Chapter 245: 246 Lotus Leaf Pigeon
This move left the several guests in the room somewhat dumbfounded. They exchanged glances and all rose to stand by the window.
"Who is this? Look how excited Wang Shiyuan and his wife are!"
"Is he from Wang Shiyuan's wife's maternal family? I heard they were very concerned about her during the years she was unwell."
"Enough, don't talk nonsense. I know him; he treated me and cured my father's paralysis. He is Du Heng, the Dean of the Health Clinic. He's the one who cured Wang Shiyuan's wife."
"Really? Are you sure?"
"I heard he cured Wang Shiyuan's wife with just one prescription."
"That's just a rumor. One prescription might have addressed her episodes, but Wang Shiyuan's wife still stayed in the Health Clinic for over a week and took a lot of medicine."
"That's still incredible."
"Exactly! With such a great doctor here, we won't have to worry so much about getting sick in the future."
"Get lost! You should be hoping for good things, not constantly thinking about getting sick."
While the guests were talking, Wang Shiyuan and his wife had already rushed into the yard. Excitement and joy overwhelmed them.
"President Du, Doctor Shi, what brings you here?" Wang Shiyuan stood beside them, wanting to shake their hands but feeling too shy to extend his own. He rubbed his hands together nervously.
"I came to see you, and to see if Wang Shizhen is as he told me." Du Heng smiled and took the initiative to extend his hand. The Pharmacy Doctor beside him also greeted them with a smile, and they shook hands.
While they were shaking hands, Du Heng observed Wang Shiyuan's wife from head to toe and said with a light laugh, "A ruddy complexion and full of energy. It seems your recovery is going very well."
Wang Shiyuan's wife now seemed like a completely normal person, especially with her vibrant energy. Although it had only been a little over a week since her discharge, her condition was a world of difference compared to when she was in the hospital.
Seeing the materials and tools arranged in the yard, and the craftsmen at the living room door, Du Heng knew Wang Shiyuan's wife had truly made a full recovery.
Staying busy would prevent her from dwelling on sorrowful matters or succumbing to low, negative emotions. Furthermore, this type of busyness was hopeful and goal-oriented, which would also foster a positive attitude in her. These were crucial factors in preventing a relapse of her condition. After a period of being busy, time would naturally dispel the gloom in her heart, allowing her to face life with positivity once more.
"President Du, Doctor Shi, please come in." Wang Shiyuan's wife smiled brightly and quickly stepped aside, inviting Du Heng and Doctor Shi into the house.
Seeing the yard full of materials and the craftsmen, Du Heng chuckled and waved his hand. "We have other things to attend to today, so we won't come in. We don't want to disturb your work."
"Oh, you're already in the yard! Please, come in and sit for a while. At least have a glass of water before you go."
"There's no rush. We'll have plenty of opportunities later. When your agritourism opens, I'll definitely come. You won't be able to chase me away even if you try!"
"How could we possibly chase you away? We'd be thrilled to have you. As long as you're willing to come, President Du, you're always welcome."
Du Heng laughed heartily, his voice loud and resonant. "Alright, it's a deal then! Remember to let me know when it opens."
With that, Du Heng and the Pharmacy Doctor did turn to leave, heading towards the gate. "Okay, get back to your work. We're off to find Wang Shizhen; we really do have other things to take care of."
Despite what Du Heng said, Wang Shiyuan and his wife still escorted him and Doctor Shi all the way to Wang Shizhen's agritourism. Only then did they turn back towards their home, looking back repeatedly as they went. They were both truly grateful to Du Heng and regarded him as their benefactor.
Wang Shizhen, wearing an apron, appeared at the kitchen door. After seeing Wang Shiyuan and his wife leave, he waved to Du Heng, then turned back into the kitchen. Given their close relationship, Wang Shizhen wasn't one to stand on ceremony regarding Du Heng's position as Dean of the Health Clinic.
Du Heng grinned; he didn't mind either. Acknowledging the wave, he walked towards the kitchen where Wang Shizhen was.
As he reached the kitchen entrance, a faint fragrance of medicinal herbs greeted him. Inside the kitchen, the aroma was even more intense, almost intoxicating.
Du Heng walked over to the pot Wang Shizhen was tending and took a deep sniff. "Wow, that smells amazing! Are you planning a career change? Giving up being a doctor to become a chef?"
Seeing Du Heng's enraptured expression, a smug look appeared on Wang Shizhen's face.
I'll never be able to surpass you in prescribing medicine in this lifetime, but when it comes to dietary therapy, you're definitely no match for me.
Looking smugly at Du Heng, Wang Shizhen said, "Come take a look. See what I have in this pot? Do you know what they're for?"
Du Heng peered under the lifted pot lid at the contents on the steamer rack. "Ham, sliced lentinus... I recognize those. And is that a lotus leaf underneath?"
"Hey, not bad! You even recognized the lotus leaf."
Du Heng glared at Wang Shizhen irritably, pointing at the last item. "Is this a young chicken or a clam?"
"Of course it's a clam."
"You're steaming a clam on a steamer rack? I thought clam soup was supposed to be the best way to have it."
Wang Shizhen shot Du Heng a disdainful look. "Ignorant! Just listen closely while I explain."
With that, he gestured towards the ingredients. "For this dish, we use four carefully selected young clams. The clam heads and clam wings are placed in this earthenware pot. Mix ginger, oyster sauce, salt, sesame oil, sugar, pepper, and damp starch. After stirring, add lard and mix well. Then, take a lotus leaf, scald it in boiling water to clean it, and place the seasoned clams on top."
As he spoke, he shot Du Heng a smug glance. "Then, add the seasonings you just identified, place everything on the steamer, and steam for twenty minutes. And then, a delicious dietary therapy treasure—Clam Chowder—is ready to eat!"
"Clam Chowder? A dietary therapy?" Du Heng looked at Wang Shizhen doubtfully. He wasn't very proficient with recipes.
However, that didn't mean he was ignorant about what types of food were appropriate for each season. "What is this dish meant to tonify?"
"It's for tonifying qi and nourishing essence, clearing away summer heat and tonifying the spleen. It's suitable for anyone feeling weak."
"Damn, this dish is so Benz? Suitable for anyone feeling weak?" Du Heng looked at Wang Shizhen skeptically. "Where did you dig up such a strange recipe? Or did you just invent this gimmick yourself?"
Wang Shizhen feigned disdain. "So ignorant! This recipe comes from the book 'Diet Therapy'; it has a legitimate origin."
"Don't try to fool me. Summer is characterized by heat. In summer, among the five viscera, the dominant influence is on the Heart. It's a time for clear supplementation. The Heart prefers coolness and benefits from sour tastes. Therefore, in summer, one should eat more cool and sour foods, like pork, peaches, plums, pineapples, and so on. Now, tell me, which ingredient in your dish is cool and sour?"