The morning scan showed the upper airway residue had thinned. Fan placed the tracing from the previous visit beside the new image. Ning leaned closer and asked him to point out the difference.
“The border is clearer here,” he said. “There is still irritation in the lower tissue.”
Qinghe asked whether the marked region was ready for Returning Spring Palm. Fan shook his head. “The technique may help repair it once the residue is fully clear from that area.”
“How long might that take?” Ning asked.
“Another week of measured inhalations, then a repeat scan.”
Ning looked at the image. “I want to wait rather than rush.”
Yan said he would wait with her. He was disappointed to delay a method he wanted to try, but he liked the clear readings and the fact that Ning decided. Qinghe said his excitement did not need to become pressure.
Yan laughed. “I can be excited quietly.”
