Chapter 17

Ye Changyuan, holding his bowl, suddenly remembered something, “What did that old man want from you today?”

Ye Xiaoxiao thought for a moment and didn’t mention the apprenticeship yet, “He wanted me to help at his pharmacy.”

Ye Changyuan was startled, “That means working! Xiaoxiao, you still need to study.”

Ye Changsheng also looked over, his expression serious, “The school year starts soon after the New Year. Studying is the most important thing.”

“Yes, Xiaoxiao, you’re still young. Don’t worry about other things. Just have fun during this holiday.” Miao Fengshan said with concern.

“…”

Winter break here was indeed very long.

Of course, Ye Xiaoxiao wouldn’t give up studying. She assured them, “I’ll just go when I’m free. It won’t affect my studies.”

Hearing her say that, Ye Changsheng and the others reluctantly agreed.

…

Early the next morning, Ye Changsheng and Ye Changyuan packed their things and went home.

They wouldn’t buy New Year goods for now.

The mountain road was difficult to travel, and it was too dangerous for them to carry goods.

Every year, they would buy New Year goods as a whole family, pulling the goods home with a sled.

Ye Xiaoxiao also went to the Chinese medicine pharmacy as promised.

Song Guangjing had gotten up early to clean up the front and back yards of the pharmacy, making the inside and outside look tidy and clean.

He was almost sixty years old. He looked particularly old because he had experienced some dark days.

If he hadn’t really seen Ye Xiaoxiao’s talent, he wouldn’t have considered taking a disciple.

As soon as Ye Xiaoxiao walked into the pharmacy, she saw Song Guangjing sitting inside.

“Come in, little girl. This old man is ready to be tested by you.”

Ye Xiaoxiao calmly walked to the old man, “Don’t rush. Shouldn’t we introduce ourselves first?”

Song Guangjing nodded in agreement and took the initiative to say, “My name is Song Guangjing. I’m fifty-two years old. I’m originally from Beijing, but I came to Heilongjiang province and haven’t gone back.”

Ye Xiaoxiao also spoke, “My name is Ye Xiaoxiao. I’m seventeen years old. I also came from Beijing, but I have to finish high school here.

I’m taking the college entrance exam next year. Even if I become your disciple, I won’t have much time to learn from you.”

She was definitely going to study. After going to university, she would still major in medicine.

“The college entrance exam next year? Then you can go to university. It’s good to go to university!” Song Guangjing suddenly became excited, “You must go to Beijing University. It’s one of the few universities in the country that offers a Chinese medicine major.”

Ye Xiaoxiao: “…”

Not to mention whether she could get into the top university in the country, Beijing University was in Beijing.

The place she had decided not to go to.

Seeing Ye Xiaoxiao hesitate, Song Guangjing asked curiously, “What… do you have other plans?”

“Not for now.”

It wasn’t time to worry about that yet. Ye Xiaoxiao had come today to give the old man a difficult problem. She had already thought of the question.

It was a difficult case she had seen in her grandfather’s notes.

Ye Xiaoxiao handed him the question she had already written, “Mr. Song, please enlighten me.”

Song Guangjing took the question and read it carefully. Regardless of the outcome, his serious attitude was endearing.

“This is the first time I’ve heard of this condition…”

Besides, he couldn’t communicate with the patient face-to-face. He could only rely on the written description, which could easily mislead the doctor.

Song Guangjing sat at the counter of the pharmacy, pondering for a long time before writing down a few names of herbs on a piece of paper.

“You came here with the answer to test me, didn’t you? Don’t wait until I’m finished writing. You can’t figure it out yourself.”

Ye Xiaoxiao smiled confidently, “Mr. Song, don’t underestimate me. I can definitely figure it out.”

Because her grandfather was still alive, she had discussed this difficult case with him more than once.

Song Guangjing blew on the ink to dry it, “I’m done.”

Ye Xiaoxiao took it, her expression a little surprised. The prescription Song Lao Yezi gave was very close to the final solution she had discussed with her grandfather.

And this was the first time Song Guangjing had encountered this case.

Ye Xiaoxiao had already made up her mind.

“Mr. Song, I’m willing to be your disciple.”

Song Guangjing’s smile gradually widened, and finally, he burst into laughter, “Hahaha, good, good, good. From today onwards, you are my disciple, Song Guangjing. We usually have a small ceremony, but this place is too simple. We’ll have a grand apprenticeship ceremony when we get back to Beijing.”

Ye Xiaoxiao felt something was wrong. Song Lao Yezi wasn’t like an ordinary person.

But Song Guangjing had already turned to go to the backyard. He called out to Ye Xiaoxiao, “Come here, Master has something good for you.”

Ye Xiaoxiao followed him to the backyard. The yard wasn’t big. There was a well and a plum blossom tree in the corner, creating a bit of atmosphere.

Song Guangjing’s courtyard had four rooms on the side, all filled with herbs. She could smell the mixed scent of dried medicinal herbs.

The main house had three large rooms and one small room.

He went to the bedroom in the main house, took out a box, and handed it to Ye Xiaoxiao.

When she opened it, there was a jade seal inside.

The jade was smooth and delicate, of excellent quality.

The bottom of the seal was engraved with the words “ Ren De “.

Song Guangjing looked like he was reminiscing, “This was given to me by my master when I became his disciple. Benevolence and virtue, we who study medicine should never forget these two words.”

Ye Xiaoxiao took the gift, “I remember, Master.”

Song Guangjing was very touched by this address of “Master”. He quickly agreed.

“I said before, as long as you’re willing to be my disciple, I’ll pay you a monthly salary. Of course, you don’t have to do anything. Just consider it pocket money.”

Song Guangjing kept his word. He took out five big unity notes and gave them to Ye Xiaoxiao.

Ye Xiaoxiao felt even more uncomfortable.

There were many secrets about this master of hers. The entire pharmacy probably didn’t earn fifty yuan a month.

So, he was living off his savings.

“Master, you’re giving me too much.”

Song Guangjing waved his hand, “Not much, not much. But you have to study hard with me. If you’re not serious, I’ll punish you.”

Ye Xiaoxiao thought he would say, “Kick you out.”

But she really wanted to learn Chinese medicine, so she would naturally work hard.

For the whole day, Ye Xiaoxiao helped tidy up the herbs in the pharmacy. It was also a task given to her by Song Guangjing, to see how much foundation she had.

There was no lunch in winter. They only ate two meals a day.

So, at three o’clock, Song Guangjing said, “That’s it for today. Go home early.”

Ye Xiaoxiao put away the herbs she was working on and stood up, “Okay, I’ll come back tomorrow.”

Today, only Ye Xiaoxiao and Miao Fengshan were left at his house.

Miao Fengshan didn’t hesitate to kill another rabbit.

“Grandpa, you’re killing another rabbit.”

Miao Fengshan, “It’s cold, and they’re hard to raise. Also, we don’t have that much grain to feed them. We might as well eat meat.”

But Ye Xiaoxiao knew that Grandpa was comforting her. After all, the rabbit could be sold for meat. Why would they eat it all themselves?

Miao Fengshan, “How was it? What did you do at the pharmacy? Was it hard work?”

Ye Xiaoxiao shook her head, “I just sorted the herbs. It wasn’t tiring at all.”

Hearing this, Miao Fengshan felt a little relieved, “That’s good. If you feel tired, we’ll stop doing it!”

When Yan Yan was at home, the family couldn’t bear to let her do any work. Everyone in Baishi Village envied Ye Jianguo’s daughters.

Now, seeing Ye Xiaoxiao busy all day, Miao Fengshan felt guilty.