Chapter 132 City Streets 32

Chapter 132: City Life 32

Illness strikes like a collapsing mountain, but recovery creeps along like reeling silk.

Fortunately, Liu Guyu was naturally robust and recovered quickly; after two days of rest at home, he was almost back to normal.

"The medicine should be ready."

Cui Lanfang, washing dishes, turned to Qin Rongshi. "Take the medicine in for your Brother Liu to drink, then bring out the bowls and chopsticks from his room."

Qin Rongshi nodded, scooped the medicine from the pot, and carried it into Liu Guyu's room.

Since Liu Guyu was ill and couldn't handle rich foods, Cui Lanfang had made chicken and mushroom stew the day before. She had skimmed off the oil, scooped out a bowl of clear broth, then made fresh noodles and boiled them to create a light chicken noodle soup.

He had a good appetite and finished it all.

When Qin Rongshi entered the room, he saw Liu Guyu had just put down his bowl and chopsticks and was about to get up to take them out.

"Just sit, I'll take care of it."

Qin Rongshi quickly walked over, handed him the medicine bowl, and collected the used bowls and chopsticks.

Liu Guyu had been lying in bed for two days and felt like his bones were turning to mush.

He said, "I'm pretty much better now; I can walk and move around. There's no need to be so careful, or to specially bring meals to my room."

Qin Rongshi didn't argue, just reached out with his free hand to feel Liu Guyu's forehead.

He touched Liu Guyu's forehead, then his own, and finally seemed satisfied.

Liu Guyu added, "The fever broke yesterday, and I've been fine all day today, just a little dizzy."

He had barely finished speaking when he started coughing, and once he started, he couldn't stop. He had to lean over the table, doubled over as he coughed for a while.

Qin Rongshi quickly patted his back and asked with a frown, "Why are you still coughing so badly?"

Liu Guyu bent over but stretched out one hand to wave it off. It took him a long moment to catch his breath.

He said, "Coughs linger; it's nothing serious."

Qin Rongshi frowned and slid the medicine bowl closer. "Drink the medicine first."

Liu Guyu nodded, picked up the bowl, and gulped it down.

So bitter.

Liu Guyu drank it all in one go, his face scrunching up from the bitterness. He really missed modern capsules and pills at times like this.

Qin Rongshi poured him a cup of warm water and watched him drink it.

He asked, "Do you have any of the throat lozenges I gave you yesterday left?"

After Liu Guyu finished the water, Qin Rongshi stacked the medicine bowl on top of the noodle bowl, then turned to look at Liu Guyu, who had wiped his mouth and was already lying back on the bed.

He was much better, but still felt weak; the moment he saw the bed, he wanted to lie down.

Hearing Qin Rongshi's question, Liu Guyu didn't speak but instead pulled out a small, round, flat white pottery jar from under his pillow and shook it, making a jingling sound.

From the sound, there were still some left.

A persistent cough hurts the throat. This medicine was prepared by Fang Liuyin at Qin Rongshi's request. It was called "Dan Cao Tang" (Licorice Candy), made from licorice, dried tangerine peel, mint, honeysuckle, and other herbs mixed with sugarcane sugar. It had a cool, refreshing taste and could soothe the throat and relieve coughing.

It was just a bit expensive—this small jar cost half a tael of silver.

Qin Rongshi cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, wiped the table, and finally looked at Liu Guyu and said, "Then get some rest. Maybe by tomorrow you'll be completely better."

Liu Guyu nodded, then tilted his head and burrowed under the covers, leaving only half his head exposed.

Qin Rongshi took the bowls and chopsticks out, saw that Cui Lanfang had already washed the other dishes, and quickly washed the ones he'd brought before returning to his room.

It was still early; he could go back to his room and practice writing a few characters.

Writing calmed the mind.

*

On the third day, Liu Guyu woke up quite early. Perhaps he had slept enough the previous two days, because he woke up at dawn.

He thought it was still early, but when he left his room, he realized someone was up even earlier.

Qin Rongshi had gone to the academy, and Qin Banban had gone to the clinic, so only Cui Lanfang was in the courtyard.

She and Chen Qiaoyun were sitting opposite each other on bamboo chairs, chatting about something.

Liu Guyu rubbed his eyes, yawned, and stepped into the courtyard. The next moment, he felt something soft bump against his calf. Looking down, he saw it was a calico kitten with a white belly.

The kitten was already seven months old, sturdy and well-fed, with glossy, fluffy fur.

The calico mother cat was elusive, and the family only caught occasional glimpses of her. But her two kittens had been left at home and raised by Qin Banban with bowls of goat milk and fish.

As thanks, the calico would occasionally catch a few mice and neatly line them up at the entrance of the main hall, then proudly perch beside them, waiting for the family to wake up.

She was a gentle cat and could even count—she usually caught four mice, just enough for the family to share equally. Occasionally, if she had a good hunting day, she would catch two extra small ones, which were for her two clumsy kittens.

The calico had two kittens: a calico sister and an orange-and-white brother.

The calico one was bold and temperamental, a fierce little girl who even dared to fight the family's Lucky.

The orange-and-white one was timid but plump, hiding from strangers. Once, while fleeing from someone, he panicked and ran into the vegetable garden, his chubby body getting stuck in the bamboo fence. He meowed pitifully, calling for someone to save him.

Liu Guyu picked up the calico sister who had "crashed" into him and stroked her a couple of times. He had to admit, cat fur was indeed softer to the touch than dog fur.

But Lucky wasn't happy. For such a big dog, he still got jealous. He whined and pressed against Liu Guyu's calf, and if Liu Guyu ignored him, he would raise his paw and try to leap into his arms.

"Liu Guyu, why are you up so early?"

Liu Guyu petted the cat a couple more times and rubbed the dog's head before setting the half-grown kitten down upon hearing Cui Lanfang's words.

"Couldn't sleep, so I got up."

He answered with a smile.

Cui Lanfang broke off her conversation with Chen Qiaoyun. She quickly stood up and looked at Liu Guyu, saying anxiously, "Why aren't you wearing more? You've just recovered!"

As she spoke, she reached out to feel Liu Guyu's clothes—a blue autumn jacket padded with thin cotton, and short boots with fur-lined soles.

Well, he was wearing quite a lot.

Cui Lanfang lowered her hand and changed the subject. "There are brown sugar steamed buns in the pot, and freshly ground soy milk. Let me heat them up for you."

Soy milk was good.

Back in Shanghe Village, Liu Guyu had a small stone mill commissioned from a stonemason, which he used to grind soybeans for his family to make soy milk. This little stone mill was his treasure; despite its weight, he insisted on bringing it all the way from Shanghe Village to Jiangning Prefecture.

Seeing the two talking, Chen Qiaoyun couldn't stay seated any longer and quickly stood up, asking, “Liu Geer, I heard yesterday that you were sick. When I came to see you, your mother said you were already asleep, so I didn’t get to see you. That’s why I came again today!”

“I brought you two packets of brown sugar, from the master sugar maker at the sugar workshop. You must take them.”

Liu Guyu was brushing his teeth at the time, rinsing and spitting water, so he couldn’t respond immediately.

From the kitchen, Cui Lanfang heard the commotion and immediately stuck her head out, saying, “Absolutely not! I already told you, we can’t take this sugar! Please take it back.”

Chen Qiaoyun hurriedly said, “We’re neighbors, and we’re such good friends. How could I come empty-handed when Liu Geer is sick? I wouldn't mind if you refused other gifts, but you must accept this.”

Cui Lanfang replied, “Just the other day, you said the Sweet Oil Balls your family made weren’t selling well, your husband’s bees died in the fire, and you were thinking of coming up with new pastry recipes to sell!”

“Which of these doesn’t cost money? Your son needs to study, your daughter-in-law is about to give birth, business isn’t doing well—you need to watch your spending! It’s precisely because we’re close that we don’t need these formalities. Please take it back.”

“Yueqin’s pregnancy is about eight months along, right? Save it for her! After she gives birth, she’ll need to build up her strength.”

Chen Qiaoyun hesitated briefly, unable to respond immediately.

A few days earlier, she had indeed shared her troubles with Cui Lanfang, saying business wasn’t going well, and praising Liu Geer for his cleverness in coming up with these innovative pastry ideas that others had never even heard of. If only her family had such ideas, she wouldn’t have to worry about selling pastries.

Having known each other for a while, Chen Qiaoyun was aware that Cui Lanfang was tender-hearted. She had been hinting and beating around the bush, hoping to soften Cui Lanfang enough to share a couple of pastry recipes with her.

But whether her words were too indirect or Cui Lanfang was pretending not to understand, she didn’t pick up on her hints, only sighing repeatedly.

“Ah—you’ve had it hard too, waking up early and working late to make pastries, only to have them go unsold.”

“Ah—your husband has had it hard too, losing all those bees.”

“Ah—your daughter-in-law and the baby in her belly have had it hard too…”

Chen Qiaoyun almost broke character.

Like now, for instance, she was finding it hard to continue.

She gave an awkward laugh, said she still had chores at home, and left with the two untouched packets of brown sugar.

Liu Guyu finished brushing his teeth and began eating the breakfast Cui Lanfang had warmed for him, glancing at the partially open courtyard gate.

“Mom, what were you and Aunt Chen talking about just now?”

Cui Lanfang smiled and said, “What do you think? Just about how life is hard, how her husband’s bees all died in the fire, and how he’s been drinking at home every day out of frustration… Tell me, what good does drinking every day do? Shouldn’t he be thinking of ways to bounce back?”

“So many mouths to feed at home! And with a new baby coming, there’ll be even more expenses! If he, a grown man, doesn’t provide for the family, can he really expect Aunt Chen to sell Sweet Oil Balls every day?”

“Ah, it’s really not easy.”

At this, she seemed to remember something and smiled again:

“Oh! Right, she also brought up Erlang’s marriage! She said she has a niece back in her hometown who’s sixteen this year—a pretty, sensible, and hardworking girl! She’s also great at cooking and could help you out if she married into the family.”

Liu Guyu, who was in the middle of biting into a steamed bun, paused, a strange feeling stirred in him.

He took another sip of soy milk before asking, trying to sound casual, “Did you agree?”

Cui Lanfang quickly said, “Of course not!”

“You know how strong-willed Erlang is. I probably can’t decide his marriage for him! It’s up to him to find someone he likes.”

Cui Lanfang didn’t think there was anything wrong with Aunt Chen introducing her niece. Among women, chatting usually involves their children and husbands…

Back in Shanghe Village, many families had come to inquire about her two children’s marriages, and even Lin Xingniang had joked about it with her once or twice.

Having heard it so often, she didn’t think much of it.

Liu Guyu took another sip of soy milk and ventured cautiously, “What if the person he likes… you think isn’t suitable?”

The original Liu Guyu had once been the husband of the Qin family’s Da Lang. In terms of relationship, that would have made him the brother-in-law and Erlang the younger brother-in-law. As someone from ancient times, Cui Lanfang might not easily accept this.

Liu Guyu mused.

He didn’t even realize that he wasn’t considering whether he could accept it but was instead thinking about whether Cui Lanfang could.

Cui Lanfang didn’t understand what he meant and laughed, “What could be unsuitable? Erlang is smart; his judgment is better than mine! If he likes someone, how could they be unsuitable?”

Liu Guyu: “…”

Well… that wasn’t what he meant.

Never mind.

Liu Guyu continued drinking his soy milk and only then noticed his bowl was empty.

Cui Lanfang: “Should I get you some more?”

Liu Guyu quickly shook his head and said, “No, no, I’m full! Mom, I’m feeling much better today. I’ll go check on the shop.”

As he spoke, he got up and headed for the door, but Cui Lanfang quickly pulled him back.

“Wait!”

Cui Lanfang’s tone grew more serious, her face stern, taking on a parental tone.

“And just where do you think you’re going? You’ve just recovered! I’ve already sent word to Yu Geer to keep the shop closed for another day. If you go now, the door won’t even be open.”

“You’re not allowed to go. Rest for another day and fully recover before going back. If you can’t stay idle, come help me mind the fire in the kitchen. I’ll make some good food to bring to the clinic, and you can come with me to have Doctor Fang check your pulse again.”

Cui Lanfang was rarely this stern, so Liu Guyu naturally obeyed. He picked up the colorful cat rubbing against his feet and went into the kitchen.

He and the cat sat in front of the stove, without budging, their cheeks warmed rosy by the fire.

True to her word, she only had him mind the fire—not even simple tasks like washing or cutting vegetables.

They had lunch together, boiled crucian carp, and used the light fish soup and leftover fish scraps mixed with rice to fill two small bowls for the kittens.

Then they packed the meal, took the food container, and headed out.

They didn’t take the boat—the river wind was too cold, and Cui Lanfang didn’t want to risk taking Liu Guyu, who had just recovered, on the boat.

There were few patients around noon. Fang Liuyin was teaching Qin Banban to recognize acupuncture points and stopped when the two entered.

“Auntie, you shouldn't have gone to the trouble of bringing this over! Please, come in and sit.”

The Fang Liuyin now was completely different from the first time they had met. She wore light blush, had her eyebrows penciled, lip color applied, and was dressed in beautiful clothes. Her hair was neatly combed, tied with a red ribbon, and adorned with a row of white pearl hairpins—dressed elegantly.

She had also gained a bit of weight, her once thin cheeks finally gaining some fullness.

Behind Huichun Clinic, there was a small kitchen. Previously, Fang Liuyin had hired a cook, but after the clinic ran into trouble, she had to let the woman go.

Later, when the clinic reopened, although there was no longer a cook, Qin Banban was there. At noon, Qin Banban would often cook in the small kitchen. Occasionally, when Cui Lanfang stewed meat or made soup, she would have Banban bring it to the clinic to be reheated for lunch. The master and apprentice found the meals quite satisfactory.

“It’s no trouble at all. I told Banban this morning not to cook lunch—I’d bring it over.”

“The food stall has been closed these past couple of days, so I’ve been at home with free time. Aside from making a couple of good dishes, there’s not much else to do.”

“Dr. Fang, try my cooking! I’ve prepared crucian carp and tofu soup, stir-fried bamboo shoots with cured meat, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and a plate of simple stir-fried water bamboo shoots… Banban, hurry and serve your teacher some rice.”

While the food was being laid out, Fang Liuyin checked Liu Guyu’s pulse, checked his tongue coating, and asked him several questions.

“Hmm, you’re recovering well, but you should continue taking the medicine for two more days before stopping. If you’re still coughing after finishing the medicine, we’ll need to try a different medicine. Coughs can be stubborn, so take extra care not to catch a chill… Banban, come over and check your Brother Liu’s pulse.”

Qin Banban was running back and forth—she had just finished setting the table when she was called over to check Liu Guyu’s pulse.

As she spoke, Fang Liuyin listened nearby, nodding in satisfaction from time to time and occasionally offering a correction or two.

After the lesson, Cui Lanfang said, “Hurry up and eat, the food is getting cold.”

The two finally sat down to start their meal, but they had only eaten halfway when someone walked into the clinic.

It was a young man, quite tall with broad shoulders and a sturdy build. As he entered, he blocked much of the doorway's light.

He looked very healthy—even though it was past the Double Ninth Festival and everyone else was bundled up in autumn robes, he wore a thin, dark blue coarse cloth shirt that emphasized his robust physique.

He was rather good-looking, with a high nose bridge, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a sun-tanned skin that gave him a somewhat rugged appearance.

Hmm… he looked familiar.

Qin Banban was the first to recognize him, her eyes lighting up.

“Brother Sanxi?!”