Su Wantang held Nannan's pitifully small hand and gently rubbed it in circles with her thumb.
Liu Fen leaned closer, staring intently at the object, her focused expression as if she were looking at some priceless treasure.
"You try it, be gentle, use your fingertips, like this..."
Liu Fen stretched out her rough hands, trembling slightly, and gently placed them on her daughter's small palms, just like Su Wantang had done.
When her fingertips touched her daughter's warm, soft skin, her eyes instantly welled up with tears.
But she didn't cry. She just bit her lip hard, forcing back her tears, and used all her strength to feel that tiny acupoint and learn that seemingly simple movement.
In the sunlight, her focused profile revealed a unique and resolute beauty.
Su Wantang knew that this simple massage technique might not change Liu Fen's situation, but it was like a seed that planted a little bit of hope in her already barren heart.
Sunlight streamed through the window lattice, casting dappled shadows on the kang (a heated brick bed).
Su Wantang's voice was gentle and clear, like a mountain spring, gently washing away the dust from Liu Fen's heart. "A child's internal organs are not fully formed, and not fully developed yet. The force, direction, and number of times of massage are all very important. Look at this 'Clear Heavenly River Water' massage, which is done from the wrist crease to the elbow crease. It can clear heat and relieve exterior symptoms. It's most effective for children with a slight cold and fever."
As she spoke, she held Nannan's slender wrist and demonstrated slowly and deliberately with the pad of her thumb.
Liu Fen knelt on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), leaning forward, her eyes fixed intently on Su Wantang's every move. Her focused expression seemed to etch everything into her very bones. She wasn't learning a craft; it was more like forging a weapon to survive.
"I...I'll give it a try." Liu Fen's voice trembled slightly.
Su Wantang smiled and placed the child's small hand in her palm.
Liu Fen took a deep breath and, imitating Su Wantang, carefully placed her rough, calloused fingertips on her daughter's delicate skin. It was a wonderful sensation—warm, soft, and full of life. Her movements were clumsy and stiff, her pressure varying, as if afraid of hurting the precious baby in her arms.
"Don't be afraid, your heart is gentle, so the strength in your hands will naturally be right." Su Wantang encouraged softly from the side, "You are very talented and learn very quickly."
This simple compliment, like a glimmer of light, shone into Liu Fen's world, a world she had long been accustomed to darkness. From childhood to adulthood, she had heard nothing but "money-losing goods," "jinxes," and "barren hens"; had anyone ever told her she had "talent"?
Her eyes welled up again, but this time, she didn't let the tears fall. She simply focused more intently, repeating that simple action over and over again, from clumsy to skillful, as if performing a sacred ritual.
In just one morning, Liu Fen actually memorized most of the basic acupoints and techniques for strengthening the spleen and clearing heat. She was even able to ask a few questions that surprised Su Wantang.
"Dr. Su, if a child has indigestion and fever, should we massage the spleen meridian first, or clear the Heavenly River water first?"
Looking at the thirst for knowledge shining in her eyes, Su Wantang was filled with mixed emotions. This woman, treated like dirt by her in-laws, actually possessed a clever and insightful mind. It was just that this mind had been covered with a thick layer of dust by years of hardship and despair.
Now, for the sake of her child, she is personally wiping away the dust, bit by bit, so that the inner light can shine through again.
Before leaving, Su Wantang took a slightly worn copy of "Practical Nursing Fundamentals" from her bookshelf and handed it to Liu Fen.
"This contains some basic medical knowledge, such as how to judge the degree of fever, how to do physical cooling, and some common illness care methods. You can read, so you can read it yourself. Remember, don't copy the book exactly. Every child's constitution is different, so you need to learn to observe and be flexible."
Liu Fen accepted the heavy book as if receiving an immense favor. The pages carried a faint scent of ink, mingling with the pleasant soapy smell emanating from Su Wantang. She ran her fingertips over the words on the cover, her fingertips burning.
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