Chapter 45: Why Do You Want to Study Medicine?

Hong Hai did indeed stop and turned back to look at the two of them in surprise. "So you're asking about Doctor Jin's preferences just for this?"

Wen Yao nodded vigorously. "Yes, that's exactly why."

After she finished, Wen Yao pulled Wen Jun forward and said to Hong Hai, "Brother Hong, to tell you the truth, we came here today for my brother. He's been fond of medicine since he was a child but never found a suitable master. Our family had some troubles before, and that delayed things. Last time, we saw Doctor Jin treating a patient and felt he was truly skilled. Then we heard from you that he used to be an imperial physician, so we mustered up our courage to come by and ask a bit. We wanted to find out if Doctor Jin takes in apprentices, what he likes, and maybe prepare a small gift for him. It's all because my brother wishes to learn medicine."

Wen Jun bowed to Hong Hai and said, "It's just as my sister said. If we've troubled you, Brother Hong, please don't mind. If it's inconvenient to say, that's fine too. The pastries really were made by my sister just for you, even if there was nothing else. Thank you for looking after us siblings together with the shopkeeper."

Their sincerity convinced Hong Hai.

"As for Doctor Jin—"

"Hong Hai, what pastries? Bring them here and let me have a taste." Before Hong Hai could finish, a voice rang out from outside the door—aged but still powerful.

Hong Hai's face lit up, and he hurried forward to greet the newcomer. "Doctor Jin, you're here. How come you’re so early today?"

Doctor Jin looked to be around the same age as Wen Xiuyi from the previous life, with hair half-turned white and a long beard. He had a square face, but it was not stern; kindness shone in his features.

Wen Yao suddenly recalled what people said: those who do much good and accumulate virtue will show it in their appearance. Doctor Jin was just such a person. Secretly studying him, Wen Yao imagined him in a modern white coat, a pen in his breast pocket, sitting in a consultation room—fitting perfectly the saying, "Once you put on the white coat, you become the doctor everyone wants but can never book an appointment with."

Shaking off these random thoughts, the siblings exchanged glances, each seeing the word "awkward" in the other's eyes.

They'd been inquiring about someone behind their back, only to run into the very person.

But Wen Yao was not someone easily flustered. If she didn't feel awkward, then it was others who would. Needing only three seconds to adjust was already slow for her, given she'd gotten up so early today.

"Hello, Doctor Jin," Wen Yao said with a bright, beaming smile.

Wen Jun promptly followed with a respectful bow due a junior.

Doctor Jin stroked his beard and looked Wen Jun up and down, nodding slightly. Wen Jun, with his head bowed, missed this, but Wen Yao saw it clearly.

There was hope!

"I heard you talking about pastries just now—what kind of pastries? Hong Hai, bring them here for a taste." Speaking as he moved, Doctor Jin ambled over to the table and sat down.

Hong Hai responded quickly, ran to the counter, and brought over the box. Unwrapping the paper, they revealed neatly arranged osmanthus cakes. Though it wasn’t the season for osmanthus blossoms, Wen Yao had purchased them from her space.

Doctor Jin picked up a piece and studied it for a moment. "Osmanthus cake? I didn’t expect to taste this out of season."

He took a bite. Fragrant, soft, and delicious—it melted in the mouth. He nodded. "I'm surprised you managed to preserve autumn’s osmanthus so well. The aroma is rich, and the cake melts instantly—truly excellent."

"Is it really that good?" Hong Hai, delighted, took a piece himself. One bite and he nearly swallowed his tongue. His praise, however, was far more down-to-earth: "Delicious, delicious! I’ve never had osmanthus cake this good."

Anyone who praised her cooking was a friend of hers.

"If you like it, eat more. I can make more for you next time." As long as you accept my brother as your apprentice, everything can be discussed.

Doctor Jin glanced at Wen Yao, smiling faintly. This girl was clearly speaking for his benefit.

After eating two more pieces, Doctor Jin finally stopped and, remembering himself, patted Hong Hai—who, having already eaten three and was reaching for a fourth—on the hand. "Leave some for the shopkeeper."

Hong Hai grinned sheepishly and carefully wrapped the remaining pastries, retreating from Doctor Jin’s reach, only to sneak another piece into his mouth.

Doctor Jin could only shake his head with indulgent amusement.

When the laughter faded, Doctor Jin turned his gaze back to Wen Jun. "You wish to learn medicine?"

Wen Jun stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Yes, sir. I sincerely wish to study medicine and humbly ask Doctor Jin to give me a chance."

Doctor Jin stroked his beard contemplatively. "Why do you wish to learn medicine?"

Wen Jun replied, "To cure illness and save lives. To heal the sick and help the suffering."

"Studying medicine comes with hardship," Doctor Jin said. He spoke from experience, knowing just how difficult this path could be.

Wen Jun answered resolutely, "I am not afraid of hardship. Medicine is a journey. Since I've chosen it, I will persist. Though the learning is arduous, it brings relief to the suffering. However hard the process, I am determined to see it through."

After all, he had already persisted for over a decade—through thorns ahead, through controversy, through difficult families and unsupportive superiors—he had endured it all.

He had never regretted choosing this road.

People called doctors noble, but they never saw themselves that way. They were ordinary people, simply doing what they loved. All they wished for was to see their patients’ smiles when health was restored.

Outside, the sunlight was just right, but at this moment, Doctor Jin saw another kind of radiance in Wen Jun. He couldn’t quite put it into words, but something inside him kept urging: Take him in.

"I have never taken an apprentice before," Doctor Jin said slowly. It was the truth.

He had guided many in the art of medicine but never formally accepted a disciple. Those he had instructed had tried to call him "Master," but he had always refused. He had never passed on everything he knew and felt unworthy of the title.

Wen Jun was taken aback by this. Wen Yao shot him a look—What are you waiting for? Didn’t you hear the old man is softening?

Kneel! Hurry and kneel to call him Master!

Wen Yao's eyes were practically twitching with effort.

Doctor Jin looked at her with amusement. "Girl, are your eyes uncomfortable?"

…Are all doctors this observant?

"Doctor Jin, my brother sincerely wishes to learn from you. Would you consider taking him on?" Wen Yao chimed in.

Doctor Jin neither agreed nor refused. "You’re starting a bit late," he said. "Medicine is best learned from a young age, growing up immersed in it. At your age, it will be hard."

To Wen Yao, this was no problem at all. Her brother had over a decade of medical foundation and clinical experience. The field might differ, but surely the basics counted for something?

"That’s not a problem. My brother is talented—he’ll pick things up at once, and he has a good foundation already," Wen Yao said enthusiastically, promoting—no, recommending—Wen Jun.

Doctor Jin was surprised. "Oh? You’ve studied before?"

Wen Jun answered respectfully, "Just a little. I don’t know the four classic techniques, but I am well-versed in basic pharmacology and materia medica." Four years of university and two years of graduate school with a roommate in medicine were not for nothing.