Chapter 184: Chapter 184

“Xiao Gu, it’s alright. If there’s really no way to treat it, then…”

Sheng Zexi greeted Gu Jianing and introduced her to the members of the Hua family one by one.

Gu Jianing greeted them politely, thinking to herself that every member of the Hua family was truly outstanding—each one a dragon or phoenix among people.

Especially from the eldest and second eldest of the Hua family, you could see just how extraordinary they were.

It was clear that Hua Zhenrong was also a remarkable person.

If he really ended up like in her previous life—gone just like that—it would be such a pity.

“Good child, good child.” Madam Hua looked at Gu Jianing’s large pregnant belly, held her hand, and her eyes were full of gratitude.

Regardless of whether the recent treatments had been effective, just seeing Gu Jianing coming all this way while heavily pregnant to help them filled their hearts with thankfulness.

“Where is Comrade Hua right now? I’ll go take a look at him,” Gu Jianing said directly.

The “Comrade Hua” Gu Jianing referred to was, of course, Hua Zhenrong. At the mention of his name, a trace of sorrow flickered in the eyes of the Hua family members.

“Zhenrong’s condition has gotten even worse lately…” Father Hua led them toward Hua Zhenrong’s room, explaining his recent situation along the way.

At first, when he fell ill, Hua Zhenrong was still lucid. Later, he would alternate between moments of clarity and bouts of madness.

Starting last year, his lucid moments became fewer and fewer.

“This year, he hasn’t had a single clear-headed moment all day.”

Not only that, but whenever his emotions spiraled out of control, he would bang his head or do other things to hurt himself.

“We had no choice but to tie him to the bed.”

As he spoke, Father Hua opened the door to the room.

Gu Jianing looked inside and immediately spotted a man lying on the bed. As she walked closer, Father Hua lifted the blanket, and she could see more clearly.

The man was tall but extremely thin—so thin that even through his clothes, you could see the sharp outlines of his bones.

His cheeks were sunken, but it was still obvious that he had handsome features.

There were dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign of chronic insomnia.

Sure enough, Madam Hua looked at her youngest son lying on the bed, eyes red, and said, “Ever since he got sick, Zhenrong’s condition has only gotten worse. He often can’t sleep for entire nights, and when he does, he’s plagued by nightmares…”

As for what he dreamed about, it went without saying.

“Now, it’s the same. He can’t sleep normally at all—unless he’s had a severe episode and is utterly exhausted, only then might he fall asleep.”

“Or unless he’s given a sedative.”

These days, Hua Zhenrong had been given a lot more sedatives.

After all, people need to sleep.

If someone can’t sleep for a long time, they’ll fall apart.

So, even though they knew it wasn’t good to use so many sedatives, they had no other choice.

“Today at 4 a.m., we gave him another shot, but even now, the sedatives are working less and less.”

Before, one injection would let him sleep for a whole day and night. Then it became just a day, then only a dozen hours, and now, just a few hours.

They were scared.

Scared that if even the sedatives stopped working, what would they do then?

Thinking back to how spirited and outstanding Hua Zhenrong used to be, and looking at the thin man now tied to the bed, the Hua family’s eyes turned red with tears. Madam Hua even turned away to secretly wipe her tears.

Gu Jianing looked at the man on the bed and could tell at a glance that the Hua family had actually taken very good care of Hua Zhenrong.

She knew from her simulated training in the space that most PTSD patients she’d seen were disheveled, looking like madmen or beggars.

But Hua Zhenrong’s hair was trimmed short and neat.

There was no scruffy beard on his face, just a faint stubble.

Even though he was tied up, his clothes were clean and tidy.

And the restraints were made of soft cloth.

As for his thinness, there was nothing to be done.

With this illness, it was impossible to eat properly.

Sheng Zexi stepped forward, held Gu Jianing’s hand, and asked softly, “What do you think? Do you have confidence?”

Every time Sheng Zexi returned to the capital, he would visit Hua Zhenrong.

And every time, he saw that Hua Zhenrong’s condition was worse than before.

Seeing his old comrade and friend like this pained Sheng Zexi deeply.

Even though he wasn’t a doctor, he knew how serious and difficult Hua Zhenrong’s condition was. He was afraid that Ningning…

“It’s alright. Let me check his pulse first,” Gu Jianing said.

Even without taking his pulse or scanning him, Gu Jianing already knew how severe Hua Zhenrong’s condition was.

If things continued like this, he would definitely die within a few months.

However, in her training space, she had treated many patients who were on the brink of death, and she had managed to save them.

So, Gu Jianing still had some confidence.

What’s more, she also had the system’s special spiritual spring water for treating PTSD.

So she was sure there wouldn’t be a problem.

Still, since she hadn’t started treatment yet, Gu Jianing didn’t want to make any promises.

“It’s alright, Xiao Gu. Just do your best. We know how difficult Zhenrong’s illness is…” Madam Hua said quickly.

Gu Jianing nodded, then stepped forward to take Hua Zhenrong’s pulse.

As she placed her hand on his wrist, she noticed the deep marks left by the cloth restraints, some even stained with dark brown blood.

Gu Jianing looked at them for a moment, then began to take his pulse.

Sheng Zexi set down Gu Jianing’s medical kit and was about to get her a chair when the Hua family’s eldest daughter-in-law had already brought one over for Ningning.

Having a seat was, of course, best for Gu Jianing, who was heavily pregnant.

Once seated, Gu Jianing quickly placed her hand on Hua Zhenrong’s wrist.

“System, bind Hua Zhenrong as my patient,” she said silently to the system.

[Ding! Hua Zhenrong has been bound as patient number n. Scanning has begun.]

[Ding! Scanning complete. Host can view the patient’s status in the Divine Doctor Space patient panel.]

[Ding! Please cure Hua Zhenrong. Completing this task will earn: 150 points, Enemy Agent Mark*3.]

Gu Jianing didn’t have time to check the rewards for curing him. As she took his pulse, she also used the scanner in her eyes to examine Hua Zhenrong’s body.

Soon, she reached a conclusion.

The room fell silent the moment Gu Jianing placed her hand on Hua Zhenrong’s wrist.

No one made a sound, afraid to disturb her, but everyone’s heart was in their throat.

Soon, Gu Jianing let go of his hand.

So soon?

Seeing that Gu Jianing had let go after only a short time, the Hua family’s eyes filled with disappointment.

Madam Hua’s eyes grew even redder.

“Xiao Gu, it’s alright. If there’s really no way to treat him, then…” No one knew how much it hurt Madam Hua to say these words, but she knew just how difficult her youngest son’s illness was."