Chapter 329


    Grannyvine''s vine was just an old wives'' tale, Ste recounted the description of the herb, "I''m not


    exactly sure what it''s called. It was purchased by my family from some expensive specialty shop,


    and they said it was a secret remedy."


    Dr. Garcia chuckled in disbelief, "This herb isn''t Grannyvine''s vine, it''s called Mountain Whisper,


    known for its antibacterial and itch-relieving properties for respiratory viruses. But it''s incredibly


    finicky about its growing environment, thriving only on the edges of mountain cliffs.”


    “The extreme weather on the mountains perhaps contributes to its unique medicinal properties.


    Cultivated versions can''t hold a candle to the real thing, with less than one percent of the efficacy,


    which is why it never became mainstream. With industrial pollution wreaking havoc on the


    environment, this herb is nearly extinct. It''s no wonder it''s been removed from many textbooks, so


    it''s normal that you youngsters haven''t heard of it."


    Ste was astonished, "I see, that''s amazing."


    Its harsh growing conditions made cultivation and widespread use impossible, but somehow, her


    Arcadia had managed to grow it. Was this a miracle, or some unspoken stroke of fate?


    Ste and Jasper''s healing process reinforced Dr. Garcia''s belief that his research was on the right


    track. Short-handed as he was, he decided to keep Ste and Jasper on.


    Ste continued with her autopsies, while Jasper, who had been learning a wealth of medical


    knowledge under Professor Ste''s tutge, assisted Dr. Garcia.


    Unable to handle everything alone, Ste took on an apprentice, a worker from the research


    institute. She was in herte twenties, slender, with a slight limp in her walk, "Professor Ste, I''m


    Lindsay, I''m looking forward to working with you."


    What? Ste was thunderstruck.


    Even in protective gear, her gossip radar was off the charts, sizing up "Lindsay" from head to toe,


    "Both your legs are broken?"


    Lindsay was stunned, "Yes."


    With broken legs and after being swept away by a storm, she was still kicking.


    The thing is, after seven years post-apocalypse, which doctor wasn''t skin and bones? Although


    Lindsay was slender, her skin was glowing and radiant. Bentley''s taste was indeed not simple.


    But work was pressing, no time for bloody gossip.


    Facing the gruesome autopsies that Ste once heaved at, Lindsay, though a bit nauseous, was


    exceptionallyposed, her demeanor hinting at professionalism.


    That was right, anyone who had been through Bentley''s wringer and came back was a top-notch


    talent.


    After dissecting several critical cases, all previously treated patients, they found a noticeable


    difference in the degree of liver and lung variationpared to those who hadn''t received


    treatment.


    Ste, with detailed autopsy data in hand, went to see Dr. Garcia, then visited Collin and Hugh.


    Collin was very weak, coughing as though he might expel his lungs at any moment.


    Ste handed him a jar of honey syrup, "My family made this. It seems effective. You might want to


    try it."


    Collin wasn''t sure about Ste''s family financial status, but families that made a living off of herbs


    cultivation had grown tremendously wealthy in recent years. Without any pretense, Collin felt


    somewhat relieved by havingnded himself a wealthy student.


    After leaving Collin''s quarters, Ste decided to also gift Hugh a jar.


    A little kid, around five or six years old, opened the door with a childish voice, "Hello, who are you


    looking for?"


    My goodness, Ste nearly dropped the loquat syrup in shock. This was a mini version of Bentley.


    "Doctor Ste?" Lindsay emerged from the house, surprised, "What brings you here?"


    "I-I came to see Professor Hugh." Why was she feeling so flustered?


    With the virus rampant, Lindsay couldn''t invite Ste inside, "Professor Hugh''s still sick. He''s


    isted in the back room."


    Ste handed over the syrup, "This is good for coughs. Give it to Professor Hugh try it."


    As she turned to leave, her curiosity got the better of her, "I''m one of Professor Hugh''s students. Are


    you his wife?"


    Lindsay paused, then quickly rified, "No, you''ve got it wrong. Professor Hugh is my sworn


    brother, and uncle to my son."


    Ah, the ssic dramatic twist. She wondered if Professor Hugh was the second male lead or the


    eighteenth?


    Thinking of the student-teacher bond, Ste had the sudden urge to shake Professor Hugh awake:


    Get a grip, she belongs to Bentley, stop chasing her, it won''t end well for you.


    But it was just a thought; she wisely walked away.


    After days of recuperation, Jasper, Ste and Cooper showed no signs of rpse, and Rosie was


    recovering too.


    They had fought a prepared battle, but their bodies bore the strain, weakened and breathless with


    the slightest exertion—recovery would take time.


    As the government rationed food, a porridge of corn and lichen was served, but with the constant


    influx of patients, how much could actually reach the doctors'' mouths?


    Many doctors had fallen to the smog virus, never to rise again, and even those still fighting were


    severely weakened.


    200 pounds of aged rice, batches of cured fish and meats, beans, soybeans, and ck beans were


    all ground into powder for easy soy milk preparation.


    Ste donated these to the research institute in her family''s name, grateful for their lifesaving help.


    Whether they consumed it themselves or shared it with patients, that was none of her business. It


    was her gesture of gratitude; without Professor Collin and the institute''s aid, her family might not


    have survived the disaster.


    N?velDrama.Org holds ? this.


    She gave ten extra eggs as a special token for her two teachers.


    Hearing that Dr. Garcia enjoyed a fine green tea, she had Jasper deliver a some.


    Rosie was also cured, herplexion not as rosy as before but still better than most. Rosie didn''t


    sit idle either, joining the volunteer team.


    With antibodies sure, the trio took no chances, maintaining strict protective measures.


    Ste continued with autopsies, but with no significant changes over several days, she paused her


    work. Through countless clinical trials, Dr. Garcia had nearly unraveled the virus''s scheming against


    the liver and lungs.


    Victory was hard-won, through many a twist and turn.


    Nearly a month into the smog outbreak, despite years of government preparation, the consumption


    of herbs elerated beyond expectations.


    The research institute could only cultivate based on past experiences, but the key herbs tobat


    the smog virus, Dragonlily and Mountain Whisper, were precious rarities that defied cultivation.


    They had perfected the form, yet the dwindling supply of herbs was a grim reality facing an ever-


    growing number of patients.


    Every moment, countless patients writhed in pain, clinging to hope for a cure that might arrive in


    time.


    Dr. Garcia removed his reading sses and rubbed his tired eyes, which suddenly brimmed with


    moisture. After the wave of difort passed, he didn''t sumb to despair. Instead, he made a


    bold decision—to concoct a concentrated pill, aiming to obliterate the virus in one fell swoop.


    Every coin has two sides. This approach could conserve precious ingredients and potentially save


    more lives, but it also posed a greater risk of side effects on the body.


    Ste asked, "What kind of side effects are we talking about?"