Chapter 456: The Master Has Come

Chapter 456: The Master Arrives

Ye Xiaoxiao looked at the three of them, "But I don’t think I have enough rooms here."

"It's fine. We’ve already got rooms arranged. Someone has accommodated us," Song Guangjing reassured Ye Xiaoxiao, telling her not to worry.

They mostly just came to see her.

Though the island wasn’t fancy, there was no shortage of places to stay.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Then, Master, you stay at my place tonight. Xiaoguang and Uncle Guoxian can stay in the arranged rooms."

After a pause, Song Guangjing nodded.

Lu Hanchuan likely didn’t know about Song Guangjing’s arrival on the island, but he was aware that an official helicopter had landed.

Lu Hanchuan: "What’s Master doing here?"

Ye Xiaoxiao said seriously: "To inspect my work."

Of course, Lu Hanchuan didn’t believe her, but he played along. "Inspecting the troops now? Didn’t know Mr. Song was into military reviews."

Ye Xiaoxiao gave Lu Hanchuan a light punch on the arm. "Stop talking nonsense."

Lu Hanchuan lowered his head, his eyes fond. Who started the nonsense first?

Under Lu Hanchuan’s gaze, Ye Xiaoxiao didn’t show the slightest guilt. "Actually, Master also introduced a patient to me this time."

Lu Hanchuan: "Coming here?"

Ye Xiaoxiao shrugged. "Yes, not something that’ll be fixed quickly."

Lu Hanchuan thought these people will really travel for treatment.

But upon reflection, it made sense—when it’s life or death, what’s a little trouble?

After dinner, when Song Guoxian and Song Xiaoguang went to rest, Ye Xiaoxiao went over the patient’s details with her master.

Li Yirong was a 58-year-old retired official, female, suffering from pulmonary obstruction.

As recorded in *Su Wen*: "Lung obstruction manifests as restlessness, fullness, panting, and vomiting."

Half a year ago, Li Yirong began experiencing symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. After hospital examinations, she was prescribed medications such as Song Pian and Meineung, but there was no improvement.

Now her condition had worsened, with frequent breathlessness. Whether during the day or at night, someone had to stay by her side at all times, in case something happens.

Another practitioner found similar case records in Dr. Qiushan’s medical archives, which eventually led them to Song Guangjing.

However, Song Guangjing hadn’t taken patients in years, so the responsibility landed with Ye Xiaoxiao.

This time, Song Guangjing also brought the old case records for Ye Xiaoxiao to study.

Ye Xiaoxiao was pretty sure and had great faith in treating the patient.

Though no promises of a full cure, if the doctor doubted it, the patient and their family would have no hope at all.

Ye Xiaoxiao asked Song Guangjing, "Master, will you stay here this time?"

Song Guangjing: "Of course not. Just seeing you—I leave tomorrow."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "...Oh."

Song Guangjing: "We can't stay forever. There's still a lot to deal with back in the capital. Seeing you settled here eases my mind."

Though her heart ached, Ye Xiaoxiao knew Song Guangjing wasn't here just to visit—he had important matters to attend to, so she didn't press him to stay.

At night, Ye Xiaoxiao had already gone to bed when she was suddenly jolted awake by the sound of dogs barking in the yard.

"Is someone in the yard?"

Lu Hanchuan patted Xiao Xiao's back. "Don't worry. I'll check."

The ones barking up a storm outside were Fluffy and Ermo.

Lightning, being a trained military dog, knew when to bark and rarely did so without reason.

But Fluffy and Ermo, raised at home since they were puppies, had been spoiled and were never properly trained.

Still, they wouldn't bite people randomly. Something must have really spooked them.

Lu Hanchuan went out to look and returned carrying a lifeless chicken.

"Ah... did the dogs get the chicken?"

Ye Xiaoxiao stood at the bedroom door, speaking softly so as not to disturb her master's rest.

"Not the dogs. Wasn't them," Lu Hanchuan said.

Ye Xiaoxiao: "A weasel?"

"Since when do we have weasels here?" Xiao Xiao muttered.

"We'll figure it out tomorrow. Get some rest for now."

Lu Hanchuan placed the chicken in the kitchen.

Maybe the dogs' presence helped, as the rest of the night passed quietly.

By the next morning, Ye Xiaoxiao had nearly forgotten about the incident—until she saw the chicken Lu Hanchuan cooked and served at the table.

"Is this... safe to eat?"

Before Lu Hanchuan could answer, Song Guangjing spoke first. "It's fine. Probably killed by a weasel. Just the one, so no big loss."

Ye Xiaoxiao cracked open an egg, her face fell. "She was one of my best layers."

Song Guangjing: "Then you'd better be careful. That chicken coop of yours is full of holes. Those weasels are crafty—if they've got their eyes on it, they'll be back tonight."

Ye Xiaoxiao feared for her remaining chickens.

And she'd never even seen what a weasel looked like.

"So what can I do?"

Song Guangjing seemed quite experienced. "Just toss Fluffy and Ermo into the chicken coop. That ought to scare them off."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "Shifu, I think you just want to give Fluffy and Ermo a free chicken dinner."

Song Guangjing: "They're pretty smart. Even if you offer them food, they might not eat it."

Ye Xiaoxiao wasn’t convinced, but she was out of ideas.

"I'll see how to fix it during the day,"

Lu Hanchuan shrugged it off, "It's fine. Worst case, we’ll just eat ’em all."

Ye Xiaoxiao gave Lu Hanchuan a look like he was some deadbeat dad.

Lu Hanchuan met Xiao Xiao's gaze without a hint of remorse.

He saw Xiao Xiao digging in happily.

Song Guangjing shook his head slightly as he watched the two kids talk. Say what you will, but those chickens were well-kept, which impressed him.

After finishing breakfast, Ye Xiaoxiao began pondering the issue, "The coop’s full of holes, but we can't just set poison—what if the other pets get into it?"

Apart from his time in the countryside, Song Guangjing had never really worried about such things.

Watching Xiao Xiao squat by the chicken coop, Song Guangjing squatted beside her, tossing around ideas with his apprentice.

"I think the three of us should be enough to handle it. Let's see if the weasel comes again tonight."

Ye Xiaoxiao stood up, "Shifu, you’re leaving today?"

Song Guangjing nodded, "I’ll send Xiaoguang over later to discuss some company matters with you and bring the things we got for you."

Ye Xiaoxiao: "What’d you get me?"

Xiao Xiao figured it’d be herbs—and bingo, she nailed it.

Song Guangjing brought her many herbs, scales, and stuff for brewing remedies.

"Master, do you really want me to open a pharmacy here? There’s barely anyone here—it’d be tough."

Song Guangjing: "Who said anything about a pharmacy? Aren’t you still offering free consultations on the island? Just hand these out to the locals."

Ye Xiaoxiao knew her deal—she was here to do good deeds.

Song Xiaoguang discussed some company matters with Ye Xiaoxiao. Among other things, last quarter’s numbers looked great.