NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6
Without the annoying flies buzzing around, He Yu’s life of raising her little brat was comfortably pleasant.
The busy and fulfilling learning life at the clinic left her with no time to think about anything else.
On this morning, several people came to seek medical treatment. Xun Qingrui sat at the examination table, while He Yu stood beside him, observing and recording the key points in a notebook.
Intending to take care of her, Xun Qingrui slowed down when describing his symptoms. When prescribing medication, he also took the opportunity to inspect her.
With no more patients at the moment, He Yu didn’t idle, instead focusing on reviewing the medical records of the past few days.
Xun Huiling, dressed in short-sleeved pants, emerged from the inner room. He wore a silver wristwatch and neatly combed short hair, carrying a black leather bag as he strode out.
He appeared out of place compared to the simple and minimalistic clinic.
Seeing his eldest son’s appearance, Xun Qingrui called out displeasedly, “Where are you going again? You’re always running around, your mind never focused here.”
Xun Huiling sighed, “Dad, I’m about to go with Xiaoliu to Xiushui Village to collect a batch of herbs. I told you about it a month ago.”
The clinic’s herbs were all collected manually. It was common for someone like him to travel around, and Sun Qiao was too busy with the clinic and household chores to free up.
Xiaoliu was a child Xun Qingrui had found more than ten years ago in the fields. He had been abandoned in the grass in the dead of winter, unconscious from hunger. Xun Qingrui couldn’t bear it and brought him home.
After examination, they found that Xiaoliu had passed out from starvation. Unlike ordinary people, he had an extra toe on his left foot.
The Xun family had kind hearts and could afford to feed one more mouth, so they let him stay.
Xiaoliu changed his surname to Xun and voluntarily called himself Xun Liu. It was because he had six toes on one foot that his family despised and abandoned him.
With physical defects, he had to be careful at a young age. Aware of life’s difficulties, he became diligent and eager to learn after coming to the Xun family, helping with various tasks at the clinic.
Xun Qingrui was not embarrassed in the least. Pointing to He Yu sitting on the side, he commanded, “Take He Yu with you and teach her a few things.”
His eldest son didn’t hide his disdain for He Yu, and he knew it. He just felt that teaching the medical skills passed down by the Xun family to an outsider like He Yu was inappropriate.
But Xun Huiling didn’t consider that if they were filial and capable, why would his father act like this?
Xun Huiling didn’t want to argue with his father. Irritated, he glanced at his watch, “Fine, hurry up then.”
He Yu quickly instructed the eager little brat with a few words before following them.
Based on past experience, they wouldn’t be back until the afternoon. With Xun Qingrui present at the clinic, she felt relieved leaving Wen Ze in his hands.
This time, they were going to Xiushui Village below Jiang County, mainly to purchase some common and precious herbs found in the countryside. The latter were rare and usually depended on luck.
Xun Huiling often traveled to these rural villages and had some connections. They had arranged for the dried herbs to be left for him to purchase, saving them the trip to the county town or town.
Xiaoliu drove the tractor ahead, rumbling towards the outskirts of the city.
He Yu and Xun Huiling sat in the back.
Xun Huiling didn’t want to talk to her much and closed his eyes by himself.
He Yu didn’t want to make trouble either. She took out a book from her bag and started reading attentively.
Seeing her do this, Xun Huiling disdainfully snorted, “Putting on an act.”
The sunlight was bright and glaring, with no shade to shield them from the scorching heat. How could she concentrate on reading? She was just fooling around.
This little trick might deceive the old man at home, but not him.
“Women should stay at home honestly and take care of the children. If you follow me out, you’ll only suffer more. If you regret it now, it’s not too late.”
Xun Huiling disliked He Yu, and her striking appearance was half the reason.
She didn’t seem like someone who could endure hardship or be resolute. He wondered what she had said to the family to make them all speak up for her.
He Yu remained calm, “Uncle Xun, my husband passed away. If I stay at home, I won’t have enough money to support myself and my child.”
Xun Huiling was taken aback, unable to utter any of the admonishing words he had prepared.
Being a widow with a child, she chose not to find another man but to support herself. How much hardship must she have endured during this time?
As an elder, how could he touch upon the younger generation’s sore spot!
However, expecting Xun Huiling to apologize to He Yu was impossible. On the way, he didn’t pick on her anymore.
The road conditions in the countryside were not very good. When they arrived at Xiushui Village, the sun was almost directly overhead.
The tractor drove directly to the doorstep of the village chief’s house, and Xiaoliu skillfully parked the car.
Perhaps hearing the commotion, people from the house ran out. The leading figure was a middle-aged man with dark skin, standing beside him was a tall young man wearing a white vest, with a crew cut and muscles visible on his arms.
The middle-aged man was called Tang Jian, the village chief of Xiushui Village.
Tang Jian greeted them warmly, “Doctor Xun is here. It’s too hot outside, come in and rest. We happen to be preparing lunch, so let’s eat together later.”
Xun Huiling wiped his sweat, “No need, Village Chief Tang. Take me to see the herbs now.”
“Alright.” Tang Jian signaled to his wife and instructed the young man, “Jingsong, come with me.”
Tang Jingsong glanced around and paused when he saw the girl behind Xun. He responded indifferently, “Hmm.”
After the policy was opened up, villagers tried their best to earn money to support their families. Some went to towns or county seats to do small businesses; others stayed in the village and worked the land diligently.
Xiushui Village was backed by mountains, with a climate suitable for the growth of various herbs.
Unfortunately, there weren’t many people in the village who knew about herbs. Xun Huiling accidentally discovered Xiushui Village, this treasure trove, earlier this year. He then communicated with the village chief and arranged to purchase herbs from the village.
This was his first time coming here to collect herbs, and he didn’t know how it would turn out.
Tang Jian led the three of them to the village’s office, where there was a large dam used to dry crops during summer and autumn harvests.
“Doctor Xun, I’ve had the villagers dry the herbs and brought them here. We’re used to rough work, and our hands are rough too. Take a look and let us know if there’s anything that needs improvement.”
Xun Huiling smiled politely, “There’s no need. I should thank you for trusting me.”
He went through the sacks of herbs one by one, each labeled with the name of the herb.
There were over a dozen types of herbs, including honeysuckle, dandelion, motherwort, and silver root, as well as various dried centipedes, earthworms, and a few dried snake gallbladders.
Looking at the quantity and variety, it had taken a lot of time and effort.
“We’re not sure if we should keep the centipedes, so we didn’t gather many. The earthworms were dug up by the children in the village, and some of these snake gallbladders are from venomous snakes. Can we sell them?”
Xun Huiling nodded affirmatively, “Yes, we can. It’s just that the centipedes might…”
There were all sorts of centipedes, varying in length and thickness. Upon a rough look, not many of them were suitable for medicinal use. He intended to make friends with the villagers of Xiushui, not to give away money for nothing.
“It’s alright, we don’t have many centipedes. If you want them, just take them all.”
Tang Jian said with a smile, “We’ll get our accountant to come. Let’s calculate how much these are worth. We’ll use the agreed-upon price.”
One of the men stepped forward, “I’m here, I’ll calculate it right away.”
They waited quietly for two minutes.
“Alright, it’s a total of forty-two yuan and fifty-six cents.”
The onlookers were shocked, discussing in whispers.
“These herbs are worth so much money?!”
“Could it be a scam? I remember some of these are just roadside weeds, and we’re too lazy to pull them out.”
“Yeah, I’ve lived in the village for decades, how come I didn’t know they could be sold for money?”
“…”
Xun Huiling didn’t pay attention to the gossip. He opened his bag, counted the money, and handed it to Tang Jian.
Tang Jian’s hands trembled as he took the money. “Doctor Xun, why don’t you count it yourself? What if this kid counted wrong?”
Over forty yuan, he had worked hard for several months. Was this it?
The young man who calculated the money protested unhappily, “I won’t count wrong. Uncle Tang, you don’t trust me much, do you?”
Xun Huiling smiled, “I trust this young man. Village Chief Tang, could you please find someone to help me load these onto the car?”
Tang Jian beamed, “Of course. Jingsong, Zhou Ke , you two go help. Be careful, or I’ll knock your heads off if you break anything.”
The dried herbs weren’t heavy. Xiaoliu and He Yu joined the procession of moving herbs.
The villagers’ opinions gradually changed.
“Hey! Doctor Xun really paid so much money for these herbs.”
“It seems to be true. When the village chief asked if my family wanted to participate, I thought it was a scam and refused.”
“Yeah, the village chief asked my family too. At that time, we were busy with field work and didn’t have time for these things.”
“Hehe, my family helped out. Now we’re just waiting for our share of the money.”
…
Tang Jingsong and Zhou Ke each carried a sack of herbs, walking side by side.
Zhou Ke kept glancing back, nudging his friend with his elbow and speaking in a lowered voice, “Jingsong, did you see that girl? She’s really beautiful. What’s her relationship with Doctor Xun?”
Both of them were at the age to get married and have children, but none of them found anyone they liked. Their parents were worried sick, losing hair by the handful.
Tang Jingsong walked with his head down, silent.
After chattering for a while without getting any response, Zhou Ke gave up, feeling rejected. He slowed his pace and gradually walked beside He Yu, who was walking behind.
“Hey, sister, how are you? I’m Zhou Ke . Nice to meet you.”
His smile was sincere, his eyes clear, and his words pure.
He Yu didn’t feel uncomfortable, “Hello, I’m He Yu.”
Zhou Ke asked excitedly, “Is it Bai He’s He?”
(Bai He – White Crane)
He Yu nodded, “Yes.”
Zhou Ke turned around and pointed with his finger, enthusiastically introducing the continuous undulating mountains behind the village, “It’s such a coincidence. We have a mountain here called He Mountain.”