Chapter 423 Traditional Chinese Medicine


    Craigughed at Arthur''s expression. "Oh, look at you! I was only kidding. Don''t look so worried." While


    Arthur and Craig were exchanging pleasantries, Autumn and Charles entered the private room. They


    were amazed at the sight of their grandfather''s friend. He was old, with grey hair and a goatee. But


    more than that, he looked to be someone not of the human race, they thought. He looked rather


    immortal, which was stunning. In television serials, immortals always seemed to be surrounded by


    enchanting mist, like they were floating. That was how Craig seemed to the couple.


    Seeing Autumn and Charles enter, Arthur immediately got up and introduced them to Craig. "This is my


    granddaughter, Autumn Zhao, and my grandson-inw, Charles Lu."


    Arthur gave Autumn a fatherly pat on the hand and turned to look at Craig. "Autumn, Charles, meet


    Craig Xiao, a very good friend of mine. You better call him ''Grandpa Craig'', " he said with a twinkle in


    his eyes.


    Autumn shed a wide smile. "Grandpa Craig, it is nice to meet you." Charles, who stood beside his


    wife, echoed her greetings. Just as they were sitting, the door to the private room opened again. And


    Autumn was surprised to see a familiar face.


    The young man looked a bit flushed, and apologized. "Grandpa, sorry I amte." It was Anthony, whom


    Autumn had run into twice already before his appearance now. She was surprised but pleased to see


    him again.


    "Come,e. Let me introduce you to everyone, " Craig said. He pulled his grandson by the hand and


    said happily, "This is my friend Arthur Zhao. We have known each other for years." Anthony bowed in


    greeting for Arthur. "And these two are his granddaughter and grandson-inw…"


    "We met earlier, " Anthony interrupted Craig. While he tried to keep his emotions in check as Craig


    finished the introductions, Anthony could not help feeling d to see Autumn again. It was a funny


    feeling to be excited seeing the woman once more, he admitted to himself.


    "You''ve met before?" Craig inquired. He was surprised the two were already acquainted but did not


    pursue asking. Craig was just d his grandson could be friends with Arthur''s grandchildren like he


    and his old friend. "Have a seat, " he offered Anthony.


    He then smiled at Autumn and said, "It''s nice to see you again." Anthony sat next to Autumn. He


    pointed out how rare it was to meet a person thrice in one day. Autumn found this unusual as well but


    weed the happy coincidence. With a friendly grin, she told Anthony, "I didn''t expect that we would


    have someone inmon. We ran into each other twice totally unaware, only to discover our


    grandfathers are old friends."


    They allughed. Anthony again fell silent but continued to stare at Autumn. He was thinking, ''I''ve


    never met anyone with such pure and innocent eyes. If she wasn''t already married, I think I would fall


    for her.''


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    He could not help but be affected by her cheerful attitude and bright smile.


    A soft knock on the door shook him from his thoughts. Everyone stopped talking and turned to see who


    was at the door. A waitress came in to start serving. When she left, Arthur poured a ss of wine for


    Craig. Anthony was quick to frown and warned, "I''m sorry Grandpa Arthur. But my grandfather has quit


    drinking. He''s been suffering from hypertension in thest few years."


    "Oh, I''m fine. Stop worrying, Anthony, " Craig admonished. Looking at the group, he exined, "I am


    d to see my old friend Arthur. Surely, a little wine will not affect my health."


    He turned to his friend andined, "Look at him. He''s acting as if he were older than me, and not


    like a grandson. I may be the grandfather but he is very strict about every aspect of my life. And he''s a


    disciplinarian even when we''re not at home."


    Anthony was quick to defend himself. "That''s because youck self-discipline. If you showed stronger


    self-control, you know I won''t interfere, " he told Craig. The two men looked each other in the eye.


    Then Craig broke into an embarrassed smile. Everything his grandson said was true and he had no


    defense against it. Still Anthony allowed Craig a few drinks and after three rounds, Arthur went straight


    to the point of the meeting. "Craig, we''ve known each other for many years so I won''t prolong this. I


    invited you here for two reasons. One, of course, is for old friends to reconnect again. The second is to


    ask you a favor."


    Graig nodded in agreement. "We''re old friends so there''s no need to keep greetings long. What can I


    do for you, my friend?" he asked Arthur.


    "Here''s the thing…" Arthur began. Autumn''s grandfather exined what happened to her over the past


    weeks. She was of course a bit upset and a frown creased her forehead. Anthony looked at Autumn


    worriedly after listening to Arthur''s narration. He was particrly concerned. The words had escaped


    him before he knew what he was saying. "It''s dangerous for you to give birth to this baby. You will put


    your life at risk." Anthony was confused. If Autumn''s life was at stake, was it worth it to continue with


    the pregnancy?


    Autumn acknowledged that she was aware of the risks. "The doctor I met a few days ago told me the


    consequences of my decision. But this baby…" She inhaled before continuing, "No matter what


    happens, I want to give birth to Charles'' baby."


    "But why?" Anthony could not help blurting out. He was full of questions. He thought, ''I don''t


    understand. Why is she so determined to have this baby at the risk of her own life? Why is she being


    foolish?''


    Anthony shuddered at the thought of Autumn dying while inbor, but it appeared she was ready to


    sacrifice her life for the child.


    When he realized that Autumn had really made up her mind, Anthony turned to Charles and asked,


    "And you agree with her decision?" He was expecting for Charles to shake his head. If the husband


    supported his wife''s decision, he would regard Charles as irresponsible and that Autumn deserved a


    better man.


    "Of course I don''t agree with it, " Charles answered. He exined, "We all want for her to have an


    abortion. Once her health condition is treated, then we will have plenty of time to prepare for another


    baby. But Autumn absolutely refuses to give up this child. She is insisting on giving birth to it, and


    believes the first baby must be saved."


    He looked down, sighed, and continued, "And since she is determined, I have to respect her decision."


    Craig looked at his old friend, saw his dilemma, and understood his concern. "Arthur, we''ve known


    each other for a very long time. So I won''t mince words and get to the point, " Craig said. "Please my


    friend, just say it. However painful the truth, we will listen, " Arthur prodded.


    Arthur, Autumn, and Charles all turned to look at Craig. The old doctor nced at Autumn first before


    speaking. "It''s not right for your granddaughter to save this baby, " he began. "The better option really


    is to get well then have another baby."


    No one spoke a word. Charles shifted in his seat and held on to his wife''s hand.


    Craig then looked at Autumn to try and talk sense into her. "My child, I don''t mean to hurt you. But


    abandoning this baby is for your own good. You don''t need to worry because I will take care of you.


    And with my help, I am hoping you will recover soon. So, your n to have a baby will just be dyed


    for a little while."


    But Autumn remained steadfast. "Grandpa Craig, I appreciate your concern about my well-being. But I


    want this baby to live. And even if it costs me my life, I will not abandon it, " she said clearly. Autumn


    knew Craig only meant well and he was giving sound advice as a physician, so she could not be angry


    with him.


    "You foolish girl! Why are you so stubborn?" he said in exasperation. The old doctor and Autumn stared


    at each other, then he sighed. Craig felt sad for his friend because he believed it was not worth saving


    a life that would take away another.


    Finally, Arthur spoke up. "There is no more need to talk about this." He forced a smile as he looked at


    Craig. "I will be grateful and will do anything to show my gratitude if you can persuade my


    granddaughter to change her mind. We have tried many times, but she ismitted to protecting this


    baby. We are left with no other choice but to ask your help to strengthen her health using Traditional


    Chinese Medicine."


    In his heart, Arthur was hoping it was the right choice. Craig remained quiet and hesitant, but was


    trying to figure out how to address thisplicated condition. His training and knowledge told him


    Autumn''s condition was very bad. Before he could open his mouth, Anthony spoke up. "Why don''t you


    go to my hospital tomorrow morning?" he suggested.


    Autumn looked confused. "What do you mean go to your hospital?" "For treatment, " Anthony replied.


    Although he was reluctant, and would rather have Autumn give up the baby, this was the better option


    for now since she resisted the advice to terminate the pregnancy. He would do his best to keep her


    safe and help her get better. Arthur, Charles, and Autumn looked to Craig to understand what was


    being proposed.


    "That''s right. My grandson has learned Traditional Chinese Medicine from me. And I''d say the student


    has be better than the teacher, and is now the master. He also took up Western medicine in


    university, " Craig said proudly. He added, "His medical skills are so much better than mine." Craig


    pped his grandson on the back. "Anthony will take very good care of Autumn. Don''t you worry."


    Anthony''s decision to take over the difficult task was unexpected but quite wee for his grandfather.


    He had full faith in his capabilities as a doctor, although the others looked doubtful he was that


    Anthony.


    Arthur was surprised to learn that Anthony became interested in what he thought to be boring


    Traditional Chinese Medicine. Besides, he didn''t look like he was already an expert in it. It would be


    more credible if he said he was just a new graduate.


    Craig read his friend''s mind and gave assurance. "Trust me, my friend. There is no need to worry." To


    further convince Arthur, Craig rted, "My grandson has been ying inside my medicine storeroom


    since he was a young boy. At five years old, he could identify all the herbs and even prescribe the


    proper medication to patients. And when he went to college, his medical skills outstripped mine." Craig


    could not mask his pride in his grandson. "Then he went to study Western medicine. So ept his offer


    to treat Autumn. And trust him. He will take good care of her so you do not need to worry."