Chapter 31.1

At this moment, Guan Yue was not actually at the foot of the mountain; she had already returned to the wooden house.

Knowing that her teacher would arrive around noon, Gu Sui started busying himself in the kitchen at about ten o’clock. 

He wanted to prepare a delicious meal for her teacher.

When the time was about right, Gu Sui packed several food containers into a bag and handed them to Guan Yue. “Hurry and deliver the food.” he urged.

Guan Yue playfully pinched his handsome face. “Hmph, flattering him won’t help. You need to flatter me instead.”

Gu Sui chuckled. “Haven’t I flattered you enough on a daily basis?”

Guan Yue smiled and raised her lips. “I’m off then!”

It had been two or three years since Guan Yue had last seen her teacher. When she reached the area near Xiaoqing Mountain and saw her teacher, the first thing she said was: “Teacher, how did you get so chubby?”

At that moment, Fang Lin and the others had already left, leaving Xu Huaping, Xu Hua’an, and the couple Zhang Mingrui and Cai Jin strolling near the wooden house. 

Hearing a girl call out “Teacher.” they all turned their heads to look.

Xu Hua’an jumped up excitedly and jogged over. “Yue Yue, Teacher missed you so much!”

Guan Yue grinned. “You missed me so much that you gained weight, huh?”

Cai Jin and the other two laughed. 

Cai Jin looked at Guan Yue, who was wearing a pink overcoat, jeans, and leather boots. She instantly recognized it as the outfit she and Jiang Zhi had bought for Guan Yue a few years ago.

Their taste had been impeccable, and the girl looked stunning in it.

Xu Hua’an laughed as well, grabbing Guan Yue by the arm and leading her into the house. “You have to tell me how you’ve become so impressive. Self-taught acupuncture? You’re way better than your teacher!”

Cai Jin who was holding her husband’s arm, laughed and said: “Don’t rush to have a private chat. We’re all still waiting to meet the young miracle doctor.”

Guan Yue turned to look at Cai Jin. Though Cai Jin had dressed plainly for the visit, her well-maintained skin and overall demeanor made it clear she lived a life of luxury.

Xu Hua’an slapped his forehead. “Oh, Guan Yue, let me introduce you. This is Zhang Mingrui, Officer Zhang. This is his wife, Cai Jin, and this is my Big Brother, Xu Huaping.”

Xu Huaping immediately handed Guan Yue a large red envelope. “Take it.”

Guan Yue accepted it with a smile. “Thank you, Uncle Master.”

Zhang Mingrui commented: “I’ve heard that Doctor Guan is quite young. Seeing you today, it’s clear you’re truly a prodigy.” 

Cai Jin echoed her husband’s words: “Exactly.”

Guan Yue smiled slightly. “You’re too kind. Have you eaten yet?”

Xu Hua’an noticed the food containers in her hand. “Not yet. They’ll be delivering it soon. Did you bring food for me? Did you make it?”

Guan Yue handed the containers to her teacher. “Teacher, you know better than anyone whether I can cook or not. Of course, it wasn’t me.”

“Then who made it?”

“Gu Sui! He heard you were coming and was so eager to impress you. He finished his work this morning and rushed back to prepare these meals for you. See how much he values you.”

Xu Hua’an let out a displeased humph. “He had to send you to deliver it? Is he so hideous that he can’t show his face?”

Guan Yue rolled her eyes at her teacher. “Look at yourself! And you’re still criticizing Gu Sui?”

Xu Hua’an stomped his foot. “You ungrateful disciple! Are you asking for a beating? You think I’m not doing this for your sake?”

Guan Yue grinned mischievously. “Alright, don’t get mad. Gu Sui’s a good guy. You’ll understand when you meet him.”

At that moment, a nurse came in with another meal delivery.

Guan Yue said: “Let’s stop talking for now. You’ve come a long way and must be hungry. Eat first, and we’ll talk later.”

Xu Hua’an asked: “Do you have time?”

“I do. I’m free all afternoon.”

“That’s more like it.”

Before coming, Xu Hua’an had assumed that Guan Yue would be swamped with work every day. But on second thought, knowing Guan Yue’s laid-back nature, it was unlikely she would suddenly become someone diligent.

Guan Yue stayed to eat with them. Xu Huaping and the Zhang Mingrui couple didn’t say much during the meal. Most of the conversation was Xu Hua’an and Guan Yue bickering, with occasional remarks about life over the past few years.

While eating the dishes that Gu Sui had so attentively prepared and listening to Guan Yue’s words, Xu Hua’an’s impression of Gu Sui improved significantly. However, he still put on a tough front. “Life is long. Cooking for a few years doesn’t mean much.”

“We’ll see about the future when it comes.” Guan Yue replied with a grin.

“Hmph, that’s just like you—living day by day. I don’t feel like talking to you anymore.”

Despite having just refused to speak with Guan Yue, Xu Hua’an initiated conversation again within two minutes. “Can your acupuncture treat heart disease?”

Xu Huaping, Zhang Mingrui, and Cai Jin all turned to look at Guan Yue, waiting for her response.

Guan Yue didn’t try to mislead them. She answered directly: “There are many types of heart disease. Without examining the patient, how would I know if it can be treated?”

“Well then, hurry up and finish eating. Check on those two patients so they don’t keep worrying themselves sick and losing sleep over it.”

“Alright, I’ll take a look after we finish eating.”

After the meal, Cai Jin and the others tidied up the table inside, while Guan Yue stepped outside to call for someone to bring Deng Baishu up.

Hearing that Guan Yue was asking for him, Deng Baishu quickly stuffed the rest of his food into his mouth, tossed the lunchbox onto his father’s table, and bolted out the door.

Deng Weimin, irritated, shouted after him: “Hey, you little rascal!”

Before heading up the mountain, Deng Baishu detoured to his office to grab a fresh patient logbook and a box of silver needles.

He sprinted all the way up the mountain, arriving out of breath. “Teacher, I’m here.”

Xu Hua’an gave Deng Baishu a disdainful look. “Is this the disciple you’ve taken in?”

Guan Yue shook her head. “I didn’t take him as a disciple. He’s my assistant.”

Deng Baishu, quick-witted as ever, immediately caught on. “Teacher, this must be my grandmaster, right?”

Turning to Xu Hua’an, he greeted respectfully: “Grandmaster, I’m Deng Baishu, Teacher’s disciple.”

Xu Hua’an retorted: “Don’t call me that. I’m not your grandmaster.”

Feeling wronged, Deng Baishu stood to the side, mumbling: “Oh, maybe not now, but who knows about the future.”

Xu Huaping, unable to stand by, stepped in. “Hua’an, don’t be so harsh.”

This kid was getting better at playing the pity card.

Guan Yue interjected: “I didn’t call you up here to put on a show. These two patients are now your responsibility.”

“Yes, Teacher.” Deng Baishu replied promptly.

Guan Yue glanced at Xu Huaping and Zhang Mingrui. “Which one of you wants to go first?”

Zhang Mingrui gestured politely. “Let Officer Xu go first; I’m not in a hurry.”

Xu Huaping nodded. “Alright, I’ll go first.”

He sat down in front of Guan Yue, who motioned for him to extend his hand. After carefully taking his pulse, Guan Yue remarked: “The medicine I prescribed for you seems to have had some effect.”

Xu Hua’an, growing anxious, asked: “Can it be cured?”

Guan Yue nodded. “Yes, it can, but the process might be a bit slow.”

“How slow?”

After estimating for a moment, Guan Yue replied: “About a month or so.”

The body has its own ability to heal, and by using her special abilities in conjunction with acupuncture, she could stimulate the repair of old injuries. However, since it was a heart condition, a gradual recovery would be more plausible and less suspicious than an instantaneous one.

Xu Huaping, visibly excited, exclaimed: “A month isn’t slow at all! That’s very fast.”

Guan Yue smiled lightly. “As long as you don’t think it’s slow. The acupuncture, combined with herbal medicine, will stimulate your body’s natural healing. It just needs some time.”

Next was Zhang Mingrui’s turn. 

Hearing Xu Huaping’s positive outcome, Zhang Mingrui was both happy for him and optimistic about his own condition. Zhang Mingrui’s ailment was actually easier to treat than Xu Huaping’s, as it wasn’t caused by prior injuries and required less time to recover.

Guan Yue assessed his pulse and concluded: “Yours will take about half a month.”

Cai Jin, surprised, interjected: “Why does Mingrui only need half a month? Isn’t his condition worse than Officer Xu’s?”

Taking into account all the gifts they had brought, Guan Yue explained: “Officer Zhang’s heart is in relatively good shape, so it’s easier to treat.”

Zhang Mingrui held his wife’s hand reassuringly. “Let’s trust Doctor Guan.”

Guan Yue quickly jotted down two prescriptions and handed them to Deng Baishu. “Go to the wooden house and ask Gu Sui to prepare the medicine. Once it’s brewed, bring it over.”

“Got it!” Deng Baishu responded enthusiastically and hurried off.

After Deng Baishu left, Guan Yue picked up her silver needles and said: “Now, I’ll perform acupuncture on both of you. Once it’s done, you can take the medicine.”

Xu Huaping went first. Since it was still spring and the weather was chilly, Xu Hua’an stepped outside to borrow a brazier. Once the brazier was placed and lit, Guan Yue began the acupuncture for Xu Huaping.

Next was Zhang Mingrui’s turn.

Cai Jin watched Guan Yue swiftly and seemingly casually insert the needles, as if she were tossing them onto the skin without much effort. Her hands, clasped together, were twisted with worry as she glanced nervously between her husband and Guan Yue. She looked as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Noticing her anxiety, Guan Yue kindly reassured her: “Don’t worry. Your husband’s condition is easy to treat. Once it’s cured this time, his blood circulation will be fully restored, and it won’t relapse in the future.”

Cai Jin smiled awkwardly. “It’s not that I doubt your skills; I’m just concerned.”

“That’s perfectly understandable.”

After clearing the air, Cai Jin and Guan Yue moved to the outer hall. Cai Jin remarked: “This pink coat looks so good on you. When I went shopping with your teacher’s sister-in-law that day, I immediately knew this outfit was perfect for you.”

Guan Yue was surprised. “So you picked this out for me? Thank you. I really like it.”

Cai Jin smiled modestly. “I’m glad you like it. In this life, I may not be good at much, but I do have an eye for fashion.”

She then added: “I’m able to live such a comfortable life thanks to my husband.”

Guan Yue nodded. “Don’t worry. With the amount of money you’ve spent, I’ll make sure it’s worth it.”

Cai Jin chuckled. “The donations we made to the country, whether it was materials or production lines, weren’t just about seeking treatment. Part of it was to bet on you, but another part was because we felt it was the right thing to do. As Chinese citizens, if we have the means, donating something is no big deal.”

Cai Jin continued: “Before we came here, we were prepared for the possibility that it couldn’t be cured. We thought, even if his condition could just be maintained as it is, that would be good enough.”

Guan Yue smiled faintly. “Your trip will be worth it.”

Cai Jin turned to look at Guan Yue, her smile full of trust. “I believe you can cure my husband.”

Before coming, she had been filled with apprehension. But now, her confidence in Guan Yue was growing. Although she wasn’t as perceptive as her husband when it came to judging people, she could tell that Guan Yue wasn’t someone who liked to boast.

If Guan Yue said it would get better, it certainly would.

Cai Jin poured a cup of plain boiled water for Guan Yue. “The things we sent over before the New Year—when did you receive them?”

“On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year. I was shocked when they arrived.”

Ten large boxes were delivered to the sanatorium. Before they were brought in, the contents had to be inspected to ensure there were no suspicious items.

At that time, all sorts of food, clothing, and daily necessities were laid out one by one at the entrance of the valley. The idle nurses gathered to take a look. Among the many beautiful things they had never seen before, even a single item could make anyone envious—let alone ten boxes of them.

That was some time ago. Now, whenever Guan Yue wore a new outfit, the bolder nurses would come over to take a look. Some even wanted to touch the fabric.

Guan Yue said: “I really like everything you sent, especially that porcelain set.”

Cai Jin smiled. “When I picked out that porcelain set, my husband said I was making trouble for him, claiming porcelain was hard to transport. We even argued about it for a bit.”

Cai Jin was a refined woman. When it came to topics like clothing and dressing up, it was like she was in her element. She asked Guan Yue many questions about her preferences so that when she returned home, she could buy her even more beautiful things.

Cai Jin added: “Don’t be polite with me. My family owns several department stores, each with many floors. I never run out of these things.”

The Zhang family’s business empire included numerous department stores, closely tied to Cai Jin’s love for fashion and dressing up.

Guan Yue wasn’t envious at all. “Gu Sui is pretty good too. I like eating, and he makes me delicious food every day without ever complaining.”

Hearing this, Cai Jin had a clear idea. Guan Yue probably had feelings for that young man named Gu Sui.

She decided she would later advise Guan Yue’s teacher to be a little kinder to that young fellow.

At that moment, Deng Baishu walked in, carrying medicine. Gu Sui followed close behind.

Guan Yue stood up. “You didn’t go to the sanatorium this afternoon?”

Gu Sui was the deputy director. Unlike Guan Yue, who only went for an hour or two daily, he worked regular hours.

Gu Sui replied: “I asked Director Zhang for leave.”

Deng Baishu chimed in to explain: “There were two sets of medicine. I was afraid I’d spill them, so I asked Dr. Gu to help me deliver them.”

Guan Yue said: “You came at just the right time. Let me introduce you to my teacher.”

Xu Hua’an was in the room keeping his elder brother company when he noticed the increase in voices outside. He stepped out and asked: “Are you calling me?”

Guan Yue replied: “Gu Sui is here. Come out quickly.”

Xu Hua’an scrutinized Gu Sui from head to toe, carefully evaluating him. After a while, despite his thorough examination, he couldn’t find anything wrong.

Under Guan Yue’s expectant gaze, he finally managed to say reluctantly: “He looks decent.”

Cai Jin couldn’t help but laugh. “I think the young man is good. He’s a great match for Guan Yue.”

Guan Yue affectionately held Gu Sui’s arm and said: “You chat with Teacher. I’ll go remove the needles and call them to drink their medicine.”

She then went to remove the needles for Xu Huaping, with Deng Baishu following her into the room.

Cai Jin, sensing the situation, also returned to her room to wait for Guan Yue to join her later.