Chapter 47: Why Not Take Him?
Wen Yao and Wen Jun were thrilled. The shopkeeper, on the other hand, thought he must’ve misheard.
“You’re actually taking him in?” he asked Doctor Jin.
Doctor Jin stroked his beard and said calmly, “Why not take him?”
The shopkeeper: “…” Was that a rhetorical question?
Knowing the old man’s temperament, the shopkeeper didn’t argue. He figured he could ask Hong Hai what happened later.
As for the siblings, they had certainly surprised him. Seeing Wen Jun still standing there, the shopkeeper reminded him, “What are you standing around for? Kneel down, bow to your master.”
Wen Jun snapped out of it, knelt immediately, and knocked his head on the floor three times with a resounding thud. “Master, please accept this disciple’s bow.”
The shopkeeper stared at Doctor Jin—he still hadn’t moved? Wow. He was really going through with it.
Once the bowing was done, Hong Hai promptly offered a cup of tea. Wen Jun accepted it, raised it above his head, and said clearly, “Master, please have some tea.”
Doctor Jin accepted the tea, took a small sip, and only then said, “Remember the words you spoke today. If one day you abandon this path or give up halfway, then our master-disciple bond ends. Understood?”
Wen Jun bowed again. “Wen Jun understands.”
Doctor Jin then pointed to the shopkeeper. “This is Qiu Zhi. Just call him Shopkeeper Qiu. You’ll be dealing with him every day from now on, get acquainted.”
Wen Yao bowed while standing. Wen Jun was still kneeling, but he also bowed toward the shopkeeper—though he didn’t kowtow.
“Shopkeeper Qiu.”
Shopkeeper Qiu finally snapped out of his shock. It was like the heavens were raining red—Old Jin had actually taken in a disciple. Incredible.
Still, it made sense. Old Jin was getting up there in years. The only child in the Jin family with any medical talent was still just a kid.
To be blunt, if anything ever happened to Old Jin, his family’s medical skills would be lost. No one knew which would come first—an accident or tomorrow.
But Qiu was still curious—what exactly was so special about Wen Jun that made the old man finally relent? Plenty of others had tried and failed.
While Doctor Jin led Wen Jun to tour the clinic and examine his patient records, Shopkeeper Qiu pulled Hong Hai aside and asked what had happened.
Hong Hai excitedly recounted the whole story, admiration practically shining from his eyes.
Qiu clicked his tongue in astonishment. After hearing everything, he gave Hong Hai a light smack on the back of the head. “Look at him, then look at you.”
Hong Hai scratched his head and grinned sheepishly. “Shopkeeper, don’t be too hard on me. Just memorizing all those herbs nearly took half my life. I really can’t go any further.”
Qiu rolled his eyes. “Useless.”
Hong Hai had been a refugee the two of them picked up by the roadside over ten years ago. They gave him food, and he’d stayed at Jishi Hall ever since. They’d hoped he might pick up a skill, but it turned out this was his limit.
Still, Qiu wasn’t about to kick him out. Hong Hai could spend his whole life working at the clinic, and that was fine.
After getting the full story, Qiu looked over and saw Wen Yao sitting alone, bored while waiting for her brother. Thinking of the pastries, he walked over and asked, “Little girl, did you really make those pastries?”
He was skeptical—could a ten-year-old really make something that delicious?
Wen Yao nodded. “I did. If you liked them, Shopkeeper Qiu, I’ll ask my brother to bring more tomorrow.”
She had realized something: people’s appetites didn’t change with age.
Now that Doctor Jin had taken Wen Jun in, he was one of them. Wen Yao had never been stingy with her own people. And if food could win Doctor Jin over, he’d be even more invested in teaching her brother.
As for Shopkeeper Qiu and the others—it was so they’d look out for her brother.
Qiu found himself liking Wen Yao more and more. Not only was she full of life and good-looking, she was also sharp and thoughtful—but still knew when to be humble.
“No need for that, it’s too much trouble,” Qiu said.
“It’s not trouble at all,” Wen Yao smiled sweetly, her dimples showing. “I already prepare things every day for my dad’s food stall. Making a bit more isn’t a big deal—as long as you and Doctor Jin enjoy it, that’s all that matters.”
Qiu, feeling pleased, “reluctantly” accepted her kind gesture. Beside them, Hong Hai grinned like a fool—he knew he’d get a share of those pastries too. Riding Doctor Jin’s coattails had its perks.
Wen Yao noticed that Wen Jun had practically buried his head in Doctor Jin’s patient case records. It didn’t look like he was leaving anytime soon. Rather than waiting idly, she might as well go out and do some shopping—celebrate a little when they got home.
Besides, though they’d gone through a simple ceremony, Wen Yao felt it had all been a bit too plain. She still wanted to prepare a proper gift for the apprenticeship. She’d have her dad and brother make an official visit to the Jin household.
And while she was at it, she wanted to confirm one more thing—was Doctor Jin truly the elder of that “Divine Physician Jin” from the novel? Jin Xiuyi should be about six years old now. He’d be easy to identify.
Wen Yao said goodbye to Shopkeeper Qiu, then told Wen Jun she was heading out for a bit while he stayed and helped Doctor Jin.
Wen Jun felt guilty—he’d been so focused on the apprenticeship that he’d completely overlooked his sister. But today was his first day; he didn’t dare leave suddenly. That would make a bad impression after just declaring his commitment.
But Wen Yao knew her brother too well. She pulled him aside and whispered, “I’m just going out to shop for a few things. I’ll also bring you something tasty tomorrow. And I’ve got to buy brush, ink, paper, and inkstone for Da Tou. You focus on learning with Doctor Jin. Once I’m done, I’ll meet you and Dad at the docks.”
“Doctor Jin doesn’t work nights. He closes up at sundown and heads home. I confirmed with Hong Hai. Once he’s gone, you’re free, and you can come meet us to go home together.”
“But…” Wen Jun still worried. Her body was ten years old, no matter how old her soul was.
Wen Yao winked. “Don’t worry. I can protect myself—remember?”
With her saying that, Wen Jun didn’t argue. If she really did run into a bad guy, she might just be the one doing the scaring.
“Alright then. I’ll come find you guys when I’m done.”
Doctor Jin clearly approved of Wen Jun starting today, but he wasn’t an unreasonable man.
Finally, after Wen Yao insisted repeatedly that she could handle herself, the four men in the shop reluctantly let her leave on her own.
Wen Yao stepped out of Jishi Hall and strolled down the street, glancing around here and there, completely at ease.
As expected, shopping really was the best cure for all negativity. It made an already good mood even better.
