Chapter 76: The Capital

Chapter 76: The Capital

In the car, Song Guoxian kept secretly observing Ye Xiaoxiao.

The master’s new disciple, though young, seemed anything but ordinary.

As he drove through the town, people gawked at the car with envy, but this girl had just lounged in her seat since getting in, showing no curiosity.

Little did Song Guoxian know, in Ye Xiaoxiao’s eyes, this car looked outdated, and the seats weren’t very comfortable—it might as well have been an antique.

Driving from Baichuan County to the capital took at least two days.

They spent the night at a roadside inn before continuing their journey.

Ye Xiaoxiao slumped back in the car, exhausted. “I think the train would’ve been better.”

Song Guangjing teased her, “You think the train is faster? It’s a total mess in there, with all sorts of smells—you’d hate it even more.”

Ye Xiaoxiao was holding a steamed bun she had bought that morning, nibbling half-heartedly.

Song Guangjing commented, “You used to live in the capital, so you were probably a spoiled rich girl.”

Song Guangjing had only asked a few questions about Ye Xiaoxiao’s past with the Hao family, and she didn’t see the point in hiding it, so she told him directly.

Ye Xiaoxiao waved her hand, “Master, don’t put me in that box. How could I be a young lady? I’m an idealistic, moral, cultured, and disciplined model citizen.”

Song Guangjing laughed, “Quick with the comebacks, aren’t you?”

Song Guoxian, now in the passenger seat, couldn’t suppress a grin at the conversation behind him.

“What’s wrong with being a young lady? It’s just coming from a well-off family. A few years ago, you’d have been criticized for it. Now that the political climate has relaxed, those wealthy playboys in the capital are getting more and more brazen, and no one’s stopping them.”

Song Guangjing said, “We can kid around in private, but don’t say such things outside. Who knows what the future holds?”

Song Guoxian replied, “Yes, sir.”

The ride dragged on, and there were no phones to play with in those days.

Ye Xiaoxiao drifted off and woke up to find the car had entered the second ring of the capital, finally stopping at a traditional courtyard with a vermilion gate.

Song Xiaoguang, who had barely spoken during the trip, hauled the luggage inside.

Inside the courtyard, the place was sprawling, at least a three-courtyard compound.

The innermost courtyard had been transformed into a two-story building.

“We stayed here for a few days during the last New Year, but the courtyard is regularly cleaned,” Song Guangjing instructed Song Xiaoguang, “Take Xiaoxiao’s stuff to the sunny room on the second floor.”

Song Xiaoguang nodded and carried the suitcase upstairs.

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at the clean and tidy courtyard, green with envy.

Buying a house.

She had to buy a house.

“Master, how much would a big courtyard like this cost?”

Song Guangjing replied, “You like it? Nowadays, young people are all crowding into apartment buildings. These courtyards are out of style now.”

Ye Xiaoxiao: "I love living in big courtyards, especially those close to the Forbidden City."

This courtyard will be worth a fortune down the line.

Song Guangjing: "There are plenty of unused courtyards around here, but their ownership is murky. It’s not uncommon for multiple families to share one courtyard. If you’re looking to buy, you’ll need to find the right one—ideally a vacant one that can be fully transferred to you."

Ye Xiaoxiao felt a renewed drive to save money.

If she buys more property now, she could be rolling in money later.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Master, what’ll we do in the capital before school starts? Anywhere we can make some cash?"

Song Guangjing was pleased; young folks are always so driven.

Just a moment ago in the car, she looked half-dead, but now she’s fired up.

"Take it easy today, and tomorrow I’ll show you our family’s Rendetang."

Ye Xiaoxiao remembered the seal Song Guangjing gave her: "Master, didn’t you say the plaque hasn’t been recovered yet?"

Song Guangjing: "There are plenty of Rendetang pharmacies in the capital, but most folks can’t tell which one’s the real deal. Study medicine hard, and one day, all the knockoff Rendetangs in the capital will have to rebrand."

Ye Xiaoxiao tapped her nose and reminded him, "Master, you could register a trademark."

The Trademark Law was passed in 1982, but most factories and brands still don’t get it.

Song Guangjing wasn’t clued in, so Ye Xiaoxiao filled him in on the importance of trademarks.

After hearing this, Song Guangjing fell silent for a while. This trademark was basically the plaque they’d been fighting for.

Plus, once registered, no other merchants could use it—it’d be legally protected.

Song Guangjing called Song Guoxian and told him to look into trademark registration. He wanted to register Rendetang before anyone else; those old-timers would never see it coming.

Though Song Guoxian didn’t get it, he jumped right on it as his master instructed.

Seeing Song Guangjing pacing the courtyard, lost in thought and ignoring everyone, Ye Xiaoxiao headed inside, up to the second floor to find her room. Song Xiaoguang had already placed her luggage there.

The room was spotless—too spotless, with everything in place but no trace of anyone having lived there.

She unpacked her things and, by noon, spotted a cook in the courtyard.

Song Guangjing said, "This is Auntie Xu. Just tell her what you’d like to eat, and she’ll whip it up for you. Make yourself at home."

Auntie Xu, a plump middle-aged woman, turned to Ye Xiaoxiao and asked, "Sir, what should I call this young lady?"

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "Just call me Ye Xiaoxiao."

Auntie Xu beamed and said, "What a lovely name."

Ye Xiaoxiao had mostly lived in the south before, so she was somewhat unaccustomed to northern cuisine.

But her grandfather was from the north, unfortunately, he couldn’t cook either.

In the Ye family, neither men nor women knew how to cook. Her sisters and brothers were all very capable in their professional fields but were novices in daily life.

Sometimes Ye Xiaoxiao wondered if her parents’ divorce was because they were both workaholics—someone always had to sacrifice their career for the family.

Her parents were both strong-willed and unwilling to back down, which ultimately led to their separation.

Aunt Xu likely prepared this lavish dinner to welcome Song Guangjing back.

Ye Xiaoxiao ate an extra bowl of rice than she usually did.

"This spicy poached fish slices seem to be a Sichuan-style dish from the south."

Ye Xiaoxiao's lips were redder than usual from the spiciness.

Aunt Xu said, "I've toned it down, otherwise it would be even spicier."

Ye Xiaoxiao replied, "But it’s still really spicy!"

Song Guangjing shot her a look, and Ye Xiaoxiao immediately clammed up.

This old man! He’s definitely going to test her on wellness tips.

Though Song Guangjing was strict, he was an excellent master. On the second day in the capital, he took Ye Xiaoxiao to the medicine shop.

Unlike the small medicine shop in Songlin Town, this one had three whole floors.

The exterior was a redwood building with an antique design. Inside, the layout—queuing, consultation, medicine dispensing, and payment areas—was clearly organized, making it feel like a mini hospital.