Chapter 50: Celebration
When they found out that Dr. Jin from Jishi Hall had truly accepted Wen Jun as his apprentice, the old couple was overjoyed. They knew full well who Dr. Jin was—he was the most skilled doctor around. They never expected that these two siblings could actually convince him to take Wen Jun in.
In her excitement, Granny Luo immediately said, “Then can we take Da Tou to see Dr. Jin too?”
The three who knew the truth could only brush it off vaguely.
Wen Xiuyi said, “Let Jun follow Dr. Jin for a few more days first. We’ll find a good time to take Da Tou over. He just became an apprentice, and if we go asking for a diagnosis right away, people might think we’re only doing this for personal gain and won’t take Jun’s training seriously.”
Granny Luo nodded. “You’re right. We’ve waited this many years anyway, a few more days won’t matter. Just don’t let this affect Jun’s studies.”
Old Man Wen was genuinely thrilled today.
“The Wen family’s going to have a doctor now, hehe.” Nowadays, doctors were so scarce that even village healers were in demand. If a doctor came from their village, he’d be treated like royalty by everyone around.
He suddenly felt as proud and confident as he had when his eldest son passed the scholar exam all those years ago.
Granny Luo saw through his thoughts and immediately gave him a smack. “Put away that smug look of yours. If you go around bragging and ruin Jun’s future, I’ll skin you alive.”
Old Man Wen, caught red-handed, felt a little guilty. But with so many younger family members around, he couldn’t just sit there quietly.
“You old hag! When did I say I was gonna brag? I’m just happy. Can’t I be happy?”
Granny Luo snorted. “You better just be happy.”
Then she looked at all the younger ones in the room, big and small, and said, “That goes for the rest of you too. Jun finally got himself a good master. If any of you mess this up for him, see if I don’t sort you out properly.”
Everyone shrank their necks and quickly replied, “Got it, Ma. / Got it, Grandma.”
Only then was Granny Luo satisfied. She pulled Wen Jun over and said, “You’ve always been the most sensible one in the family. Now that you’ve got a master, you must show him respect and learn from him diligently. Don’t disappoint his expectations. And remember, never disgrace your master. That kind of behavior brings heaven’s wrath.”
Wen Jun nodded firmly. “Grandma, I understand. I’ll study hard and follow my master closely.”
Only then did Granny Luo nod in relief. If the lighting weren’t so dim, someone might have noticed her eyes turning slightly red.
To change the subject, she called out, “Second daughter-in-law, is dinner ready?”
Li-shi quickly ran in, grinning ear to ear. “It’s ready, Ma. Just about done. Should I start setting the table?”
Granny Luo waved her hand. “Yes. Second and third, get the table ready. Wen Di, turn up the lamp. Today’s a happy day—we’re eating with all the lights on!”
Everyone jumped into action. Wen Di turned up the oil lamp until the whole room was bright and cozy with its warm glow.
Then Li-shi and Cai-shi brought the dishes to the table with Wen Yao’s help. Following behind them like a little tail was Da Tou.
Whenever Wen Yao came home, Da Tou would stick to her like glue.
The dishes on the table were lavish—almost like New Year’s, maybe even better. Even during the New Year, their family could usually only afford one meat dish. But tonight, not only had Wen Yao made guo bao rou (crispy sweet and sour pork), she also made a whole fish.
The other dishes were prepared by Li-shi and Cai-shi before they returned. Wen Yao just did the two main dishes and also made an egg drop soup that looked so delicious it made mouths water.
From the eldest to the youngest, everyone at the table swallowed a bit of drool at the aroma.
Old Man Wen was even allowed to drink tonight. The bottle of wine Wen Yao gave him earlier was finally brought out. Now, there were cups set in front of all four men—father and three sons.
Granny Luo gave Old Man Wen a light kick under the table. He immediately sat up straight and said solemnly, “Today is Jun’s great day of joy.”
Wen Yao nearly burst out laughing. Anyone who didn’t know might’ve thought her brother was getting married today.
She held back her laughter and waited to hear what the old man would say next.
Old Man Wen raised his cup. In his heart, he was thinking: No matter what, I’m getting a sip before dinner. These past days, I could only smell the wine through the cabinet. It was torture. But the cabinet key was in the old woman’s hands, so I couldn’t drink even if I wanted to. Now, finally, the moment had come.
He smiled so wide that the wrinkles on his face seemed to deepen.
“Jun,” he said, “Grandpa’s not educated, doesn’t know how to say fancy things. I’ll just tell you one thing: study hard and bring honor to the Wen family.”
Granny Luo couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “That’s what you call a speech?”
Old Man Wen pretended not to hear.
Wen Jun quickly picked up his cup of water, stood up, and bowed respectfully to both elders. “Grandpa, Grandma, don’t worry. I’ll study hard and live up to the family’s expectations.”
Their faces were full of pride. After that, they both turned to glare at Wen Xiuyi.
Wen Xiuyi, unjustly targeted: “…”
To break the awkwardness, Wen Yao raised her cup and said, “Grandpa, Grandma, let’s all toast to my brother—may his studies go smoothly, may he become a famous doctor who heals the sick and brings aid to the people!”
Granny Luo nodded in approval and shot another glare at Old Man Wen. “See? That’s how you give a toast.”
Old Man Wen: “…”
Wen Xiuyi nearly burst out laughing. Like father, like son—no one’s allowed to laugh at anyone here.
The younger generation all joined in the fun:
“To heal the world!”
“To save the sick and the dying!”
“Big Brother will become the best doctor ever!”
While everyone was distracted, Old Man Wen quickly downed a small sip of wine. The taste rushed from his mouth to his nose, throat, and brain.
Finally! He got his drink.
“Let’s eat!” he declared.
With that command, everyone dug in. Smiles lit up every face. Even Li-shi, who had always looked down on Wen Xiuyi’s family, was being polite and cheerful tonight, offering food to both Wen Jun and Wen Yao.
Dinner was lively and cheerful. Amid the chaos, Old Man Wen and his three sons managed to ‘accidentally’ finish the whole pot of wine and sat around in a drunken stupor, talking nonsense.
In the end, it took one loud roar from Granny Luo to send them scurrying off to their rooms.
Wen Xiuyi was helped out by Wen Jun and Wen Yao. The cold night breeze hit him as soon as he stepped outside, sobering him up halfway.
He rubbed his temples and grumbled to Wen Yao, “That wine’s no good, sigh.” Compared to the ones from his past life, this really didn’t measure up.
Wen Yao hadn’t tasted it herself and didn’t know how bad it was, so she joked, “Then let’s open a distillery ourselves one day and make good wine.”
Wen Xiuyi’s body had changed. If he wanted to drink, he could—so long as they kept him in check.
