Merchant and doctor

Chapter 2429 Cascading Faults
Bian Mu picked up a few blank medical record sheets from the table, sketched a few rough drawings of the boy's injury, and spent a long time checking them with the patient's mother.

"Now that you mention it, the car collision shouldn't be the main cause. The trouble probably stemmed from the curb. That guy really hit his lower back so hard! By the way, your son should have known that dog by now, right?" Bian Mu remembered a detail and quickly asked.

The boy's mother nodded helplessly.

"So, that dog threatened your son multiple times?! I might be making assumptions, but if I'm wrong, just pretend I didn't say anything."

"Sigh! That's true! But... that PE student insisted they hadn't met much before, and my wife later contacted four or five classmates to testify, but their family still refused to admit it! They insisted it was a misunderstanding, saying that people can't argue with a dog! Just thinking about it gives me a headache..."

"Could you put it this way... there's no one else here, so let's just say what we have to say? Before the day of the incident, your son had already been frightened by that dog several times, right?"

"It is true... Later, the child's uncle asked a friend to retrieve some surveillance videos, which confirmed it... However... since it was never actually bitten, the PE student was indeed holding a dog on a leash. No matter where it went, we can't hold him responsible..." With her brows furrowed, the boy's mother was clearly reluctant to recall those messy things from before, and her expression gradually became rather unpleasant.

“Oh… I’m sorry! It’s not that I have to bring up those unpleasant things, it’s just that… the fright from the fierce dog is probably the main reason. The internal and external injuries caused by that roadside stone have actually been treated quite well. In any case, medical conditions in various places are quite good now. Palpitations are more troublesome for your son’s age and personality. Leg muscle atrophy and impaired speech are both positively correlated with palpitations. This is also one of the characteristics of our traditional Chinese medicine treatment.”

"I understand... Then... could you formally begin seeing me?"

"Not yet... Let me ask one more question, is that dog still alive?"

"Dr. Bian means... you misunderstood. Even if we hate that dog, we wouldn't do such a despicable thing. It should be alive by now. I heard that kind of dog is quite expensive, and it seems you can't find one in China!"

"Well... judging from the timeline, that dog shouldn't be very old. There are some things I can't say directly, so I'll write them down for you. After you read them, I'll shred them." As she spoke, Bian Mu wrote a few lines on a blank medical record sheet and showed it to the boy's mother.

...We need to get our hands on that dog to cure your son's illness, whether he lives or dies...

"Huh?! This... how am I supposed to understand this?!" The boy's mother was momentarily stunned.

“From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, that dog is the root of all the trouble. It would be best if it were still alive... Or... should I have a chat with the child's uncle?”

“He’s outside right now! You wouldn’t…” The boy’s mother hesitated for a moment, then seemed a little wary.

"Don't get me wrong! We were just chatting casually. Your son is still so young, in the prime of his life... Besides, it's clear that your son has a significant advantage in intelligence, and he'll likely become a great talent in the future. It would be such a shame if a stupid dog ruined most of his potential... As his uncle, if I don't step in when something like this happens, who will?! Right!"

"Alright... Because of him, my health has been deteriorating. At this rate, my son won't be better before I end up in the hospital... I'll go out and call him in..."

Bian Mu nodded gently. "Wait a moment, there's a theory about your son's illness that you might want to hear... In engineering, there's a concept called 'cascading failure,' I wonder if you've heard of it?" Bian Mu suddenly added.

"I know. The gist is that if one node fails, it will quickly drag down the next technical node, and then the next one, until the entire system is paralyzed and eventually collapses. Our branch's business is somewhat related to this, and through what I've seen and heard, I know a little about it."

"You're too modest! Just from what you're saying, I can tell you're very knowledgeable. Your son's illness is roughly similar to this. I treated several cases around the Chinese New Year last year. The specific causes, lesions, and symptoms were completely different, but the core pathology was all here! So... that dog needs to be dealt with properly..."

"Oh... I understand that the owner is kind-hearted. My brother is a man after all, so it's better for him to handle some things. Thank you in advance!"

"You're too kind! I haven't fully started treating patients yet! I can only offer some advice at most. Anyway, don't worry! As a doctor, I am definitely responsible for all the patients who enter this room. It's just that, for various reasons, the ways of being responsible are quite diverse."

"Understood! Thank you again!" With that, the boy's mother got up and went out to greet her brother.

The boy's uncle looked quite young, at least 1.86 or 1.87 meters tall, with a robust build but not at all clumsy, and bright eyes. He looked like the kind of capable person who could handle any kind of person on the street.

“Your nephew’s condition is a bit unusual. Actually… there were effective remedies back then. For example, we could find the dog again, kill it, and use it as a medicinal ingredient. Many traditional Chinese medicine doctors did that in the past. But now we live in a society governed by law. Even if we wanted to, we would have to find a way to communicate with the dog owner…”

Upon hearing this, the boy's uncle's eyes lit up.

"Thank goodness I didn't do anything reckless back then... Actually... there are some things I haven't told my sister and brother-in-law. Shortly after it happened, I was determined to kill that dog! Otherwise, I would have been so angry! I couldn't sleep at night! It was so damn awful! I'm sorry! I was a bit anxious and spoke without thinking, please forgive me, Dr. Bian! What you said is exactly what I wanted! So, when do you want it?"

"Hehe... Don't get me wrong! I have a better idea! But... the premise is that you have to negotiate with the dog owner properly. As long as they agree to lend the dog for a while, that's fine. If that doesn't work, you can buy the dog!"

"Hey! That's a great idea! I'll set off tonight and ask around among my friends..."

"No need for that. You just need to show sincerity. Have you heard of the Xu family in Nanjin, a family of doctors?" Bian Mu suggested with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the boy's uncle's eyes immediately lit up like the moon.

"Of course! Even if the Xu family doesn't know us, we can still be considered locals of Nanjin! But... I don't understand, how is my nephew's matter related to the Xu family?"

"A few days ago, by chance, the Xu family owed me a favor, which they haven't been able to repay yet. I'll write a special prescription for you. Please make the trip and personally visit the Xu family's steward. They can arrange the rest."

Upon hearing this, the boy's uncle readily agreed.