Kidney Deficiency?

When the morning light illuminated the bedroom again, the atmosphere between Tang Wulin and Gu Yue was even more solemn than when Ye Xinglan had lost her temper yesterday.

That anticlimactic, even somewhat awkward, "exercise" last night weighed on both their hearts like a stone.

"What are you still standing around for?" Gu Yue broke the silence first. She was already dressed, and her tone revealed neither pleasure nor anger. "Didn't you say we were going to the hospital? If we go any later, we'll have to wait in line."

Tang Wulin gave a bitter smile and silently got up. He truly had been frightened. After it ended last night, he had even secretly searched online for the symptoms of various "incurable diseases." The more he read, the colder his heart became. He was terrified that depleted soul power had damaged his foundation and permanently impaired certain functions.

On the drive to the city hospital, the car was completely silent. Gu Yue turned her head to look out the window, while Tang Wulin gripped the steering wheel tightly, his face somewhat pale. Clearly, he had yet to emerge from the shadow of self-doubt.

Registration, waiting for the consultation, standing in line... The process was cumbersome, but fortunately, the doctor saw patients fairly quickly.

A kind-looking middle-aged male doctor wearing glasses listened to Tang Wulin's halting description—mainly that his "physical stamina was fine, but certain functions had malfunctioned, the duration was brief, and it was accompanied by soreness in his lower back and knees." He then looked over the medical examination report Tang Wulin handed him, which showed that all indicators were basically normal. It was the comprehensive checkup Ye Xinglan had previously made them undergo, and there had been no issues at the time. Pushing up his glasses, he gave his diagnosis:

"Mm, judging from the report and your symptoms, there's no organic lesion. It's mainly a functional issue... what traditional Chinese medicine calls 'kidney deficiency,' primarily kidney yang deficiency. Have you been under too much pressure lately, overly fatigued, or... mm, perhaps the frequency has been a little high?"

The last half of the question was phrased tactfully, but the air in the examination room instantly froze. Tang Wulin's face turned bright red, and he wished he could crawl into a crack in the floor.

Gu Yue had been sitting properly, but when she heard that, she burst out laughing. She hurriedly covered her mouth, yet her shoulders shook violently, and tears of laughter even appeared at the corners of her eyes.

"Kidney... kidney deficiency?" Tang Wulin repeated in disbelief, his voice dry. "So it's just... this doesn't work anymore?"

The doctor nodded knowingly, his tone becoming much more relaxed. "Yes, that's all. Young man, don't scare yourself. This is a typical temporary functional disorder caused by overwork and psychological pressure. Adjust your routine, take your medicine on time, and get proper rest. You'll recover soon enough."

Tang Wulin was stunned. Yesterday, he had thought he had some unspeakable terminal disease, one that might even ruin his future in cultivation. Yet it turned out... it was merely the "kidney deficiency" defined by their ancestors thousands of years ago? The ordinary kind of kidney deficiency that could be cured with a little medicine?

Gu Yue had barely managed to stop laughing. When she turned to see his comical expression of "my world has collapsed" followed by "I've suddenly come back to my senses," she could not help herself again. Curling her lips, she muttered in a low voice, "I thought it was something huge. Turns out you're just deficient."

The doctor prescribed a box of Liuwei Dihuang Pill for nourishing yin and strengthening the kidneys, as well as a box of Kidney Treasure Tablets for harmonizing yin and yang and warming yang to strengthen the kidneys. He instructed Tang Wulin to take them on time and sternly emphasized, "Take both medicines continuously for at least one month. During that time, restrain your desires—preferably... abstain completely—and let your body rest properly."

"Abstain... for a month?" Tang Wulin repeated the words, feeling another dark cloud drift over his head.

"Yes, one month. Once you've finished the medicine, come back for another checkup. If things have improved, we can adjust accordingly," the doctor instructed.

As he paid and collected the medicine, Tang Wulin stared at the two large, heavy bags of traditional Chinese medicine with deeply complicated feelings. He was relieved that it had been a false alarm, depressed about being grounded for a month, and embarrassed that Gu Yue had laughed at him.

The atmosphere in the car on the way back was much more relaxed, but Gu Yue was clearly in a very good mood and kept teasing him the entire way.

"Oh my, Young Master Tang, we've got 'kidney deficiency,' so you really need to take it easy." Gu Yue deliberately dragged out her words, imitating the doctor's tone.

"Hey, Mr. Kidney Deficiency, what do you want for dinner? Should I nourish you a little? Braised pork? Stewed turtle?" As she spoke, she lightly poked Tang Wulin in the side of his waist with her elbow.

Tang Wulin helplessly held the steering wheel and let her tease him. He knew Gu Yue was trying to ease the awkwardness, but having the label of "kidney deficiency" slapped on him still made him unable to hold his head up. Especially when he thought about the entire month of "abstinence" ahead, he secretly glanced at his eager wife beside him and felt even worse.

While waiting at a red light, Gu Yue suddenly leaned closer. Blinking with a hint of mischief, she said, "Seriously, Wulin, what are you planning to do about me this month? I never agreed to 'give up desires' with you."

Tang Wulin's heart skipped a beat at that. Right, he was the source of the problem; if he abstained, there would be no issue. But Gu Yue... she had normal needs too. He could not possibly make her abstain as well, could he? That would be too inhumane, and she would probably turn the house upside down within days.

After pondering for a moment, he remembered passing an adult shop earlier. Some... auxiliary devices had been displayed in the window. A bold—or perhaps helpless—idea emerged in his mind.

"Um... Gu Yue." Tang Wulin cleared his throat, his voice a little unnatural. "How about... I buy you one of those? A rubber one? If you can't hold back, you can make do with that for now?"

Gu Yue froze for a moment, then understood what he meant. Her cheeks warmed slightly, but she mostly found it funny, along with a strange sense of being touched. This guy was still thinking about her feelings at a time like this.

She looked him up and down, curled her lips, and feigned disdain. "A rubber one? Your taste really isn't very good. But..."

She paused. Seeing Tang Wulin's nervous yet expectant gaze, her heart eventually softened. She sighed and said in a reluctant tone, "Fine, fine. Since you're 'physically impaired but mentally strong' and still know how to be considerate toward me, I'll... reluctantly agree. But let me make this clear first: if the quality is bad, I won't let you off!"

Tang Wulin felt as though he had been granted a pardon. He nodded repeatedly. "No problem! I'll definitely pick the best one!"

Thus, the car turned at the next intersection and drove into the commercial district. Tang Wulin practically fled into that suggestively decorated shop. Under the shop assistant's meaningful smile, he blushed and picked out a soft, realistic-looking "rubber rod" that seemed to have good reviews at top speed before paying and leaving.

Once back in the car, he stuffed the elegantly packaged little box into Gu Yue's hands, not daring to look her in the eyes.

Gu Yue took the box and weighed it in her hand. A teasing smile rose at the corner of her lips as she said softly, "Thanks, husband. I'll accept this 'thoughtful gift.'"

For the rest of the journey, the atmosphere in the car became subtle yet relaxed. The awkwardness had faded, replaced by an understanding born of shared hardship, as well as... a strange anticipation for the "special days" of the coming month.

Tang Wulin knew that the next month would not be easy. His cultivation had to continue, Ye Xinglan's supervision would not stop, and his wife beside him would have to rely on a "rubber rod" for comfort. But at least the huge stone hanging over his heart had fallen away. It was only kidney deficiency; medicine could cure it.

Still, watching Gu Yue play with that little box in profile, Tang Wulin silently swore that once this month was over, he would make it up to her twice over! He absolutely would!

As for Gu Yue, she was considering how to use it "scientifically and reasonably," satisfying her own needs without making her "kidney-deficient" husband feel too embarrassed or jealous. After all, husband and wife were one. During this special recovery period, mutual consideration was what mattered most.