Since Lin Fang had already informed Xiao Ouyang in advance, she arrived early at the regional hospital the next day. Xiao Ouyang had everything arranged, so she could proceed directly to the examination.
Lin Fang had previously researched and consulted experts to gain a thorough understanding of congenital heart disease.
Congenital heart disease is the most common type of congenital malformation, accounting for about 28% of all congenital anomalies. It refers to anatomical abnormalities caused by developmental disorders or anomalies in the heart and major blood vessels during embryonic development, or the failure of certain channels that should close automatically after birth (which are normal in the fetus).
The spectrum of this disease is exceptionally broad, encompassing over a hundred specific subtypes. Some patients may have multiple malformations simultaneously, with symptoms varying widely. The mildest cases may show no symptoms throughout life, while the most severe cases may present with critical symptoms at birth, such as hypoxia, shock, or even early death.
Based on hemodynamics and pathophysiological changes, congenital heart disease can be classified as cyanotic or non-cyanotic. It can also be divided into three categories based on the presence or absence of shunts: non-shunt type (e.g., pulmonary stenosis, aortic coarctation), left-to-right shunt type (e.g., atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus), and right-to-left shunt type (e.g., tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries).
A small percentage of congenital heart diseases may self-resolve before the age of five. Another small group of patients may have minor malformations that do not significantly affect circulatory function and thus require no treatment. However, most patients need surgical correction. With the rapid advancement of medical technology, surgical outcomes have greatly improved. Nowadays, most patients can recover fully, grow and develop normally, and lead ordinary lives if they undergo timely surgery.
The causes of congenital heart disease are numerous, with genetic factors accounting for only about 8%, while environmental factors make up the remaining 92%. These include maternal drug use during pregnancy, viral infections, environmental pollution, and radiation exposure, all of which can lead to abnormal fetal heart development. Particularly, rubella virus infection during the first trimester of pregnancy significantly increases the risk of congenital heart disease.
Generally, this condition can be diagnosed through symptoms, physical signs, electrocardiograms, X-rays, and echocardiography, which also help assess hemodynamic changes, the severity of the condition, and its extent to determine the treatment plan.
For complex congenital heart diseases involving multiple malformations, specialists may selectively use three-dimensional CT scans, cardiac catheterization, or angiography to evaluate the severity, type, and scope of the condition, enabling a comprehensive diagnosis and guiding treatment planning.
Lin Fang’s condition was a ventricular septal defect. Surgery would have been an option, but when she was young, few hospitals could perform such operations, and those that could were beyond her family’s financial means. By the time she grew up, the regional hospital in her province had acquired the capability, but unfortunately, due to changes in her condition, surgery was no longer feasible given the medical standards at the time.
The day before, Lin Yuanmin had called Xiao Ouyang to ask if Lin Fang’s condition could self-resolve. Xiao Ouyang wanted to tell him that if Lin Fang were only four or five years old, there might be a chance, but at sixteen, she was long past the organ development stage, making self-recovery impossible. However, he didn’t want to discourage Lin Yuanmin.
Moreover, since the question had been raised, failing to address it with facts would only lead to ongoing trouble. So, this time, Xiao Ouyang decided to cover the examination fees himself and advised Lin Yuanmin to have Lin Fang checked.
Xiao Ouyang only ordered an ECG and an ultrasound, believing these two tests would suffice—more of a formality than anything else, with no need for further examinations.
After Lin Fang completed the ECG, Lin Yuanmin hurriedly took the results to Xiao Ouyang. He could tell the results were different from before but didn’t understand what they meant.
Frowning at the ECG results, Xiao Ouyang asked Lin Yuanmin and Lin Fang to wait outside while he went into the ECG room. Shortly after, he called Lin Fang back in for a repeat ECG.
The second result matched the first. Now, Xiao Ouyang couldn’t afford to be careless. He personally escorted Lin Fang to the ultrasound room and closely monitored the screen. To his surprise, the ultrasound showed that Lin Fang’s ventricular septal defect, which had previously been large, had now shrunk to about 3 mm. Xiao Ouyang found it hard to believe.
Earlier, when Lin Yuanmin asked about the ECG results, Xiao Ouyang suspected a misreport, which was why he had Lin Fang retested. But now, the ultrasound results were right before his eyes, leaving him no choice but to accept them.
“Ouyang, what’s wrong?”
Seeing Xiao Ouyang staring at his daughter as if she were some kind of oddity, while Lin Fang hid behind him, Lin Yuanmin subtly shielded her and asked Xiao Ouyang.
“Uncle Lin, you were right. Lin Fang’s condition might actually improve on its own. These results are better than any previous ones.” Even now, Xiao Ouyang struggled to believe it, but seeing was believing, so he had to tell the truth.
“Really? Fang’s condition can heal itself? That’s wonderful, just wonderful!”
Lin Yuanmin was at a loss for words, repeating the same phrase over and over.
“Well, it’s certainly good news, but we shouldn’t take it lightly. Lin Fang has already developed complications, so a thorough examination would be best. I’ll take you to the CT room now, followed by an angiography.” Half of this was genuine concern, and the other half was Xiao Ouyang’s curiosity to investigate further.
Lin Fang peeked out from behind Lin Yuanmin and said, “No need, Brother Ouyang. The ECG and ultrasound are enough. CT and angiography cost too much—enough for three years of my tuition. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“Fang, maybe we should go ahead with them. Spending a bit more is fine if it gives us peace of mind.”
The first two tests were relatively cheap, and with Xiao Ouyang’s help, the fees were discounted, totaling less than a hundred yuan. Lin Yuanmin had enough for those, but the next two would be a stretch. Still, his daughter’s health came first. He decided to borrow money from Xiao Ouyang, planning to repay him with his next month’s pension and settle the rest gradually.
Lin Fang stood up to leave. “No, Dad, let’s go home.”
“Wait, Fang, let’s finish the tests first.” Lin Yuanmin called after her, hurrying to catch up and stop her.
“No, Dad, let’s go home.” Dodging around the chairs, Lin Fang thanked Xiao Ouyang. “Brother Ouyang, thank you. As long as I know this isn’t just a temporary improvement before the end, that’s enough. The other tests don’t matter.”
Xiao Ouyang scowled. “What are you saying, Lin Fang? How can you talk about ‘temporary improvement before the end’? Think how upsetting that is for your dad. Raising a healthy child for sixteen years is hard enough, let alone one with health issues. Don’t say things like that again.”
Lin Yuanmin grew even more anxious. “Yes, Fang. If you don’t want the CT and angiography, I won’t force you. But don’t say such unlucky things. Remember that.”
“Okay, Dad, I understand. Brother Ouyang, I won’t say such things again.” Her apology was earnest.
Xiao Ouyang’s strange look had put Lin Fang on guard. She had come for answers and to reassure her family, not to become a live specimen. If they lingered, she might not be able to leave anytime soon. That’s why she’d used the phrase “temporary improvement before the end”—to divert attention.
After reminding Lin Fang to stay warm, avoid strenuous activity, and keep calm in stressful situations, and urging Lin Yuanmin to bring her back for follow-ups, Xiao Ouyang reluctantly let her go home.
Getting off the bus near the store, Lin Yuanmin ran into the restaurant like an excited child, shouting, “Fang’s condition will heal! Fang’s condition will heal!”
“Really? What did the doctor say?” Dong Huixin’s voice was anxious.
“Xiao Ouyang said Fang’s heart is healing itself. Look, these results are better than ever.”
“Dad, is it true? Did Xiao Ouyang really say my sister can recover on her own?” Lin Yong, who should have been at home, had stayed at the shop to hear the news as soon as possible.
“Dad, let me see the results.” Lin Tuo shared his brother’s eagerness. Even if he’d had other plans, he would have postponed them to wait for his father and sister.
The two brothers huddled over the results, and soon Lin Yong exclaimed, “It’s true! Mom, Sis is getting better!”
After sixteen years of torment, learning that their daughter’s condition might resolve itself—that they no longer had to fear her sudden death—Dong Huixin didn’t hold back her emotions. She hugged Lin Fang, who had entered laughing, and burst into tears, murmuring incoherently.
Lin Yong and Lin Tuo were overjoyed, circling their mother and sister, pacing around, or grinning foolishly. Beyond repeating “This is great,” the two grown men didn’t know how else to express their feelings.
Lin Yuanmin, who had already wiped away tears in private, was calmer now. He sat happily, watching his family, sharing in their joy. But then he noticed something off about his wife and signaled his sons. Just as their daughter’s condition offered hope, he didn’t want his wife to have a crisis.
Lin Fang, still in her mother’s embrace, sensed her excessive excitement. While comforting her, she began searching for acupressure points on her mother’s back. Her extensive reading of medical texts in another world wasn’t for nothing—she knew hundreds of acupoints by heart. Though she couldn’t perform precise techniques like the Tong family, she was adept at using acupressure to calm nerves.
As Lin Fang’s hands moved over Dong Huixin’s back, her mother gradually quieted. The emotional strain, combined with Lin Fang’s deliberate acupressure, made Dong Huixin’s eyelids heavy. Despite struggling to stay awake, she eventually succumbed to sleep, her grip on Lin Fang loosening as she began to slump. Lin Tuo quickly scooped her up, carried her to his room, and tucked her into bed.
Dong Huixin had high blood pressure, and though she seemed peaceful, Lin Yuanmin was still worried. He sent Lin Yong to fetch Old Ouyang from the clinic.
After examining her, Old Ouyang reassured Lin Yuanmin with a smile, “Don’t worry, she’s fine—just asleep.”
On the way, Lin Yong had told Old Ouyang about Lin Fang’s results. The doctor was happy for the family and said to Lin Fang, “Child, this is wonderful news. But you mustn’t be reckless anymore. Your parents have had a hard time raising you.”
Lin Fang played the obedient role. “Yes, Uncle, I understand.”
*Haha, of course I won’t be reckless. I still have so much to do.*
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