Chapter 288 A Complete Transformation
After Gao Jianjun left, Zhang Lan stood at the kitchen doorway, staring at the packet of medicine and prescription on the table for a long time.
Li Yong lay on the sofa, flipping through the newspaper, without even raising his head.
You actually believe that?
Zhang Lan bit her lip. "It's worth a try."
Li Yong tossed the newspaper aside and said, "Whatever."
Zhang Lan picked up the prescription; the handwriting was neat, and the dosage of each herb was clearly marked. She copied the herbs onto a piece of paper, changed her clothes, and went out.
There weren't many pharmacies in the eastern part of the capital, and Zhang Lan had to visit three before she could gather all the necessary herbs. The pharmacy owner looked at the prescription and clicked his tongue twice.
"This prescription is no simple one; the person who wrote it must be a master."
Zhang Lan's heart tightened; a master.
"Yes, these herbs together are specifically for treating cold constitution and uterine cold." The shopkeeper wrapped up the medicine and handed it to her. "Take it home and brew it properly, don't let it burn."
Zhang Lan took the medicine, paid for it, and hurried home with the medicine bag in her arms.
It was already four o'clock in the afternoon when she got home. She poured the herbs into a large pot, added water, and started to boil them. Not long after the herbs were put into the pot, a strange smell filled the whole house. It wasn't exactly fragrant, but it smelled comforting.
Li Yong came out of the bedroom, frowning. "What's that smell?"
"It smells like medicine." Zhang Lan squatted by the stove, watching the bubbling medicinal soup in the pot. "Never mind it."
Li Yong stood at the door for a while, then turned around and went back into the bedroom.
After simmering the medicine for two hours, Zhang Lan poured the decoction into the bathtub and added some hot water to adjust the temperature. She reached out to test it; it wasn't hot, just right.
After taking off her clothes, she slowly sat down in the bathtub.
The water wasn't hot, but as soon as she sat down, she felt a warm current surge up from the soles of her feet. This warm current seeped into her skin, into the gaps between her bones, and when it reached her lower abdomen, she shivered.
My lower abdomen feels warm.
Zhang Lan looked down at her stomach, which was always cold and painful during her periods. Now, there was warmth there, cozy and comforting.
She closed her eyes and leaned against the edge of the bathtub.
Half an hour later, she opened her eyes and found that the water had turned black.
It wasn't just ordinary dirt; it was a foul, black color, with a layer of greasy substance floating on the surface. Zhang Lan was startled and looked down at her body, her arms and legs covered in black stains.
She quickly stood up and rinsed herself with water.
She rinsed it three times before the water became clear. Zhang Lan dried herself, put on her clothes, and sat on the edge of the bed, her hands still trembling.
The door was pushed open, and Li Yong stood in the doorway. "Are you alright?"
Zhang Lan looked up at him and said, "I'm fine."
Li Yong stared at her for a few seconds, then said, "You look much better."
Zhang Lan was stunned.
She stood up and walked to the mirror. Her complexion was indeed different. Her previously sallow skin now had a rosy glow, and her eyes were brighter than before.
Li Yong walked over and stood behind her. "It really worked."
Zhang Lan didn't say anything, she just stared at herself in the mirror.
The next morning, Zhang Lan felt refreshed when she got up. She used to have backaches every morning, but now she could stand up straight.
Li Yong was making breakfast in the kitchen when he saw her come out and paused for a moment.
"You today..."
Zhang Lan walked over and asked, "What's wrong with me today?"
Li Yong stared at her face. "You look good."
Zhang Lan kept her head down and ate her food, without responding.
In the afternoon, she continued to brew the medicine for her bath. This time, less black fluid came out than the first time, but the warmth in her lower abdomen was more pronounced. Lying in bed, she placed her hand on her stomach and could feel the warmth inside.
On the third day, Zhang Lan went to work at the neighborhood office. As soon as she entered, her colleague, Sister Liu, stared wide-eyed.
"Lanzi, did you go to the beauty salon?"
Zhang Lan smiled and said, "No."
"Then how come you..." Sister Liu walked over and circled around her, "Your skin is so much better than it was a couple of days ago."
Zhang Lan touched her face. "It's probably because I slept well."
Sister Liu clicked her tongue twice, "If you can sleep so well, tell me quickly, what good stuff did you use?"
Zhang Lan did not answer, and instead lowered her head to organize the documents on the table.
At lunchtime, as she passed by the vegetable market, several middle-aged women selling vegetables stared at her.
"Oh my, whose daughter is this? She's so beautiful."
"Isn't that Zhang Lan? My goodness, what did you eat?"
Zhang Lan blushed from the praise and quickly bought groceries before leaving.
When he got home, Li Yong was sitting on the sofa smoking. When he saw her come in, he forgot to smoke.
"Lanzi..."
Zhang Lan put down her shopping basket. "What's wrong?"
Li Yong stood up, walked up to her, reached out to touch her face, but then pulled his hand back.
"You really... have changed."
Zhang Lan lowered her head. "I'll go cook."
Li Yong grabbed her hand, "Don't do it, I'll do it."
Zhang Lan looked up at him. Li Yong's eyes were filled with mixed emotions, and his lips moved slightly. "Sit down and rest for a while."
That evening, Li Yong volunteered to go to the kitchen to brew the medicine. He squatted by the stove, watching the bubbling broth in the pot, his hands supporting his knees, without saying a word.
After the medicine was brewed, he poured the decoction into the bathtub, added hot water, and tested the temperature.
"Lanzi, the water is ready."
Zhang Lan went into the bathroom, and Li Yong stood at the door. "I'll keep watch outside. Call me if you need anything."
Zhang Lan's nose tingled with emotion. "Yes."
On the fourth day, Zhang Lan's period started.
She had prepared herself for excruciating pain, but after lying in bed for a long time, her lower abdomen only felt slightly bloated and didn't hurt at all.
Zhang Lan sat up, looked down at her stomach, and tears suddenly fell.
She had suffered from menstrual cramps for so many years, feeling like she was dying every time she had her period. Now, she doesn't feel any pain anymore.
Li Yong pushed the door open and came in, "Lanzi..."
He saw her crying and panicked, "What's wrong? Are you in pain again?"
Zhang Lan shook her head, "It doesn't hurt."
Li Yong was stunned. "It doesn't hurt."
"Mmm." Zhang Lan wiped away her tears. "It doesn't hurt at all."
Li Yong sat on the edge of the bed, staring at her for a long time, then suddenly stood up and walked out.
Where are you going?
Li Yong turned around and said, "I'm going to find Gao Jianjun."
On the fifth day, Li Yong rode his bicycle to the military compound.
Gao Jianjun was running on the playground when he saw Li Yong and paused for a moment.
"Li Yong, what brings you here?"
Li Yong jumped out of the car. "Brother Gao, I want to ask you something."
Gao Jianjun stopped. "What is it?"
“That Mr. Bai…” Li Yong gritted his teeth, “Who exactly is he?”
Gao Jianjun wiped his sweat. "I already said, I don't know."
“You don’t know,” Li Yong stared at him, “you don’t know how you got the medicine.”
Gao Jianjun frowned. "Li Yong, Mr. Bai has rules; you can't ask about someone's background."
Li Yong took a deep breath. "Then... will he give me more medication?"
Gao Jianjun looked at him and asked, "How is it working?"
Li Yong nodded, "Lanzi is much better."
Gao Jianjun patted him on the shoulder, "Then continue with the prescription, don't rush."
Li Yong stood there, watching Gao Jianjun run away, then turned around, got on his bike, and rode back.
On the sixth day, Zhang Lan went to work at the subdistrict office and was surrounded by a group of colleagues as soon as she entered the door.
"Lanzi, how do you take care of your skin?"
"Tell me quickly, what kind of good stuff did you use?"
"You look at least ten years younger than us."
Zhang Lan was embarrassed by the praise, saying, "I really didn't use anything."
"You're lying!" Sister Liu grabbed her hand. "Look at your hands. They used to be as rough as tree bark, but now they're as smooth as tofu."
Zhang Lan looked down at her hands and noticed that they were indeed more delicate than before.
When she got home that evening, Li Yong had already prepared the medicine. He stood at the bathroom door, watching her go in, and whispered, "Be careful, it's hot."
Zhang Lan turned to look at him, but Li Yong lowered his head. "I'm outside."
On the morning of the seventh day, when Zhang Lan woke up, she felt like she had been reborn.
She stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself. Her skin was fair and radiant, her eyes were bright and spirited, and her whole demeanor was different.
Li Yong stood at the door and stared at her for a long time.
"Lanzi..."
Zhang Lan turned around. "What's wrong?"
Li Yong walked over, grabbed her hand, and said, "I was wrong."
Zhang Lan was stunned.
"I shouldn't blame you," Li Yong said hoarsely. "It's my fault."
Tears streamed down Zhang Lan's face, "Li Yong..."
Li Yong hugged her and said, "Lanzi, we won't get a divorce."
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Gao Jianjun knocked on the door.
Li Yong opened the door and, for the first time, took the initiative to greet him, asking respectfully, "Brother Gao, will 'Mr. Bai'... come today?"
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