Dr. Cooper felt humiliated in front of everyone, his face flushing red and then turning pale—he felt like he was experiencing something unbelievable!
Professor Michael was also stunned, unable to comprehend the situation. How had his young student managed to earn the respect of Dr. Aaron Mateo, a nationally renowned physician known for both his medical skill and integrity? Dr. Aaron Mateo was notoriously strict in taking on students, with very few disciples, yet he seemed to hold Sophia in high regard.
Barbara and the others looked at each other in astonishment, completely unable to understand what had happened to their struggling student roommate over the summer—had she somehow risen to a whole new level?
—
Sophia helped Dr. Aaron Mateo into the room.
Dr. Aaron Mateo glanced at the infant but didn’t make a move himself. Instead, he signaled to Sophia.
“Go ahead, young lady, take the pulse!”
“Yes, sir!” Sophia gently lifted the baby’s wrist. Since birth, the infant had barely nursed, and his wrist was as thin as a thumb, with skin stretched over bones and a yellowish tint that looked heartbreaking. After taking his pulse, Sophia said, “The pulse is weak and slow.”
Dr. Aaron Mateo took the pulse himself and asked, “What treatment would you suggest?”
Sophia carefully examined the infant’s liver and spleen size with her fingers, considering the symptoms, and then suggested:
She prescribed the medicine to use.
“Ridiculous!” Before Professor Michael could respond, Dr. Cooper interrupted with a scolding tone, “What kind of prescription is that? Aconite? Even I, who am not a traditional medicine expert, know that Aconite is toxic. This child is young and frail—how could you use Aconite? Are you just blindly prescribing?”
Although his words were harsh, Professor Michael couldn’t disagree. Aconite was highly toxic, and he couldn’t understand why Sophia would suggest it.
It seemed he had overestimated Sophia, assuming her background in a family of herbalists might have provided her with some unique remedies that earned Dr. Aaron Mateo’s respect. But using Aconite? Was she not afraid of worsening the child’s condition with its toxicity?
“Sophia, it’s better not to use Aconite. The decoction is a conservative option but could be tried.” He turned to Dr. Aaron Mateo, saying, “Dr. Mateo, what do you think?”
Dr. Aaron Mateo shot him a look and huffed, “What do I think? I think the young lady isn’t wrong at all!”
“…”
“This is why traditional medicine doesn’t gain wider acceptance—because people like you stick too rigidly to conventions, following the book without innovation!”
“…” How had a prescription discussion turned into a critique?
“While Aconite is toxic, traditional medicine often uses poison to counter poison. You’re younger than me, yet you lack the boldness of your student.”
Professor Michael’s face flushed with embarrassment.
Sophia coughed lightly, “Professor prefers a conservative approach. I only suggested Aconite because I’m young and a bit bold.”
Professor Michael huffed, but he appreciated Sophia’s tact, seeing that she still respected him as her teacher.
Sophia continued with a smile, “Then, adding Bupleurum, Agastache, Eupatorium, and Rhubarb…”
Dr. Aaron Mateo looked over the prescription, mentally assessing its effects, and suddenly burst out laughing:
“Well done, young lady! Bold but balanced! This prescription is practically tailored to treat jaundice!”
Turning to Dr. Cooper, who was in shock, he said, “I think this prescription is viable—follow it for the treatment.”
“But Dr. Mateo, you’re the national physician. Wouldn’t your own prescription be better?”
Dr. Aaron Mateo shook his head:
“My prescription may not be as effective as hers. You don’t know this young lady—she’s quite resourceful, with more remedies up her sleeve than you can imagine! You’re no match for her.”
Sophia felt a bit bashful, thinking that as an intern without the authority to prescribe, having Dr. Aaron Mateo vouch for her made things much easier. She then prepared the decoction to administer to the infant.
Dr. Cooper, still doubtful, thought to himself that there was nothing particularly remarkable about this young woman. How could she be better than a national physician?
The infant’s family also looked skeptical about a young female practitioner, but given Dr. Aaron Mateo’s endorsement, they didn’t object. Besides, if someone as respected as Dr. Aaron Mateo couldn’t cure their child, there really wasn’t much hope left.
Though hesitant, they went through with giving the medicine.
—
“Sophia, how do you know Dr. Mateo?”
“Yes! He’s a national physician—how do you know him?”
“When did you, our resident underachiever, turn into a skilled practitioner with such an impressive prescription?”
Her classmates bombarded her with questions.
Sophia laughed and, instead of mentioning the incident with Chloe, explained how she had worked with Dr. Aaron Mateo to crack down on health supplements.
“Oh, I see. So that’s how your friendship began!” Barbara said.
Sophia nodded with a smile. “While I struggle with general courses, my family has many secret remedies. I spent the summer studying, so my medical knowledge has improved a lot.”
“Oh…”
Knowing that Sophia came from a family of traditional medicine practitioners, her classmates found it easier to accept her skill—it made sense, after all, given her upbringing in an environment steeped in traditional remedies.
Professor Michael, overhearing this, said with some pride, “With guidance from Dr. Aaron Mateo, your grandfather would be pleased in heaven. You must study hard and live up to their legacy.”
“I understand, Professor.”
Reflecting on how his own student had surpassed him in skill, Professor Michael cleared his throat and advised:
“Stay grounded, and don’t let this go to your head! In the field of traditional medicine, you’re still a novice!”
“I know!” Sophia chuckled.
Before heading home that evening, Sophia stopped by the patient’s room, where the family appeared relieved. She asked how the infant was doing and learned that the baby had urinated without the previous cloudiness and had opened his eyes, seeming more alert.
Everything was progressing as Sophia had anticipated.
“Dr. Sophia! Can my child be cured?” Mr. Colton asked, his voice filled with both excitement and worry.
“Don’t worry!” Sophia smiled, saying, “Have faith in the doctors, and have faith in your child!”
Mr. Colton nodded repeatedly, tears welling in his eyes. The entire family looked much calmer, exhausted from round-the-clock care.
—
At Scott Corporation headquarters.
As Scott Livinus left work, his car had just turned a corner when the driver asked, “Mr. Scott, would you like to swing by and pick up Miss Sophia on the way?”
Scott Livinus paused, about to respond, when he noticed in the rearview mirror a car following them closely.
