Chapter Sixty-Two: Venturing Deep into the Mountain Village

After hearing what Xie Qingtang said, Zhou Jinfan’s body trembled, and then, wearing an expression of fear and astonishment, he actually took a step back. His lips quivered as he spoke, “Boss, why are you telling me all this? Don’t tell me you’re making arrangements for your own last wishes?”

As soon as these words fell, Xie Qingtang nearly stumbled and fell down the steps. Incensed, she reached out and gave Zhou Jinfan a firm smack on the back of his head.

“Are you addle-brained? Why would I be making arrangements for my own last wishes? I’m just going away for a few days, and I’m worried something might happen at Chunshan Hall, so I’m leaving you all some medicinal powders as a precaution.”

“And can’t you wish your boss well for once? Are you waiting for me to die so you can take over Chunshan Hall? Rest assured, I won’t let the century-old reputation of Chunshan Hall be ruined in your hands—I’ll certainly come back.”

Listening to Xie Qingtang’s indignant words, Zhou Jinfan actually felt somewhat reassured. Embarrassed, he scratched the back of his head and said, “Boss, you have to see it from my side too. You suddenly started saying all this, it really sounded like you were making your last arrangements. Anyone would be worried.”

“Alright, enough with the nonsense. I’m about to leave. Don’t say much to Grandpa and Aunt Lan either—just tell them I’m out purchasing medicinal herbs and that I might be gone for a few days. Understood?” Xie Qingtang’s expression grew even more serious.

Zhou Jinfan nodded, merely reminding her to be careful along the way. Xie Qingtang packed a black backpack and, slinging it over her shoulder, left Chunshan Hall directly.

Although Chunshan Hall opened as usual, people were surprised to find that the young girl who always presided over the hall was nowhere to be seen. So, the hall stopped seeing patients and only dispensed prescriptions.

Xie Qingtang wasted no time after leaving the hall, boarding a train that took forty minutes to reach a remote railway station. As she stepped out of the station, an excited voice called out.

“Doctor Xie!” Looking in that direction, Xie Qingtang saw a middle-aged woman in a floral jacket waving at her. It was none other than Aben’s mother.

Aben’s mother climbed down from the ox cart and hurried over with bright excitement, grasping Xie Qingtang’s hand. “Doctor Xie, you’re finally here! I had my son bring the ox cart to wait at the station first thing in the morning. You’ve finally arrived.”

“Ma’am, you really didn’t have to come out of your way to meet me,” Xie Qingtang replied politely. Aben, with his honest smile, led the ox cart over and chimed in, “Doctor Xie, how could we not come to meet you? You’re a great benefactor to our family.”

The three of them climbed onto the ox cart, chatting and laughing. Having spent time on the mountain with her master, Xie Qingtang was no stranger to ox carts and sat with ease, appearing perfectly at home.

At first, Aben’s mother worried that such a beautiful city girl might not be used to riding in an ox cart. But seeing Xie Qingtang’s composed demeanor, she gradually relaxed.

On the way, they passed paved roads, then winding country paths, and finally a stretch of dirt road before arriving at the small mountain village where their family had lived for generations.

Nestled in a low-lying basin surrounded by mountains, the village was filled with terraced fields climbing up the slopes. The scenery, with its signs of daily life, was vibrant and full of warmth.

Because the village was so small and rarely saw outsiders, when Aben pulled the ox cart with Xie Qingtang into the village, many people opened their doors in curiosity, gazing at the exquisite young woman on the cart.

“Whose daughter is that? She’s truly beautiful.”

“Indeed. Aben, is that your younger sister? Is she married? My son is about her age—why don’t we arrange a meeting?” Some people, unable to contain themselves, even tried to play matchmaker for Xie Qingtang on the spot.

The lively crowd made Xie Qingtang blush furiously, and she sat there in silence. Aben, however, responded good-naturedly, “Aunt Pang, don’t talk nonsense. This is Doctor Xie from the city—the one who cured my illness. Do you really think someone like her would fancy a mountain boy like me?”

As his words fell, disappointment showed on the faces of the villagers. Though they regretted that Xie Qingtang was not only a city girl but also a highly skilled doctor, their enthusiasm did not wane. One after another, they brought local specialties to Aben’s house as gifts.

Unbeknownst to her, a crowd of women trailed behind the ox cart, carrying everything from candies to peanuts and sunflower seeds.

As they chatted with Aben’s mother, the women stole curious glances at Xie Qingtang, sizing her up. Surrounded in this way, Xie Qingtang felt a moment’s nervousness, but her years of mountain life with her master had long since trained her to remain unruffled. No matter how anxious she might feel inside, nothing showed on her face.

Finally, they arrived at Aben’s home, which was quite pleasant—a stone house with a courtyard edged in vibrant flowers, picturesque as something out of a fairy tale.

“Aben, you’re back!” Hearing the commotion, Aben’s pregnant wife hurriedly opened the gate. Aben quickly set down the cart to assist her, his voice tinged with gentle reproach, “Axing, you’re carrying my child—why did you come out?”

“Oh, Aben truly dotes on his wife. Makes us old women feel rather embarrassed,” someone joked.

“Yes, yes, in this village, no one treasures his wife more than Aben does. Even my own brat can’t compare,” said another, and everyone burst into laughter.

Axing hadn’t expected so many women to be following the cart; her cheeks flushed crimson as she gave Aben a playful glare.

Aben, unfazed, just grinned sheepishly as he quickly tethered the ox. Xie Qingtang, backpack slung over her shoulders, hopped down from the cart.

Just like New Year’s, the villagers cheerfully ushered Xie Qingtang into the house. Though the home was humble, it was spotlessly clean, a testament to the peaceful, contented life they led.