Yang Qing studied her younger brother carefully.
Yang Tian was tanner and thinner than before, and there was a newfound maturity in his features.
However, Yang Qing soon noticed sothing unusual about her brother.
Yang Tian’s hands were rough and full of cracks. The knuckles on several of his fingers were red, swollen, and chapped. So spots even had scabs and broken skin—clearly the signs of severe frostbite.
There were also small red patches on his face, especially on his ears and cheekbones—more marks left by frostbite.
"Xiao Tian, your hands and face... it’s all frostbite."
Yang Qing’s heart ached as she held Yang Tian’s hand. "How did it get so bad? Does it hurt?"
Yang Tian just smiled, not seeming to mind at all, and pulled his hand away. "Hey, Sis, it’s nothing. Part of our patrol route goes up into the mountains. Temperatures dozens of degrees below zero are normal, so getting a little frostbitten is just part of the job. A lot of my comrades have it, too. We’re used to it."
Hearing this made Yang Qing’s heart ache even more. "Isn’t there anything you can do? Don’t they have frostbite cream or sothing in the army?"
"They do. The army issues it."
Yang Tian scratched his head. "But that stuff only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. It gets better, then it acts up again, over and over. The conditions where we are are just too harsh. Even if you put on dicine, the mont you go out on patrol and the wind hits you, you get frostbitten all over again."
Yang Qing’s brow furrowed.
She knew the conditions at the border were harsh; in the sumr, the mosquitoes were overwhelming.
But she hadn’t expected winter to be just as difficult.
Suddenly, she thought of Li Xu.
"Xiao Tian, I’ll take you to see Dr. Li tomorrow. His dical skills are incredible. Maybe he can prescribe an ointnt or a dicinal soup to cure this frostbite for good."
Hearing this, Yang Tian’s eyes lit up. "Dr. Li Xu? Is that the sa Doctor Li who sent us those premium Mugwort Bags?"
"Yes, that’s him," Yang Qing nodded.
"That’s great," Yang Tian imdiately agreed. "It’s perfect, I haven’t had a chance to thank him properly. The premium Mugwort Bags he sent solved a huge problem for our outpost. When we’re on patrol in the sumr, the mosquitoes basically stay away. A lot of the ti, we don’t even need to wear our protective netting."
As the siblings were talking,
Yang Qing’s phone suddenly rang.
She picked it up and saw it was a call from Lin Xiaoyu.
Lin Xiaoyu was an editor for *Urban Life* magazine. Ever since Yang Qing had posted a comnt about mugwort on their public account that sparked a heated discussion, the two had beco good friends.
"Hello, Xiao Yu?" Yang Qing answered the phone.
"Sister Qing, what are you up to? I just got off work. I was thinking, it’s been a while. Want to grab dinner together?"
Lin Xiaoyu’s voice ca through the receiver.
Yang Qing glanced at Yang Tian beside her and declined, "Oh, Xiao Yu, I don’t think I can today. My younger brother just got back from the border, and I need to spend ti with him."
"Your brother’s back?"
Lin Xiaoyu sounded even happier. "That’s even better! We can all et up. I have a lot of friends, all single young ladies. Maybe I can even help introduce your brother to a girlfriend."
Lin Xiaoyu’s words instantly hit ho with Yang Qing.
Yang Tian wasn’t young anymore. Being in the army all this ti, he’d had few opportunities to et girls. His marriage prospects had always been a weight on Yang Qing’s mind.
Lin Xiaoyu’s suggestion was exactly what she had been hoping for.
"Xiao Tian, Lin Xiaoyu is a good friend of mine. She wants to treat us to dinner and said she could help introduce you to a girlfriend."
Yang Qing said quietly to Yang Tian.
Hearing the words "introduce you to a girlfriend," Yang Tian got a little shy, but he didn’t refuse. "Okay, Sis. Whatever you say."
"Alright then, Xiao Yu, we’re on our way."
Yang Qing agreed. "You pick the place."
"Great! Let’s make it the Feng City Restaurant. I’ll wait for you there."
Lin Xiaoyu said happily.
After hanging up, Yang Qing took Yang Tian by the arm, and the two siblings headed toward the Feng City Restaurant, chatting and laughing.
...
When the two of them arrived, Lin Xiaoyu was already seated at a window-side table. She was wearing a fashionable sweater and had on exquisite makeup. Seeing Yang Qing and Yang Tian walk in, she imdiately waved enthusiastically.
"Sister Qing! Xiao Tian!"
Lin Xiaoyu stood up and greeted them with a smile. "Long ti no see, Sister Qing! This must be your brother, right? He looks so valiant and heroic—you can tell he has the bearing of a soldier."
Yang Tian smiled, a little embarrassed, while Yang Qing introduced them with a laugh, "Xiao Yu, this is my brother, Yang Tian. Xiao Tian, this is my good friend, Lin Xiaoyu."
After the three of them sat down, the waiter quickly brought out the dishes.
The food at Feng City Restaurant was a feast for the senses. The three of them ate and chatted, the atmosphere lively and warm.
During their conversation, Yang Qing ntioned the frostbite on Yang Tian’s hands and her plan to take him to see Dr. Li Xu the next day.
As soon as Lin Xiaoyu heard "frostbite" and "Dr. Li Xu," her interest was imdiately piqued.
"This is great! I was just worrying about our magazine’s next feature. Even with heating and air conditioning nowadays, frostbite is relatively rare, but people like Xiao Tian, and others who work outdoors year-round, still have to deal with it."
She grew more excited as she spoke. "If Doctor Li has any good advice or redies, we could share them in the magazine. Doctor Li is really popular right now; this is the perfect chance to ride his coattails."
"Xiao Yu, you really are an editor. Your professional instincts are so sharp."
Yang Qing said admiringly.
Yang Tian also felt that if Dr. Li could help, and if more people could benefit through the magazine, it would be a good thing.
"Alright then, you can co with us tomorrow when we go to the doctor’s,"
Yang Qing said with a smile.
"Okay, okay!"
Lin Xiaoyu nodded repeatedly, already starting to outline the feature in her mind.
On the table was a Feng City specialty—Stir-fried Pork Kidney. It was made with a lot of chili peppers, so it was quite spicy.
Lin Xiaoyu had a few extra bites.
But unexpectedly, it caused a problem.
"Oh dear, I don’t feel so good." Lin Xiaoyu frowned, clutching her stomach as she stood up. "I’m going to the restroom. You guys go ahead and eat."
With that, she hurried off in the direction of the restroom.
"Xiao Yu probably couldn’t handle the spice," Yang Qing guessed.
However, Lin Xiaoyu was gone for quite a while and didn’t co back.
Yang Qing started to worry and got up to walk toward the restroom.
When Yang Qing reached the restroom door, she could hear Lin Xiaoyu’s pained groans from inside.
She knocked on the door. "Xiao Yu, are you okay?"
The door opened a crack with a CREAK. Lin Xiaoyu’s face was pale, her expression pained.
"Sister Qing..." Lin Xiaoyu’s voice was filled with embarrassnt and helplessness. "I... I think my old problem is acting up..."
Yang Qing rushed forward to support her and noticed a trace of blood showing through Lin Xiaoyu’s pants.
"Xiao Yu, are you... on your period?" Yang Qing asked.
Lin Xiaoyu shook her head and gave a bitter smile. "It’s not my period, it’s hemorrhoids... It’s a chronic problem. I usually sit for long periods, plus I’m under a lot of stress from work, often stay up late, and have an irregular schedule. Eating sothing spicy today made it flare up..."
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