Chapter 267: Glutinous Rice Yellow Wine
What exactly did Zhang Jianguo say to his grandfather and father?
After running over, in addition to conveying Ning Xiyue’s words, Zhang Jianguo added one crucial promise:
“Grandpa, if you agree to teach Sister Yue how to brew wine, I’ll study your craft diligently from now on. You tell me to go east, I’ll never go west. You tell me to brew wine, I won’t go catching frogs. I’ll become an even better brewer than you.”
“You rascal, didn’t you always refuse to learn brewing? And now you’re willing to do it for Doctor Xiao Ning? Tell me honestly, do you like her?”
Old Man Zhang squinted at Ning Xiyue several times, his gaze shifting between his grandson and her.
“No, no, absolutely not!”
Zhang Jianguo shook his head frantically like a rattle drum.
The image of Wu Laogen and Li Cuihua falling into the manure pit was still vivid in his mind—he’d learned his lesson well. He now had no other thoughts, only respect and loyalty for his “Big Sister.”
“Grandpa, don’t say that. Doctor Ning already has a boyfriend—a soldier at that. I just want to thank her for saving my life. Your grandson’s life was brought back by her. So, what do you say, will you agree?”
Old Man Zhang didn’t hesitate for a moment. “Agreed. But when Doctor Ning studies, you’ll study alongside her. No slacking off.”
He’d been waiting for that promise. Doctor Ning’s medical skills were far beyond any barefoot doctor’s—befriending her was a good thing. Everyone gets sick sometimes, and besides, they truly owed her a debt for saving Jianguo’s life.
His brewing skills had originally been taught by an old herbalist he’d met in the mountains. Passing that knowledge to Doctor Ning would be a kind of inheritance.
“Grandpa, you can order me around all you want from now on. I’ll listen and study seriously.”
After saying that, Zhang Jianguo quickly went to tell his father, then ran happily toward Ning Xiyue.
“Sister Yue, it’s all settled! My grandpa agreed, and he even wants to talk with you for a bit.”
Hearing that, Ning Xiyue instantly relaxed, her heart full of joy.
Now the winery in her mysterious space wouldn’t go to waste— even if she learned just a bit, she could make use of it. Maybe one day she could drink her own homemade wine.
“Alright, let’s go then.”
She stood up, set the stool aside, and followed Zhang Jianguo to the brewing stove. She greeted the two elders politely.
Old Man Zhang smiled kindly:
“Doctor Ning, I heard you want to learn winemaking—medicine wine, yes? Well, this old man has been brewing my whole life, and in this house no one’s better than me. That rascal’s three-legged-cat skills don’t count.”
He gave his grandson a disdainful look, then offered himself:
“Learn from me. I’ve taken many apprentices and have plenty of teaching experience. I’ll do my best to teach you and make sure you master it quickly.”
Then, glancing at Jianguo, he continued earnestly:
“You don’t need to feel any burden. You don’t have to call me Master, and you don’t need to give us anything. This boy’s life was saved by you—teaching you brewing is our way of showing gratitude, so our hearts can be at peace.”
Ning Xiyue smiled lightly and shook her head. “Please don’t say that. I was just doing my duty. As the barefoot doctor of the brigade, this is what I should do. You don’t need to feel indebted.”
Old Man Zhang pretended to be upset:
“You saving Jianguo is a fact. It’s only right that we repay the favor. If you don’t let us, we’ll feel uneasy about it forever—and you wouldn’t want that on our minds, would you?”
Zhang Jianguo chimed in, “Exactly! My Sister Yue is the best doctor in the brigade—she wouldn’t want that. Right, Sister Yue?”
“I knew it. Then let’s settle it this way—you’ll come here every afternoon after work for two hours to study. And if you really feel uneasy about it, I have one tiny request.”
The old man rubbed his fingers together to show “just a little,” looking both embarrassed and nervous.
“Alright,” Ning Xiyue said, amused by the playful pair. “Tell me, what’s your request?”
“When you start making medicinal wine, could you save me a portion? Just the first batch—I’d like to have a look at it.”
He gazed at her expectantly. He really wanted to see what kind of medicinal wine she would create after learning from him.
“Of course, that’s no problem at all,” Ning Xiyue replied with a bright laugh.
She hadn’t expected that instead of her begging to learn, others would be so eager to teach her without asking anything in return.
It had to be something Zhang Jianguo said.
This family truly seemed sincere and honest. Since they were willing to teach her, she wouldn’t let them down. She’d repay kindness with kindness—and in the future, perhaps she could even give Jianguo some advice in more important matters as thanks.
Old Man Zhang clapped his hands. “Then it’s settled. Starting tomorrow—two hours every afternoon.”
Uncle Zhang added with a smile, “Doctor Ning, if you need anything, ask Aunt Wu.”
“Alright, Uncle Zhang.” Ning Xiyue cupped her hands in thanks to the three Zhang men.
At that moment, Aunt Wu came out carrying a wooden bucket covered with white cloth, followed by Old Lady Li holding a wine jar.
“Doctor Ning, here’s your wine. Would you like to taste it first?”
Aunt Wu set the bucket down, took the jar from the old lady, placed it on the table, and grabbed a bowl.
“Sure, I’ve been looking forward to it.” Ning Xiyue smiled, taking the bowl eagerly—she really wanted to taste it; even the aroma of the spent mash nearby was tempting.
Aunt Wu lifted the jar lid, and Ning Xiyue held out her bowl. “Just a little, Auntie.”
“Alright.”
A thin stream of golden-yellow wine flowed into the bowl. Its color was milky yellow; when she brought it to her nose, it carried only a faint alcohol scent, mostly sweet and fragrant.
“Sister Yue, go ahead—taste it. It’s only about nine percent alcohol,” Zhang Jianguo said eagerly.
Ning Xiyue took a small sip. The taste was mellow and smooth, slightly sour and sweet like a fruit drink—refreshing and pleasant. No wonder Aunt Yangliu loved it so much and always recommended yellow wine.
She recalled that the herbal compendium mentioned glutinous rice yellow wine, describing its benefits:
It invigorates blood circulation, dispels cold, replenishes qi and blood, protects the heart, aids digestion, delays aging, and is highly nutritious—a true health tonic.
Ning Xiyue decided that if she learned nothing else, she must learn to brew this wine. It was a great tonic—perfect to make for her family someday.
“Well?”
The entire Zhang family looked at her expectantly, waiting for her verdict.
“It’s delicious,” she said at once, smiling warmly. Then she lifted the bowl and drank it all in one go—showing through action how much she liked it.
Everyone’s faces lit up with smiles.
“As long as you like it.” Aunt Wu nodded happily, then pointed to the bucket beside her. “This is the leftover mash. You can take it home—it’s great for cooking, like wine-mash egg custard. Everything made with it tastes wonderful.”
“Alright, thank you, Aunt Wu. I’ll try it when I get home. I’ll be going now.”
Ning Xiyue picked up the bucket in one hand and hugged the jar with the other, saying goodbye:
“Granny Li, Masters Zhang—see you tomorrow.”
The one-yuan brewing fee had already been paid when she brought the rice, and both the bucket and jar were hers—so she could leave easily.
“Sister Yue, I’ll walk you out,” said Zhang Jianguo, taking the bucket of mash from her and escorting her to the gate.
At the door, Ning Xiyue took it back. “That’s enough, you can go back. I can manage on my own.”
Before he could say another word, she strode off briskly toward the educated youth courtyard, carrying her things.
Zhang Jianguo watched her confident figure disappear, then shut the gate with a satisfied smile, shaking his head and murmuring, “Sister Yue is Sister Yue—she’s amazing at everything. My forever role model!”
