Acid Reflux

Qing Rong, a fourth-year environmental science student at N University, realized that her stomach problems seemed to be getting worse lately.

“Let's start with a gastroscopy.” In the gastroenterology clinic, Qing Rong met her future attending physician for the first time.

“Okay,” Qing Rong replied weakly, feeling as if she'd collapse if she had to wait another second.

When Qing Rong woke up after the gastroscopy, her whole body felt awful.

“If you'd come a few days later, you'd have needed to be admitted to the hospital,” the doctor said with his back to her.

“Huh?” Qing Rong couldn't believe it. Had it really gotten that serious?

“You have erosive gastritis and a duodenal ulcer. I'll prescribe some medicine. Take it for one course of treatment, and we'll see...”

The life-loving college student Qing Rong nodded vigorously.

“Do you often stay up late?” The doctor suddenly turned around and hit her with a question that struck straight to the heart. Qing Rong thought, “Damn, how does he know?” She was just about to make an excuse when he hit her with another question. “And do you often eat late-night snacks?”

“...” With all her bad habits laid bare, Qing Rong lowered her head and didn't dare say a word.

“Until you finish this course of treatment, don't eat anything after 8 p.m. and go to bed before 10 p.m. Can you do that?”

“Yes.” She followed the doctor's orders, then asked one more question. “And... what about after I finish the course?”

“Then you won't be my patient anymore. I won't be able to control you.”

At the time, Han Jing didn't know that after one course of treatment, their roles would reverse and she'd become his “doctor.” Under her “treatment,” the loss of appetite that had troubled him for years would take an unexpected turn for the better...

Theme: NaHCO3 + HCl = H2O + CO2↑ + NaCl