Chapter 243
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 243
Chapter Title: Sasha Lian
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Sasha Lian.
She was a world-famous pop star.
Even I, who knew next to nothing about the culture industry like Hollywood movies or pop songs, had heard of her.
She was the kind of person whose name felt as familiar as an NPC from school days, thanks to hearing it so often.
Because she'd mentioned Melon Soda Horizon in a video, the algorithm fed me related clips for a while.
She'd won multiple Grammys, spent weeks on the Billboard Top 100.
Explosive stage performances, fashion pioneer, artist who creates eras.
She was covered in such grandiose nicknames... or rather, descriptors.
"I'm Han Yeowon. Of course I'll keep everything confidential while treating you, so no need to worry."
"Ah! I was wondering, but it really is Director Han Yeowon. Nice to meet you!"
She'd even linked the clinic video that Melon Soda Horizon had uploaded additionally, right?
If she'd come all the way here, she'd probably seen that video along with other materials featuring my face.
'What's brought her all the way to Korea? On tour?'
I shook hands with Sasha and asked politely.
"That said, my English is a bit lacking. Would it be okay to have another director join us for the consultation?"
We were managing to communicate somehow, but it was still awkward.
Someone of her stature would normally bring an interpreter, so did she assume I'd speak English well?
Sigh. For a foreigner coming in for shoulder pain acupuncture, I could just have them point to the spot and treat it there...
But if Sasha Lian had come all this way, it was almost certainly for herbal medicine. That would require in-depth consultation.
Hwang Sanghun had said he wasn't confident in English either, but that was just his usual humility.
It would be much better if we could consult together.
"Sorry, that won't work. I'd prefer only Director Han Yeowon to know."
Sasha refused, looking extremely troubled.
She added that she'd deliberately come without an interpreter or manager.
She'd use a device for the regrettable parts and held up her smartphone.
'Must be something secretive.'
No helping it, so I nodded.
I'd have to study English when I had time later.
The clinic was getting too global; I'd have to keep up.
"Understood. Once you're checked in, come to the consultation room."
I informed Jin Minjeong that she was the pop star Sasha Lian and that her visit to the clinic had to remain strictly confidential.
And shortly after, Sasha finished registering and sat in the consultation room chair.
"Where are you feeling uncomfortable?"
"Oh, ever since 'that incident,' my health has been terrible."
......What incident?
Communication was already tricky, and right from the start, she was proving a challenging patient.
Sasha extended her hand without providing any information.
'She wants me to guess?'
She looked at me with sparkling eyes.
Blinking and smiling, she was quite adorable, thanks to her likable appearance.
What did she expect from a Korean medicine clinic!
Pulse diagnosis was just one part of Korean medical evaluation; I could launch into a lecture about not being able to know everything from it alone.
......But explaining that would be even more troublesome.
I took Sasha Lian's pulse first.
I wasn't a fortune teller, so I couldn't guess "that incident," but I could assess her physical condition to some extent.
'Hm?'
The weak, sunken qi deficiency pulse was expected, but it was more severe than anticipated.
The rate was fast, and it was palpable, but it sank deeply with the slightest pressure.
Weak power, extremely thin.
The form wasn't smooth; it felt rough and scraping... blood circulation was highly unstable.
'Qi deficiency and blood deficiency... even signs of blood stasis?'
Qi deficiency could appear in overworked people, not just frail elderly grandmas.
Entertainers, office workers with frequent overtime, even athletes could have weakened energy.
Blood deficiency meant insufficient nutrients in the body, poor circulation. It included actual anemia with low counts, pale face, blurry vision, and such symptoms.
But qi and blood dual deficiency this severe, plus blood stasis?
"Have you given birth by any chance?"
Sasha flinched at my question.
She looked extremely shocked.
But it wasn't the clarity of a correct guess.
"Pretty much."
Her expression twisted subtly.
I couldn't tell if she wanted me to guess or if she wanted to hide it.
That made me think I knew.
"That incident" that caused symptoms very similar to childbirth, but with even more intense emotional changes.
"A miscarriage, then."
"Wow, you really guessed it!"
Sasha grinned.
She'd wanted me to figure it out.
Now I understood why she'd come without an interpreter or manager, and refused another doctor's presence.
It would cause a huge uproar if it got out.
She was already tired from scandals.
Confidentiality was a given.
As a medical professional, I continued calmly.
"How many weeks along was it?"
I needed to confirm if it was early or late-term miscarriage.
She wouldn't expect me to guess this too, right?
"10 weeks. Whew, it wasn't easy."
"An ambiguous time. Natural miscarriage?"
"Yes."
"How long ago?"
"A month... ah, now it's been 6 weeks."
Fortunately, Sasha smiled and answered every question readily.
Guessing "that incident" had earned me considerable trust.
A month and a half ago, and her health had been poor since.
America didn't have much postpartum recovery culture, as far as I knew.
"Did you rest sufficiently after the miscarriage? Any hospital treatments?"
"Oh, I thought it'd be fine, but I felt so, so awful. So I did nothing for three days straight."
"And back to work after three days?"
"I had a broadcasting schedule."
Hardly proper recovery.
I nodded sympathetically, and she added one more thing.
"I went to the hospital, but there was nothing specific to treat. Tests came back all normal. They prescribed painkillers for headaches and recommended supplements, but the headaches weren't severe, so I just took the supplements."
"What are your specific symptoms? No bleeding?"
"Ah, there is bleeding!"
For childbirth, lochia discharge for about 6 weeks is normal, but miscarriages usually end within 4 weeks.
This was clearly prolonged.
"What's the most uncomfortable symptom? Fatigue?"
"Yes. My energy is so low! Even with supplements, my original condition doesn't return. Same with exercise. When singing, power has to rise from here, the abdomen, right? But my energy, my dantian inner power, feels gone."
A flood of English at once, so I had to listen intently.
'......?'
I'd heard clearly.
But I couldn't believe my ears.
Dantian inner power?
So... dantian...
I double-checked with Sasha if she meant the qi, internal energy from the energy center in the abdomen.
"Yes. After the miscarriage, it feels like I lost it."
"......"
This was insane.
What had the NewTube algorithm done?
Linking the clinic video had somehow led to Eastern martial arts too?
Or had she been interested all along?
That wasn't it at all.
No way to explain.
Suppressing the urge to thump my chest, I explained her symptoms.
"A miscarriage can deplete qi and blood severely, causing that sensation. You need medicine to replenish the lost qi and blood directly and improve energy metabolism."
"Oh, yes. It feels like something vital got sucked out. Supplements aren't enough."
She kept emphasizing the feeling of something scooped out by this incident.
With energy too low and circulation poor, her body felt broken.
Interestingly, this created a demand for tonic herbs.
America lacked Korea's concept of absolute rest for weeks with tonics for postpartum care.
Family helped avoid overexertion, but quick return to daily life was the norm.
But for someone like Sasha Lian, constantly overworked with reduced resilience.
Someone needing 100% condition for every song was hypersensitive to the deficiency.
"You came to the right place. I'll prescribe something to restore your vitality."
"Thank you!"
The main issue could be resolved with standard tonics.
I checked other specific symptoms one by one.
"How's your appetite?"
"Average. Ah, I never ate big meals anyway. Sandwiches, salads. I'm still managing that now."
"Digestion?"
"Just... so-so. Not just post-miscarriage; it's been off since pregnancy. Not constant indigestion, just feels like it doesn't go down well?"
Fatigue plus reduced intestinal motility.
"Sleep?"
"Work is exhausting, so I fall asleep when I lie down. Ah! But more nightmares than before!"
Sasha marveled, realizing an unnoticed issue.
"False heat... like heat surging to your head?"
"Yes!"
Head felt hot, but temperature was normal.
She loved the term "false fever."
"Stomach pain?"
"Ah, I was going to mention that. Occasionally, every 2-3 days. Different from indigestion. Stabbing, cramping. Feels like something that should come out isn't."
"Uterine contractions from residual blood stasis."
This frequency didn't suggest complications.
Calming contractions and expelling stasis with added herbs would suffice.
"Yes. Tests say everything's fine. Breasts hurt a bit when touched."
Areas sensitive from pregnancy hormone changes.
"Breast tenderness too, any chest tightness?"
"That too. Mood's off. Well, who feels good after a miscarriage?"
Sasha shrugged.
She spoke of mood symptoms matter-of-factly, her face bright enough for cameras.
"Irritability persists after the first three days?"
"Yes, just... stuffy. Depressed? Not exactly sad, weird, right? Hormones?"
Words like "stuffy" or "depressed" often captured complex emotions hard to pinpoint.
Unlike direct ones like "happy," "angry," "sad."
"Can view it that way. More sinking than anger or anxiety? Depressive?"
"Yes."
"I'll account for it in the prescription."
Need herbs to calm spirit and soothe anxiety.
I meticulously noted miscellaneous symptoms.
"Feels great having you hear everything out. Digging one by one, it's not just fatigue—tons of body issues."
"Tell me all symptoms beyond what I've asked. Diagnosis is set, but I'll consider everything for the prescription."
"Think that's all..."
"Constipation, diarrhea, sweating, dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, palpitations."
I listed symptoms possible with qi/blood deficiency.
"Oh, a bit constipated. Come to think, cold sweats too. Dizziness... ah, when trying to draw power for singing, vision blurs."
More symptoms emerged.
Occasional itchy feet, feeling on concert stage when trying to sleep—minor things.
Early miscarriage meant almost no joint pain.
"Part of postpartum wind syndrome; prescription decided. As mentioned, major qi/blood replenishment with improved circulation."
Ahem.
Hard to explain herb actions in English.
"Modifying 'Gwigwijohyeol-eum.' Look it up if curious. Details via language issue... I'll enclose English instructions."
"Oh, of course! I trust you'll do great."
Kept it simple, but Sasha clapped unconcerned.
"Acupuncture too?"
Expectant eyes.
Not strictly needed, but improved qi/blood flow wouldn't hurt.
"Sure."
After checking history, meds, etc., I pointed to the treatment room.
Unlike entering, she rose satisfied.
But for some reason, she didn't move right away, smiling at me.
"Treatment room's that way?"
I pointed again, but mischief in her eyes.
What...?
"Not curious who the baby's dad is?"
The joke slipped out before I could speak.
Of course I'd be lying if I said not at all curious.
But wasn't asking rude? I'd kept it professional, symptoms only.
'And I'd never guess anyway?'
Separate from curiosity.
Even big US political/financial figures, celebs, sports stars—I likely wouldn't know.
"Not really?"
I shrugged.
Had I gained trust instead?
"Only you know, Director."
Sasha leaned in to whisper.
"...... it seems."
"!!!!!!"
My jaw dropped.
I hurriedly covered my mouth.
......For real?