Chapter Ten: The Library Master Is Truly Beautiful

Xie Qingtang stroked her chin, studying Zhou Jinfan thoughtfully before saying with caution, “With his aptitude, even after ten years or so, at best he might become a barefoot doctor. If he dreams of becoming a renowned physician, famous and accomplished, I fear there’s little hope for him in this lifetime. Reincarnation might be faster…”

Everyone: “…”

You two, it’s one thing to gossip about someone behind their back, but could you at least keep your voices down? Can’t you see Zhou Jinfan’s face has gone pale and he looks about ready to topple over from the blow?

Xie Qingtang cleared her throat and spoke in earnest, “Ahem, back to business. Just as we agreed earlier: the clinic will remain yours, but from today on, I am the head, and you are the apprentice. You’ll run errands and handle the miscellaneous chores for me. I’ll give you a monthly stipend of two thousand. Is that acceptable?”

Zhou Jinfan’s expression soured. “What, only two thousand? What can you do with that in Su City? When I sell my pills, I can easily make over ten thousand a month. At the very least, you should give me five thousand.”

Gu Xiujin tapped his fingers on the wheelchair’s armrest, a half-smile on his lips. “Too little for you? If I report your fake medicine business to the police, you’ll get to enjoy prison meals. Full board, but not a penny to your name. Would that satisfy you?”

Zhou Jinfan’s face instantly wilted like an eggplant struck by frost.

Xie Qingtang chuckled and added mercilessly, “You’re not much better than a novice in the field of Chinese medicine right now. Two thousand is already generous. But you can study medicine with me when you have free time. As your skills improve, I’ll raise your pay. When you’re capable of standing on your own, the clinic will be yours again. How about it?”

Zhou Jinfan’s spirits soared, and he asked in disbelief, “What? You’re willing to teach me medicine?”

Xie Qingtang nodded seriously. “Since you’re so devoted to Chinese medicine, I’m happy to teach you. Think of it as payment for letting me use this Benevolence Hall.”

Zhou Jinfan grinned from ear to ear and replied repeatedly, “Thank you, thank you! Shouldn’t I offer you a cup of tea and formally acknowledge you as my master?”

Xie Qingtang found him rather endearing and shook her head. “That won’t be necessary.”

Zhou Jinfan exclaimed, “Miss Xie, you truly are noble and upright, a person untempted by fame or fortune!”

Xie Qingtang glanced at him in surprise and replied frankly, “It’s not about disdaining fame or fortune. Your aptitude is just so poor that I’m afraid if I take you on as a disciple, it’ll ruin my master’s reputation. I’d get beaten half to death for it!”

Zhou Jinfan: “…” Oh, woe is me! There’s no kindness left in this world!

Finally subdued, Zhou Jinfan let Xie Qingtang bring in her grandfather, and the two settled down at the Benevolence Hall for good.

Gu Xiujin, having seen through Zhou Jinfan’s cowardly yet cunning nature, knew Xie Qingtang could keep him in check. He had no objections, only requesting that Xie Qingtang give him a thorough examination in two days after he completed a comprehensive check-up at the hospital. With that, he took his leave with his entourage.

Xie Qingtang composed herself and carefully took her grandfather’s pulse, confirming that besides the lingering effects of medication, his body was severely depleted. Whether detoxifying or nourishing his health, ginseng, ganoderma, and other costly herbs were indispensable—all of them expensive.

Penniless, Xie Qingtang set down her pen, gazed at the treatment plan she had devised, and sighed. She needed to find a way to make money—quickly!

So, the next day, under Xie Qingtang’s direction, the Benevolence Hall reopened.

“Hey, hasn’t this clinic been open for years? Why are they celebrating a grand reopening today?”

To create a festive atmosphere, Xie Qingtang spent her last bit of money to hire a lion dance troupe to perform at the entrance, and hung firecrackers across the front of the Benevolence Hall.

If it’s a grand opening, it should look the part. The neighboring residents, unaware that the clinic had changed hands, watched in puzzlement.

“Don’t you know? I heard there’s a new head at the Benevolence Hall. Today is their grand reopening. Let’s go join the fun.”

The lively lion dance drew a large crowd. Xie Qingtang watched with satisfaction, nodding slightly. Zhou Jinfan, standing beside her, frowned, “Hiring a lion dance troupe must have cost a lot.”

“It’s not your money. Today is the reopening of my Benevolence Hall, so of course I want a bit of fanfare to make a name for myself.” Ambition shone in Xie Qingtang’s eyes. The Benevolence Hall was only the first step.

Across the street, in the Gu Family Hospital, a woman bit her lip, eyes burning with anger. If Xie Qingtang had seen her, she would have recognized her immediately as the intern doctor she confronted the day before.

“There’s a commotion across the street. The Benevolence Hall has reopened.”

“Isn’t that just some traditional medicine shop? A place that sells fake medicine—what’s worth reopening? Probably the same old tricks, continuing to peddle fakes.”

Most doctors in the Gu Family Hospital looked down on traditional medicine, so seeing the Benevolence Hall reopen, they mocked it as nothing but a cheap spectacle.

Their words greatly pleased the intern, who turned her head with a smug look and joined in the slander. “You’re right, Xiaoying. That place is just a den of charlatans. A grand reopening is probably just the same old scheme.”

“Haha, Sister Miao, you don’t care for that medicine shop either? Why don’t we go join the crowd? If they try to dupe anyone, we can expose them on the spot,” suggested Xiaoying, a nurse whose eyes gleamed as she tried to curry favor with Wang Miao’er.

Wang Miao’er nodded in satisfaction at the flattery, though she remained seated, inspecting her nails. With a cold snort, she said, “They’re not even worth my time. There are still so many patients waiting for me here.”

“Sister Miao’er, you truly have the heart of a healer. Even as an intern, your skills surpass those of many full doctors. We all admire you,” Xiaoying continued to fawn.

The other nurses exchanged looks of disdain, unable to comprehend Xiaoying’s relentless flattery.

Xiaoying, however, paid no heed to their scorn. On the contrary, she felt quite pleased with herself. “Once you all learn Wang Miao’er’s true identity, you’ll see that none of my efforts have been in vain.”

These were only her private thoughts, unheard by the others. In high spirits, she followed Wang Miao’er into the patient examination room.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today marks the grand reopening of the Benevolence Hall. We are turning over a new leaf, leaving all the past behind. From this day forward, I am the new head of the Benevolence Hall.”