Chapter 35: The Disease of Dignity

Feng Yuqin's meetings were always brief. After announcing the list of the preparatory group, clarifying the division of labor, and specifying the time frame for the preparatory period, the meeting was over.

Zeng Yi's role was that of an advisor, a position that was both clear and vague. He thought to himself that his role as an advisor would likely be to provide suggestions on traditional Chinese medicine and health care, and he didn't seem to be needed for other aspects.

After Chen Gaofeng and Feng Yuqin left the meeting room, everyone else also got up, preparing to return to their work.

Guo Penghui walked over to congratulate Zeng Yi, "Advisor Zeng, in the future, we will need your guidance and suggestions for the preparatory work of the health base. Let's all work together to build the health base as soon as possible."

"Since the department values me, I will certainly do my best!" Zeng Yi replied politely.

"Come to my office for a while; I have some new tea there!" Guo Penghui invited him warmly.

Zeng Yi smiled and declined, "Next time, I came in a hurry today, and I still have a lot of things to do at home!"

Guo Penghui felt a bit disappointed and said, "Then I'll see you off. Advisor Zeng, you must come to the bureau often. The preparatory work can't do without you. I'll have someone prepare an office for you."

Guo Penghui saw Zeng Yi off all the way to the ground floor. Many people in the Health Bureau didn't understand why the director would go to such lengths to befriend him. After all, he was just an advisor, a position that was more of a formality. He couldn't make decisions or take charge of the specific preparatory work.

Others might think this way, but Guo Penghui, a seasoned bureaucrat, didn't. If it were just a formality, they could have given Zeng Yi the title of advisor without involving him in the preparatory group. The preparatory group was the management team, responsible for all preparatory matters. It couldn't be as simple as just giving advice.

An advisor is supposed to advise on everything. It depends on who the advisor is advising. If the leader listens to the advisor, then every word is golden. If the leader doesn't, then every word is just empty talk.

Why did Director Feng put Zeng Yi in the preparatory group? Guo Penghui could figure it out even with his toes. It was possible that his own position as the third in command of the preparatory group might have less authority than the last-ranked advisor.

When they reached the ground floor, a Volvo S80 was parked in the courtyard, and Gu Xiankun stood beside it, looking worried.

Seeing Zeng Yi, Gu Xiankun came forward, apologizing repeatedly, "Director Zeng, I'm really sorry about today. My people were ignorant. I apologize to you."

Zeng Yi didn't have a bad impression of Gu Xiankun. He was a very low-key and down-to-earth person, as evidenced by his car. Zeng Yi said, "Mr. Gu, you're too kind. A few harsh words, I've already forgotten them."

Gu Xiankun felt a bit relieved, "My mother's illness still needs your attention. I wonder if you are available now?"

"Mr. Gu, there's no need for me to go again. Mr. Bai's diagnosis today was spot-on. As long as she continues to take the medicine and stays in good spirits, it should be effective," Zeng Yi said, bowing slightly. "I have some matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

Gu Xiankun quickly stopped Zeng Yi, "No matter what, please go again. If there's anything I've done wrong, I'll apologize to you." He then signaled to Guo Penghui, hoping he would help him.

Guo Penghui knew Gu Xiankun and had some connection with him, but he wasn't sure what had happened, so he didn't dare to intervene rashly. He said, "Advisor Zeng might really have something to do. He has just been given an important task by the department, and he has a lot on his plate. I can vouch for that."

After saying this, he checked his watch, "Director Feng is waiting for me to report. I'll go up first. You two can discuss it further."

Zeng Yi felt a bit helpless, "Mr. Gu, what I said is true. Ms. Gu's illness is indeed a case of qi and blood stagnation. No matter which doctor you consult, the treatment will be the same—promoting blood circulation, nourishing the blood, and resolving stasis. Even if I go again, the result will be the same."

When Gu Xiankun heard the words "promoting blood circulation, nourishing the blood, and resolving stasis," he knew Zeng Yi wasn't lying. The previous prescriptions from Chinese doctors had all focused on these aspects. He said, "Director Zeng, please don't misunderstand. I'm not doubting your integrity, but I sincerely ask you to go and treat my mother again. As a son, I'm very anxious about my mother's illness. I won't give up as long as there's a glimmer of hope."

Zeng Yi frowned. It wasn't that he didn't want to help, but Ms. Gu's illness was very difficult to treat. The previous doctors couldn't cure her not because the medicine was wrong, but because the problem was with Ms. Gu herself.

In the notes of Old Zeng, Zeng Yi had seen several similar cases. This was a disease unique to high-ranking individuals.

For ordinary people, who have to struggle for a living every day, there's no time to brood. Even if they encounter something upsetting, they can vent their anger and forget about it once they get busy. But Ms. Gu was different. She lived a life of luxury and lacked physical labor, making her prone to qi and blood stagnation. Moreover, as a high-ranking individual, she valued her dignity and had deep reserves. When she encountered something upsetting, she wouldn't vent her anger like a commoner. Instead, she would remain calm on the surface but harbor resentment in her heart.

If the person who upset her was a minor figure, it would be easier to handle. Ms. Gu could simply order them to be punished, and her dignity would be restored, and the anger would dissipate. But the person who had upset her for so many years was clearly someone she couldn't afford to offend. She could only brood in silence, which is why her illness was so severe.

Ms. Gu, who couldn't afford to offend, was even more unapproachable for Zeng Yi, a mere doctor. Therefore, he didn't want to treat her again. Even if he had a miraculous cure, he couldn't stop her from brooding.

If you tried to persuade Ms. Gu to let go and calm down, you might as well give up that idea. People like her wouldn't let others interfere with their thoughts. If she could let go, she would have done so long ago.

As they were standing in the courtyard, Feng Yuqin also came out.

"Aunt Feng!" Gu Xiankun quickly greeted her, standing politely to one side.

"It's Xiankun!" Feng Yuqin looked at the two of them, a bit puzzled. She wondered why Zeng Yi would know the Gu family. "Why are you here?"

"I came to find Director Zeng to ask him to treat my mother," Gu Xiankun explained his purpose.

Feng Yuqin asked with concern, "Your mother's illness hasn't improved yet?"

Gu Xiankun nodded, speaking solemnly, "I've consulted many doctors and taken a lot of medicine, but it hasn't gotten better."

"Her illness must be treated as soon as possible. Someone needs to be with her 24/7, or it could be serious," Feng Yuqin said, feeling a bit sad as she thought about Ms. Gu's strange illness. "Please convey my regards to your mother. I'll visit her when I have the chance."

"I will certainly do so," Gu Xiankun said, showing great respect to Feng Yuqin.

Feng Yuqin, unaware of what had happened in the morning, instructed Zeng Yi, "If you have time, go with Xiankun. Let me know the results as soon as possible."

After saying this, she walked down the steps, and her driver had already parked the car.

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