Chapter 82: Please Be Kind

Chapter 82: Please Be Kind

On a late spring evening in early June, Jing County in Xuanzhou was already heating up. The cramped room lacked ventilation; one window served both as an inlet and outlet, overworking itself and causing the room to become extremely stuffy.

Xianjin turned over, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw Chen Jianfang's stoic face. After a while, it transformed into the crowded thatched-roofed study.

Throughout the night, the Hope Star and the library flickered back and forth.

She had slept for a long time, but when Xianjin opened her eyes, she felt exhausted as if she had committed murder.

Or perhaps as if she had been murdered.

Her head, neck, elbows, and waist all ached.

...

Mom Zhang not only followed orders but also went above and beyond.

For breakfast, Mom Zhang first brought out a plate of glistening water chestnut cakes, then from the steamer, she presented sesame peanut red sugar buns, red bean rice dumplings, milk-flavored cakes, dried coconut cloud crisps... finally serving a simple bowl of soy milk.

Eight plates of desserts were arranged in a surrounding formation.

Xianjin silently praised Mom Zhang’s execution in her heart.

After eating a round of sweets, Chen Jianfang silently took a sip of soy milk, his expression momentarily blank before he struggled to swallow.

Even the soy milk was too sweet...

Xianjin didn't drink soy milk but instead brewed herself a strong bitter tea to invigorate herself. Watching Chen Jianfang eat a round and take another sip of soy milk, she nodded approvingly and then pulled out a plain rice dumpling she had taken from the kitchen last night.

Chen Jianfang was slightly taken aback, "You're not having breakfast?"

Xianjin matter-of-factly replied, "I don't really like sweet food."

Chen Jianfang glanced at the plain rice dumpling in Xianjin's hand, tilted his head, and opened his mouth instinctively, sensing something odd about the situation.

But what exactly was it? He needed to think about it.

Xianjin peeled the rice dumpling leaf and ate the plain dumpling.

Hot glutinous rice cake, cold rice dumpling. The dumpling carried the fragrance of the leaves, its chewy texture reminiscent of unique QQ candy. The slender, lean rice used in the plain rice dumpling distinctly differed from the plump, cute rice used in salty meat or red bean dumplings.

Xianjin ate with great focus and speed, demonstrating her skill of finishing a dumpling in three bites.

The little girl's cheeks puffed out as she chewed quickly, resembling a large hamster.

Chen Jianfang pursed his lips, wanting to laugh, but suddenly remembered something. The smile froze before reaching his face, and he quickly returned to his usual silence and quietness.

Chen Fu's gaze shifted between Xianjin and Chen Jianfang, grinding his teeth, reminding himself to be patient.

Xianjin was going to take Chen Fu to see the doctor today and couldn't go with Chen Jianfang. She had wanted to inform the Hope Star in advance, but he ran off so fast after eating, not even waiting for her—weren’t they supposed to cherish their trio? Mahjong partners, meal partners, and work partners...

Didn't they at least have two of those? Even if their revolutionary friendship wasn't as deep as the Mariana Trench, it should be at least as deep as the neighborhood fountain, right?

Why did he run off so heartlessly?

Xianjin scratched her head, feeling bewildered by Chen Jianfang's sudden coldness.

"He's jealous of you!"

As soon as Chen Jianfang left, Chen Fu blurted out his thoughts from the previous night, "You are already favored by Qiao Shanchang, and now you're close to his children. He must fear that you'll take away Qiao Shanchang's attention!"

That's the reason!

He thought about it all night!

All night, his brain buzzed with thoughts, surely due to excessive thinking causing cerebral reflux!

Chen Fu added, fearing Xianjin would scold him for being petty, "I am just an impartial observer, without any personal bias!"

Xianjin scratched her head, "I'm not taking the imperial exams! Why would he be suspicious of me?"

We're on different tracks, friend!

This question, Chen Fu had pondered yesterday, answering smoothly as if he had nailed the exam question, "True, but consider this: a person's time is limited. Does giving you special lessons not take up Qiao Shanchang's time? Qiao Shanchang's time is the time of countless scholars. Doesn't it mean he has less time to tutor others?"

Xianjin scratched her head again.

Is... is that true?

Could it be because Qiao Shanchang taught her writing individually?

Convinced by Chen Fu's logical reasoning, Xianjin sighed—If the Hope Star was unhappy because of this, there was nothing she could do!

She couldn't give up VIP private tutoring for a meal partner, could she?

The foolish yet logically consistent father and daughter whispered behind their backs as they headed towards Shuidong Street.

Dr. Wang, who usually refused visitors, finally allowed them entry upon hearing that Xianjin held Qingcheng Mountain Courtyard's B-character token.

A young child led them through the grape trellis to a main courtyard.

An elderly man with long white hair and beard stood facing away from the door, holding a white stone in his left hand and a black stone in his right, playing chess against himself. Hearing footsteps, he placed the stones back in their positions and turned around. Seeing Xianjin's face, he paused slightly before smiling, "The B-character token is held by a little girl!"

Chen Fu was indignant: Did he look incapable of holding the mountain courtyard's wooden token?

Xianjin presented the sealed envelope containing the consultation fee on the stone table and bowed respectfully, smiling, "Junior Xianjin is honored by Master Qiao's favor."

Dr. Wang stroked his beard, "Which 'Xian'? Which 'Jin'?"

Xianjin bowed and said, "Those who associate with gentlemen all possess fine virtues; they are like gold and tin, like jade and jade."

Dr. Wang laughed, "Just learned the Book of Songs? Doesn't seem like Qiao Fangzhi's student level."

These two lines are from the Book of Songs.

Xianjin blushed, "Late start in learning, little effort, shallow thinking, slow progress—all my faults, hard to express in a thousand words. I hope, Master Wang, you can understand."

Dr. Wang laughed even more heartily.

This girl is quite remarkable.

She takes full responsibility for her own shortcomings, completely absolving Qiao Fangzhi.

Dr. Wang squinted his eyes and carefully examined Xianjin's features, seemingly probing, then casually asked, "What's wrong?"

Xianjin quickly pulled Chen Fu forward, restraining her infatuation and bowed deeply, "My father, ranked third in the Chen's of Jing County, has been suffering from excruciating pain in his foot for the past three days. No matter how he changes positions, applies ice or hot soaks, the pain persists day and night."

She then explained clearly before and after the illness, "Before the onset, my father ate out every day, mostly oily and meaty foods. After the illness struck, I stopped his meat and soup, only giving him water and bed rest. Now, although he still feels pain, it's much better than the first two days."

When Dr. Wang heard the words "my father," he visibly paused, then regained his composure and turned to Chen Fu, smiling, "Is that right?"

Chen Fu nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes! This pain feels like it's coming from the bones. Whether lying down, pressing something on it, or curling my toes... the pain remains! These few days of bland food have left me feeling empty inside. I want that pork knuckle, but the pain makes it impossible to eat. No one in our family has ever had this problem! Life is made up of pain and suffering; no one knows which will come first—pain or tomorrow..."

Dr. Wang's smile faded, and he expressionlessly stopped Chen Fu's self-indulgent rambling.

Look.

Patients like that young girl, who clearly explain the onset, symptoms, possible causes, treatment methods, and outcomes, are rare—one in a thousand perhaps.

Most are like this greasy, old playboy.

They'd rather write an essay about their entire life, ancestors, and personal feelings to enter a contest.

Please.

He's here to treat illnesses, not listen to poetry recitals.

Dr. Wang spoke succinctly: "Raise your left hand."

As he spoke, he pushed a small bowl containing chess pieces over.