It was time to prescribe the remedy. Gao-Yuan, with a firm yet composed demeanor, pulled Li Runyu into a collaborative discussion. Li Runyu hesitated; the child’s condition was too critical, and he feared that intervention would only lead to failure. Yet, he couldn't outright refuse Gao-Yuan’s earnest request.

“I'll act as a consultant,” Li Runyu finally relented, his voice calm but reserved. Together, they analyzed the situation.

The child’s illness had dragged on for far too long. The pathogenic force had entrenched itself, causing severe damage to both the lungs and stomach. Phlegm obstructed vital pathways, creating a dire imbalance where the body’s essential energy was critically depleted while the disease flourished unchecked. It was a precarious battle between life and death, one where even the slightest mistake could be fatal.

“Strengthen the body’s vitality and dispel phlegm to open the airways. Aggressive treatment is out of the question—it would be his undoing,” Li Runyu concluded gravely.

Gao-Yuan sketched out a formula. Li Runyu examined it with a faint smile, offering no criticism but also withholding any endorsement. Gao-Yuan sighed, shook his head slightly, and ordered the preparation of the medication without further delay.

Meanwhile, the hospital’s Western medical team maintained oxygen support, suctioned phlegm, administered hypertonic saline enemas, and supplemented plasma. Their combined efforts sought to stabilize the child’s fragile state.

The doctors forewent their scheduled meeting at the health bureau, instead convening at the hospital to deliberate strategies. Their discussions revolved around the challenges posed by adenoviral pneumonia—a disease notorious for its rapid progression and difficulty in diagnosis. A single misstep could spiral into severe complications or even mortal peril.

Despite hours of debate, they arrived at no definitive solution. Gao-Yuan’s mind, however, was elsewhere. The child had been transferred from the city. If the illness had reached such a stage in the county, the city itself might already be grappling with an outbreak. Drawing from his memories of a previous life, he could sense the storm brewing.

“We must act swiftly…” His thoughts were heavy with urgency.

That evening, Gao-Yuan revisited the child. Finding no significant improvement, he adjusted the prescription, adding American ginseng and anemarrhena to the formula. He remained in the county hospital overnight, unable to rest. By the dim light of an oil lamp, he scribbled notes, his pen moving with relentless determination.

Shen Congyun, on the other hand, snored softly in blissful ignorance.

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The next morning, Gao-Yuan led the doctors into the hospital ward for a follow-up. All eyes were on him as he entered.

Director Wang Hanzhang nodded at him in acknowledgment, though his expression was grave. Despite Gao-Yuan’s repeated advocacy for integrated Chinese and Western medicine, skepticism lingered without solid evidence to bolster his claims.

The child’s family huddled near the bedside, their faces etched with exhaustion and worry. The mother, Hu Xingke, approached Gao-Yuan hesitantly.

“Dr. Gao, thank you for everything,” she said softly, her voice heavy with fatigue.

“How is the child?” Gao-Yuan asked, his brow furrowed.

Hu Xingke sighed. “Still the same.”

Her brother, Principal Hu Xingyan, stood silently nearby, his lips pressed tight, as though afraid that speaking might extinguish the fragile spark of hope.

The atmosphere was somber. The doctors exchanged uneasy glances, knowing full well the precariousness of the situation. If even the county’s top physicians—renowned for their expertise—could not save the child, what hope remained?

“What's the child’s current temperature?” Gao-Yuan asked suddenly, breaking the silence.

Dr. Qiao Zheng turned to a nurse. “Xiao Tian, what’s the temperature reading?”

Xiao Tian removed the thermometer and gasped in surprise. “It’s down! The fever’s gone!”

A wave of cautious optimism swept through the room. The physicians visibly relaxed, and even Director Wang allowed a faint smile.

But Hu Xingke seemed unconvinced. “Gone? So quickly?”

Her brother intervened. “Isn’t that a good thing? Dr. Gao is known for his swift results!”

Director Wang chimed in, “Well said, Principal Hu!”

Hu Xingke nodded uncertainly. “Perhaps, but just moments ago, his forehead still felt hot…”

“What did you say?” Gao-Yuan’s sharp voice cut through the room.

Hu Xingke hesitated, startled by his intensity. “I...I said his forehead still felt hot earlier.”

“Check again!” Gao-Yuan commanded, his voice filled with urgency.

As the thermometer was prepared anew, Gao-Yuan swiftly examined the child. His expression darkened.

The room held its breath. Xiao Tian read the thermometer and paled. “Oh no...the temperature is plummeting!”

A chill descended upon the room. The child was not recovering; his body was failing, losing even the strength to sustain a fever. His condition was perilously close to the final collapse.

Panic erupted. The mother sobbed uncontrollably, while Gao-Yuan’s hands moved decisively.

“We need medicine immediately!” he barked.

“What do you need?” Director Wang stepped forward, ready to act.

“Ginseng and aconite decoction, with calamus added. Quickly!”

Without hesitation, Wang sprinted downstairs to prepare the medicine, followed closely by Li Runyu.

Back in the ward, the Western doctors battled desperately to revive the child. Gao-Yuan hovered by the bedside, his mind racing.

When the decoction arrived, Gao-Yuan wasted no time. “Administer it now!”

Principal Hu stepped forward, gently spooning the remedy into his nephew’s mouth. The family gathered around, their hands clasped tightly in silent prayer.

Time dragged agonizingly. Every second felt like an eternity.

Then, a faint murmur broke the silence.

“Did you hear that?” the mother whispered, her voice trembling. “Is he waking up?”

All eyes turned to the child. His body stirred faintly, though his eyes remained closed.

Gao-Yuan leaned in, checking his pulse and temperature. Slowly, a smile spread across his face.

“You saved him,” he said, his voice ringing with quiet triumph.