Rebirth: Controlled Nuclear Fusion

Part 168：Anti-Cancer Targeted Therapy

After spending several days recuperating at the military hospital headquarters in Kyoto, Long Lao, ignoring the objections of Dr. Wang, firmly insisted on discharging himself.

To him, the diagnosis of liver cancer and its terminal nature meant there was little time left, and he saw no reason to waste it lying in a hospital bed.

Dr. Wang, unsuccessful in his attempts to persuade, reluctantly prescribed a box of the targeted anti-cancer drug Lenvatinib.

Upon glancing at the manufacturer on the packaging, Long Lao's resolve hardened.

"Dr. Wang, prescribe me an anti-cancer drug from our own Dragon Nation. I refuse to take anything made by that 'beautiful country.'"

The reason for his ire ran deep-his student had defected to the 'beautiful country,' developed a 700-ton rocket engine, and insulted the people of the Dragon Nation. Long Lao was now filled with an unyielding hatred toward that nation, and would rather settle for a less effective local drug than take anything imported from them.

"Academician Long, the Lenvatinib produced by the 'beautiful country' is the most effective treatment for your condition," Dr. Wang explained, his voice filled with quiet insistence.

Long Lao, already irritable, grew even angrier. "I won't accept any foreign-made medicine. I demand the Dragon Nation's own drugs!"

Dr. Wang, seeing Long Lao's stubbornness, sighed deeply. "Academician Long, I must tell you honestly—our country has not developed any targeted anti-cancer drugs as of yet."

Long Lao was disbelieving, thinking that Dr. Wang was simply trying to convince him to take the foreign drug by making false claims. "I refuse to believe that such a vast nation like ours cannot produce an anti-cancer drug."

Dr. Wang, clearly weary, replied, "You can check for yourself, Academician Long. I promise I'm not lying."

Reluctantly, Long Lao pulled out his phone and searched the internet. Two minutes later, he turned off the screen, his face clouded with a deep sadness.

He had never imagined that with a population of 1.4 billion, the Dragon Nation still could not develop even a single anti-cancer drug.

"How much does this foreign drug cost per box?" he asked quietly, still staring at the box of Lenvatinib.

"One box costs 16,800 yuan on the market," Dr. Wang replied, his voice laden with regret.

Long Lao, hearing the price, inhaled sharply in disbelief. 16,800 yuan!

Each box contained 30 pills, which meant each pill cost around 560 yuan. If he took three pills a day, the daily cost would be 1,680 yuan. Such an expense could only be afforded by the wealthiest families. For a typical household, if just one member fell ill with cancer, the entire family would likely be financially ruined.

The number of cancer patients in the Dragon Nation was over 3.8 million, which meant that over 3.8 million families were affected.

As a national scientist, Long Lao could rely on the government to cover his medical expenses. But what about those who couldn't afford the high cost of such medications?

He couldn't bear to imagine it.

Further inquiry revealed that even the cheapest foreign anti-cancer drug from the 'Y' country cost over 6,000 yuan per box-more than 100 yuan per pill. Long Lao reluctantly asked Dr. Wang to prescribe the most affordable drug available, though he swore never to take anything from the 'beautiful country.'

Dr. Wang, now helpless, complied and switched the prescription. He instructed Long Lao to return in two weeks for a follow-up check-up.

Long Lao dismissed him with a curt nod, indicating that he wasn't interested in further discussion.

Back at Longke University, Long Lao felt a great sense of relief as soon as he stepped onto familiar grounds.

His first stop was the laboratory, where he found Xu Guangyuan and his colleagues hard at work on experiments.

He stood by, observing for a while, before nodding with approval.

"Not bad!" he praised them.

The trio, absorbed in their work, only then noticed his presence and greeted him with respect.

"You three are exceptional. Keep up the great work-you will surely become the pillars of our Dragon Nation in the future..."

After a brief moment of praise, Long Lao left the laboratory, his mind at ease.

Xu Guangyuan and his colleagues were left staring at each other in disbelief.

"Xu Guangyuan, did I just imagine it, or did Academician Long actually compliment us?"

Xu Guangyuan, just as stunned, replied, "I think so..."

It was no wonder they were so surprised-Academician Long had always been known for his fiery temper and had never praised them before. Now, hearing such words from him, they couldn't help but feel as if they were dreaming.

Once outside the laboratory, Long Lao deliberately slowed his pace.

This had been his home for nearly 30 years. Normally, he moved quickly-an old habit he had long since formed. But today, he found something new in the familiar surroundings as he walked more slowly, savoring the details.

The sky above was a calm blue, with a few wisps of white clouds drifting lazily. Occasionally, birds fluttered by.

The tall poplar trees had shed all their leaves, their branches now bare.

"Ah, look, there's a large bird's nest!" Long Lao exclaimed, noticing something unexpected.

The nest was oval-shaped, and from a distance, it looked like a pile of scattered branches. But upon closer inspection, Long Lao saw that each branch was carefully interwoven, arranged in a deliberate and orderly fashion, like a finely crafted piece of art.

He couldn't help but marvel at the birds' craftsmanship.

As he neared the tree, he was taken aback to realize that it was a tree he had planted himself all those years ago.

A smile crept onto Long Lao's face as he gently patted the sturdy trunk, greeting an old friend.

An hour later, dressed in a sharp suit, Long Lao strode out of Longke University, brimming with energy.

He then climbed into a business car, ready to face whatever lay ahead.