Chapter 68: The Cure That Eradicates the Illness

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the evening glow faded from the sky. When Liu Xing led the black calf and brought Kang Fuchuan to Dr. Wang’s house, it was already past five o’clock.

Fortunately, Dr. Wang was home, busy gathering medicinal herbs at his doorstep. Seeing Liu Xing arrive with the cow and a thin, big-bellied man, Dr. Wang was first surprised, then hurried forward. "Liu Xing, is this a relative of yours?"

If the patient wasn't Liu Xing’s kin, Dr. Wang dared not accept such a severe case. If he cured him, it would be expected; but if he failed, trouble would surely follow. Yet if the man was Liu Xing’s relative, it was a different matter—at least Liu Xing, being an acquaintance, wouldn't set him up.

"Yes, he’s my uncle by marriage. He’s suffering from a serious case of roundworm. Could you take a look and see if strong medicine might clear the worms from his belly?" Liu Xing nodded in reply.

If not, the only option was to go to the city hospital, for this illness could not be delayed. If Kang Fuchuan hadn’t been robust, he likely wouldn’t have lasted this long.

"Strong medicine?" Dr. Wang shook his head. "I’m afraid his weak body might not withstand it."

"You... you mean my father really has roundworm?" Kang Hu held his breath, asking excitedly.

"Such an obvious nest of worms—can’t you see?" Dr. Wang glanced at Kang Fuchuan, shook his head, and said, "If you trust me, I’ll prepare a special herbal concoction. Unless something unforeseen happens, all the roundworms will be expelled. But I must warn you, the medicine is somewhat expensive."

Kang Fuchuan said nothing; he had no money.

"How much?" Liu Xing asked quickly.

"Six yuan," Dr. Wang replied.

"Here you go. Please start preparing the medicine for my uncle right away," Liu Xing said, handing over the money without hesitation.

"You’re quite straightforward," Dr. Wang chuckled as he took the cash. "Don’t worry! Last year in Banqiao Town I treated the same symptoms—cured every case. Honestly, I don’t want to charge so much, but one of the herbs costs me dearly, so I have no choice."

If it were anyone else, Dr. Wang wouldn’t bother explaining. But Liu Xing was his classmate Liu Dazhao’s son, and the patient was related to Liu Dazhao, so to avoid misunderstanding, he naturally explained the circumstances.

"Please hurry with the medicine! I hope to get my uncle home before dark," Liu Xing smiled. He wouldn’t have paid first if he didn’t trust Dr. Wang.

"Alright! Wait here," Dr. Wang said, heading inside to busy himself.

Soon, a strong scent of herbal medicine wafted out. Sitting on the black calf’s back, Kang Fuchuan caught the smell and couldn’t help but vomit. The ground was soon covered with half-digested raw sweet potato from lunch and streaks of red blood.

Hearing the commotion, Dr. Wang rushed out, glanced at the vomit, and said to Liu Xing, "Help your uncle down from the water buffalo and lay him flat on the bamboo chair. He must remain lying down, no more getting up."

"Alright, alright!" Liu Xing hurried to comply, with Kang Hu’s help. Soon, Kang Fuchuan was settled on the bamboo chair.

Strangely, once he lay down, Kang Fuchuan stopped vomiting and seemed drowsy. But Liu Xing wouldn’t let him sleep, nudging him from time to time.

Very soon, Dr. Wang came out carrying a pot of herbal decoction. After cooling it with a fan, he poured a bowl and handed it to Kang Fuchuan. "Drink it all in one go while it’s hot—don’t pause. Whether the medicine works instantly depends on this bowl. Otherwise, your illness will be a real nuisance."

Kang Fuchuan only wished to recover quickly and shoulder his share of responsibility for his family on the verge of collapse. Seeing Dr. Wang’s confident manner, he took the bowl and drained it in one gulp, not flinching even as the hot liquid scalded his tongue.

The medicine was soon finished. At first, Kang Fuchuan felt nothing. But soon, a sharp pain seized his belly, sweat beading on his forehead.

Dr. Wang, observing, pointed to the outhouse across the yard. "If you feel the urge, hurry—don’t soil my doorstep."

Kang Fuchuan rushed off to the outhouse.

To Kang Hu’s astonishment, his ailing father ran with surprising speed.

"Rest assured, this medicine is very effective," Dr. Wang said, wiping his hands and turning to Liu Xing. "But I’m curious—how did your uncle’s roundworm get this bad? It shouldn’t have been allowed to drag on."

"My father always saw Dr. Ma in Daohua Village," Kang Hu replied with a simple smile, not waiting for Liu Xing to answer.

"You mean Ma Changjun from Daohua Village?" Dr. Wang asked, surprised.

"That’s him. We spent a lot of money on treatment, even sold our plowing ox, but nothing helped," Kang Hu said, clenching his fists in anger.

There was only one barefoot doctor in Daohua Village—Ma Changjun. The health clinic had stationed him there because of the large population; otherwise the village would have been like others, with just a small clinic within dozens of miles, making medical care a half-day’s walk away.

"That Ma Changjun—does he not fear retribution?" Dr. Wang shook his head, saying no more. He patted Kang Hu’s shoulder and went back to his work.

Liu Xing sensed a hidden meaning in the words, and thought to speak with Kang Hu, but decided to hold his tongue. For now, the most important thing was Kang Fuchuan’s recovery; everything else could wait.

...

Kang Fuchuan spent half an hour in the outhouse. Night had fallen.

Kang Hu grew anxious and called to his father several times, only relaxing when Kang Fuchuan shouted back, scolding him from inside. Liu Xing was relieved as well—since his uncle could curse now, the medicine must have worked. In the past, he could barely muster the strength to speak.

Just as Liu Xing was about to ask Dr. Wang for a few more prescriptions to stabilize his uncle’s condition, there was a creak, and Kang Fuchuan emerged from the outhouse.

His once swollen belly was now flat and sunken.

"Father... you..." Kang Hu was so moved he could barely speak.

Dr. Wang’s medical skill was nothing short of miraculous. Compared to Dr. Ma, it was as different as heaven and earth.

"I’ve expelled all the roundworms from my belly. Truly, they’re all gone," Kang Fuchuan said happily. "Come, son, let’s go home for dinner. Tell your mother to slaughter the old hen for Liu Xing."

Today, Liu Xing had rendered invaluable help. If there had been more chickens, Kang Fuchuan would have gladly butchered a pig or sheep to thank him.

"Yes, yes!" Kang Hu couldn’t help but weep. His father was smiling again, smiling with joy—a sight he had never dared dream of.

"Uncle, you’d better keep the old hen for laying eggs. Why not come to my house for dinner?" Liu Xing suggested with a smile.

His uncle’s home was virtually empty; those few hens were the only source of income. If they were slaughtered, there might not even be money for oil, salt, or tea.

Kang Fuchuan understood Liu Xing’s consideration. He sighed, "If you don’t want to come, that’s fine. When I’m better, I’ll invite you for a proper meal. For now, let’s go home—can’t keep your aunt waiting."

"Let me go thank Dr. Wang," Liu Xing said, walking into the kitchen on the right.

Inside, Dr. Wang was stoking the fire, his face and hands smeared with soot—perhaps because he rarely cooked.

Seeing Liu Xing, Dr. Wang smiled sheepishly. "My wife’s visiting her family—dinner will be delayed."

"I couldn’t possibly eat here," Liu Xing laughed at Dr. Wang’s appearance. "Thank you for curing my uncle. When he’s fully recovered, I’ll make sure he comes to thank you personally."

"No need for thanks—we’re all family," Dr. Wang said, handing Liu Xing several packets of herbs. "Give these to your uncle to take at home. The instructions and precautions are written on the wrappers."

"Alright! How much do I owe you?" Liu Xing asked.

"No charge! I picked all these herbs myself on the mountain," Dr. Wang replied, patting Liu Xing’s shoulder—then quickly pulling back when he realized he’d transferred soot. "Just remember, don’t tell Ma Changjun that I treated your uncle."

"Why?" Liu Xing was puzzled. "How can you cure someone and not let it be known?"

"Because Ma Changjun is a petty man. I fear retaliation," Dr. Wang said in a low voice. "Your uncle’s illness wasn’t beyond cure—he simply didn’t want to treat it. As for the reason, you’ll have to ask your uncle."

"Ah?" Liu Xing was stunned.

Dr. Wang smiled, sat down, and continued tending the fire.

Knowing he’d get no more answers, Liu Xing said his farewells and left the kitchen.

When Liu Xing emerged, Kang Hu quickly led the black calf, and after his father mounted it, they set off eastward along the country road, guided by moonlight.

...