Chapter 100: Bewildered and at a loss

Shopkeeper Qiu seemed to be quite fond of Big Head; every time he saw him, he was delighted. Doctor Jin had once mentioned to Wen Jun, quite by chance, that Shopkeeper Qiu had taken a liking to Big Head, and that it would only bring him benefit, never harm. Yet Doctor Jin had never spoken of what Shopkeeper Qiu did before, only saying they were friends who met in the capital, and later came together to Cloud Mist Town, without elaborating further.

But just now, Wen Yao had heard clearly: the person who came to fetch Shopkeeper Qiu was exceedingly respectful, and Shopkeeper Qiu addressed their master as "Sir." It seemed this amiable pharmacy shopkeeper had a remarkable background after all. Yet Wen Yao scoured her memory and could not find such a character in the original novel. Had she overlooked something?

Lost in thought, she soon realized they had already entered the Hall of Benevolence. Perhaps it was because the New Year was approaching; there were few patients, and only Doctor Jin and his two assistants were present.

“Doctor Jin, Brother Qiu, today we've come especially to invite you both to celebrate the New Year at our home. Xiao Jun has told us that Doctor Jin won't return to the capital this year, and Brother Qiu is alone as well. Why not come to our house? Though it's in the countryside, a big family makes for a lively celebration.” As soon as they sat down, Wen Xiu Yi explained his purpose.

Shopkeeper Qiu smiled, “I’m not alone, I have Hong Hai.”

Hong Hai, behind the counter, suddenly heard his name and looked up in confusion, not understanding.

Wen Yao laughed, “Brother Hong Hai, would you like to spend the New Year at our house?”

Hong Hai replied instinctively, “Ah? Is that alright?”

Wen Yao looked to Shopkeeper Qiu and said simply, “For New Year’s Eve dinner, I’ll be the chef.”

Shopkeeper Qiu raised his eyebrows, burst out laughing, and pointed at Wen Yao through the air, his laughter warm. “In that case, Old Jin and I will happily accept your hospitality.”

After all, it matters little where one spends the New Year—at the Wen family, it's lively, and besides, he truly enjoyed Big Head’s company.

Wen Jun had also persuaded Doctor Jin.

With the matter settled, Shopkeeper Qiu turned to Big Head and asked, “Big Head, how is the homework I gave you coming along?”

Big Head immediately stood up, respectfully saluted, “Replying to Uncle Qiu, I’ve already finished it.”

Shopkeeper Qiu nodded with satisfaction, “Very good, very good.”

Wen Yao tugged at Wen Jun’s sleeve and whispered, “Did you ever ask Doctor Jin about Shopkeeper Qiu’s background?”

Wen Jun glanced at the two—one big, one small—engaged in question and answer, and quietly replied, “I did ask, but Master wouldn't say. He only told me to let you know: if Shopkeeper Qiu grows close to Big Head, don’t interfere.”

Then he looked at Wen Yao and asked in an even lower voice, “You haven’t remembered anything?”

“No, nothing fits.” The main reason was that the original novel was flooded with messy supporting characters, and the author seemed not to keep notes—some characters would appear in one chapter and be forgotten in the next, as if a person like this had never appeared. Only their family’s unlucky Big Head, who was a supporting male character with a consistent name, managed to persist.

Utterly irresponsible. (I'm criticizing myself here, so don't take it personally! Please spare me!)

Wen Jun pondered for a moment and then let it go. “If you can’t recall, don’t force it. Anyway, Shopkeeper Qiu and Master wouldn’t harm me or Big Head. By the way, aren’t we heading for the market? Have you decided what to buy?”

Wen Yao still had several dozen taels left—after building the house, they were reasonably well-off. With the magical tool of the spatial ring, they weren't wealthy but they were comfortable. Yet some things couldn’t be sourced from the ring; from the start, they hadn’t meant to rely too much on it. Gifts for family, for Doctor Jin and the others, were better bought the proper way.

“More or less. When Father and Doctor Jin finish talking, we’ll head out.”

After a while, Wen Xiu Yi and Doctor Jin finished their conversation, and the family prepared to go shopping. But Shopkeeper Qiu and Big Head seemed engrossed in their chat.

When they heard the others were leaving, Big Head bit his lip and stood still.

The three exchanged glances, then looked at Big Head—not rushing him, but patiently waiting.

Big Head needed to have his own thoughts.

After a moment, Big Head finally gathered his courage and said, “Father, Sister, Brother, I still have a few questions for Uncle Qiu. You go ahead and shop without me.”

The three finally relaxed; it was good that Big Head could express his own wishes. Smiling, Wen Yao said, “Alright then. If you want anything, we’ll bring it back for you. Don’t trouble Uncle Qiu, okay?”

Big Head smiled, nodding, “I want books, and some sweets.” He had promised his village friends he’d buy candy for them when he went to town.

Wen Yao, who spent almost every day with him, naturally knew why. With Big Head settled, she left with Wen Xiu Yi and Wen Jun.

Shopkeeper Qiu then led Big Head toward the backyard, intending to give him a proper lesson.

Doctor Jin smiled, “Why not just make it clear you’re taking Big Head as a student?”

Big Head was taken aback, tilting his head to look at Doctor Jin, then at Shopkeeper Qiu, confusion on his face.

Uncle Qiu—could he have another identity? He seemed so knowledgeable, even more so than Father.

Shopkeeper Qiu smiled helplessly, “I once swore never to take another student. As for Big Head, he’s family, so it doesn’t count.”

Thus, Big Head could only be considered his junior, not a student. No one said he couldn’t teach his own family.

Doctor Jin raised an eyebrow, “Oh? What are you planning?”

Shopkeeper Qiu glared at him, “Didn’t you already guess?”

Doctor Jin laughed heartily, glanced at Big Head, and said to Shopkeeper Qiu, “You haven’t asked the boy himself. What if he doesn’t want to?”

Big Head watched their exchange, sensing a hidden meaning, and though they weren’t explicit, he had an inkling.

Was it as he imagined?

When Uncle Qiu said “family,” but they weren’t related by blood, what did that mean?

Shopkeeper Qiu was clearly caught off guard by Doctor Jin’s question. He looked at Big Head, who was gazing back with pure, innocent eyes—childlike yet clever.

He smiled, gently patted Big Head’s head, and said, “Let’s leave it to fate.” With that, he took Big Head’s hand and led him to the backyard.

Doctor Jin shook his head, still smiling, and cast a glance at Hong Hai. He had originally thought the old fellow would choose Hong Hai, but it seemed he was mistaken.

Hong Hai, with his honest face, scratched his head, “Doctor Jin, is something wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?” It made him uneasy.

Doctor Jin smiled, “Nothing, carry on.”

“Oh.” Hong Hai didn’t ask further and went back to his work. He never questioned or thought much about what Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu discussed.