Ma Guangnian agreed and quickly issued the requirement. 

Starting from tomorrow, all medical personnel participating in visits must carry the protective clothing. 

Protective clothing is limited, and those carrying it must handle it with care to avoid losing it. 

After being busy for half a month, Professor Li’s research was temporarily concluded, and Jiang Ning and Ma Guangnian went to Yuecheng Square for medical visits. 

Not knowing when acid rain would arrive, Jiang Ning did not dare to take it lightly. She asked Ma Guangnian for leave, saying that there was something at home. She is planning to take several months off after completing their visits. 

She was not a regular member of the research institute, so her perseverance in studying was already commendable. Ma Guangnian readily agreed, “Don’t forget to consolidate your knowledge when you go back. You can come back anytime if you don’t understand something.” 

The weather was hot and oppressive, and they arrived early at the first-floor stall in Yuecheng Square. 

The broadcast warned that because of atmospheric conditions, there might be rain in the next few months, potentially acid rain due to prolonged exposure to volcanic ash. Citizens were advised to stay indoors unless necessary, wear protective gear when going out, and avoid staying outside for extended periods. 

Messages would be broadcast morning, noon, and night to remind citizens constantly. 

Jiang Ning, Ma Guangnian, and others endured the sweltering heat on the square. Since they only came once every half a month, there were quite a few patients seeking treatment. 

The research institute wasn’t a charity; medical treatment came at a cost—two taels of grain per patient, with acupuncture and massage services charged separately. Those aged over sixty and children under five received free treatment. 

If there were medications from the research institute available, doctors would prescribe them based on the patient’s condition, and the patients would need to collect them themselves. 

Demand for medications outstripped supply, and doctors refrained from prescribing unnecessary treatments. 

The oppressive weather felt like being in a furnace, and patients kept coming—heatstroke, vitamin deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances… 

Natural disasters continued to plague humanity, and health issues are endless. Jiang Ning was busy, sweating profusely. She wished she could step into her space for some air conditioning or have some ice-cold watermelon. In reality, she was rushed off her feet and could only steal a few sips of cold water from her thermos to quench her thirst. 

Just as they barely managed to get through one wave of patients and were about to catch their breath, another patient approached, “Doctor, please take a look at the child.” 

The voice sounded familiar. Looking up, it was unexpectedly Mother Zhong carrying a child in her arms. 

The child was a little over a year old and should be the child of Xiao Min. 

“Little Jiang?” Mother Zhong was surprised to encounter her in Yuecheng. 

After not seeing each other for nearly two years, Mother Zhong had aged considerably, looking worn out with even some white hair showing. 

Jiang Ning nodded, “Is the child ill?” 

Mother Zhong was anxious, “The child has no appetite, hasn’t eaten much, but his belly is swollen.” 

Adults could endure suffering, but children were particularly fragile. Unfortunately, In Fengcheng they couldn’t find a doctor, so they hurriedly brought him to Yuecheng. 

They hope everything’s fine; this child was the result of Xiao Min’s sacrifice and must not suffer any mishap. 

“Don’t worry, let me take a look.” 

Jiang Ning took the child in her arms. He looked timid and scared, and his body struggled slightly, “Grandma.” 

Judging by his reaction, his intelligence seemed unaffected, which was fortunate in the midst of adversity. 

“Don’t be afraid, Xiaobao.” Mother Zhong comforted him softly, “Auntie is a good person. She was the one who saved you. Be good and call her auntie.” 

 The child was ignorant and nervously pulled his grandmother’s sleeve, looking at Jiang Ning with his dark eyes. 

He was still relatively obedient, “Auntie.” 

Jiang Ning smiled and took out a tangerine peel candy from her pocket. 

The child had never seen candy before, but he was greedy by nature. He glanced at his grandmother and took it after asking for permission. 

Pediatric treatment and medication are different from adults. Jiang Ning didn’t have much experience in this area, and since this was Zhong family’s grandchild, she swapped places with Ma Guangnian. 

Since the natural disaster, survivors couldn’t eat enough or stay warm. Many women of childbearing age even stopped menstruating, let alone giving birth. 

In recent years, the birth rate has plummeted frighteningly. 

Ma Guangnian carefully examined the child, “There’s nothing major, just common intestinal gas in children. With the recent hot weather, children easily lose their appetite. Feed him something that is easy to digest, and if he doesn’t want to eat, don’t force him. Small, frequent meals will suffice.” 

It was inconvenient to provide injection to the child, so Ma Guangnian asked Jiang Ning to perform acupressure instead. 

Mother Zhong nervously asked, “Can you prescribe medicine?” 

Ma Guangnian reassured her, “It’s not severe enough to require medication. Later, Dr. Jiang will teach you a few simple massage techniques. Let’s observe for a few days first.” 

He briefed Jiang Ning on the massage points and continued his busy work. 

Jiang Ning noticed heat rash on the child’s body. “It’s too hot. Covering him too much can actually make him sick. Just keep it moderate.” 

She gently massaged the child’s acupressure points while teaching Mother Zhong nearby. 

The child had no intellectual issues, but being born in such a time of scarcity, how well could his body develop without sufficient food and drink? 

The Zhong family lived better than average, but not by much. Malnutrition and illness were probably commonplace for the child. 

Raising this child likely emptied their entire household. 

Jiang Ning explained common childhood illnesses to Mother Zhong, along with treatment and massage methods. How much Mother Zhong could understand would depend on her own efforts. 

“How is Grandma Zhong?” 

“Her health has deteriorated a bit in the past two years, but she’s managing.” 

Every family had its own hardships. Jiang Ning didn’t asked too much. 

After the massage, the child’s belly wasn’t as bloated. Mother Zhong visibly relaxed and took out some grain from her bag. 

“Don’t worry about payment. Medical treatment for children is free. Take him home and monitor him for a few days. If there are no issues, it’s best to get him home quickly. The weather’s been oppressively hot lately, and it’d be troublesome if it rains on the way.” 

Everyone knew about the possibility of acid rain from the Meteorological Bureau, including those who worked at the research institute. 

“Little Jiang, thank you,” Mother Zhong hurriedly left with the child. 

They continued to be busy. At noon, they had coarse grain steamed buns and black moss soup. 

Around three in the afternoon, chaos erupted outside. “It’s raining! It’s raining!” 

Jiang Ning froze—acid rain had arrived! 

She stood up abruptly, swiftly stashing away the clinic fees and grains into her bag. This was the operational fund for the Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Institute. If anyone took advantage of the chaos to snatch it, it would be troublesome. 

Her actions stunned Ma Guangnian and the others. 

Jiang Ning’s family was well-off. How could she be so… cautious? 

Everyone pitched in to pack up quickly. 

Bean-sized raindrops fell on pedestrians, who shouted and dashed into the square to seek shelter. 

Some panicked and even wiped the rain off their faces with their hands. 

“Oh no, my face!” 

Hmm, I don’t feel anything. 

They rubbed it again, still no sensation. 

Brave souls even tasted it, finding it not sour at all. 

The Meteorological Bureau was talking nonsense. It’s just volcanic ash, but they are making it sound like sulfuric acid is being poured out, making everyone nervous. 
 

What a mess!