Li Xu was happy to hear the patient's condition was improving. "It's good that it's working. However, this is just the initial improvement. He needs to continue taking the medicine to solidify the effects. Please remind the patient to strictly follow the prescription and not to slack off."

"Understood, understood."

Tang Huaiqing quickly agreed. "Old Zheng himself said he's never had medicine work so fast before. He's completely convinced by you now. He also said he wants to treat you to a meal next time you're free."

Li Xu smiled. "There's no rush for a meal. Let's talk about it after he's fully recovered. Just have him focus on taking his medicine and getting plenty of rest."

After hanging up, Li Xu felt much more relaxed.

Although Aconite was a risky herb, when used for the right symptoms, its effects were often unexpectedly good.

...

「One week later.」

Song Sisi's third uncle came to the clinic for a follow-up visit.

"Xiao Xu, your medicine is truly miraculous."

The moment he walked in, his third uncle said with a beaming smile, "After taking the medicine you prescribed, the pain under my ribs has been completely gone for the past few days. I also feel much lighter, and my appetite is better than before."

Li Xu had his third uncle sit down and took his pulse again.

His pulse was much steadier and stronger than before.

He then observed his tongue coating, which had become rosy and lustrous.

"It seems the medicine is working well."

Li Xu said, "However, this doesn't mean the gallstone has completely dissolved. You need to go to the hospital for a color Doppler ultrasound to check on its condition. If the stone has shrunk or disappeared, continue taking the current prescription. If there's no change, I'll adjust the formula based on the situation."

His third uncle agreed. "Okay, okay, I'll go right now. If the stone has really gotten smaller, I'll have to thank you properly."

The next day, his third uncle rushed into the clinic, excitedly carrying the ultrasound report.

"Xiao Xu, look, look..."

His third uncle happily handed the report to Li Xu, pointing at the text. "The stone got smaller, it's almost gone! The results are great."

Li Xu took the report and looked closely. Sure enough, the diagnosis on it read: No significant abnormalities found in the gallbladder.

He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Third Uncle. You won't need surgery."

"This is all thanks to you!"

His third uncle was overcome with emotion. "You're a true miracle worker! A Divine Physician!"

Li Xu waved his hand dismissively. "Third Uncle, you're too kind. It wasn't just the medicine's credit; it was also thanks to you taking it on time and cooperating with the treatment. In the future, you should also pay more attention to your diet and lifestyle, get regular check-ups, and stay healthy."

"I will, I will."

His third uncle nodded repeatedly.

...

「Another month flew by.」

One day, while Li Xu was seeing patients at the clinic, his phone buzzed.

He glanced down and saw it was a call from Elder Li.

Li Xu quickly answered.

"Doctor Li, spring is here, and all of nature is reawakening. There are some special delicacies at this time of year that you just can't miss."

Elder Li's laughter came through the phone. "I've prepared some good things. You and Sisi should come over for a taste. Ding Aiguo and his son will be here too."

Li Xu's heart warmed upon hearing this.

Whenever Elder Li had something good, he always thought of him.

He deeply cherished this bond that was like that of a mentor and a friend.

He readily agreed, "Of course, Elder Li. We'll be there on time!"

After hanging up, Li Xu was lost in thought.

'Elder Li is very good to us, but we're still going over as guests. We can't go empty-handed.'

'What would be a good gift?'

'Elder Li doesn't lack anything, and an expensive gift would just feel impersonal.'

'It has to be something special and thoughtful.'

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck him—Stone Flower!

He had just recently gathered a large amount of Stone Flower from Tang Mountain. This herb not only had unique medicinal properties but was also an ingredient for making delicious food.

He recalled having accidentally come across a record of "stone flower ointment" while researching before.

Regarding the name of the Stone Flower, there was actually a follow-up to the touching legend of the fisherman's daughter.

The story goes that after the unfortunate death of the fisherman's daughter, Stone Flower, her grief-stricken husband raised their daughter alone.

In the blink of an eye, the daughter turned fifteen. She had grown into a graceful young woman who greatly resembled her mother.

One time, while steaming fish, the daughter accidentally mixed in some Stone Flower.

After the fish was cooked and had cooled, she was amazed to find that the fish broth had solidified into a crystal-clear "jelly"!

The father and daughter were astonished. "It's so hot out, how could the fish broth have turned into a jelly?"

An idea struck the father. He remembered his wife used to often make snacks with the Stone Flower she gathered from the seashore.

So the father and daughter tried using Stone Flower to make a cool treat to eat, and they sold it at the fish market or on street corners.

When people saw this crystal-clear, springy, cool treat that could both satisfy hunger and relieve the summer heat, they flocked to buy it.

To commemorate the brave and kind fisherman's daughter, Stone Flower, everyone started calling this delicious cool treat "stone flower ointment."

To eat the stone flower ointment, you simply had to slice it up with a fruit knife, add a suitable amount of sugar or honey, and then pour chilled water over it.

The texture was incredibly smooth, and it was sweet and mouth-watering. It quenched thirst, relieved the summer heat, and had a cooling effect, making it an excellent refreshment for hot summer days.

Li Xu looked up the detailed recipe for stone flower ointment:

After the Stone Flower is harvested, it is first soaked repeatedly in fresh water and then sun-dried. This process is repeated six times, which is the so-called "method of six sunnings and six soakings."

The Stone Flower treated this way will gradually change color from its original red to white, and impurities will be thoroughly removed. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Next, the processed Stone Flower is mixed with an appropriate amount of fresh water and placed in a pot to simmer for two to three hours.

During this time, it needs to be stirred constantly with a bamboo spatula to prevent it from sticking to the bottom, until the Stone Flower mixture becomes viscous.

The mixture is then poured out and carefully filtered through cheesecloth to remove any remaining fine impurities. It is then placed in a basin and left in a well-ventilated area to cool and solidify naturally.

About twelve hours later, a basin of crystal-clear stone flower ointment, so delicate it looked like it would break at a touch, would be ready.

Finally, a small scraper is used to gently shave the solidified stone flower ointment into thin, even strips. These are placed in a bowl with a spoonful of iced honey water, and the sweet, smooth bowl of stone flower ointment is complete.

He had to go to Elder Li's house tomorrow, which meant he had one day left.

It would be too late to make it tomorrow.

Li Xu asked Song Sisi to start preparing the stone flower ointment today.

Considering that Elder Li's house had a housekeeper, the cooking part could be done there. They only needed to process the Stone Flower ingredients with the "six sunnings and six soakings" method.

"Sisi, I need you to prepare some Stone Flower today using the 'six sunnings and six soakings' method."

Li Xu said to Song Sisi, "We're going to Elder Li's house tomorrow, so let's bring a special gift."

Song Sisi asked curiously, "Boss, what kind of gift?"

"The semi-finished ingredients for stone flower ointment," Li Xu said with a smile. "Elder Li doesn't need anything, so we'll bring something unique."

Song Sisi's eyes lit up. "Wow, stone flower ointment! I've never had it before. That's a great idea! Elder Li will definitely love it."

That afternoon, Song Sisi got busy in the clinic.

She carefully washed the Stone Flower Li Xu had gathered, then spread it out in the sun to dry.

After it dried, she soaked it again, and after soaking, she dried it again. She repeated this cycle, strictly following the ancient "six sunnings and six soakings" method.

After all her work, the originally red Stone Flower gradually turned a pure, clean white.