Chapter 47: Why Not Accept It?

Wen Yao and Wen Jun were overjoyed and excited, while the shopkeeper suspected there was something wrong with his ears, thinking he had misheard.

“You’re accepting him?” he asked Doctor Jin.

Doctor Jin stroked his small moustache and replied with a serene smile, “Why wouldn’t I?”

The shopkeeper was speechless. Was that a question for him?

Knowing the old man’s temperament, the shopkeeper didn’t get annoyed. He’d ask Hong Hai later and find out what had happened.

But these siblings, well, they’d certainly surprised him. Seeing Wen Jun still standing there in a daze, the shopkeeper couldn’t help but remind him, “Why are you still standing? Kneel down, pay your respects to your master!”

Prompted, Wen Jun immediately knelt, and knocked his head firmly three times on the ground. “Master, please accept your disciple’s bow.”

The shopkeeper stared at Doctor Jin—still motionless? Well, it looked like he was actually accepting him.

Once the bows were finished, Hong Hai quickly handed over a cup of tea. Wen Jun took it, held it high above his head, and spoke loudly, “Master, please drink your tea.”

Doctor Jin accepted the cup, took a small sip, and then set it down, saying, “Remember what you’ve promised today. If you ever abandon this path or give up halfway, the bond between us as master and disciple will end. Do you understand?”

Wen Jun knocked his head again. “I understand.”

Doctor Jin pointed at the shopkeeper, saying, “This is Qiu Zhi. You can call him Shopkeeper Qiu. You’ll be dealing with him daily from now on, so get to know him.”

Wen Yao stood and bowed, Wen Jun still knelt but managed a bow to the shopkeeper, though he didn’t kowtow.

“Shopkeeper Qiu.”

Shopkeeper Qiu finally recovered from his shock—was this a rain of red from the heavens? Old Jin was actually taking on a disciple. Unbelievable.

But it made sense. Old Jin was getting up in years, and not everyone in the Jin family had the talent for medicine. The only one with potential was still just a child.

To put it bluntly, if Old Jin were to pass away one day, the Jin family’s medical skill would be lost. After all, no one knows whether accidents or tomorrow will arrive first.

Still, Shopkeeper Qiu was very curious—what was so special about Wen Jun that made the old man agree? Plenty had come to seek apprenticeship before, and he’d refused every one.

While Doctor Jin was showing Wen Jun around the clinic and his collection of medical cases, Shopkeeper Qiu pulled Hong Hai aside to ask about the details.

Hong Hai spoke with great enthusiasm, his admiration for Wen Jun practically shining from his eyes.

Shopkeeper Qiu listened, tongue-tied, and after his surprise, he gently tapped Hong Hai’s head. “Look at him, then look at yourself.”

Hong Hai rubbed his head and smiled sheepishly. “Shopkeeper, please don’t be too hard on me. Just memorizing these herbs has already cost me half my life. I really can’t do any more.”

Shopkeeper Qiu rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Ambition.”

Hong Hai had been a refugee they’d picked up from the roadside more than ten years ago; after giving him a meal, he’d stayed at Ji Shi Hall ever since. They’d hoped he might learn a useful skill, but this lad had only so much talent.

Fortunately, Shopkeeper Qiu never intended to send him away. He’d let Hong Hai work at Ji Shi Hall for his whole life.

Having learned what he needed, Shopkeeper Qiu noticed Wen Yao waiting alone in boredom for her brother. Remembering the pastries, he walked over and asked, “Girl, did you really make these pastries?”

He was a bit skeptical—a young girl barely ten, could she really bake something this delicious?

Wen Yao nodded. “Yes. Uncle Qiu, if you like them, I’ll ask my brother to bring some more tomorrow.”

She’d realized that appetite knows no age.

Now that Doctor Jin had accepted Wen Jun, they were family. Wen Yao was never stingy with family, and if she could win Doctor Jin over with good food, he would teach her brother even more earnestly.

As for Shopkeeper Qiu and the others, it was just to ensure they looked after her brother.

Shopkeeper Qiu found himself liking Wen Yao more and more—the girl not only had spirit and good looks, but she handled things beautifully. Still, humility was important.

“No, no, that’s too much trouble,” Shopkeeper Qiu said.

“It’s no trouble at all. I have to help my father prepare things for the stall every day anyway, so making a few more is easy. As long as you and Doctor Jin like them, that’s all that matters.” Wen Yao smiled adorably, her dimples deepening.

Shopkeeper Qiu liked her even more—he could only ‘reluctantly’ accept her kindness. Hong Hai grinned foolishly, knowing that anything Wen Yao brought would surely end up shared with him.

Riding Doctor Jin’s coattails, life was good.

Wen Yao saw Wen Jun with his head practically buried in Doctor Jin’s pile of medical cases, clearly unwilling to leave anytime soon. It wasn’t worth waiting around, so she decided to go out and buy some things for a small celebration at home tonight.

Although the apprenticeship ceremony was simple, Wen Yao felt it was rather shabby. She needed to prepare proper gifts and have her father take her brother to visit the Jin family in person.

She also wanted to confirm whether Doctor Jin was actually the elder of the famed Jin family doctor from the original story. Jin Xiu Yi was only six now—easy to recognize.

After greeting Shopkeeper Qiu, Wen Yao told Wen Jun she would go shopping and asked him to stay and assist Doctor Jin.

Wen Jun felt guilty, realizing he’d neglected his sister, but having just become a disciple, he dared not ask to leave with her for fear of leaving a bad impression on Doctor Jin. After all, he’d just declared his resolve.

But Wen Yao knew her brother inside out. She pulled him aside and whispered, “I’m just going shopping. Tomorrow I’ll bring you something to eat, and I need to buy brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones for Big Head. Stay here and learn from Doctor Jin. Once I’m done, I’ll head to the docks to find Dad.

Doctor Jin doesn’t work night shifts. He goes home when the sun sets—I’ve already checked with Hong Hai. Once he’s gone, you can come to the docks and we’ll go home together.”

“But…” Wen Jun was still worried—she might not truly be ten, but her body was.

Wen Yao winked mysteriously. “Don’t worry, I can protect myself. Remember?”

With Wen Yao’s assurance, Wen Jun had nothing more to say. If trouble came, it was hard to say who would scare whom.

“All right, I’ll come find you when I’m done here.”

Knowing Wen Jun would begin his studies today, Doctor Jin was obviously pleased, but he was reasonable.

Finally, after Wen Yao’s repeated insistence, the four men in the pharmacy allowed her to leave alone.

Stepping out of Ji Shi Hall, Wen Yao wandered the streets, looking here and there, utterly at ease.

Truly, shopping was the best cure for any negative mood, making a good day even better.