Chapter 21

Anger was one thing…

But on the way back, after calming down, Cao Xiu couldn’t help but seriously consider the possibility of his little apprentice learning Western medicine.

Though he was strict—maybe even a bit rigid—he had a soft heart. Over the past six months, he’d seen how respectful and considerate Taohua was to him and his wife. Naturally, he wanted the best for the girl.

Still, knowing full well she had talent and continuing to block her path—wasn’t that a bit selfish?

More than that, when he had thought she was just an unpolished stone that needed time to shine, others already saw her as a gem, dazzling and bright.

Unless he hid her away from the world, more people would come to take notice.

Thinking this far, Cao Xiu let out another sigh.

“Master, if you really don’t want me touching Western medicine, I’ll send any books or materials Granny Yu sends back to her.” Compared to a once-in-a-lifetime meeting with Director Yu, her master—who was like a second father—was clearly more important. Seeing him sigh over and over, Xu Wanchun couldn’t sit still anymore.

Cao Xiu’s heart softened. Her thoughtfulness made him feel even more guilty. He reached out and gently patted her head, asking warmly, “Taohua, tell me honestly—do you want to learn Western medicine?”

Xu Wanchun glanced at his face. Confirming he wasn’t mad, she finally nodded. “A little.”

In truth, she didn’t particularly favor one over the other. If she stayed in the village with her master, maybe even earned a barefoot doctor’s certificate in a few years, that wouldn’t be so bad.

But she wanted to leave the village.

And in the coming two decades of turbulent times, traditional Chinese medicine would be hit hard. If she wanted to survive safely, learning Western medicine was necessary—ideally, as a military doctor.

Cao Xiu didn’t know what the future held. All he knew was that the girl genuinely seemed to like Western medicine, which made him feel worse. But he didn’t show it. “Let me think about it.”

Xu Wanchun quickly flashed a sweet smile to soften the mood. “Master, for the next few years I plan to focus on Chinese medicine. What our ancestors left behind is vast and profound. I’ve barely scratched the surface. It’ll take at least ten years before I can even consider myself a proper student.”

She was half-coaxing him, but also sincere. She wasn’t a genius—just learning Chinese medicine was enough of a headache.

As for Western medicine, she already had ten years of training in her past life. With a foundation in place, she could review it bit by bit, and when the time came for university, she’d focus on clinical studies.

Cao Xiu didn’t care about any of that. Hearing her promise to stick with Chinese medicine for the next decade made him beam. “Our Taohua is steady and sensible. That’s the right way to think. You’ve got to take things one step at a time.”

Xu Wanchun nodded her little head seriously. Master was right—rushing and arrogance were fatal in medicine.

Now in a better mood, Cao Xiu had the interest to enjoy the scenery. Even the dried branches and dead leaves he’d just been annoyed by suddenly looked poetic. When they passed by a Xinhua Bookstore, he suddenly shouted, “Stop the car!”

Xiao Jiang hit the brakes. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m sorry—do you mind waiting a bit? I’d like to buy a few books from that store,” said Cao Xiu.

“Oh, that’s all? Of course! I’ll take you right to the door.” Xiao Jiang laughed, then stepped on the gas again.

“Thank you! I’ll be quick,” said Cao Xiu politely.

Xiao Jiang felt a little embarrassed. He had seen it with his own eyes—Doctor Cao and his little apprentice had worked tirelessly for a full day and night, without charging a cent, and had even brought their own supplies. Holding them up for a few minutes wasn’t worth apologizing for.

The car quickly stopped in front of the bookstore.

When Master stepped out, Xu Wanchun quickly followed with her short legs.

She loved learning and reading, so her following him didn’t surprise Cao Xiu at all. He simply took her hand and brought her along.

---

April 1937.

The Xinhua Bookstore was born in the stone caves of Wanfo Cave on Qingliang Mountain.

After more than a decade, by 1950, branches had sprung up across the country.

There were already two in the North.

In her past life, Xu Wanchun had loved browsing bookstores.

But compared to the bright and airy shops of later years, the one before her—with its peeling walls, iron lamps hanging from the ceiling, and rough wooden bookshelves—gave her a visceral sense of the times.

And for some reason… that made her feel a little sad.

“Master’s books should be upstairs. Do you want to come with me or look around yourself?”

His voice pulled her from her thoughts. She quickly hid her melancholy. “I’ll look on my own.”

Cao Xiu glanced around, found nothing dangerous, and reminded her, “Alright. Once you’re done, bring your books to the counter—I’ll pay. But don’t take too long. Xiao Jiang’s still waiting for us… Oh, and don’t even think of leaving the store on your own, got it?”

Xu Wanchun was very fond of staying alive, so she patiently listened to his whole lecture and obediently replied, “Got it!”

Still not quite reassured, Cao Xiu even asked the store clerk to keep an eye on her before going upstairs.

This era really lacked entertainment. Given the chance to buy books, Xu Wanchun wasn’t going to waste a second.

There were so many books she wanted to buy—not just for herself, but for her adoptive mother… and Sister Yulan.

Knowledge broadens the mind. In a small, isolated village, books—along with newspapers—were the only way to learn about the outside world.

The good news? Most books at this time cost less than half a yuan.

Xu Wanchun had no intention of letting her master pay. Her adoptive mother had stuffed fifty yuan into her hand before she left.

She picked up political theory, propaganda materials, literature, popular revolution novels, comic books—and even some from the former Soviet Union.

Within ten minutes, she’d picked more than fifty books.

Thankfully, Master wasn’t back yet. She sighed in relief and urged the young man behind the old elm counter, dressed in a cotton jacket and reading a book, “Comrade, time to check out.”

The young man looked up, saw the stack of books, and hesitated, pushing his glasses up. “All of them? Where are your parents?”

He was clearly worried she couldn’t afford them. Xu Wanchun simply pulled a wad of cash from her pocket. “Yes, all of them. Please tally it up.”

Whose kid was this, bringing that much money to buy books? It was nearly two months’ salary for him! The young man sighed, then pulled out his abacus.

The total came to 29.8 yuan—about what Xu Wanchun expected.

She paid decisively and asked him to wrap the books in old newspaper and tie them with twine for easier carrying.

Just then, Cao Xiu came down with a few books of his own. Seeing the stacks beside her feet, he asked in surprise, “All those are yours?”

Xu Taohua was a little embarrassed. “I’ll read them with my mom, and you and Auntie too. I already paid, Master.”

“You little rascal…” Cao Xiu shook his head with a helpless smile. He had long noticed—despite her small stature, barely over a meter tall, this apprentice of his had a strong backbone and would never take advantage of others.

---

After a full day and night.

This was the first time her daughter had been gone this long.

Xu Hehua wasn’t used to it, and she was worried. The next day, she refused to go up the mountain.

She stubbornly sat at home, peeling the spiky outer shells of chestnuts while staring longingly out the window.

Just as she was about to pour out more spiny husks from a sack, Danggui—who had been curled up near the stove—suddenly sat up straight. Its sharp little ears twitched, and with a bark, it wagged its tail and darted outside.

Xu Hehua instinctively stood up. Just as she was wondering who had arrived, she vaguely heard a familiar rumbling—it was that four-wheeled thing again, the one called a “car”!

Her daughter was back?!

Realizing this, Xu Hehua beamed with joy and rushed outside.

“Mom! I’m back!” The car had just come to a stop when Xu Wanchun jumped down. But the moment her feet touched the ground, she felt her body lift—and the next second, she was swept up into a tight hug.

Xu Hehua’s joy lit up her face. She held her daughter and looked her up and down. Only after confirming she was unharmed did she turn to the man who had gotten off the car with her.

Compared to her daughter’s healthy complexion, Doctor Cao looked far more worn out. His eyes were bloodshot, and he had stubble on his face. Sensible as ever, Xu Hehua said tactfully, “Doctor Cao, I’ll take Taohua home first. You should rest well.”

Cao Xiu nodded in acceptance of her kindness and turned to the driver who was unloading books from the car. “Xiao Jiang, come in and have some hot water to warm up.”

Xiao Jiang quickly waved his hand. “No need, Doctor Cao, I’m not thirsty.”

But thirsty or not, after a long, cold drive—and with cars at this time having no heaters—it was still chilly. Xu Wanchun wriggled out of her foster mother’s arms, climbed into the passenger seat, and handed Xiao Jiang’s canteen to her mother. “Mom, quick, please fill it with hot water for Brother Xiao Jiang.” Then she silently mouthed the word: sugar.

Xu Hehua immediately understood. Before Xiao Jiang could react, she had already dashed back into the house with the canteen.

When she returned, it was filled to the brim with sweet sugar water.

Xiao Jiang, unaware of the thoughtful gesture, assumed it was just boiled water. Scratching his head sheepishly, he said, “Thanks, Auntie. Thank you, Doctor Cao. And thank you too, Taohua. I’ll be heading back now.”

Cao Xiu nodded. “Alright, take care on the road.”

“Will do!”

Once the young soldier was gone, only the family remained. Cao Xiu didn’t stand on ceremony and made his way into the courtyard with a greeting.

Meanwhile, the Xu mother and daughter cheerfully carried the books back home, trailed by their little dog Danggui, bouncing along happily.

=

Now that her daughter was back, Xu Hehua finally felt at ease again.

Learning that the little girl had worked for an entire day and night and hadn’t eaten well, her heart ached terribly.

She immediately fired up the stove and, gritting her teeth, added a spoonful of precious oil to make a glossy, fried egg. Not the salty kind, but the sweet kind—an old traditional remedy said to be especially nourishing.

Xu Hehua couldn’t bear to eat it herself. She watched her daughter scarf it down bite by bite, and only then did she feel satisfied enough to send her off to bed.

Xu Wanchun felt all warm inside—not just because she was back home with her foster mother, but also thanks to that glossy fried egg… Either way, she slept soundly and sweetly.

When she woke up again, it was already dinnertime.

At the dinner table, it was Xu Hehua’s turn to fill her daughter in on recent village events—starting with the matter that concerned her most: the chicken thief.

“…We caught it. Turns out it was a weasel.”

There were always mysterious tales surrounding weasels. Though Xu Wanchun didn’t believe in such superstitions, she was still curious. “So what happened after it was caught?”

Xu Hehua peeled a few steamed chestnuts for her. “What else? We threw it back into the mountains. Who would dare eat it?”

Xu Wanchun asked, “And how’s your literacy class going?”

That topic made Xu Hehua even more indignant. “It’s only been three days, and half the people have already stopped coming. I reckon in a few more days, there won’t be anyone left.”

Sure enough, that’s exactly how it went. As the days grew colder, fewer and fewer people showed up for the literacy class. Even with Uncle Tun trying to round them up, it was no use.

That Sunday, Xu Wanchun spent her usual half-day at her master’s house.

In the afternoon, after reviewing her lessons and finishing homework from both her master and schoolteacher, she finally found time to pull out the comic books she’d bought a few days ago.

Before 1966, publishing books could make you rich. Even writing short stories for newspapers could bring in good income.

Xu Wanchun had never given up on that path to earn money. She was simply waiting for the right opportunity.

She wasn’t skilled enough to publish a full-length book, and getting a short story printed in a paper wasn’t easy either. The most realistic route was comic books—after all, she’d studied art for ten years, from primary school through junior high. Her fundamentals were solid.

She planned to study current comic book styles for a year or two. Then, when she turned ten and didn’t stand out so much, she’d start drawing.

If she was lucky and caught the attention of a publisher, she’d only draw for a year or two at most.

It wasn’t that she didn’t love money—she just knew energy was limited. And with ten years of political upheaval ahead… it was best to remain cautious.

Once she had enough money to leave this place with her foster mother—without any worries in the next eight or ten years—she’d stop.

Thinking of this, Xu Wanchun perked up. She took out a blank notebook, studying the comic books while jotting down notes. She approached the task with the same intensity she used to study medicine. She refused to believe she couldn’t do it!

Time flew by, and soon it was dark outside.

Suddenly, a loud howl echoed from the courtyard—Danggui was barking.

Stretching her stiff neck a few times, Xu Wanchun scooped up the orange tabby cat, Fuling, from her lap and stepped out of the west wing.

It was snowing!!!

And not just a light flurry—it was a full-on blizzard, with thick flakes falling like someone was dumping them from a bucket above.

Having grown up in the far south, Xu Wanchun had never seen anything like it.

It was gorgeous.

If it weren’t for her small size and fear of catching a cold, she’d have loved to run out and frolic in the snow like Danggui was doing now in the courtyard…

Even just standing under the eaves, a big smile slowly spread across her face.

Just then, Xu Hehua came hurrying back from her literacy class.

Xu Wanchun quickly forgot about the snow and rushed back into the house to grab a clean towel. As she brushed the snow off her foster mother’s coat, she asked worriedly, “Do you want to change clothes?”

Xu Hehua took the towel and gave herself a quick rubdown. “No need. The snow only started falling right before I got home.”

Hearing that, Xu Wanchun stopped insisting and asked, “Will you still go to class tomorrow?”

“Depends how long the snow lasts. If it stops by midnight, I’ll go. No matter what, there are still three to five people coming. Since I accepted this task, I’ve got to see it through.”

Yes, even after nearly ten days, only a few people were still attending the literacy class.

Xu Wanchun didn’t know if she’d be discouraged in such a situation.

But looking at her foster mother now, smiling warmly and full of energy—there wasn’t a trace of disappointment. In fact, she seemed… content.

Content because literacy, and the class itself, had slowly improved her standing in the village.

Xu Wanchun was happy, too. Happy that what she had once hoped for—her foster mother becoming a teacher—was actually coming true.

And beyond that original hope, there was a pleasant surprise…

In less than a month, Madam Xu Hehua had gained a quiet confidence that had never been there before.

She was slowly transforming—growing brighter, more composed, and more at ease with herself.

Xu Wanchun felt both awe and anticipation…

She couldn’t wait to see, in a few years, what kind of elegant and extraordinary woman Madam Xu Hehua would become.

---