Li Chen contemplated deeply for a moment, his mind racing with newfound insights. Suddenly, he turned to Tang Ziyi and spoke with conviction, "I think I have a way to help your brother walk again."

Tang Ziyi, Xu Zhonghao, and Zhang Mei were taken aback by his bold statement. Their expressions ranged from shock to skepticism. Tang Ziyi, being cautious, responded, "Brother Chen, I appreciate your intentions, but the last doctor who attended to my brother stated that he would never walk again."

Li Chen remained steadfast, assuring them, "If you can trust me, I believe I can help him."

Zhang Mei, still dubious, questioned, "Do you have any medical expertise?"

Li Chen admitted, "I possess some knowledge, yes."

Xu Zhonghao, though wary, watched Li Chen closely without offering an immediate judgment.

Li Chen persisted, determined to make his point. He addressed Madame Tang directly, saying, "Madame Tang, I believe I have a way to help Tang Junjie."

Tang Junjie, though still recovering from pain, raised a crucial query, "Do you have any medical experience?"

Zhang Mei echoed the same concern, saying, "That’s the exact question I just asked him."

Undeterred by their skepticism, Li Chen continued to press his case, urging, "I understand your doubts, but what do you have to lose by giving it a try?"

Tang Junjie fell silent for a few moments, his thoughts racing. Finally, he broke the silence and said, "Sure, we can give it a try."

Madame Tang, filled with concern, asked, "Junjie, are you sure about this?"

Tang Junjie nodded and replied, "Mom, I’ve been stuck in this wheelchair for a year. I’m willing to try anything that offers a glimmer of hope for me to stand up again."

Tang Ziyi and Madame Tang’s hearts ached as they watched their beloved family member express his willingness to explore this opportunity. Tang Ziyi, still cautious, turned to Li Chen and said, "I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but I don’t want you to give my brother false hope."

Li Chen, with sincerity in his eyes, reassured them, "It’s not false hope, please trust me."

Madame Tang looked at Tang Junjie once more, seeking his final confirmation. Tang Junjie gazed back at Li Chen and nodded, conveying his determination to give it a chance.

Li Chen kindly offered to take the Tang family back home. Since their car couldn’t accommodate everyone, Xu Zhonghao and Tang Ziyi volunteered to take a taxi. Li Chen departed with Zhang Mei, Madame Tang, and Tang Junjie, who had been discharged from the hospital.

During the ride, Li Chen continued to commit to memory the names of various herbs that had surfaced in his mind. His focus remained unwavering as he prepared for the task ahead.

Upon their arrival at the Tang residence, Li Chen pushed Tang Junjie’s wheelchair into the modest home. Both he and Zhang Mei were taken aback by the simple living conditions. Li Chen turned to Tang Junjie and assured him, "I will return tomorrow morning with the necessary herbs."

Tang Junjie, intrigued, inquired, "You know Chinese traditional medicine?"

Li Chen responded with a modest nod, saying, "You could say that, yes."

Madame Tang graciously offered them some food, but Zhang Mei had other obligations, as she needed to visit her mother at the hospital. Therefore, they politely declined the offer and took their leave.

As they left, Madame Tang turned to Tang Junjie and spoke with a heavy heart. "Son, I don’t want you to feel like a burden, going around trying things just to walk again."

Tang Junjie replied with determination, "Mom, I’m a man now, but I have to depend on my mother for even the simplest tasks, like getting to the bathroom or having a bath. It hurts me, and the fact that my younger brother is the one providing for our family makes me feel incomplete."

Madame Tang’s eyes welled up with tears as she said, "I’m sorry."

Tang Junjie continued, "Right now, things are looking up since Tang Ziyi started working for Brother Chen. But I don’t want him to have to worry about me. I want to have a wife, kids, and a happy home. I can’t do that sitting like this."

Madame Tang, wiping her tears away, nodded and replied, "Okay, let’s give this a try. I just don’t want to see you heartbroken and disappointed."

Tang Junjie reassured her, "It will be fine, Mom. If it doesn’t work, at least I’ll know that I tried."

Madame Tang turned to make something to eat, her heart heavy but her hope rekindled by her son’s determination.

Tang Junjie looked at his mother as she walked to their tiny kitchen and whispered to himself, "I hope it all works out." He sighed heavily and then wheeled himself to the room he shared with Tang Ziyi. Opening an old dresser, he retrieved a journal. Gently blowing the dust away from its pages, he opened it. His fingers traced along the written music scores, and he felt a lump in his throat. These music scores had been written during times of boredom, with the hope that one day he could fulfill his dream. But the accident had shattered his dreams.

Yet, ever since he had seen Tang Ziyi working on something he loved, technology, a spark had been ignited within Tang Junjie. His love for music had always been a source of comfort, and he started humming one of the songs he had written in his soft, melodic voice. When he finished, he closed the journal, held it close to his chest, and closed his eyes. Deep down, he said a silent prayer, a prayer for the miracle he hoped and wished for with all his heart.

In the kitchen, Madame Tang’s eyes were red with tears. She carried the weight of guilt, feeling like she had failed her children. She wished she could do something to lighten the load on Tang Ziyi’s shoulders. The pain she saw in Tang Junjie’s eyes today made her hate herself even more. She couldn’t help but wonder if she had worked harder in life, perhaps she would have had enough money for her son to undergo surgery.

She had little trust in Chinese medicine, and the fear that her son would be disappointed when Li Chen’s plan didn’t work out weighed heavily on her heart. Madame Tang was a loving mother, and she wanted the best for her children, but her limited means made her feel powerless in the face of their challenges.