Chapter 114
After hearing Liu Yun’s suggestion, Qin Fei’Er’s face initially lit up with joy.
For many illnesses, the dosage of medication needs to be adjusted as the condition progresses.
For instance, with patients suffering from conditions like hypertension, the dosage doesn’t need to be high during stable or initial phases. An increase is only necessary when their levels fluctuate wildly or stabilize at a dangerously high point.
Or take some neurological or psychiatric disorders—as they progress, the patient can develop a tolerance to many medications. In that situation, you either have to switch drugs or increase the dosage!
Given the current circumstances, increasing Li Qiang’s dosage to control his condition seemed like a viable option.
However, the smile that had just bloomed on her face vanished in an instant as a few basic medical facts came to mind.
The drug she had just injected into Li Qiang was a dual-action medication, acting as both a neurological depressant and a powerful sedative.
The trade-offs for this type of drug were far more pronounced than with others.
On the plus side, it acted quickly.
On the downside, frequent use led to building a tolerance as well as developing a severe dependency.
In a way, it was like the illicit substances used by drug addicts; once hooked, it was incredibly difficult to quit.
Furthermore, as the addiction grew, the required dosage would need to be increased over and over again, sometimes exponentially.
At this thought, Qin Fei’Er’s brow furrowed, and she fell into a conflicted silence.
Seeing her silent for so long, Liu Yun let out a heavy sigh. "Feifei, you’re a doctor. You must know the consequences of this. I know you’re desperate, and I know how much you care about Qiangqiang, but as your friend, I truly hope you’ll think this through carefully. This is no small matter."
Of course, Qin Fei’Er knew the consequences.
If Li Qiang truly needed an increased dose to stabilize, he would, without a doubt, develop a dependency on it.
It was a prescription drug; under normal circumstances, an individual couldn’t possibly purchase it.
Even if Qin Fei’Er could use her connections to acquire it, she could hardly afford to keep satisfying Li Qiang’s ever-increasing need.
Her lips trembled as she asked, unwilling to give up, "Xiaoliu, is there really no other way?"
"I really can’t think of anything else. How about I drive over now and take you to the hospital?"
’Go to the hospital?’
Qin Fei’Er had been in the medical field long enough to know the capabilities of not just the City Hospital, but even the provincial hospital.
If any of those hospitals were capable of treating Li Qiang, she wouldn’t have waited this long.
"Never mind. I’ll ask someone else."
"Okay... I’ll ask around for you, too."
"Thanks."
"There’s no need for thanks between us..."
Before Liu Yun could finish, Qin Fei’Er had already hung up.
She didn’t ask anyone else. Instead, her gaze flickered between Li Qiang and the vial of medication on the cabinet.
"Mom, what did Aunt Liu say?"
"She said we could try increasing the dose. But you’ve been around medicine, you should know..."
Qin Fei’Er explained the pros and cons, then changed tack. "You’re Li Qiang’s wife. Legally speaking, you have the right to know and the right to make the decision. I want to hear what you think."
"I... I don’t know what to do."
"I’ve thought it over. Increasing the dose has at least an eighty percent chance of getting Qiangqiang to stabilize. But you know the consequences—it could require a lot of money down the line. Of course, it’s a long process. He wouldn’t become addicted in just a month or two. In the meantime, I’ll do everything I can to find a better solution."
Lin Xiaowei could tell that Qin Fei’Er wasn’t just explaining the trade-offs; she was also asking for her agreement on the financial commitment.
At a time like this, even if Lin Xiaowei had reservations, she couldn’t show them.
"Mom, if this is the only option we have right now, I agree we should try it. We’ll figure out the money together. But... I have a question."
"Go on."
"You said there’s an eighty percent chance. What about the other twenty percent?"
Qin Fei’Er bit her lip gently. "It could be... the worst-case scenario."
She didn’t dare say the word "death."
But the implication was clear: Li Qiang could die.
Lin Xiaowei hesitated for a moment. "Eighty percent isn’t a low probability. Let’s try it. We can’t just let him go on suffering like this."
"Okay."
Qin Fei’Er picked up the vial and gave Li Qiang another injection.
Then, the two women stood by, waiting and watching quietly.
A few minutes passed. Whether it was the medicine taking effect or because Li Qiang had simply exhausted himself from thrashing about, he gradually grew still.
Seeing that his features were no longer so contorted in agony, both women quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
But in case he had a relapse, neither of them dared to let their guard down.
"Xiaowei, go sleep in my room. I can watch him by myself."
"Mom, you should be the one to rest. It’s my duty to stay with him."
After a brief argument, they both ended up staying by his side.
As the night wore on, neither woman could stay awake any longer, and one by one, they drifted off to sleep.
They didn’t wake up until after eight o’clock the next morning.
Meanwhile, Chenyang had already arrived at the City Hospital.
Staring at the circular building before him, a complicated smile touched his lips.
If Li Qiang hadn’t stolen his internship position back then, with his skills, he would have already secured a permanent post here by now.
But fate had played a cruel joke, delaying everything by a full year!
’This time, I will not let anyone stand in my way!’