From the middle-aged man's words, Li Qingfeng learned everything about him.
The middle-aged man's name was Jin Tian. He was a non-commissioned officer in the army but was honorably discharged home for violating discipline.
After returning home, he started working as a security guard.
His life was initially very fulfilling, but a disaster struck, making him feel like the sky had fallen.
His daughter, Jin Shanshan, inexplicably fell ill with a severe heart condition.
Jin Shanshan had congenital mitral valve insufficiency, requiring interventional surgery to implant an artificial valve. This news hit him like a bolt from the blue.
"Were there any difficulties during the surgery?" Li Qingfeng asked softly, noticing his pause.
Hearing Li Qingfeng's question, Jin Tian's eyes instantly welled up with tears. He spoke with a trembling voice, "At first, we thought Shanshan just had a common heart condition and didn't take it seriously."
"Later, when the illness became severe, we gathered all our money to implant a heart valve for Shanshan! But unexpectedly, after the valve was implanted, there was a rejection reaction, and she needed another surgery to replace it!"
Hearing Jin Tian's words, Li Qingfeng couldn't help but sigh at how tumultuous this family's life was.
Heart valve interventional surgery was considered a highly successful procedure, with a success rate of over 90%.
Yet, the one-in-a-million rejection reaction had occurred in his daughter.
With his daughter constantly hospitalized, the already impoverished family faced even greater hardship.
To avoid burdening his family and to earn money, he became a herb collector, never getting into disputes with others.
Seeing Jin Tian's profound sadness, Li Qingfeng felt he really shouldn't have accepted the houttuynia cordata.
"Brother Jin Tian, please take this houttuynia cordata back!"
"No, although I, Jin Tian, am a rough man, you, Li Qingfeng, are my benefactor. I understand the principle of repaying kindness!"
Hearing his words, Li Qingfeng had no choice but to retract his gesture.
"Benefactor, the traditional Chinese medicine hall is ahead. Please leave me your contact information, benefactor!"
Upon hearing Jin Tian's words, Li Qingfeng left his phone number.
Similarly, he also learned Jin Tian's location: the third floor of the inpatient department at the town hospital.
After bidding farewell to Jin Tian, Li Qingfeng entered the traditional Chinese medicine hall, carrying half a basket of radix isatidis and houttuynia cordata.
As soon as he entered, Li Qingfeng felt the ancient and grand atmosphere of the traditional Chinese medicine hall.
The hall was magnificent. While the decoration wasn't extravagant, it was complete with exquisite entryway landscapes and ink wash paintings of mountains and rivers.
The approximately 200-square-meter space was divided into four distinct areas. Near the entrance were the medicine cabinets and the counter.
Inside were the waiting hall and consultation rooms. The third area was for dispensing and preparing medicine, used for decocting and grinding traditional Chinese herbs. The last area was the living quarters, which was specifically separated.
Li Qingfeng took a quick glance; the traditional Chinese medicine hall was deserted.
After searching for a while, Li Qingfeng couldn't find anyone in the hall, so he idly walked around, waiting for someone to return.
Besides the faint medicinal aroma wafting through the air, what attracted him was the traditional Chinese medicine cabinet directly in front of him.
Leaning against the counter, Li Qingfeng could clearly smell the medicinal ingredients inside just by sniffing, without even needing to look at the labels.
"Cassia seed, herba ecliptae, coptis chinensis, phellodendron, gentiana, radix sophorae flavescentis, honeysuckle..."
He involuntarily uttered the names of these herbs, his voice sounding particularly distinct in the empty medicine hall.
"Haha, little brother, you're quite right! Which traditional Chinese medicine college are you attending?"
Just as Li Qingfeng was lost in his own world, a hearty laugh suddenly came from outside the door, and then an elderly man with a powerful stride walked in.
Although the elderly man's hair was white and he appeared to be quite old, his steps were vigorous, and his voice was steady. His spirit was extraordinary.
Hearing the elderly man's question, Li Qingfeng replied directly, "Grandpa, I haven't studied at a medical college. It's just that my grandfather was a barefoot doctor, so I have some understanding of traditional Chinese medicine!"
"Is that so! I find your foundation to be very solid. How about it? Do you have any intention of developing in the field of traditional Chinese medicine in the future?"
Upon hearing Li Qingfeng's answer, the elderly man's eyes shone even brighter, as if he had discovered a promising talent. He immediately asked.
"Grandpa, I do intend to develop in traditional Chinese medicine in the future, and I am currently studying!"
"Oh, that's even better! Young man, come to the traditional Chinese medicine hall! I happen to need someone to help me. From now on, you will be my only disciple, Li Chenfeng. How about it?"
Hearing the words of old Mr. Li Chenfeng, Li Qingfeng was stunned. He hadn't expected them to share the same surname.
Perhaps it was the elderly man's enthusiasm that made it impossible for Li Qingfeng to refuse him casually, so he could only speak the truth.
His grandfather had already passed away, and he needed to inherit his medical clinic, so he genuinely couldn't agree to his offer.
"Ah, is that so! That's truly a pity..."
Hearing Li Qingfeng's words, old Mr. Li Chenfeng said with great regret. He had finally found a disciple he favored at first glance, and the young man wouldn't agree. It was truly a disgrace to his lineage of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.
"Ah, is that houttuynia cordata behind you?"
"Yes, Grandpa!"
"Just call me Elder Li!"
Hearing old Mr. Li Chenfeng's words, Li Qingfeng changed his way of addressing him.
"Elder Li!"
"Ah, that's better! Calling me Grandpa all the time made me feel like you were scolding me!"
"Hahaha!"
Li Chenfeng seemed to have a very good disposition and even made a joke about himself. Hearing his laughter, Li Qingfeng also laughed.
"Are you here to sell herbs? Let me say upfront, I don't buy houttuynia cordata. It's just because I find you agreeable that I'll take this batch!"
Li Chenfeng was in a good mood and picked up the houttuynia cordata behind Li Qingfeng.
Looking at the age and drying of the houttuynia cordata, he nodded in satisfaction. The quality was still quite good and worth acquiring.
"The quality of this houttuynia cordata is very good, but next time you harvest, pay attention to the impurities on the stems and leaves. If you clean them thoroughly, the quality will be even better!"
Hearing Li Chenfeng's praise, Li Qingfeng couldn't help but think of Jin Tian.
As expected of someone who had served in the army, his meticulous work style still persisted.
"If possible in the future, bring Brother Jin Tian here to help me!"
As Li Qingfeng thought this, Li Chenfeng had already taken out an abacus and a calculator, and was directly calculating the bill for him.
"How about this, I'll give you ten yuan per jin for the houttuynia cordata, as a gesture of friendship for you, young man!"
"Is this price acceptable?"