Chapter 52 The Crackling Growth

Big Head was healed by Wen Yao’s “ugly” character. Eagerly, he grabbed the paper and ran outside to find Wen Xiu Yi and Wen Jun, wanting to be praised.

Big Head’s handwriting was childish, obvious at a glance, but the other ugly character was even worse. Professor Wen stared at it for a while and asked, “Who wrote this?”

Big Head pointed to the house. Wen Yao stood at the doorway.

Professor Wen blurted out, “You wrote this? When did your writing become so ugly? Didn’t you used to write beautifully?”

Big Head was baffled.

He froze for a moment and then realized what had happened. He tugged at Wen Xiu Yi’s sleeve, pointed at Wen Yao’s handwriting, then at Wen Yao herself, making anxious noises—he looked angry and flustered.

Wen Xiu Yi was confused, “What’s going on?”

Wen Yao was laughing so hard she nearly toppled over. See, she’d made the child so frustrated he was almost speaking.

“You can comfort him yourself now. He thought his handwriting was ugly, so I wrote uglier than him to cheer him up. But your words just exposed the truth to him, hahahaha…”

Big Head pouted angrily, cheeks puffed like a little river puffer, his gaze toward Wen Yao full of resentment.

Wen Yao took the paper from his hand and wrote two proper characters.

Wen Yao.

Big Head stared, dumbfounded.

Sister’s handwriting is beautiful.

“It’s been too long since I wrote, I’m rusty,” Wen Yao sighed dramatically.

Wen Xiu Yi shot his daughter a helpless look, then patiently comforted his little son, “Head, your sister was teasing you. You’re still young, and this is your first time writing with a brush on paper. It’s already pretty good. Look at the kids in our village your age—who else can write like you? Right?”

Big Head remained angry, and when Wen Yao came over to pinch his cheeks, he turned away in a huff. But Wen Yao anticipated his move, caught him from the other side, then left laughing triumphantly.

The little radish’s eyes lost their sparkle, clearly hit hard.

Wen Xiu Yi sat his son on his lap, guiding his hand to grip the brush, writing the characters Wen Zhao stroke by stroke.

“I’ll teach you slowly from now on—you’ll definitely write even better than your sister.” Wen Xiu Yi promised.

Big Head looked at the two characters on the paper, then at his own hand holding the brush, and nodded.

He was determined to learn well, but Sister’s handwriting was still the most beautiful.

When they brought Big Head to the old house, they carried books and writing materials. Aunt Luo and Old Wen were surprised to see them.

“Where did all this come from?” Aunt Luo asked, referring to the scholar’s four treasures, since Wen Xiu Yi had sold everything he could.

“I had Yao Yao buy them yesterday. We’ve earned a bit lately, and it’s not good for Big Head to always write on the ground,” Wen Xiu Yi replied casually.

Aunt Luo acknowledged with a sound, staring at him for a while, making Wen Xiu Yi’s scalp tingle, before she finally nodded, took Big Head inside, and let him study in their room.

Seeing this, Wen Xiu Yi decided to take the opportunity to warn the old folks that all the children should study. Whether or not they become accomplished, it’s good to know how to read.

He followed them in. Old Wen was already tidying up the kang table for Big Head to practice.

“Father, Mother, I’m planning to have all the children at home study a bit. Whether they become successful is another matter, but it’s good to know some characters. If you have time, let Second and Third Brother know—I have to go to work now, so I’ll leave first.” With that, Wen Xiu Yi slipped out quickly.

The old couple were left stunned.

“What did he just say?” Old Wen was still in shock.

Aunt Luo was dazed for a moment but then regained her composure, helping Big Head organize his things as she spoke, “He said all the children at home should study.” Her tone was calm, as if she were talking about something utterly ordinary.

But only Aunt Luo knew how unsettled her heart was.

Could the eldest son really have said such words? When the family supported his studies in the past, Old Wen and Aunt Luo had thought, if any of the younger children studied well, they’d send them too, even if it meant hardship.

They’d considered having him teach the children at home, but he always refused with various reasons, saying it would interfere with his studies and exams.

Yet today, he’d brought it up himself. Aunt Luo felt it was unreal.

Her mind drifted aimlessly, not even hearing Old Wen speak to her, until Big Head tugged her sleeve, wanting her to look at his writing. Aunt Luo snapped back to reality.

Seeing Big Head’s handwriting, her expression softened. She praised his cleverness while sighing silently.

What use is cleverness, if he can’t speak?

Today, Wen Yao was to go with Wen Jun to the Hall of Benevolence—first to deliver food to Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu, second to inform Doctor Jin that tomorrow their family would bring a formal gift for apprenticeship, and third, to earn some achievement points at the Hall.

Entering the city, the four split up, with Wen Yao and Wen Jun heading straight to the Hall of Benevolence.

Hong Hai had opened up early, and seeing them arrive, with Wen Yao carrying a basket, his eyes lit up.

“Wen Yao, what delicious treat have you brought this time?” Hong Hai sniffed, catching the aroma of meat.

Wen Yao shook her basket, “Sweet and sour pork.”

Hong Hai’s eyes sparkled; he knew he smelled meat.

Though his mouth watered, Hong Hai restrained himself, wanting to wait until Doctor Jin and the manager arrived before eating.

Wen Jun went to help clean the clinic and organize the previous day’s patient records for Doctor Jin, while Hong Hai wiped down the cabinets.

Each was busy with their tasks, so Wen Yao wandered around on her own.

At the medicine preparation table, some scraps had been spilled. Wen Yao glanced at Wen Jun and Hong Hai—neither noticed her—so she quietly put them all into her space.

“Poria—polyporaceae, dispels dampness, benefits spleen and kidneys, calms the mind, nourishes fluids…”

“Frankincense—oleaceae, invigorates blood, promotes qi, relieves pain…”

“Angelica…”

“Fresh ginger…”

Prompt after prompt sounded, and Wen Yao saw her achievement points slowly increase. There were six kinds, seven points each, totaling forty-two earned.

Excellent!

When Wen Jun glanced at her, Wen Yao flashed an OK gesture, and Wen Jun understood. This space wasn’t too stingy after all, recognizing everything regardless of the amount.

Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu arrived to see Wen Jun and Hong Hai busy, and even Wen Yao was helping tidy the medicine cabinet.

Wen Yao was happily earning achievement points, but she was careful, taking only small pieces of each type.

Seeing her spirited look, Manager Qiu joked, “Yao, what’s this? Are you interested in medicine, too? Maybe Old Jin should take you as an apprentice as well.”