Xu’s stance, along with the potential dia crisis, to his superiors.
However, just as Dean Song was making his report, a piece of unexpected news completely upended everyone’s plans.
The parents of a patient from Feng City, concerned because their child was unwell, had taken them to a major hospital in another city for a check-up. The results ca back showing a high concentration of lead in the child’s blood.
The news was imdiately exposed by the local dia there and quickly fernted online, causing a massive uproar.
Online sentint was fierce, and soon, the phrase "Feng City Lead Pollution" was a top trending topic.
Countless netizens furiously demanded to know why the authorities and hospitals had chosen to remain silent in the face of such a serious public health incident.
So people even dug up the fact that there was a large-scale lead factory in the Feng City Suburbs.
All fingers were instantly pointed at that factory.
...
Online public opinion boiled over, and panic spread rapidly.
The once-bustling Li’s Traditional Chinese dicine Clinic suddenly beca deserted.
Many out-of-town patients canceled their plans to co to Feng City, and local patients also went out less due to fears of environntal pollution.
The desolate clinic gave Li Xu a rare bit of downti.
Looking out the window at the bleak winter day, Li Xu’s feelings were complicated.
This incident didn’t just affect his clinic’s business; it affected the health of countless people.
A light lody began to play.
It was a call from Elder Li.
"Doctor Li, you must have so free ti now, right? I’ve been thinking a lot about that wild ga you brought back from Qinling. Coincidentally, the New Year is almost here. I’d like to treat you all to a al. Co over to my place and liven things up."
Elder Li invited with a laugh.
Li Xu smiled, too.
He happened to be free for the next couple of days.
He gladly accepted. He decided to bring Song Sisi along, and also invited the father and son duo, Ding Aiguo and Ding Kaifang, to join them at Elder Li’s house for the lively get-together.
Co dinnerti, Elder Li’s house was bustling with energy.
The spacious living room was filled with the aroma of food and the sound of laughter.
Ding Aiguo and his son, as well as Song Sisi, all took their seats.
Elder Li cheerfully attended to his guests.
"Don’t be shy, everyone, don’t be shy! The holiday is almost here, so let’s have a good ti."
Elder Li called out warmly before turning and heading into the kitchen.
A few monts later, the housekeeper brought out one steaming hot dish after another.
The first thing to catch their eye was a large pot of mushroom soup, billowing with steam.
The broth was crystal clear, garnished with a few sprigs of erald-green cilantro, making it a beautiful sight.
A rich, unique, and savory aroma wafted over, whetting everyone’s appetite.
"This is the good stuff."
Elder Li introduced it with a smile. "These mushrooms were brought back from Qinling by Doctor Li. They’re wild mushrooms from deep in the mountains; you can’t get them in the city. I slow-cooked them for a full three hours to draw out all their umami flavor. Here, Nurse Song, have so more. It’s good for your qi and complexion!"
Song Sisi obediently accepted the bowl from Elder Li and took a small sip.
Instantly, an indescribably savory flavor exploded in her mouth, as if she were in the heart of a prival forest, experiencing a gift from nature itself. The mushrooms were springy and smooth, the broth rich and llow, with an endlessly lingering aftertaste.
Ding Aiguo and his son, Ding Kaifang, were also full of praise, repeatedly complinting Elder Li’s cooking skills.
Next, Elder Li brought out a plate of golden, crispy bee pupae.
Each pupa was plump, with an alluring color, and gave off a unique, protein-rich aroma.
"These bee pupae were also brought back from Qinling by Li Xu."
Elder Li said animatedly, "I specially deep-fried them until they were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Don’t be put off by their strange appearance; they’re incredibly nutritious. And the taste is absolutely delicious. Co on, everyone, try so."
Ding Kaifang picked one up with his chopsticks and carefully placed it in his mouth.
Imdiately, his eyes lit up, and he began to eat them by the mouthful. "Wow, delicious! They’re so crispy and a little sweet. Even better than silkworm pupae."
Li Xu tried one as well.
The bee pupae from Qinling were indeed exceptional—savory and sweet, with a faint, nutty fragrance.
Just as everyone was enjoying the delicacies, Elder Li had the housekeeper bring out a massive iron pot from the kitchen.
What was inside this pot was the main event of the day.
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