Chinese medicine: from rural hospitals to top three hospitals in Kyoto

Chen Yang got home after nine o'clock that evening.

Only a warm yellow wall lamp was left on in the living room, so quiet that you could hear the ticking of the clock.

Chen Yang quietly changed into his slippers and walked to the bedroom door, where he heard Wen Manlu softly humming a lullaby.

Chen Yang pushed open the door a crack and saw Wen Manlu gently patting Xiao Jinghuai's back, the bedside lamp's soft glow enveloping the mother and son.

Chen Yang walked over quietly, hugged Wen Manlu from behind, and held her in his arms...

The next day was Saturday. In the early morning, sunlight streamed into the bedroom through the gaps in the curtains, casting a bright strip of light on the wooden floor.

When Chen Yang woke up, the bed was empty beside him, but the blankets were still warm.

Hanhan's clear laughter and Wen Manlu's soft voice came from the living room.

Chen Yang checked the time; it was just past seven o'clock. He stretched, sat up, and the fatigue of the past few days seemed to have been largely dispelled by a good night's sleep.

I got up and went to the living room. Wen Manlu was holding Jing Huai on the balcony, basking in the sun. The little guy was wrapped in a soft, pale yellow blanket.

Hanhan was lying on the carpet with a large sheet of drawing paper in front of her, intently drawing something with crayons, colorful crayon shavings scattered around her feet.

"Daddy's awake!" Hanhan was the first to spot Chen Yang, dropping her paintbrush and rushing over, her hands still stained with red crayon marks.

Chen Yang picked up his daughter and kissed her on the cheek: "Why are you up so early today?"

"Mom said she's taking my brother and me to the park!" Hanhan said excitedly, wrapping her little arms around Chen Yang's neck. "Is Dad going too?"

"Yes, of course I'll go," Chen Yang said with a smile as he walked toward the balcony.

Wen Manlu turned around, her profile gentle in the morning light, her hair tinged with a pale gold: "The weather is nice today, take the children out for a walk. You've been too busy lately, you should relax."

"Okay, I won't think about anything else today, I'll just focus on spending time with you all."

Chen Yang took his son and gently wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth with his fingertip.

The little guy immediately grabbed Chen Yang's finger, gripped it tightly, and then giggled, his laughter like a clear bell.

After breakfast, the family of four drove to the nearby Olympic Forest Park.

Wen Manlu thoughtfully prepared warm water, diapers, wet wipes, and a small jacket for the children.

In the park, Chen Yang pushed a dark blue stroller while Wen Manlu led Hanhan along the lakeside.

The lake water was emerald green, reflecting the weeping willows on the shore and the pavilions in the distance. Hanhan was like a happy little bird, sometimes running to chase after the children blowing bubbles, sometimes squatting down to pick up the colorful fallen leaves on the ground, and soon her hands were full of them.

"Dad, look, this leaf looks like a hand!" Hanhan ran back holding a bright red maple leaf, her little face flushed from running.

"it's beautiful."

Chen Yang took the leaf and smiled as he pinned the stem to Hanhan's hair clip: "Hanhan looks even prettier now."

Hanhan happily touched the leaf on her head, then turned and ran to show her mother: "Mom, is it pretty?"

Wen Manlu smiled and nodded: "Beautiful, like a little elf."

Hanhan was satisfied, but then she found a new target and ran towards a group of children who were feeding pigeons.

Watching her daughter's cheerful figure, Wen Manlu whispered to Chen Yang, "You've been under a lot of pressure lately, haven't you? You're even talking about the hospital in your sleep at night, like you're talking about 'standards' and 'certification'."

Chen Yang was slightly taken aback, then smiled wryly and said, "Is it that obvious?"

"I'm right here, how could I not hear you?"

Wen Manlu looked at Chen Yang with a smile, her eyes filled with concern and understanding, "Did Elder Chu and Elder Song say something to you?"

Chen Yang didn't hide anything. While slowly pushing the stroller, he briefly explained the reminders from his two seniors and his own thoughts.

Wen Manlu listened quietly and said softly, "I remember Grandpa said that people who do great things must have the composure to remain steadfast no matter how strong the wind and waves are."

"If you think you're on the right track, then stick with it. But you should also listen to well-intentioned advice and pay attention to your methods. Sometimes, going a little slower is actually more stable."

Wen Manlu smiled and looked at Chen Yang: "No matter what happens, the children and I will always be by your side."

"Thank you," Chen Yang said with a smile.

"Dad! Mom! Come quick, there are lots of fish here!" Hanhan shouted from the viewing platform not far from the lake, waving vigorously at them.

The two smiled at each other and pushed the stroller over.

Hanhan was excitedly pointing at the schools of koi swimming in the water—red, gold, and red-and-white ones—darting among the water plants. Chen Yang picked Jinghuai up from the stroller so he could see them too.

Little Jinghuai opened his eyes wide, looking at the shimmering water and the shifting colors, making muffled "ee...ya" sounds, and waving his little hands.

At noon, the family had a simple meal at the park restaurant. After drinking his milk, Jinghuai fell into a deep sleep in his stroller, his little fists loosely clenched.

Hanhan was also tired from playing. After eating a small bowl of spaghetti, she nestled in Wen Manlu's arms and dozed off, her eyelashes casting faint shadows under her eyelids.

Looking at his sleeping children and gentle wife, with the bright autumn light and trees outside the window, Chen Yang suddenly remembered Chu Yiyun and Song Luojun's reminders. At this moment, those undercurrents and obstacles seemed to become distant and unreal.

What he strives for is to protect this peace and beauty, and to enable more people to enjoy health and the joy of family life.

"What are you thinking about?" Wen Manlu asked softly.

"What kind of world do we want to give our children?"

Chen Yang slowly said, "A world where traditional Chinese medicine is truly respected and developed, and can benefit more people. A world like today, where the sun shines brightly, and everyone can enjoy life in peace."

Wen Manlu smiled, her smile particularly gentle in the afternoon light: "Then keep going. But remember, you have to take it one step at a time, don't rush. Grandpa often said that traditional Chinese medicine is a thousand-year-old tradition, and its revival also needs time, just like a big tree, it grows slowly so that it can take deep root."

"Mm." Chen Yang nodded, keeping Wen Manlu's words in mind.

When they got home in the afternoon, Chen Yang and Hanhan played with building blocks on the living room carpet. The father and daughter worked together to build a "castle" with an arched bridge.

Wen Manlu fed Jinghuai his baby food, and a little apple puree got on the little guy's nose, making him giggle. In the evening, Wen Rongxuan and Bai Qingxue brought fruit and snacks to see their grandson, making the house even more lively. Hanhan proudly showed her grandparents the leaves she had collected and the drawings she had made that day, while little Jinghuai, held by his grandfather, curiously tugged at his glasses chain.

It wasn't until after 9 p.m. that Gao Anliang called: "Director Chen, Minister Shen will be coming to the center next Monday morning at 9 a.m. to inspect the progress of the new campus construction. Please prepare the report materials in advance and notify the core team to be present."

"Okay, I understand. Thank you for your hard work, Director Gao."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Yang greeted Wen Manlu and went into the study.