I Can Hear the Heart's Voice of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Yong City High-Speed Rail South Station.

Since Ji Xiuwen insisted on coming along, Lu Xuan had no choice but to bring him along.

Both had a medium-sized suitcase each, which was enough to carry all the necessary items.

Originally, Ji Xiuwen planned to bring some local specialties from Yong City as gifts for Lu Xuan’s parents, but Lu Xuan stopped him. The journey was six or seven hundred kilometers, and since they weren’t driving, bringing so many things would have been a hassle for themselves.

Both of them didn’t like carrying too many things. If it weren’t for the long National Day holiday, coupled with Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day coinciding, and both of them taking a few days of annual leave to stay home for ten days, they probably wouldn’t even bother dragging a suitcase and would prefer traveling light.

Of course, that’s just wishful thinking.

Even if they were going home for two days, they’d still need to bring the necessary items.

If not a suitcase, a travel bag would definitely be indispensable.

As for gifts, Ji Xiuwen had his own plans.

Lu Xuan said there was no need, but that’s just Lu Xuan.

This guy couldn’t make his parents agree.

Moreover, the key isn’t the value of the gift. Since it’s Ji Xiuwen’s first time visiting, even if it’s just something worth a few dozen bucks, he should still bring something.

Reciprocity is key; to come but not to return is impolite; to return but not to come, likewise.

This is a true reflection of the Chinese understanding of courtesy. When giving gifts, sincerity is most important because the respect and attention you show to others is what matters most.

Besides the concept of saving face, China is a society built on complex relationships. "Connections" are almost a totem to be revered in China.

Unrelated to value.

However, Ji Xiuwen didn’t say this. He planned to buy something after arriving at Lu Xuan’s hometown, avoiding the trouble of carrying gifts over a five or six hundred-kilometer journey, especially during a holiday when there are too many travelers.

"Finally squeezed in!"

"No, really, I was squeezed in."

After successfully squeezing through the crowd into the train car and finding their seats, Ji Xiuwen finally let out a sigh of relief.

This trip really wasn’t easy.

"I didn’t expect there to be so many people, even after we took early leave."

Thinking of the crowded scene just now, Ji Xiuwen felt amazed and a bit relieved: "Good thing I listened to you and didn’t buy anything here, or I’d have wondered if it would be crushed."

"I told you, no need to buy anything, not even when we get to my place."

"No way."

Ji Xiuwen shook his head and said: "This is something I can’t agree with you on. Besides, if you come to my house, would you come empty-handed? If you tell me you wouldn’t bring anything, then I’ll listen to you and not buy."

Lu Xuan opened his mouth but said nothing.

Visiting for the first time, how can you come empty-handed?

Not to mention the first time, even after several visits, one still needs to buy something for the parents. The amount doesn’t matter; it’s not necessary to get something good or expensive, but because reciprocity in gift-giving is what’s important in Chinese culture.

This mindset is deeply rooted and can’t be solved overnight.

Furthermore, it’s not just China; it’s probably the same around the world.

Unless you’ve been neighbors since childhood, then you wouldn’t need to buy anything. In other situations, you have to bring something.

On this, Ji Xiuwen didn’t plan to listen to Lu Xuan.

This guy is better at treating illnesses and saving lives, but when it comes to this, Ji Xiuwen thought he could outperform Lu Xuan.

Getting squeezed into the train car was just a minor episode for them, not worth mentioning.

However, the number of people traveling during National Day was a bit unexpected.

A six hundred kilometers’ distance by car would take at least seven hours, and that’s with just one break; if there are more stops at rest areas, seven hours isn’t enough.

The high-speed train is much faster. But Lu Xuan’s hometown isn’t in the city; it’s in a county town.

Around 3 p.m., Lu Xuan and Ji Xiuwen successfully arrived at Anjiang County Bus Station.

Yes, they transferred buses.

They took a bus near the train station in the city to reach their final destination, Anjiang County.

Returning to Anjiang County once more, as Lu Xuan walked out of the bus station, he was filled with emotions and an unfamiliar feeling.

During his university days, apart from special circumstances, he would always return home during summer and winter breaks to visit his parents. But back then, he was just a student with nothing to his name, his mind occupied solely with studies. Beyond studying, at most, he thought about where to intern after graduation and how to become a practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor in a few years. That was his life goal.

Becoming a practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctor was always Lu Xuan’s dream.

He didn’t even dare to think about becoming an associate chief physician.

From practicing TCM doctor to associate chief TCM doctor seemed just a step away, but in reality, making such a leap required more than medical skills; other factors played a bigger role, or you could just wait it out. After ten or so years, when he was in his forties or fifties, he might have the chance to become an associate chief TCM doctor.

As for becoming a chief TCM doctor, Lu Xuan never even dreamed of it.

But now, returning to this land that gave him life and raised him, Lu Xuan’s mindset was far beyond what it used to be.

Before, he was just a student; now, he is a director of the Yong City Chinese Medical Association, and in a month, he may even become the director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, with no worries about his future.

As for professional titles, Lu Xuan doesn’t need to be concerned at all right now.

The reason being.

With his current medical skills, plus the interpersonal connections he now has, as long as the time is right, getting titles won’t be an issue.