W Chapter 74
by VolareChapter 74, Parts One and Two Combined
The small courtyard was located on a street behind the County Academy, so this street was also called Academy Back Street.
The courtyard wasn’t large, with a well inside and a few flowering trees.
Gardenias, peonies, wintersweet, and apricot trees.
The well was under the apricot tree, with a wooden lid covering the well opening.
The courtyard’s layout was somewhat like a single-entrance courtyard. Ling Xing had Shen Hui live in the east wing, Ling Yue in the west wing, and since he and Shen Lai were both “ge’er,” they lived together in the main house.
The main house also had side rooms; Ling Xing lived in the east side room, and Shen Lai lived in the west side room.
There were three rooms in the front courtyard facing the other way.
There was no privy in the courtyard. It depended on which room the owner would convert into a privy, or if they didn’t want one, they would just put a chamber pot in the room.
Using the toilet in the county was different from in the village. There were people who specialized in collecting chamber pots every day. If you missed the time, you’d have to wait until the next day.
When they came, you’d give them two copper coins and hand the chamber pot out.
If you wanted them to come inside to collect it, it cost five copper coins each time.
Families without much savings naturally wouldn’t want people to come inside to collect it, but after understanding this, Ling Xing chose the latter.
It was more convenient.
Ling Xing converted the innermost of the front rooms into a privy, lined the chamber pot with ash, and lit incense.
The middle room was a guest room, and the one near the door was the kitchen.
Although the courtyard was small, it had everything, exuding a bit of warmth.
Shen Hui was strong, so he moved almost all the luggage. Ling Xing and the others couldn’t help much.
They would take care of the subsequent cleaning up, and Shen Hui had to return the carriage.
The carriage was rented specifically from the county, so when returning it, they didn’t have to go back to the town.
After spending a day cleaning up the house, the four of them woke up a bit late the next day.
Because they had to visit the doctor who taught Shen Lai medicine today, they didn’t have time to cook. After washing up, they locked the courtyard gate and bought something to eat on the street to fill their stomachs.
The county now also had dumplings and wontons, which many people ate in the morning.
Pot stickers, pan-fried buns, fried dough sticks, stuffed buns, and steamed buns were also available, all brought over from Yunxia Town. Now there was no shortage of food in the county in the morning.
Ling Xing ordered chicken soup wontons, and so did Ling Yue. Shen Lai ate pan-fried dumplings with soy milk.
Shen Hui looked around and ordered three bowls of noodles. He’d have to eat a lot of other things to feel full.
After eating, Ling Xing and the others bought fresh pork belly, with a good mix of fat and lean, leaning more towards fat.
People these days lacked oil, so they preferred meat that was fattier.
They also bought fresh pastries, plum blossom cakes and mung bean cakes, wrapped in oiled paper with a red paper slip on top with the pastry and shop names.
There was also cloth, brown sugar, white sugar, and two jars of honey, all bought from Yunxia Town beforehand.
They naturally hadn’t brought them when they went out to eat, so they took them out when they got back and went to Gingko Street, where the clinic was located, together.
There was an ancient gingko tree at each end of this street, hundreds of years old and very large.
It was most beautiful in autumn when the wind blew the leaves, scattering a golden carpet on the ground.
The street was named after it.
There weren’t many shops on Gingko Street, mostly residences.
There were two small restaurants, two grocery stores, and then a cloth shop and a clinic.
Ling Xing and the others were going to the only clinic.
The clinic was called Gingko Clinic, located in the middle of the street, but the storefront was a bit small and dilapidated. There was no sign, only a small flag, making it easy to walk past and miss.
Gingko Street wasn’t prosperous or wealthy. You could see and feel it at a glance.
Compared to Academy Back Street, where they had just eaten breakfast and wandered around, it was very quiet, highlighting a sense of desolation.
The clinic’s storefront was small, but it didn’t seem dim because it faced the sun.
Facing the door was an entire wall of medicine cabinets. A middle-aged man in a gray robe with a beard was standing on a wooden ladder grabbing medicine.
Shen Lai had been feeling nervous and flustered since this morning. The closer he got to the clinic, the more nervous he became.
His palms, which usually didn’t sweat much, were sweating at this moment.
He wanted to study medicine after thinking about it and wanting it for a long time.
Unfortunately, he was a “ge’er,” making the path to learning medicine difficult.
His “gefu” had also put in a lot of effort to help him. He was grateful and also afraid that he wasn’t good enough, that he would embarrass his “gefu.”
He was thinking a bunch of things in his head, his mind a bit muddled.
Seeing people arrive, a small child with pigtails ran over from not far away, looking up and asking in a crisp voice, “Are you here to see a doctor?”
Ling Xing shook his head, “I’m here to send my younger brother to learn medicine.”
The child tilted his head, unsure how to respond to this situation. At this time, the middle-aged man grabbing medicine had already looked over.
Ling Xing also clearly saw the other person’s face.
This person’s face was pale, with a beard an inch long. His eyes held a hint of coldness, as if he didn’t care about anyone, exuding a refined feeling.
His name was already written in the letter Lin Qingyu gave, called Doctor Pei.
It was a name that fit the profession well.
Ling Xing and Shen Hui, as the adults of the family, brought Shen Lai to formally apprentice, with a good attitude.
Taking the lead to clasp his hands at Doctor Pei, “Hello, Doctor Pei.”
Doctor Pei nodded, his voice also cold, “The one learning medicine stays. Don’t leave anything else.”
After saying that, he turned his head again and continued grabbing medicine.
Ling Xing’s heart sank because of Doctor Pei’s attitude. He looked at Shen Lai with some worry.
Shen Lai, who was originally nervous and helpless, became much calmer because of this cold attitude.
He already knew that this path was difficult for him. If it weren’t for his “gefu” helping him, he wouldn’t even be able to step onto this path.
His “gefu” had already done so much for him. He was extremely lucky and couldn’t be greedy for more.
What if he didn’t like him?
Being able to formally study medicine with a doctor was already a great privilege.
Shen Lai took a deep breath, secretly encouraging himself, and showing a smile, whispered to Ling Xing, “Gefu, I’m fine, don’t worry about me. Just take the things back for now. I’ll do more work here, I can always make up for it.”
Ling Xing also saw that the person speaking was the type to say one thing and mean it. If he insisted on leaving things, it would only annoy him.
Seeing that Shen Lai was indeed prepared, he had to nod, touching his head, “Little Five has grown up. Study hard here. When you get back tonight, Gefu will make you something delicious.”
Lin Qingyu’s letter said that it had already been agreed with the clinic, in order to save time on the road, allowing Shen Lai to learn more, lunch was eaten at the clinic.
Ling Xing didn’t need to give extra money for food. Shen Lai was going to help the clinic with work anyway, and the two directly offset each other.
Shen Lai loved to eat the food Ling Xing made the most. He felt warm in his heart, “Okay!”
Ling Yue waved at Shen Lai and went home with Ling Xing and Shen Hui.
After Ling Xing and them left, Shen Lai looked around the room. It was clean and tidy, with no place for him to help.
No one was talking either.
He thought for a moment, and ran to hold the wooden ladder under Doctor Pei’s feet.
Doctor Pei looked at him condescendingly, didn’t say anything, and grabbed medicine himself.
Back at home, Ling Xing didn’t idle. He prepared to go find Liu Qingyu.
His shop was opening in six days, a carefully chosen auspicious day.
Shen Hui and Ling Yue were going to the County Academy, so they definitely couldn’t help him open the shop and do business.
When he was in town before, he had thought about hiring people from the labor market if he didn’t have enough people, but he didn’t hire anyone in the end.
Now that he was in the county, Shen Hui was going to school, so he had to find someone else.
Ling Xing was really satisfied with the renovation of the small courtyard, and he had gotten along with Liu Qingyu. He was diligent, valued loyalty, and worked seriously and responsibly. If possible, he wanted to hire Liu Qingyu.
If Liu Qingyu didn’t agree, he would go to the labor market and take a look.
He also had to find the renovation team from last time to fix up the shop.
Ling Xing also brought pastries and meat when going to the Liu family. However, these were all bought separately again. The share that Doctor Pei didn’t want was left at home to eat.
It just so happened that his family also loved to eat it.
Shen Hui and Ling Yue also went with him. Shen Hui was worried about Ling Xing alone, and Ling Xing was worried about Ling Yue alone at home, so he simply brought them along.
Liu Qingyu’s house was conveniently close to the shop, both on the same street.
Arriving at Osmanthus Alley, Ling Xing knocked on the courtyard door.
The third child, Liu Qingcao’s voice came from inside, “Who is it?”
Ling Xing said, “It’s me, Brother Ling.”
Soon the sound of the door bolt moving came from inside, followed by Liu Qingcao’s thin smile, “Brother Ling, Brother Ling Yue, you’re here! Come in and sit!”
After he finished speaking, he saw Shen Hui coming from the side, and the smile on his face faded a bit.
Fortunately, Shen Hui had lived here before. Although Liu Qingcao was afraid of such tall and strong people, he wasn’t too scared to speak. He honestly called out, “Second Brother Shen.”
Shen Hui gave a nod and casually stuffed him a piece of malt sugar.
He had bought it when he bought the pastries.
“Don’t refuse.”
Liu Qingcao realized it was candy and his eyes lit up. He subconsciously wanted to return it, afraid to accept it, and then heard what Shen Hui said, stopping his actions in time, afraid of making him unhappy.
He whispered thank you and carefully put away the malt sugar, preparing to save it for his older brother and younger sister to eat together.
After Ling Xing and the others went in, he reinserted the door bolt and invited Ling Xing and the others to sit down.
The youngest, Liu Qingxue, was braiding hemp rope in the courtyard to supplement the household income. Seeing Ling Xing and the others come, she was both happy and scared.
She was happy that every time Ling Xing came, the family would earn money. More importantly, Ling Xing was very good to them, and the children liked him and would miss him.
Seeing him naturally made them happy.
The fear factor was all on Shen Hui. He himself could feel that the children were afraid of him, so he intentionally bought malt sugar to coax the children.
Liu Qingxue was also stuffed a piece of malt sugar, showing the same bright smile as her third brother, temporarily forgetting Shen Hui’s “terribleness.”
Without waiting for the Liu family siblings to refuse, Ling Xing familiarly put the pastries and meat he brought in the cabinet in the stove room, closed the door and asked, “Did Qingyu and Qingye go out to find work?”
Liu Qingcao replied, “Yes, the eldest brother and second brother went to wash dishes at the restaurant. They’ll be back in the afternoon, bringing food for me and my sister.”
The siblings knew how to cook, but because that restaurant allowed those doing odd jobs to bring back the leftover dishes that guests hadn’t finished, Liu Qingyu would bring back some every day.
In order to save the family’s rice and firewood, Liu Qingcao and Liu Qingxue didn’t eat lunch, waiting to eat the dishes brought back in the afternoon.
Ling Xing nodded to show he knew. Liu Qingyu’s work was varied and not fixed. They were all short-term odd jobs, going wherever needed.
He didn’t expect to see him today, just wanting Liu Qingcao to be able to pass on a message.
He said to Liu Qingcao, “When your eldest brother comes back, tell him to go to the small courtyard when he has time. I have something to discuss with him.”
Liu Qingcao nodded obediently.
Ling Xing didn’t stay long. It wasn’t early, and he had to go back to make lunch.
Liu Qingcao pulled at Ling Xing, unconsciously swallowing his saliva, “Brother Ling, take the things you put in the cabinet away, we can’t take them.”
He also craved meat and pastries, knowing that these were expensive, and he didn’t dare to accept them at all.
Liu Qingxue nodded beside him.
Ling Xing reached out and touched the siblings’ heads, “I brought them for you to eat. Children need to eat well to be healthy. If you’re hungry at noon, just open the pastries and eat them. Brother Ling bought your favorite walnut cookies, there are many, don’t be afraid there won’t be enough to eat.”
The two siblings stared blankly, and Shen Hui put the remaining malt sugar in the stove room, came out and left directly with Ling Xing and Ling Yue.
“Qingcao! Come and bolt the door!”
Ling Xing stood outside the door, calling out to Liu Qingcao, who was still immersed in emotion.
“Coming, Brother Ling!”
Liu Qingcao wiped his face, suppressing the urge to cry, and ran to bolt the door.
Since their parents passed away, no one had ever been so good to him and his younger sister except for his eldest brother and second brother.
……
The three returned to the small courtyard, and Ling Xing prepared to make stir-fried meat slices. On the stove in the kitchen, Ling Xing had placed an iron pot, which was convenient for stir-frying and deep-frying later, so he didn’t have to worry about damaging the pot.
Shen Hui could also make some simple dishes, and the taste was edible. But Ling Xing liked to cook, so he would do it. Shen Hui and Ling Yue were responsible for chopping wood, lighting the fire, washing the pot and dishes, and cleaning up after meals.
Ling Xing was thinking about planting some green onions, ginger, and garlic in the courtyard, and also some chili peppers, cabbage, chives, cowpeas, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
There wasn’t any more space, so he’d just plant some of the things they often ate.
Stir-frying was fast. Ling Xing made braised pork slices, stir-fried shredded potatoes, and made a cabbage and egg soup, plus a small dish of pickled sour cowpea pickles.
There were few vegetables now, so they ate the same few things over and over.
Ling Xing had good skills, which he had practiced diligently in his previous life. The dishes were stir-fried with enough wok hei, and the taste was very fragrant.
After eating, the three cleaned up the courtyard again.
The courtyard floor was dusty, so they had to fetch water and sprinkle it.
When fetching water from the well, Ling Xing noticed that the cuff of Shen Hui’s wrist had a hole ripped in it, so he asked him to take off his clothes so he could sew them up for him.
Ever since Ling Xing had helped Shen Hui sew clothes once last year, he often paid attention to Shen Hui’s clothes. When he saw any damage, he would sew them up for him as soon as possible.
However, that was all when Shen Hui was drying clothes and Ling Xing went to take a look.
This was the first time he had said it in front of Shen Hui.
Shen Hui paused and put down the bucket full of water. He didn’t go into the house to change his clothes, but directly reached out his hand.
“Gefu, just sew it up for me like this.”
“I’m a little tired anyway, so I’ll take a break.”
This was the first time Ling Xing heard Shen Hui say he was tired, and it was only after carrying two buckets of water.
He didn’t think much about it, went into the house to get a needle and thread, found a color similar to the clothes, and helped Shen Hui sew them up.
There was a gap between the cuff fabric and the wrist, but as Ling Xing moved, he would inevitably touch Shen Hui’s hand.
Ling Xing was focused on sewing, not noticing that Shen Hui was always looking down at him.
Each unintentional touch made the smile on Shen Hui’s face grow deeper.
The cuff was quickly sewn up. Just as he finished, the courtyard door was knocked on.
“Is Brother Ling home? I’m Liu Qingyu.”
Liu Qingyu had come.
Shen Hui let Ling Xing sit and went to open the door.
The Liu family was poor and didn’t have much to bring.
Liu Qingyu didn’t want to come empty-handed, so he gritted his teeth and bought a big fish.
“Thank you Brother Ling for the pastries and meat. I don’t have much to give, but this fish tastes very good, there aren’t many small bones, and it tastes especially fresh. Brother Ling, don’t dislike it.”
Ling Xing smiled and nodded, “How could I dislike it.”
Shen Hui knew that Ling Xing and Liu Qingyu had something to say, so he took the fish and went directly to the stove room, getting water and putting it in a basin to keep it alive.
In the courtyard, Ling Xing asked Liu Qingyu to sit on the stool next to him, “The reason I asked you to come is to ask if you would be willing to work in my snack shop.”
Liu Qingyu didn’t expect Ling Xing to ask him about this. He didn’t know how to react for a moment. He was stunned after being hit by a huge surprise.
“Brother Ling, are you really, really willing to take me?”
He looked at Ling Xing in disbelief, then thought of something. The joy faded, and his eyes were full of loneliness, “But I’m not good, I’m afraid that if I go, I’ll cause you trouble.”
Ling Xing knew that it wasn’t easy for Liu Qingyu to raise his younger siblings alone. During this period, he must have suffered a lot of rejection and criticism.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted like this, negating himself.
He said softly, “You work carefully and diligently. The renovation of my courtyard was also thanks to you keeping an eye on it. It was repaired even better than I imagined. I think you’re really good, so I wanted to ask you if you’re willing.”
Ling Xing looked at Liu Qingyu’s eyes, and affirmed gently, “Brother Yu, you’re good, you won’t cause me trouble.”
Liu Qingyu’s nose was sore, and his eyes turned red.
He lowered his head a little embarrassedly, sniffing and wiping away the tears from the corners of his eyes.
After calming down, he replied seriously, “Brother Ling, whatever you want me to do, I will do it, and I will definitely not cause you trouble!”
“Okay, I believe you.”
Ling Xing smiled and responded to him, telling him about the salary and benefits.
“Fifty copper coins per day, two days off per month, three meals included. You can save the rest time to take off together, or take a day off in case of emergencies.”
Prices in the county were more expensive than in the town. The wages for the same job were also higher.
In Yunxia Town, the average daily wage for waiters in restaurants was about thirty copper coins, including meals.
In the county, it was basically around fifty copper coins, but without meals or days off.
If there was an emergency, they would directly deduct money for taking leave.
Even so, this kind of job was hard to find. Basically, each position was already filled. Even if someone left, they would directly introduce their relatives or acquaintances to the shopkeeper.
The quota was directly digested internally, not touching outsiders.
Liu Qingyu was extremely satisfied with this treatment. With rest time, he didn’t have to ask for leave and have money deducted.
Including three meals, the rations he saved could give his younger siblings more to eat.
He was so happy that he asked Ling Xing when he could start work.
Ling Xing said six days later, but he had to come to the courtyard tomorrow and follow him to learn some basics. Otherwise, he was afraid that he wouldn’t know anything when the shop opened, and he would be in a mess and delay business.
“Tomorrow will be considered your official first day, and the monthly salary will be paid on the first day of the second month.”
Liu Qingyu naturally had no problem. After asking about the work hours, he went home.
After he left, Ling Xing and the others went to the labor market and found the renovation team from last time, giving them the drawings.
The shop renovation in town was done according to the drawings, and the same was true for the county.
With detailed drawings, the work would be done quickly.
The leader of the renovation team said that it could be done within six days, looking at Ling Xing’s side to make sure Liu Qingyu wasn’t there, and really breathed a sigh of relief.
Not to mention him, even the others in the team were also apprehensive about Liu Qingyu.
He was really watching too closely.
They could dream of Liu Qingyu saying redo, and wake up scared.
At this time, in Gingko Clinic, Shen Lai was washing clay pots in the backyard.
After supporting the wooden ladder for a quarter of an hour in the morning, Doctor Pei finally grabbed the herbs and came down.
Shen Lai used all his strength to secure the wooden ladder, not letting it shake.
Doctor Pei didn’t look at him, but said, “Go help in the backyard.”
Having work to do was a good sign, Shen Lai perked up, “Okay, Master!”
Doctor Pei frowned upon hearing this, “I’m not your master, call me Doctor Pei.”
Without an apprenticeship ceremony, he couldn’t be considered his master, and he didn’t acknowledge it.
Shen Lai’s joyful mood was like being splashed with a basin of cold water, instantly cooling down. He could only obediently nod, “Understood, Doctor Pei.”
Arriving in the backyard, Shen Lai realized that there were three other teenagers studying medicine with Doctor Pei.
Including the child he saw at the beginning, there were four in total.
They were all drying herbs in the backyard.
When those three teenagers saw Shen Lai, they all acted as if they didn’t see him. The child smiled at Shen Lai.
Just after smiling, the skinny one beside him covered his face, clearly not letting him smile at Shen Lai.
A look of loneliness flashed in Shen Lai’s eyes, but he quickly adjusted himself and actively asked, “Is there anything you need me to help with?”
No one answered.
Shen Lai called out three times, but no one responded to him.
The feeling of being ignored like air was very uncomfortable, and Shen Lai felt stuffy in his heart.
He wanted to tug at their ears and ask if their ears were broken, but he couldn’t do that.
This wasn’t Xiao Liucun. He came here to study medicine.
His opportunity was hard-won, and he couldn’t ruin it with a moment of anger.
Forget it, just bear with it.
Then Shen Lai walked up to the leading teenager. He had observed that the others always looked at him from time to time, listening to his command.
“Doctor Pei asked me to come to the backyard to help. If there’s nothing for me to help with, then I’ll go out now and reply to him.”
The three teenagers finally reacted. The leader glanced at Shen Lai, his face not looking good. He didn’t expect Shen Lai to react like this.
He didn’t cry and run out.
He pointed unhappily at the pile of clay pots in the corner, “The pots for boiling medicine, wash them all clean.”
Shen Lai looked over, it was like a small mountain. He didn’t know where so many clay pots came from. Fortunately, there was water in the wooden basin.
He didn’t say much, rolled up his sleeves, went over, and began to wash the pots.
He kept washing until noon, changing the water twice in between, his back aching from exhaustion. Now he was extremely hungry. He endured the hunger and looked up at the sky, finding that it was already noon. Only then did he put down the clay pot, wanting to ask someone when lunch was served.
As a result, there was no one in the courtyard, only him washing clay pots in the corner.
In an unfamiliar environment, being all alone made Shen Lai a little panicked.
He could only move forward, walking and looking around, searching for people.
People on Gingko Street basically didn’t go to the clinic. They endured minor illnesses themselves, and couldn’t afford to treat major illnesses.
Only when children were feeling unwell and there was really no other way would they come to see a doctor.
Therefore, the clinic was very deserted.
The people at the clinic ate in the stove room, which was located near the hall where they saw patients and grabbed medicine.
The door of the stove room was wide open. Shen Lai hurriedly walked over here, and could directly see the situation inside.
Everyone was eating in the room, and there was not much food left on the table.
It seemed that lunch had started a long time ago, but no one had called him.
Seeing Doctor Pei sitting in the main seat, Shen Lai suppressed the grievances in his heart and put on a smile, “Oh dear, I’m sorry Doctor Pei, I didn’t know lunch had started, I’m late.”
Doctor Pei glanced at him and then looked at the teenager next to him.
His brows furrowed slightly, and his voice was slightly cold, “Pei Xinyi, didn’t you say you called him?”
Pei Xinyi did not make any excuses and directly lowered his head to admit his mistake, “I was wrong, Godfather.”
Doctor Pei looked at the leftovers on the table, with nothing edible.
He got up and said to Pei Xinyi, “You resolve the trouble you caused yourself.”
After saying that, he left without looking back. When passing Shen Lai, he paused slightly, but in the end, he didn’t say anything.
Seeing him leave, Pei Xinyi raised his face to look at Shen Lai, snorting coldly and pointing to the leftovers on the table, “Only these can be eaten, eat it if you want.”
He gestured to Pei Rendong and Pei Banxia on the opposite side, asking them to get up. He hugged four-year-old Pei Kongqing, and the four of them prepared to leave.
Pei Xinyi said, “Clean up the table.”
Shen Lai looked at their backs, biting the soft flesh inside his lips, forcing himself not to cry.
It’s okay, as long as I can study medicine, everything will be okay.
Gurgle——
His stomach rumbled with hunger, and Shen Lai had no choice but to move to the dining table. He carefully picked out what he could eat, at least to last until he got home.
In the afternoon, Pei Xinyi continued to handle the medicinal herbs with his three younger brothers.
Then he nitpicked the clay pots that Shen Lai had washed.
He repeatedly washed a pot seven times, and he would only say it was too dirty, and wash it again.
When Doctor Pei came over and told Shen Lai that he could go home, his hands were still soaking in the water, already shriveled beyond recognition.
He was also very hungry, and didn’t even have the strength to speak.
Seeing Shen Lai’s weak appearance, Doctor Pei glanced coldly at Pei Xinyi.
Knowing that he had gone a little too far, Pei Xinyi didn’t dare to say anything.
He just thought Shen Lai was very annoying, just a “ge’er,” how could he be so stubborn.
He simply wouldn’t bow his head and give in.
The less he bowed his head, the more he wanted to make the other party bow his head.
Who knew Shen Lai could endure so well…
Shen Lai left the clinic tiredly, finding three lanterns outside the clinic.
His head was dizzy with hunger. After focusing his vision, he saw Ling Xing and the others.
“Little Five, come quickly, let’s go home and eat.”
Shen Lai felt a sourness in his heart that he couldn’t bear, and with a wail, he pounced into Ling Xing’s arms.
This sound was exactly like Wu Xue’s, making Ling Xing want Wu Xue a little.
His gaze swept over Shen Lai’s hand, and he patted Shen Lai’s back quietly, and asked in a low voice, “Little Five, what’s wrong? Where do you feel uncomfortable?”
Shen Lai quietly wiped away his tears, and buried his face in Ling Xing’s arms again, hugging Ling Xing’s waist coquettishly, “I’m just very hungry, and I miss Gefu too.”
Ling Xing smiled, “Then let’s go home quickly, I made all your favorite foods.”
Shen Lai did want to get up, but he was tired and hungry, his head was dizzy, and he couldn’t walk.
He could only look at Shen Hui with tears, “Second Brother, my feet won’t move, they don’t listen to me.”
Shen Hui picked him up from Ling Xing’s arms, squatted down, “Get on.”
“Okay!”
Shen Lai lay on Shen Hui’s back, too tired to even lift his hands.
Shen Hui glanced at the strangeness on his younger brother’s hand, and his brows wrinkled slightly. He didn’t let Shen Lai help carry the lantern, but said, “Sleep for a while if you’re tired, you’ll have the strength to eat when you get home.”
Shen Lai whispered um and let himself fall asleep.
On the way back, Ling Xing took care of Ling Yue’s pace, walking a step slower than Shen Hui.
Ling Yue’s small face was full of seriousness, and he said to Ling Xing, “Brother, Little Five is being bullied.”
Ling Xing naturally saw it too. The child’s hands were wrinkled from soaking, his palms still had abrasions, and he was hungry and tired, falling asleep directly.
Even if he wasn’t being bullied, he definitely wasn’t having a good time.
It’s just that Shen Lai had been trying to hide it, not wanting them to know, so Ling Xing didn’t ask.
“Tomorrow Brother will talk to Doctor Pei about it.”
……
In the evening, Shen Lai ate three bowls of rice. Ling Xing was afraid that he would be uncomfortable, so he stopped him from continuing to eat.
After eating and washing up, he fell asleep.
The next morning, Ling Xing made Shen Lai’s favorite noodles, with eggs and meat. He also wrapped several pieces of pastry for him in oiled paper, so he could eat when he was hungry.
Yesterday was to recognize the road and to visit Shen Lai’s future master to show respect, so Ling Xing and Shen Hui went there.
Today, Shen Lai had to go by himself.
After Shen Lai left, Ling Xing and Shen Hui went to the shop to see the progress, check if the previously done things needed to be adjusted, changed the small details of the stove, confirmed that everything was correct, and the two went to Gingko Street.
Afraid that Shen Lai would see them, Ling Xing gave a teenager selling eggs two copper coins, asking him to help send the letter that had been written long ago to Doctor Pei.
The content of the letter was to invite Doctor Pei to meet at the restaurant diagonally opposite the clinic.
Ling Xing and Shen Hui had just ordered a pot of tea in the restaurant when Doctor Pei’s thin figure appeared.
At this time, there were no diners in the restaurant, only the three of them.
Doctor Pei still had a cold and indifferent look, not taking the tea that Shen Hui poured, and directly asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
Shen Hui put the tea on the table, “I want to know what happened to my younger brother’s hands?”
Doctor Pei glared at Shen Hui, frowning, “Are you questioning me?”
Shen Hui shook his head, “I just want to know the reason.”
Doctor Pei withdrew his gaze, “Soaked in water all day, and carried water all day, half soaked, half rubbed.”
After saying that, without waiting for Shen Hui and Ling Xing to react, he directly said, “If you think Shen Lai has been wronged and want me to take good care of him, then take him back as soon as possible.”
“I’ll say it here first, he’ll only suffer endless hardships with me. If it weren’t for County Magistrate Lin’s request, I wouldn’t take a ‘ge’er’ to learn medicine at all.”
Doctor Pei’s gaze swept over the two, “Since you let him, as a ‘ge’er,’ come to study medicine, you should know that if he can’t bear this bit of coldness and suffering, he’s learning for nothing.”
It was difficult for a “ge’er” to learn medicine.
The things encountered on this path were far more difficult to bear than what Shen Lai was encountering now.
If he couldn’t bear it now, he would never be able to bear it later.
Ling Xing and Shen Hui understood the meaning in Doctor Pei’s words. They had no choice.
If they wanted Shen Lai to be well, they shouldn’t change Doctor Pei’s attitude.
But the attitude of everyone in Dayu towards women and “ge’ers” studying medicine.
After leaving the restaurant, Ling Xing’s mood was a bit low. He didn’t know if it was right or wrong to find a doctor for Little Five to study medicine.
Shen Hui looked down at Ling Xing’s low expression, seeing the thoughts in his heart.
“Gefu, don’t worry, Little Five is a self-possessed child. If he really feels he can’t stand it, and can’t bear it, he’ll leave on his own.”
Ling Xing sighed and could only nod.
In the following days, Shen Lai acted normal in front of Ling Xing and the others. Except for sometimes unintentionally showing fatigue, you really couldn’t see any difference.
His hands finally stopped wrinkling after three days. It seemed that Doctor Pei didn’t ask him to soak in water and wash clay pots anymore.
On April 16th, Ling Xing’s snack shop in the county was about to open.
Liu Qingyu would come to the courtyard every day to help Ling Xing for an hour, having a certain understanding of the snacks being sold, and could simply help Ling Xing.
Finally, when the shop opened, Liu Qingyu put on the full-coverage apron that Ling Xing had custom-made, not afraid of oil splashing on his clothes and making them difficult to wash.
Ling Xing also wore one himself, which could not only protect the clothes inside, but also give the diners a different feeling with the uniform color of clothing.
There were two aprons per person, which could be changed and washed.
On the opening day, a string of firecrackers attracted some people to stop.
After learning that it was a shop selling food, the pedestrians were mostly surprised.
A shop selling food was still the first one on Spring Rain Street!
The steamer was the same as in town, at the door, with a canopy on top.
The steamer was now full of soup dumplings. The white steam was blown to the left by the wind, and was blocked by a wooden board standing upright, so it could only float upwards.
Over the past few days, Liu Qingyu had memorized the food in the shop, and began to attract customers to the crowd.
Selling in the county, all the food was two copper coins more expensive than in town. This could ensure that the final profit was the same as in town.
Those who came to Spring Rain Street were the better-off people in the county, followed by maids, servants, and nannies