Chapter 458: Negotiation

Chapter 458 Negotiation

"It won't work that quickly."

Ms. Li Yirong was already used to it. She’d already tried plenty of medications before, and now it was just switching from Western meds to Chinese herbs.

Li Shuang felt let down, but it was only the first day, and Dr. Ye had stressed that her mom needed to take it easy. So she simply tidied up the room and let her mother rest.

After returning home, Ye Xiaoxiao kept busy too. Having just examined Ms. Li Yirong and gone over her scans, she drew up a full treatment plan.

When Lu Hanchuan came home, he checked in about how things went.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Ms. Li made it to the island today."

Lu Hanchuan: "How did it go? Think you can help her?"

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I know I can help her, but it will take time."

Lu Hanchuan: "Ms. Li Yirong used to work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Though retired, the government still values her highly—otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to bring her to the island."

Ye Xiaoxiao tucked away her notebook. "I’ll get her better for sure."

Meanwhile, after taking the medicine, Ms. Li Yirong began to rest.

Though she still felt short of breath and couldn’t fall asleep, the chest pain had lessened considerably.

The doctor and her daughter, Li Shuang, took shifts watching over her through the night. Though her mother still kept waking up, she slept slightly longer than usual.

By the next day, Ye Xiaoxiao tweaked the herbal formula based on her condition and began giving her herbal baths followed by acupuncture to Ms. Li.

On the first day, the acupuncture session lasted only about half an hour. Ms. Li first took the medicated bath, then underwent acupuncture.

After the half-hour session, her whole body felt lighter.

"Dr. Ye, I feel much better," Ms. Li Yirong said, holding Ye Xiaoxiao’s hand afterward.

Even Li Shuang was surprised. "Really, Mom? You feel better?"

Did it really work that fast?

Ye Xiaoxiao: "It’s normal to feel some quick relief after acupuncture, but the cold in your body hasn’t been fully dispelled yet. We still need to rebuild your yang energy."

Hearing this, the others trusted her even more.

At least Li Shuang thought so—Ye Xiaoxiao was far more reliable than doctors who promised instant cures.

"Dr. Ye, just seeing some progress, that’s enough."

Li Shuang was so moved she almost burst into tears.

Li Yirong grew more hopeful about this treatment.

In the following days, the process continued, requiring constant prescription adjustments alongside acupuncture.

Li Yirong's condition improved steadily, and after two weeks, she could sleep peacefully at night.

The accompanying doctor continuously updated outsiders on her progress.

A month after Li Yirong arrived, Ye Xiaoxiao received another notification that two more patients might be coming for treatment.

Ye Xiaoxiao sighed and plopped down in the courtyard.

"Hold on," she protested, "you can't just dump all the patients on me. I haven't even agreed yet."

Even Li Yirong was first contacted by Song Guangjing before Ye Xiaoxiao agreed to take her case.

The accompanying physician, named Jia Guangyao, was an easygoing young man.

Hearing Xiao Xiao's words, he explained seriously, "Miss Ye, we're not asking for free help. You can also propose some conditions."

Jia Guangyao tried to persuade her patiently, but Ye Xiaoxiao propped her chin on her hand.

She genuinely didn’t seem to need anything, and with so many patients coming to the island, who would be responsible for their safety? Who would take the blame if something happened?

Jia Guangyao noticed that Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t seem to be thinking but rather zoning out, and he got so antsy he began pacing.

Ye Xiaoxiao slowly stood up. "You're not the one calling the shots, and I need to clarify some things before I agree to take on these patients."

After saying this, Ye Xiaoxiao left. As far as she was concerned, Li Yirong was pretty much cured.

She no longer needed acupuncture, nor did she suffer from chest tightness or shortness of breath. She just needed to take herbal medicine for two more months to finish her recovery.

Jia Guangyao called out to her, "Dr. Ye, please think it over carefully. Don’t be hasty."

He was somewhat puzzled.

Treating such patients would be a rare and highly sought-after opportunity for most people.

But Dr. Ye seemed unenthused, as if she truly wasn’t interested.

Jia Guangyao reported Ye Xiaoxiao’s thoughts to his superiors.

The higher-ups understood Ye Xiaoxiao’s concerns. With just one Chinese medicine practitioner on the island, they couldn’t keep burdening her with so many patients.

In truth, whether Ye Xiaoxiao needed equipment or personnel, everything was available at the drop of a hat.

Xiao Xiao herself understood this, but she needed to maintain control.

Patients being foisted on her without proper arrangements wasn’t what she wanted to see.

"Alright, let’s send all our patients to Rende Pharmacy first."

This might be more work, but it would keep Ye Xiaoxiao from walking away and allow all benefits to be directed to Rende Pharmacy.

Even if something unexpected happened, there would be double protection for both patients and doctors.

When Ye Xiaoxiao heard Dr. Jia’s feedback, she gave a small smile.

"The higher-ups are pretty sharp."

She is now a doctor at Rende Hall, so she certainly can't refuse patients from there.

Although Jia Guangyao doesn't understand all the complicated details, as long as she agrees, it's fine.

He feels that coming to the island this time was the right decision.

Not only can he make money, but he can also network with big shots of various ranks.

Ye Xiaoxiao is also quite satisfied because her master called and said they would arrange two assistants for her. Though she doesn’t know who they are yet, they’re definitely people she knows.

...

Gao Yanfei noticed Ye Xiaoxiao constantly coming and going these past few days and finally found time to chat with her today.

She plopped down in Ye Xiaoxiao’s courtyard. "Xiao Xiao, I’ve noticed many strangers coming to our neighborhood recently—are they all here to see you?"

Though Gao Yanfei knew Ye Xiaoxiao was a doctor, she didn’t realize she was this impressive.

And the frequent helicopter flights to and from the island lately have been quite noticeable.

"Well... you could put it that way. They’re all here for a medical retreat, arranged by the organization."

Gao Yanfei chuckled. "Xiao Xiao, cut the formalities. I know you’re amazing, but our island’s environment is hardly ideal for a medical retreat.

These people wouldn’t go to all this trouble flying here unless there was another reason."

And that reason was Ye Xiaoxiao.

If there weren’t a master of traditional Chinese medicine here, how could so many big shots be attracted?

Ye Xiaoxiao just came clean. "Sister Yanfei hit the nail on the head—that’s exactly the case."

Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t just lazing around at home today. She knew Kong Xuelan next door was under the weather lately and planned to check on her.

Hearing this, Gao Yanfei burst out laughing.

"Listen, Teacher Kong isn’t sick—she’s pregnant."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Really?"

Gao Yanfei nodded. "Of course it’s true. Why would I make that up? I’ve been telling you to start a family sooner, but who knew Teacher Kong would beat you to the punch."