"Back when I was in Su Province, I met an itinerant doctor who was traveling. At that time, seeing that I wanted to rebuild the Hope Primary School, he started chatting with me. We hit it off quite well and spent a few days together. Before he left, he gave me two packets of medicine ground into powder, telling me that this medicine could save a life at a critical moment. He said I must never use it for minor illnesses, but only when it was a serious condition."
Hearing this, Great-Grandfather spoke up and asked, "Are you saying you want to give this medicine to your Second Grandfather?"
Beside them, Li Yan's brow furrowed as she looked at Jiang Cheng.
"Has this medicine been tested? You can't be careless when it comes to things like medicine."
Jiang Cheng knew that Li Yan was afraid he would cause trouble.
Meeting his mother's worried yet sharp gaze, he knew this lie had to continue, and it had to be rounded out well enough to put them at ease.
Jiang Cheng took a deep breath and spoke in a calm tone, yet he dropped a bombshell:
"Mom, Great-Grandfather, Second Grandfather, I know medicine shouldn't be used recklessly, but actually, it has already been used."
"What?!" Li Yan's face turned pale instantly, and her voice rose several octaves. "Jiang Cheng! You... you're simply being ridiculous! Is your Second Uncle's health something you can treat like a game?!"
From childhood to adulthood, she had never spoken to Jiang Cheng with such sharp severity.
However, this preemptive outburst was clearly intended to protect Jiang Cheng.
She was mainly afraid her son would cause a major disaster, and she also wanted to show her stance to suppress the anger of The two elders before they got truly enraged.
Li Yan glanced at Great-Grandfather and Jiang Chenhong, then immediately winked at Jiang Cheng.
She signaled him to stop talking nonsense: "Explain it to me clearly! What exactly is going on!"
Seeing Li Yan looking like she was about to lecture Jiang Cheng, Jiang Chenhong's withered but steady palm reached out, gently blocking the space between Jiang Cheng and Li Yan, stopping her further questioning.
He didn't look at Li Yan, but instead fixed his gaze intently on Jiang Cheng.
In those eyes that were originally somewhat cloudy, an indescribable, complex light now shone through.
There was astonishment, inquiry, and even a hint of... faint expectation.
"Jiang Cheng," his voice was exceptionally low, "What did you mean just now when you said... it's already been used? Was it used on me?"
When Jiang Cheng spoke those words, he had the Mind Perception Skill active the entire time.
So, he was aware of the inner thoughts of all three people.
To be honest, Jiang Cheng was a bit moved in his heart.
Although the three of them had already guessed that Jiang Cheng's powder was used on The two elders from the moment they heard about it.
The two elders, surprisingly, had no intention of blaming him beyond their shock.
His mother went without saying; her attitude was just a disguised way of trying to protect him.
If this were a normal person's situation, Jiang Cheng could only say: I wouldn't recommend doing this.
But Jiang Cheng possessed the dream come true system.
Moreover, two healing cards had already been used on The two elders.
Thus, the price of him saying this was only winning, never losing.
And as time passed and The two elders' health improved, they would only be grateful to Jiang Cheng.
But for a normal person, if you said this without being certain of curing your family...
If anything went wrong, everyone would pin the source of the problem on you.
Jiang Cheng nodded and looked at The two elders with an honest gaze: "Second Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, do you remember? During the period before the New Year, didn't I often personally bring stewed soup for you to drink?"
As soon as he said this, Great-Grandfather's brow twitched slightly; he clearly remembered.
Jiang Chenhong subconsciously touched his abdomen.
There, the persistent dull pain had indeed lessened significantly recently.
He had originally thought it was the effect of the top-tier targeted drugs and the latest treatment plan... Jiang Cheng continued: "At that time, I added one of the packets of medicine powder into the soup for Second Grandfather in several portions. I didn't dare say anything because I didn't know if it would actually work, and I was afraid of giving you false hope."
Hearing this, Li Yan was so anxious she wanted to speak: "You..."
Before she could get the words out, it was Great-Grandfather's turn to interrupt her.
"Yan'zi, don't be in a hurry. Let Jiang Cheng finish."
Great-Grandfather's voice was steady and carried the authority of the head of the family, instantly suppressing all the agitation.
He looked at Jiang Cheng with a gaze like a torch: "Go on."
Jiang Cheng said calmly, "The reason I dared to use it was that before then, I secretly found several top-tier third-party testing institutions to conduct the most rigorous analysis of the powder. The test reports showed that the ingredients were all very rare medicinal herbs that are indeed beneficial for replenishing Qi and essence and harmonizing the internal organs, without any known toxicity or harmful components. Furthermore, I consulted several trustworthy experts in traditional medicine. After they saw the ingredients, they all stated the formula was extremely sophisticated and theoretically very good for strengthening the foundation and cultivating the vital essence. Only then... did I dare to take the risk."
After speaking, Jiang Cheng looked at Jiang Chenhong with an apologetic tone.
But more than that, he was firm: "Second Grandfather, I'm sorry for using this method, but I was very anxious when I knew how serious your illness was, so that's why I did it."
In treating illness, medical treatment is important, but treating the mind is also vital.
How many patients, upon hearing they are ill, die of fright within a few months?
On the other hand, some people who give up on treatment and take their money to go traveling have survived miraculously.
So even though Jiang Chenhong had a healing card on him, Jiang Cheng still hoped he would be more optimistic.
Hearing Jiang Cheng confirm that it had been used, Jiang Chenhong remained silent for a long time.
He recalled that his body had indeed felt lighter during this period than before, and his spirits were higher.
He had previously thought it was a psychological effect or the credit of modern medicine, never imagining it was those seemingly ordinary soups... He slowly raised his head, looking at the grandson before him who had not hesitated to weave a lie and even "act first and report later" for his sake. His eyes moistened once again.
But this time, it was no longer sadness and melancholy, but a light mixed with emotion, relief, and rekindled hope.
He let out a long breath, as if to exhale all the pent-up frustration in his chest.
After calming his emotions, he spoke slowly and firmly to Li Yan, who still wanted to say something, and to Great-Grandfather, whose gaze was deep:
"I believe in Jiang Cheng."