Chapter 55 Encountering Another Foolish Male Side Character

The first to be opened were the six gift boxes arranged side by side, each containing a pastry that Wen Yao had meticulously crafted according to the six traditional rites of apprenticeship.

There was mung bean cake embossed with the words "Diligent Study, Mastery through Perseverance," symbolizing earnest scholarship.

Lotus seed cake, representing the painstaking efforts of teaching.

Red bean cake, wishing for great fortune.

Jujube cake, signifying early success in the examinations.

Longan cake, denoting the perfection of virtue and accomplishment.

And finally, the last box contained pork jerky, which Wen Yao had spent two full days preparing.

As soon as these six boxes were opened, Doctor Jin was already quite satisfied. Such thoughtful preparation for the apprenticeship ceremony was clear evidence of the Wen family’s deep respect.

At this moment, the seventh box remained unopened. Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu couldn’t help but grow curious—what could possibly be inside this last box?

They both assumed it would be another delicacy, but when Wen Jun lifted the lid, both Doctor Jin and Manager Qiu gasped in astonishment.

“Master, knowing that you love tea, these two teacups were specially prepared for you. I hope they will please you,” Wen Jun said, bowing deeply.

Doctor Jin’s eyes widened with delight; he hurried forward, scrutinizing the cups from every angle—above, below, left, right, touching, tilting, examining with rapt attention.

Manager Qiu tried several times to reach out, but each time Doctor Jin brushed his hand away. “Don’t touch, don’t touch, I said don’t reach for them,” Doctor Jin scolded, all the while keeping the cups close.

Seeing how much the two men cherished the gift, the Wen family exchanged glances, relieved. They knew they had chosen their present well—compared to the six pastries, this was the true centerpiece.

“Doctor Jin? Doctor Jin?” Wen Xiuyi had to call several times before he could draw Doctor Jin’s attention away from the cups.

Doctor Jin was visibly moved. “Are these teacups made of glass crystal? In this world, I have never seen such clarity, not even in the palace have I witnessed glass of this quality.”

No wonder Doctor Jin was so excited—who could remain unmoved at such a sight?

Wen Xiuyi smiled with feigned simplicity. “As for the exact material, I can’t say for certain. These cups were a family heirloom from my father-in-law, later given to my late wife as part of her dowry. Before she passed, she entrusted them to Jun. Now, presenting them to you as an apprenticeship gift is most appropriate. Please, you must accept them.”

Doctor Jin wanted them—oh, how he wanted them! He could already imagine the tea leaves steeping inside, their delicate patterns visible through the sides of the cup. What a sublime experience that would be.

But he also knew that one must not be greedy. Such precious cups—how could he take undue advantage of his student? If word got out, would people not question his intentions in accepting disciples?

Absolutely not.

“No, no, I cannot accept this. Such a valuable gift, I simply cannot take,” Doctor Jin refused.

The Wen family had never expected that after all their careful preparations, Doctor Jin would actually decline the gift.

But refusal was not an option; such a gift could not be returned.

Wen Jun’s face immediately fell with sorrow. “Master, please, you must accept them. I do not understand the art of tea, and keeping such cups would be wasted on me. Only someone with your appreciation for tea is worthy to be their owner. Please, Master, accept them.” He finished with a deep bow, bending ninety degrees.

“This…” Doctor Jin hesitated, brows furrowed.

Wen Xiuyi took the opportunity to persuade him, “Doctor Jin, do accept them. As the saying goes, ‘A teacher for a day, a father for life.’ It is only right that Jun shows his filial respect. If you refuse, the child will be heartbroken.”

Manager Qiu joined in, “Brother Wen is right. Just look at the child—he’s nearly in tears at your refusal. If you feel uneasy, then simply teach him well and devote yourself to his instruction. Isn’t that so?”

Mainly, Manager Qiu thought, if Old Jin accepted, perhaps he himself could occasionally get a chance to use the cups.

With everyone encouraging him, and his own fondness for the cups undeniable, Doctor Jin finally nodded and accepted. “Very well, then. I shall accept, and will henceforth teach you with all my heart. Come, let us pay respects to the founder.”

With that, Doctor Jin carefully cradled the cups, unable to put them down. The six boxes of pastries, meanwhile, were all but forgotten.

Wen Yao felt a bit defeated; she had spent so much time making them, after all. But as long as her elder brother and Doctor Jin were happy, that was enough.

They followed Doctor Jin to his study, where an ancient portrait hung on the wall, incense and a bronze censer set out before it.

Doctor Jin first found a safe place to put the cups, then lit three sticks of incense and respectfully bowed to the portrait. “With the founder of the Jin family as witness, I, Jin Ce, thirteenth generation disciple, take on a student today. This child, Wen Jun, though not of the Jin lineage, is highly gifted. I trust he will honor and advance the medical arts of our family. I ask for the founder’s blessing.”

Doctor Jin placed the three sticks of incense in the censer, then turned to Wen Jun. “Wen Jun, kneel and kowtow to the founder.”

Wen Jun immediately knelt, touching his forehead to the ground three times. “Your junior, Wen Jun, pays respects to the founder.”

Doctor Jin nodded in satisfaction.

Manager Qiu approached with a tray, upon which was a cup of tea.

Wen Jun carefully received it, raising it above his head. “Master, please enjoy this tea.”

Doctor Jin took a sip and continued, “By entering the Jin school, you must remember that a healer’s heart is one of compassion. To heal and save the world is our guiding principle. As a physician, you must not act selfishly, nor disregard human life. Should you violate these precepts, your eyes will be blinded, your tendons severed, and you will be expelled—remember this well!”

Wen Jun kowtowed again. “I shall uphold your teachings, Master.”

Doctor Jin looked at him with even greater approval, bending to help him up. “I will teach you all I know. You must apply yourself diligently, understood?”

Wen Jun nodded. “Yes, Master.”

The more Doctor Jin looked at his new apprentice, the more pleased he became. When all was done, he beckoned to the young boy who had accompanied him earlier. “Yier, come here and greet your uncle.”

Jin Xiuyi stepped forward and bowed properly. “Xiuyi greets Uncle.”

Wen Yao and Wen Xiuyi exchanged a glance—Jin Xiuyi, this must be the famed, if somewhat foolish, miracle doctor from the tales.

Wen Jun and Wen Yao had prepared in advance, and promptly presented Jin Xiuyi with a Nine Linked Rings puzzle as a meeting gift.

As expected of a child, he was immediately captivated by the toy.

Now that the formalities were complete, they were as one family.

“And this is Da Tou? Come, let me have a look,” Doctor Jin called out.

Da Tou had been watching Jin Xiuyi struggle with the puzzle, feeling pleased with himself for having solved it already. Hearing his name, he looked over at Doctor Jin, then at Wen Xiuyi.

Wen Xiuyi patted his back. “Go ahead.”

Da Tou respectfully saluted Doctor Jin and stood quietly at his side. Doctor Jin took his pulse, asked him to open his mouth, and encouraged him to make a few sounds.

Finally, seeing the family’s anxious yet hopeful expressions, Doctor Jin said, “Don’t worry, the child is perfectly healthy. As for why he hasn’t spoken yet, it may simply be that he doesn’t wish to, or perhaps the time hasn’t come. There’s no need to be anxious.

“I’ve seen similar cases before—some children just speak later than others. Simply speak with him more in your daily life, encourage him, and in time he will speak.”