"Heh. Master, your medical skills are so profound. You’d be a perfect teacher, with students all over the world," Zhao Nuanyue said, flattering him. "Our country has so many people, but very few doctors. This is especially true in remote areas, where many are just itinerant doctors. Their skills... sigh, you can only say they’re mediocre at best."
"Yes, that’s true. There’s not much we can do about it right now. The only way is to have more people study medicine, develop our healthcare, and improve the situation," Sun Haoran said with a sigh. "I’m getting old. The future development of our National Doctors and of medicine itself will depend on young people like you."
Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "Yes, Master, I’ll work hard. Senior Brother is also excellent. In the future, we will definitely make Immortal Grass Hall flourish!"
"Good!" Sun Haoran nodded. He knew Zhao Nuanyue wasn’t one to make empty promises. Now that she had given her word in front of him, she would strive to achieve that goal.
"Master, you’re as vigorous as ever. Let’s work hard together," Zhao Nuanyue said, smiling as she looked at her master.
"Together!" Sun Haoran agreed with a nod, his gaze toward Zhao Nuanyue growing even kinder. "Nuanyue, it’s been almost a month. Hasn’t Yu Sen returned yet?"
"Not yet." Hearing her master ask about Hua Yusen stirred Zhao Nuanyue’s longing for him. "I used to feel like the days were passing so slowly. But now, I’m busy with work, and I’ve also been practicing my forms and exercising, so I don’t have time to think too much. Before I knew it, time started flying by again. It’s already been almost a month."
To be exact, it had been twenty-three days.
Seeing Zhao Nuanyue’s crestfallen expression, Sun Haoran’s heart ached for her. But he also knew that Hua Yusen was a man destined for great things. As the saying goes, ’Heaven tempers those destined for greatness with hardship and toil.’ Hua Yusen was fated to struggle for his ideals, his family, and his future career.
"It’s actually good to be a little busy; it keeps your mind off things," Sun Haoran said with a smile. "Hua Yusen is a very capable man. Last time, if the Li family hadn’t been pushed to desperate measures, he wouldn’t have had that accident. This time, he brought many people with him. He will definitely return safely."
"Mm, I hope so," Zhao Nuanyue nodded. ’Please let Hua Yusen come back safe and sound,’ she prayed silently.
"Alright, let’s clean up and go eat. If your master’s wife sees we haven’t come for lunch yet, she’s going to blow her top," Sun Haoran said with a chuckle. After a busy morning, he was indeed a bit hungry.
Zhao Nuanyue nodded and smiled. "Madam Sun would indeed blow her top. She’d scold us for not taking care of our bodies, but it’s really because she cares about us. Master, you can’t get angry with her."
"I would never get angry. Your master’s wife and I have been married for decades. She’s the most important person to me, and I am to her. We plan on growing old together, so we’re very mindful of each other’s health. Her fussing is just her way of doting on us," Sun Haoran said proudly. "You all are just benefiting from my good fortune!"
"Heh, that’s true!" Zhao Nuanyue laughed. "Madam Sun cares for you, Master, and because she loves you, she loves us too."
"As long as you understand," Sun Haoran joked. "So you have to show me proper respect and care. Only then will you get even more affection from your master’s wife."
"Yes, yes!" Zhao Nuanyue nodded. "We will definitely show our utmost respect to you and Madam Sun."
The master and apprentice chatted and laughed as they made their way to the back courtyard.
When they entered the dining hall, they were surprised to find guests.
"Ah, Qian! Sister-in-law Qian! If I had known you were coming, I would have come back from the front earlier." Sun Haoran quickened his pace, stepping forward to shake hands with Old Sir Qian and Old Madam Qian. "Sit, sit!"
Seeing that Sun Haoran was as warm as ever, and hadn’t grown distant just because he had returned and gotten a good position, Old Sir Qian felt relieved. He said with a chuckle, "Haoran, we saw the weather was nice today and had nothing else to do, so we just came by for a visit. You’re a busy man, saving lives out front. We mustn’t hold you up."
"Heh, you flatter me, Qian," Sun Haoran laughed. "By the way, have your and Sister-in-law Qian’s jobs been restored?"
"They have. Today happens to be my day off, and my daughter-in-law and grandson have also returned, so I took the opportunity to bring them over to get acquainted," Old Sir Qian said with a smile, then proceeded to introduce his daughter-in-law and grandson to Sun Haoran.
Sun Haoran greeted them, then looked toward his wife.
Madam Sun had already prepared a meeting gift and glanced at a box on the table.
Sun Haoran opened the box to see what was inside. It was a high-quality inkstone, a very fitting meeting gift for Old Sir Qian’s grandson.
"So this is your grandson! My, he looks like a bright one," Sun Haoran said with a smile. "This is a little meeting gift for the boy."
"Oh, Younger Brother Sun, you’re too kind," said Old Sir Qian. "I just brought the child over for you to see, so our families could stay in touch."
Sun Haoran smiled, looking from Old Sir Qian to his daughter-in-law, and said, "Heh, since we’re visiting, it’s only natural for me to give a gift when I meet a junior in your family. Your daughter-in-law is an adult, so I won’t give her one."
Since Sun Haoran put it that way, Old Sir Qian found it hard to refuse. He looked at his grandson and said with a smile, "Yongxian, since Grandpa Sun is giving you a gift, you should accept it. Go on, thank Grandpa Sun."
Qian Yongxian, hearing his grandfather’s words, was a bit shy but bravely walked over to Sun Haoran and said politely, "Hello, Grandpa Sun. Hello, Grandma Sun! Thank you."
"Good boy. Come and visit often in the future." Sun Haoran handed over the box and patted Qian Yongxian’s head. But then he noticed the boy’s sallow complexion, and as he reached out to hold Qian Yongxian’s arm, his brow furrowed.
Seeing this, Old Sir Qian’s daughter-in-law, Tang Xinran, looked concerned and explained, "When Yongxian first arrived in the Northeast, he had a high fever. His constitution has been very weak ever since. He doesn’t eat much, and since then, he often catches colds and runs a fever."
After listening, Sun Haoran smiled and said kindly, "Yongxian, don’t be afraid. Grandpa Sun is a very skilled doctor. Open your mouth and let me see your tongue."
Qian Yongxian was often sick, and every time, his mother would become extremely anxious and upset. Sometimes he would get a fever in the middle of the night, which worried her greatly. So, although Qian Yongxian was afraid of medicine and shots, he wanted to get better so his mother wouldn’t have to worry and be sad anymore.
Qian Yongxian opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue.
At this, Sun Haoran finally nodded. "Fortunately, it’s not too serious, and it’s not some rare or complicated disease. I’ll prescribe a few courses of medicine for you to take home and brew. After the boy drinks it, he should gradually get better."
"Thank you, Grandpa Sun." Hearing that he might not get sick anymore in the future, Qian Yongxian’s eyes lit up, and he was overjoyed.
Hearing Sun Haoran’s words, Tang Xinran was also delighted and quickly expressed her thanks.