top student at medical school

Chen Xixian's seemingly unsentimental "also" brought tears to Luo Tingzhu's eyes. She patted Chen Xixian's back to comfort him, saying, "Grandpa Chen is just tired. He wants to rest. It's alright, he can rest now, it's alright..."

Luo Tingzhu knew that Chen Xixian needed comforting at this moment. She had had a similar experience, so she could do a slightly better job of comforting her than her family had done back then.

“This is Bai Xi, our grandfather is very old…” Luo Tingzhu continued.

Luo Tingzhu never met her grandfather, but fortunately, she had a good relationship with Chen Xixian during her time in Enshi, so Grandpa Chen Song doted on her.

After all, for Chen Song, having another granddaughter would bring more joy.

Chen Guangbai, of course, did not go out. As the eldest and only son of Chen Song, he had many things to arrange and many guests to entertain.

While he and Fang Ziye had a good relationship, and so did Chen Song, there was no need for them to personally go out to greet each other.

"Chen Xixian, let's go see Grandpa Chen together!"

"Even though we arrived late, we all wanted to see him."

Fang Ziye took the initiative to speak, wiping his eyes with some sadness, "Actually, you should have told me sooner."

Fang Ziye's feelings were complicated at this moment.

He was truly heartbroken, but Fang Ziye felt none of the agonizing pain described in books about the passing of a 'family member.' In fact, his memory was devoid of the past, like turning the pages of a book.

On the contrary, Fang Ziye felt that the time he could remember with Grandpa Chen Song was fragmented, consisting of certain segments, parts, and a clear image of his face at a certain moment.

There is nothing else...

Ultimately, the forms of expression in TV dramas are superior to those in real life.

As Chen Xixian arrived at the funeral hall, Fang Ziye realized that Chen Guangbai had chosen a funeral style that was closest to the local people's traditions, which was probably also a custom ingrained in the local people of Enshi.

The funeral hall was white, and the coffin was black; the coffin was made of the finest material.

The coffin lid was not closed...

In front of the coffin, someone was singing "Three-Stick Drum," the content of which Chen Song had no idea about.

Beside the bamboo house, many people were chatting and laughing, playing cards and mahjong.

Chen Guangbai himself was laughing and joking with his relatives and friends, as if Chen Song's departure had not affected him in the slightest.

Fang Ziye has excellent hearing. At this moment, Chen Song is talking to his cousins: "I heard that Xiaolu got into Zhejiang University? That's the best result in our family..."

“I was a bit busy during that time, and my dad wasn’t feeling well, so I couldn’t come to the snow wine party… Next time I have the chance, I’ll definitely give this granddaughter a big red envelope.”

Chen Song had brothers, but Chen Guangbai did not.

His cousin got married early, only six years older than him, but his granddaughter is already in college, while his daughter, Chen Xixian, doesn't even have a partner yet.

"Guangbai, when it comes to success, Uncle Chen Song and you, Guangbai, are the most successful in our family, whether in business or the military!

"Our Chen family is able to live the life we ​​have today thanks to Uncle Chen Song."

"It's a pity that the other nephews in our branch are all unworthy; they have little ability, and not many of them went to university..."

Someone called Chen Guangbai "Yaoyao" (Uncle), and Chen Guangbai responded enthusiastically.

Moreover, Chen Guangbai greeted Fang Ziye from afar before continuing to chat with his cousin.

Chen Xixian led Fang Ziye and Luo Tingzhu to the front and back of the coffin, where the two of them each performed the junior's greeting.

In Enshi, the customary etiquette for younger generations is to kneel in front of the coffin, burn incense and paper money, and send the elderly off on their final journey.

Fang Ziye and Luo Tingzhu knelt side by side, showing no sign of reluctance.

Regardless of the circumstances, Chen Song deserved the two kneeling before him. Even though Chen Song was not Fang Ziye's elder, his support for Fang Ziye was something that ordinary elders could not match.

After Fang Ziye and Luo Tingzhu each said their farewells for a while, Chen Xixian asked them if they had eaten.

Fang Ziye had no appetite. He looked at Luo Tingzhu and said, "I'm fine, but Tingzhu is probably a little hungry."

"There's food in the kitchen at the back..." Chen Xixian led Luo Tingzhu away.

Just as Fang Ziye was kneeling, Chen Guangbai finished his conversation with his cousin and walked over from a distance.

Along the way, many acquaintances from the sanatorium greeted Chen Guangbai and offered their condolences.

In front of Chen Song's mourning hall, incense and paper money must have been burning continuously throughout the night, with someone in charge of burning them. The amount of paper money next to it could be measured in at least several hundred kilograms.

"Ziye, you're here. Thank you for your hard work." Chen Guangbai approached and patted Fang Ziye's arm.

Fang Ziye's voice was low: "Uncle, I'm sorry, another teacher who was very kind to me passed away today. I went to pay my respects first, so I'm a little late."

Chen Guangbai didn't care: "But you still chose to stay up all night here, not there."

"You're in a dilemma too."

Fang Ziye finally voiced his concerns: "Uncle, why was there no warning this time? Why didn't you tell me?"

The news of Chen Song's death came very suddenly.

But it definitely didn't happen suddenly; Fang Ziye can guarantee that.

Otherwise, Chen Xixian wouldn't have been so "calm"; she must have prepared herself mentally beforehand.

"As people age, their physical abilities diminish. My dad has finally grown old."

"His biggest regret in life is not being able to live to be over 100, but other than that, he doesn't have any other regrets."

"Even if you, Ziye, were to do it again, you would still not escape this outcome."

"We are now certain that even if we survive, we will have to pay a price."

“For my father, not being able to see patients anymore is worse than death for him…” Chen Guangbai said calmly.

Chen Songyi died neither by accident nor from a sudden illness.

Chen Guangbai was also a doctor. He knew that it was better to leave gracefully than to suffer in bed, which would be more peaceful and a relief for Chen Song.

Fang Ziye's lips trembled slightly; he could understand Chen Song and Chen Guangbai.

Fang Ziye even wondered, what if it were his own parents?

It's not that Fang Ziye is cursing his parents, but his parents will also face this day. What will he choose then?
Would you choose to be selfish and keep yourself from leaving, or would you rather let your parents leave gracefully?

This multiple-choice question is so hard to answer.

No matter which option you choose, it's right; no matter which option you choose, it's wrong.

Chen Guangbai said, "Moreover, this time, my dad is determined to make us see the results more clearly, so he said that this time he will not make any more trouble."

"At this point, at least one thing is certain: death is inevitable, and once death occurs, death will truly come."

"It's just that the cost was a bit too high."

"But this is probably what he'd like to see most, after all?"

"Only in this way could his faith not collapse." Chen Song's faith was in traditional Chinese medicine. Every word and phrase of the classics of traditional Chinese medicine was integrated into his flesh and blood and into his entire life.

Fang Ziye did not think about how to praise or reflect on the greatness of Chen Song's self-verification of the conjecture, but instead bowed several times before Chen Song's mourning hall.

Unlike Professor Gu, Mr. Chen's death was foreshadowed, it was predictable.

If it weren't for special circumstances, Chen Song should have returned home during last year's National Day holiday.

Later, due to special circumstances, his life was extended by six months.

That's already a profit.

No medical science can lead directly to immortality!

If it's an emergency, the treatment is done quickly and the matter is resolved.

However, if one's own life functions have reached their end, even if one manages to prolong life, it is impossible to extend it for several years or decades like in the emergency room.

If things develop this way, immortality for everyone will no longer be a dream.

"Uncle Chen, I actually wanted to see Old Master Chen off on his final journey."

“I really, really want to. I was planning to come back during this year’s National Day holiday to talk to him. My parents are also recuperating here…” Fang Ziye’s expression was disorganized, which indicated that Chen Song’s thoughts were not quite clear.

"I know, your feelings are clear to both my dad and me."

"So there's no need to actually send it."

“I really know you and my dad. You two have been spiritually connected for a long time. Although you are a bit disobedient, which makes him a little regretful, my dad said that he has truly been spiritually connected with you for a long time.”

"Some relationships don't require interaction, don't require becoming friends, and don't even need to meet multiple times. A single glance is enough to convey a thousand words."

"However, before my father passed away, he did have some words and some things to give you."

"You know what it is, it's some notes from my dad. These are notes he compiled over the past six months. He said we all have these things, but you don't, so he wanted to write them down for you himself."

"If you ever need it, even if you only use one percent, he will be pleased."

"Because he has already taught everyone he wanted to teach and taught everything he wanted to teach. On the contrary, he doesn't know how to teach you, Ziye, or even where to start, so he started from scratch."

"Of course, it's not finished yet, but this is indeed what I've compiled over the past few years, all my understanding of learning traditional Chinese medicine, and what I most want to say."

"Yes, this is something I'm leaving for you," Chen Guangbai muttered to himself.

It's clear that Chen Guangbai respects Chen Song and loves him quite a bit, but he doesn't know how to express that love.

Let him have a better old age. Chen Song doesn't need it; he has someone to take care of him.

Having many children and grandchildren was not something Chen Guangbai could achieve, as there was a family planning policy in the era when he had children.

Although he could forcibly break this rule, Chen Guangbai always felt that the number of children didn't matter, and the instinct to pass on his genes wouldn't affect him...

Even Chen Song couldn't force Chen Xixian to marry someone to have children, let alone Chen Guangbai.

If Chen Guangxiai dared to do this, all he would have to do was let Chen Xixian cry a few times, and Chen Guangxiai would be completely subdued...

“My dad said, ‘Take good care of the nursing home and keep moving forward. Don’t be afraid, just keep moving forward.’”

"Don't feel pressured. Dreams are just dreams. We'll see where we end up."

"The destination is not important; the reason he was happy in his later years was because he had started walking."

"He knew that this joy of starting a journey would last for many years, and that many generations of ambitious people would enjoy it."

"Chasing someone is tiring, but once you're on the road, it can be fun because you have a goal."

“My dad also said that even if Ziye doesn’t want to take over the nursing home, it’s okay. You have your own path, and your path is also very good.”

"He reflected on his life and realized that his path had been too idealistic."

"Moreover, what you want to do is more practical, and it is precisely because it is practical that it is easier to achieve."

"Of course, a doctor should treat patients. Even if he only treats patients and doesn't achieve anything else, he can still be true to himself because he has truly benefited many patients."

"Research is too abstract and ethereal. It's like a road to heaven, but also like a cage that imprisons people and their thoughts, driving them forward with the motivation of progress and ambition..."

"The primary job of a pragmatic doctor is to treat illnesses, not to conduct abstract and unrealistic research."

Fang Ziye interrupted, "But in order to cure the illness, we also need to know how to cure it?"

"If the experiment isn't done in a lab, then it can only be done on patients!"

"That would be even more unfair to the patient."

"Old Master Chen's idea is correct..."

Many diseases go from being untreatable to being treatable, and then to being easily treatable.

Like tuberculosis and pulmonary tuberculosis, these were incurable diseases in ancient times.

“Having a cure is important, but we also need to seek better treatments. Always relying on past successes will eventually lead to ruin,” Fang Ziye said.

Chen Guangbai nodded: "That's what I think many times too."

“However, Ziye, this time, after reviewing my father’s pulse, I feel that we can…”

Fang Ziye knew what Chen Guangbai wanted to say, so he raised his head and asked, "Uncle Chen, please tell me honestly, when did Old Master Chen's life force begin to manifest this time?"

"Is it present or absent, or does it progress from shallow to deep?"

Chen Guangbai did not answer.

Fang Ziye already knew the answer. Generally speaking, even the "death pulse" in traditional Chinese medicine should correspond to "accident".

If the "death pulse" in Traditional Chinese Medicine could appear several months earlier, it would be possible to prevent it in advance—that's simply impossible!
"Uncle Chen, what's the point if it's just three or five days earlier?"

"Should ordinary patients go to the TCM department for pulse diagnosis every few days?"

"Leaving aside whether our country has such abundant resources of traditional Chinese medicine experts, how many people can afford the financial burden of such examinations?"

"With such a large population, conducting tests every few days is a burden that even the country cannot afford."

"And what else???" Fang Ziye emphasized again.

"What should be done if this happens? Should we just wait in the hospital, letting the patient and their family pre-book their own death time?"

"You live if you have money? And you die if you don't?"

"Therefore, predicting signs in the short term is useless. At the very least, it is only meaningful to predict and prevent corresponding outcomes about six months or even a year in advance."

Chen Guangbai understood Fang Ziye's meaning: "But we need to start somewhere, right?"

"Traditional Chinese medicine texts have already described this so clearly that there's no need to start over. Once you can feel the pulse of death, it's highly likely the person is dead; otherwise, it's more likely a misdiagnosis." (End of Chapter)