Chapter 46: Taken In
“Oh?”
Doctor Jin’s expression shifted, clearly surprised.
Having interacted with the siblings before, Hong Hai had a good impression of them. Plus, the pastries Wen Yao brought really were delicious. Even just for the pastries, it was worth putting in a good word. Besides, he could tell Doctor Jin was interested in Wen Jun—otherwise he wouldn’t be asking so many questions.
“Doctor Jin, how about you test him first?” Hong Hai suggested. “See if he’s got what it takes.”
Doctor Jin considered for a moment, then nodded. “Very well, I’ll test you.”
Wen Jun’s face lit up, and he bowed once more.
Since there were no patients at the moment, Doctor Jin led Wen Jun over to the medicine cabinets. He randomly pulled out herbs and asked Wen Jun to identify them, name their uses, describe their natural habitat, and even explain basic preparation methods.
What surprised Doctor Jin was that Wen Jun answered everything correctly.
That genuinely astonished him. Knowing medicinal properties could be chalked up to reading some herbal texts. But being able to describe the herb’s environment, its distribution, and even basic processing methods—this went far beyond a superficial understanding.
He had known many who had to spend years just to memorize all of this.
What Doctor Jin didn’t know was that after thousands of years of accumulated knowledge, by Wen Jun’s time, medical texts had undergone countless revisions. In modern-day medical and pharmaceutical compendiums, everything from medicinal properties to preparation methods was explicitly detailed. Medicine was no longer an heirloom skill passed from master to apprentice, but an accessible academic field.
Wen Jun had simply been born into the right era, enjoying the shade of trees planted by generations before him.
Hong Hai was equally surprised. He’d been working at Jishi Hall for many years, responsible for measuring and preparing herbs. Even now, he couldn’t claim to have memorized every herb’s effects and uses. Yet Wen Jun had answered every question correctly without missing a beat.
Hong Hai couldn’t stop praising Wen Jun to Wen Yao.
Wen Yao smiled confidently. Of course. What kind of person forgets this stuff and risks flunking?
Her brother may not have studied traditional Chinese medicine, but he’d had an excellent friend and roommate in grad school who did. That had to count for something, right?
Doctor Jin questioned Wen Jun for over half an hour. He went from trying to intimidate him into giving up, to surprise, to being impressed, and finally to genuine joy. Every possible emotion ran its course.
At first, he had only been hesitant. Now, he was practically eager.
This young man was far better than the ones at home.
Perhaps his lifelong medical knowledge really could have a worthy successor.
“Hahahahaha!”
A hearty laugh rang out as Doctor Jin clapped Wen Jun on the shoulder. “Truly, the younger generation surpasses the old.”
Still standing before the medicine cabinets, Wen Jun respectfully bowed. “I’m not even a fraction as capable as you, Senior.”
“Stand up, stand up,” Doctor Jin said, helping him up, eyes full of appreciation.
They returned to the front of the hall. Doctor Jin sat back in his chair, took a sip of tea Hong Hai had brought, and asked, “What’s your name? How old are you? Where do you live? Does your family know you want to study medicine?”
The siblings lit up—this was it!
Wen Jun quickly answered, “Student’s name is Wen Jun, sixteen years old, from Gutong Village outside the city. My father runs a stall at the docks. I have a younger sister and younger brother. Practicing medicine is both my aspiration and my family’s hope. I ask for your guidance, sir.”
Wen Yao chimed in, “Yes, Doctor Jin, our whole family supports my brother in studying medicine. Won’t you consider it? You’ve tested him already, and he’s clearly talented. If you miss this one, you won’t get another like him!”
Doctor Jin chuckled. “You’re quite the advocate for your brother, young lady.”
At that moment, the head of Jishi Hall returned from outside. Hearing the laughter, he glanced around. There were no patients, only the siblings who’d once come to sell medicinal herbs. Seemed they were the source of the joy.
“What’s so funny, old Jin? You look awfully pleased,” the manager asked.
“Manager.” Hong Hai quickly greeted him.
Wen Yao and Wen Jun also gave a respectful greeting. “Good day, Manager.”
After all, now that Wen Jun would be learning under Doctor Jin, he’d be spending a lot of time at Jishi Hall. Making a good impression was only logical.
Doctor Jin waved the manager over. “You’re just in time—something good happened.”
Though confused, the manager walked over and sat down. Hong Hai immediately acted like a loyal lackey, bringing over the pastries Wen Yao had gifted and pouring tea.
“Manager, try one—Wen Yao made these herself,” said Hong Hai.
In the half-hour just now, he and Wen Yao had become fast friends—he now saw her like a little sister. Of course he’d help her build goodwill.
The manager picked up a piece, took a bite, and nodded. “Not bad. Better than what we get from Zhan Diexuan. Where’d you buy it? I’ll have someone get more.”
Hong Hai chuckled. “Manager, these weren’t bought. Wen Yao made them herself.”
“Oh?” The manager looked at Wen Yao with surprise. He remembered this pair—they had sold asparagus root here before. He raised a brow. “The little girl can make pastries? Planning to sell them here? That won’t do—this is a pharmacy, not a pastry shop. But if you’re looking to sell, I can ask around for you.”
Wen Yao quickly waved her hands. “No, no, Manager. These were just a gift, not for sale. My brother and I came today to formally request a mentorship.”
As she said this, she snuck a glance at Doctor Jin.
He smiled faintly but didn’t say anything to reject or confirm it.
The manager looked even more surprised. He turned to Doctor Jin. “You’re taking on a disciple?”
He’d never heard old Jin talk about this before. Countless people had wanted to apprentice under him, only to be rejected by the notoriously eccentric man. And now? Was the sun rising from the west?
Or… did this pair truly have something that moved him?
He glanced between the two, assessing them.
“Not me—my brother,” Wen Yao clarified, pulling Wen Jun forward.
Wen Jun cupped his fists in greeting.
The manager suddenly remembered something and smiled. “Ah, I remember now. You did say you’d studied a bit before.” But… taking a master was no small matter.
Before he could say more, Doctor Jin spoke up.
“Start tomorrow. Begin with Hong Hai. Memorize every single herb in this hall. Once you’ve done that, I’ll teach you the rest.”
Even though Wen Jun seemed to know everything already, Doctor Jin wasn’t quite at ease. It was still best to proceed step by step—no harm in being cautious.
