Du Heng's expression finally changed slightly. He thought Director Song's psychological fortitude must be quite good to have avoided ntal illness up to this point.
However, before he could finish his thoughts, Director Song continued, "So, about six months passed. Then, in April of this year, the city decided to adopt zoning for compulsory education enrollnt.
To avoid affecting the July enrollnt of new first-graders and the placent of primary school graduates, we had to complete the survey of all students and schools in the district and finalize the zoning work before June.
During that ti, we were working overti and got quite tired. Then, as luck would have it, I caught another cold. One day, when I went to the toilet, that thing suddenly retracted."
Director Song's face was etched with pain as he sighed. "Actually, in my current situation, it retracting doesn't really matter, since it's useless anyway.
But after it retracted, I discovered I couldn't relieve myself properly. I couldn't urinate. If I managed to force a little out, I'd end up urinating on my pants.
Since it's like this, I thought, wouldn't it be better to squat to urinate?
Still no good. It hurts! It hurts so much I want to jump up and scream."
Du Heng frowned slightly and interrupted Director Song for the first ti, "Does it retract all the way into your abdon?"
"Not entirely. It usually stays outside," Director Song said, shaking his head. "But it acts up from ti to ti, and as soon as it does, it retracts."
Du Heng took out a pen and paper and rapidly jotted down Director Song's account. "What do you feel when it acts up?" he asked.
Director Song grimaced. "I feel cold all over. A chill rushes from my lower abdon all the way to the crown of my head. At that mont, I experience chest tightness and shortness of breath. It's very uncomfortable, and then... it retracts.
After it retracts, I start to urinate frequently, and it's painful when I do."
Du Heng quickly recorded Director Song's words, then reviewed his notes carefully from the beginning before looking up. "You've been ill for so long. Haven't you consulted other hospitals?"
"I went to that Male Clinic in Chengguan, and they said it was 'Neurasthenia.' I took many kinds of Western dicine, but none of them worked.
Later, through connections, I found Expert Fan from the Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese dicine, who is said to be skilled at treating andrological conditions.
After I went, Expert Fan said I had insufficient qi and blood and was overthinking. He advised to supplent blood and qi, and to excite the Spirit.
Later, because of work, I couldn't drink the decoction dicine every day, so he prescribed Ginseng and Velvet Deerhorn Health Pills for . I took them regularly as he instructed. Although my energy levels did improve sowhat, there was absolutely no effect on the... key area."
Director Song looked at Du Heng with hope in his eyes. "Last ti I had dinner with Director Wu, he ntioned that Dean Du is excellent at treating andrological conditions. So, I asked Director Wu to help connect us. I truly hope Dean Du can save ."
"Director Song, you're overstating things." Du Heng put down his pen, stood up, and walked over to Director Song. "Let take your pulse."
"Alright."
Director Song imdiately adjusted his position, placing his hand on the armrest of the sofa.
The pulse was deep and fine, slightly taut, and weak in the chi position. His tongue tip was red, and the tongue coating was thin and white.
Du Heng pondered for a mont, then picked up the notes he had just written and reviewed them carefully once more.
Seeing Du Heng deep in thought, Director Song remained silent, afraid of disturbing his train of thought.
However, Du Heng's contemplation was brief. He soon looked up and said, "Director Song, I'll first prescribe you three doses of dicine. Take one dose a day, half in the morning and half in the evening. Co back to see in three days."
Director Song suddenly looked apprehensive. "Dean Du, this dicine...?"
"Your condition is quite tricky. These three doses will first alleviate your symptom of retraction. Then, we'll need to change the prescription for the next stage of treatnt to achieve gradual progress.
By my estimation, we'll need to change the prescription five tis over two weeks.
Your illness can't be cured with a single prescription."
Director Song's eyes lit up. "Dean Du," he asked hurriedly, "does that an my illness can be cured in two weeks?"
Du Heng smiled. "If you can adhere strictly to my treatnt plan, then two weeks should be about right."
"Thank you, Dean Du! Thank you so much! If you can really cure , you'll be my great benefactor!" Director Song was overjoyed. Though he hadn't seen any results yet, he shook Du Heng's hand fervently.
"Director Song, you're too kind. Such words create too much distance. There's no need to speak of benefactors," Du Heng replied with a smile. "Firstly, I'm a doctor, and this is simply my duty. Secondly, considering your relationship with my wife's older brother, I couldn't possibly accept being called a benefactor.
If my wife's older brother found out, he'd surely scold ."
"It was my mistake," Director Song quickly agreed, following Du Heng's lead. "In that case, once I'm cured, I'll host a dinner for Dean Du, and we won't leave until we're thoroughly drunk!"
"That sounds wonderful! Although I'm not much of a drinker, I'll certainly have a glass with Director Song."
They exchanged so more polite formalities. Then, Du Heng took Director Song to the Chinese dicine Departnt office, called over Wu Buwei, and said, "Buwei, do a favor. Take Director Song downstairs to get his dicine. Here's the prescription."
Turning to Director Song, he added, "Director Song, this is my junior fellow apprentice. Let him take you to get the dicine. I just need to use his computer to log into a system."
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