Chapter 18 - What Exactly is Picky Eating?
Chapter 18: What Exactly is Picky Eating?
Wang Lao Wu was completely taken by surprise by Lu Ming’s words. Across the table, Tang Xiaorou couldn’t help but burst into laughter, trying to stifle her uncontrollable giggles. Lu Ming’s words once again caught Wang Lao Wu off guard.
“I’m not suffering from a spinal deformity. All the sheep have cleared quarantine. How could there be a pathological spinal curvature?” Wang Lao Wu objected.
Lu Ming chuckled and reassured him, “No need to worry. I’m referring to the natural spinal curvature, not an illness.”
Lu Ming went on to clarify that spinal curvature can be divided into two types: natural and pathological.
The natural curvature consists of the four inherent curves in regular humans: two forward curves in the neck and lumbar regions and two backward curves in the thoracic and sacral areas. This also applies to animals.
On the other hand, pathological spinal curvature is caused by various ailments such as neurofibromatosis, spinal tuberculosis, and herniated discs or can result from activities involving excessive bending and improper posture while standing, sitting, or lying down, all of which can harm the spine.
“Alright, don’t frighten our friend here,” Tang Xiaorou interjected, glancing at Wang Lao Wu’s concerned expression. She swiftly interrupted Lu Ming to prevent him from continuing.
Lu Ming, in response, ceased and retrieved a small paper packet from his pocket.
“I was just teasing. The main reason I invited you here was to give you this medication.”
“It’s a special kidney-protecting pill that can aid your mother’s health.”
Wang Lao Wu, still a bit shaken, accepted the small paper package from Lu Ming. He soon recognized the generosity and conveyed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you, Dr. Lu. Today’s meal is on me.”
Wang Lao Wu intended to repay Lu Ming’s kindness by covering the meal’s cost.
Lu Ming nodded in agreement and replied, “Certainly.”
He didn’t decline because he knew it would make Wang Lao Wu uncomfortable. After more expressions of thanks, Wang Lao Wu left, cradling the small paper package as if it were a precious gift.
Lu Ming’s medicine had proven effective. Wang Lao Wu’s old mother had visited the hospital multiple times and received a discouraging diagnosis. With a hopeful attitude, he visited Lu Ming’s traditional Chinese medicine clinic. After taking a few doses of the prescribed medicine, his mother’s condition immediately improved.
Lu Ming continued to provide various Chinese herbal remedies, and after a month of consistent treatment, his mother had completely regained her initial level of health. For Wang Lao Wu, Lu Ming was a true lifesaver.
Now, with Lu Ming personally delivering kidney-protecting pills, this debt of gratitude was growing even more significant. Wang Lao Wu silently resolved that whenever Lu Ming dined at his restaurant in the future, regardless of the bill’s size, it would be on the house. After all, life was invaluable. Money could be earned, but there was only one mother.
After Wang Lao Wu departed, Tang Xiaorou looked at Lu Ming with a meaningful glance and inquired, “Tell me, did you plan this?”
Lu Ming feigned ignorance and responded, “Plan what?”
“Are you sure you want to keep pretending?” Tang Xiaorou asked with a smile.
“I wonder if poking someone with a chopstick without hitting vital points can make them feel pain while avoiding serious injury,” she continued, toying with the chopsticks in her hand.
Lu Ming was immediately startled, recalling the unfortunate criminal who had been stabbed eighteen times with a knife, with each stab avoiding vital organs.
“Yes, yes, I knew it all along. You wanted to have hotpot,” Lu Ming immediately confessed.
A few days ago, he had noticed Tang Xiaorou liking a friend of their mutual acquaintance’s hotpot pictures on social media and commenting with an “I’m craving this” emoji. Lu Ming had figured out that she must long for a hotpot. So, when he took her out for a meal today, he intentionally included hotpot as one of the options. Predictably, Tang Xiaorou chose a hotpot.
Lu Ming also seized the opportunity to bring the specially crafted kidney-protecting pills and handed them over to Wang Lao Wu.
“Alright, I’m content with your explanation,” Tang Xiaorou said and then pulled out a box of branded weekly socks from her bag.
“Wow! When did you buy these?” Lu Ming was pleasantly surprised as he accepted the socks from Tang Xiaorou.
Due to the nature of his job, Lu Ming walked a lot each day, causing his feet to sweat, leading to smelly and worn-out socks. He had been eyeing a specific brand of weekly socks for a while, planning to wait for a discount before ordering them. Unexpectedly, Tang Xiaorou had purchased them for him.
“Well, isn’t this how it works in a relationship?” Tang Xiaorou responded with a smile.
“You know my preferences, and I know what you need,” Lu Ming said, deeply touched, nearly bringing tears to his eyes. In today’s world, finding such a considerate partner is indeed rare. He felt like he had hit the jackpot.
After finishing their hotpot meal, Lu Ming dropped Tang Xiaorou off at her home.
“Do you want to come up for a cup of coffee?” Lu Ming asked.
“My parents aren’t home,” Tang Xiaorou replied, beckoning to Lu Ming with her finger. “Stop learning from those bad guys in movies.”
Lu Ming rolled his eyes, gave Tang Xiaorou a mental facepalm, and departed.
“Ugh! What an unromantic guy!” Tang Xiaorou made a funny face as she watched Lu Ming’s retreating figure.
The next day, Lu Ming returned to the Jimen Clinic and started seeing patients early in the morning. His parents and the others had not returned yet, suggesting they might have encountered some issues. However, he had faith in their ability to handle it.
“Uncle Hui, the other day when I was gathering herbs, I noticed that we’re running low on toad secretion. Can you restock some?” Lu Ming asked Lin Zhenghui as he passed by the counter.
Toad secretion, also known as Chan Su, is the dried secretion from the ear gland and skin glands of certain toads, typically the Chinese giant or black-spined toad. It is renowned for its medicinal properties, such as detoxification, reducing swelling, strengthening the heart, and relieving pain.
Toad secretion, known as Chan Su, has a wide range of medicinal applications, including treating boils, carbuncles, chronic osteomyelitis, sore throats, pediatric malnutrition, and more.
It is also used to prepare “rescue heart pills” and is a versatile and significant medicinal herb. Furthermore, Chan Su is classified as a second-level endangered Chinese medicinal material. It is an item explicitly prohibited from export by the state. Smuggling this substance is treated as a serious offense, akin to treason or aiding the enemy.
“Sure, I’ll take care of that,” Lin Zhenghui nodded in acknowledgment.
After giving his instructions, Lu Ming found an available consultation room and entered. The Jimen Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic had 12 commonly used consultation rooms, with typically 3 or 4 of them vacant each day. Shortly after sitting down, a mother and son, as well as a mother and daughter, entered the clinic.
Lu Ming glanced at all four of them, noticing that one of the mothers appeared somewhat deficient in blood and energy, but the other three didn’t seem to have any obvious issues. However, a more accurate assessment would require a pulse diagnosis.
“What discomforts are you experiencing?” Lu Ming asked directly.
Du Nianzhen immediately led her son, Guan Yichen, forward and said, “This child is always picky about food. Just look at how thin he is. I thought of bringing him here for traditional Chinese medicine treatment to address his picky eating habits.”
Lu Ming asked, “What do you mean by ‘picky eating’?”
Du Nianzhen explained the child’s dietary habits, saying, “He won’t eat pork or beef; he only eats chicken.”
“He only eats vegetables like spinach, occasionally some cabbage, and nothing else,” Du Nianzhen explained.
Lu Ming was momentarily puzzled. Did this qualify as picky eating?
He clarified, “This doesn’t sound like picky eating to me. True picky eating usually involves a strong preference for meat and a dislike for vegetables or vice versa.”
“For instance, if a child refuses to eat celery but likes spinach, that’s perfectly fine. It’s still getting nutrients from green vegetables. The same goes for meat; chicken can replace pork or beef, so eating only chicken is also acceptable. Chicken meat is even slightly more nutritious than pork.”
Lu Ming explained to Du Nianzhen what true picky eating meant. Her son, Guan Yichen, didn’t fit the definition. He could be described as having selective eating preferences, favoring certain vegetables and meats.
Du Nianzhen was a bit shocked. It seemed she had a misconception about what picky eating truly entailed.
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