Chapter 97: A Comical Apprenticeship

After leaving the operating room, Xie Qingtang felt an inexplicable heaviness in her heart, a stifling air that needed an outlet. When she saw Gu Xiujin, a sudden clarity dawned on her, as if the vent she needed had appeared at last. Unconsciously, she recounted everything that had happened in the operating room to Gu Xiujin, then asked in puzzlement, “Why would a woman risk her life to bear a child for a man like that?”

“I don’t know,” Gu Xiujin replied, pushing his wheelchair forward slowly, “but what I do know is that it’s her choice. We can’t interfere.”

As his words faded, Xie Qingtang let out a laugh, gazing at the sapphire sky beyond the hospital and nodding. “Yes, what am I doing? I’m just a doctor, here to heal and save lives, not to guide people’s destinies. It’s her choice, and I’ll do my best to save her. I only hope she won’t regret it in the future.”

Xie Qingtang, with her back to Gu Xiujin, didn’t see his expression pause for a moment at her words, nor the smile that curved his lips. Quietly, the two returned to the Benevolence Hall.

A while later, Zhou Jinfan dashed back as well, circling Xie Qingtang as if she were some curious specimen.

“What are you doing, spinning around me like this? Have you forgotten who I am in just a few hours?” Xie Qingtang frowned, dizzy from Zhou Jinfan’s circling.

Zhou Jinfan bit his lip, a determined look flashing in his eyes, as if he had made up his mind. With a thud, he knelt on the floor and knocked his head three times before Xie Qingtang.

“Master, please accept your disciple’s bow.”

Xie Qingtang, mid-sip, sputtered water all over Zhou Jinfan’s face. “Zhou Jinfan, what kind of nonsense are you up to now?”

“Master, you’re the legendary miracle doctor, curing illnesses with a touch. For the sake of our Benevolence Hall, I must learn medicine from you. Whether you want to or not, you have to take me as your disciple.”

“And what, you’re not afraid I’ll torment you? Don’t forget, you haven’t even finished learning all the acupuncture points.” Xie Qingtang’s lips curled into a devilish smile, testing Zhou Jinfan on purpose.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Jinfan straightened his neck, determination shining in his eyes, and said, “I’m not afraid anymore. Only by enduring hardship can one rise above others. As long as Master is willing to teach, I’ll learn; no matter how hard it gets, I won’t give up. I will become a renowned doctor who heals and saves lives.”

Hearing his bold words, Xie Qingtang smiled, took a tea leaf from her cup, and tossed it atop his head. “Do you know what this is called?”

“No idea,” Zhou Jinfan replied, puzzled, removing the damp tea leaf from his forehead and looking at Xie Qingtang.

She smiled gently, stepped forward, and tapped his forehead. “Tea means ‘cha’—which in this case means ‘inferior.’ Your aptitude is simply too poor. If you want to be my disciple, you mustn’t disgrace my master’s reputation. Pass my trial first, then we’ll talk.”

With that, she strode off toward the back garden, hands behind her, taking on the air of a lofty sage. Zhou Jinfan, despite the humiliation, showed not a hint of anger; instead, a spark lit up his eyes. “Boss, you said it yourself! If I pass your trial, you must take me as your disciple—no going back on your word.”

Together they headed to the garden, where Gu Xiujin was conversing with Grandpa Xie. Seeing Xie Qingtang approach, the conversation halted, as if they were hiding something from her.

Witnessing this, Xie Qingtang felt a pang of discomfort. She and her grandfather had never shared such secrets. Every time Gu Xiujin visited the Benevolence Hall, he would go to the garden to speak with Grandpa Xie, keeping her in the dark.

“Grandpa, what are you talking about over here, so mysteriously, not letting me in on it?” She strode up to her grandfather and spoke with a playful pout.

Moments before, the famed Miracle Doctor Xie had shown her prowess in the hospital, but before her grandfather, she reverted to a little girl’s demeanor. Gu Xiujin smiled faintly.

Grandpa Xie shot Gu Xiujin a glance, catching that smile, then gently rubbed Xie Qingtang’s head. “I was telling Xiujin, asking when he’ll finally marry my clever little granddaughter so I can rest easy.”

“Oh, Grandpa, what are you saying? How could I possibly marry Gu Xiujin?” Xie Qingtang blurted out her truest feelings, plunging the garden into awkward silence.

To avoid affecting Grandpa Xie’s recovery, Xie Qingtang had always told him she and Gu Xiujin were simply getting to know each other, never mentioning her intention to break off the engagement. But her words just now made Grandpa Xie frown immediately; Xie Qingtang stuck out her tongue, realizing she’d slipped.

“Tangtang, you mustn’t be willful. Xiujin is a good child—steady and ambitious. My last wish is for you two to be together. Can’t you grant me this, your grandfather’s final wish?” Grandpa Xie seemed afraid she would act impulsively and later regret it, so he urged her earnestly.

Xie Qingtang glanced at Gu Xiujin, noting he sat calmly in his wheelchair, unchanged. She rolled her eyes inwardly and soothed Grandpa Xie. “Grandpa, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. I’ve only just returned to Su City and met Gu Xiujin after so long—we need time to get to know each other before we can talk about marriage.”

Her ambiguous words didn’t entirely reassure Grandpa Xie, but his expression softened for a moment.

While they spoke in the garden, a clamor erupted in the front hall, as if a crowd had arrived. Xie Qingtang frowned and rose, heading out with Zhou Jinfan.

It turned out that Ah Ben had brought his third aunt to the Benevolence Hall—the same old woman who had caused a scene at the entrance of Gu’s Hospital. As she entered, her sharp gaze swept the room.

Upon seeing Xie Qingtang, her expression shifted dramatically, gone was the blustering behavior from earlier. She approached, excitement lighting her face.