Chapter 4 Introduction

Professor Zhang asked again, not because he was old and didn’t hear clearly, but because he wanted to confirm Gu Jinshu’s name and remember it! He felt that Gu Jinshu was very likely the “fated” final disciple arranged for him by Heaven!!

Zhang Pingtian — currently the country’s top figure in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and a professor at Jing City University — had announced a year ago that he planned to take in one last “disciple” before fully retiring. Unfortunately, while there were many people studying Chinese medicine, truly gifted ones were rare!

Zhang Pingtian’s connections and knowledge were exactly what Gu Jinshu needed. Today she had deliberately made herself “stand out” precisely so she could become his final closed-door disciple. After all, as the old saying goes, “The eldest grandson and the youngest son are an old lady’s treasures.” The meaning of “final” and “closed-door disciple” was different.

Gu Jinshu repeated her name, “Gu Jinshu.”
“Good. Come to my office after class,” Zhang Pingtian said — he wanted to see where her abilities lay.
“Yes,” Gu Jinshu replied.

…

At the Gu household.

Gu Chuxue was crying bitterly, tears and snot running together, making Niu Chunli’s heart ache. She hugged her daughter and comforted her over and over.

“Xiaoxue, that’s enough, don’t cry. Even if you don’t care about your own health, shouldn’t you at least think about the baby in your belly? Hmm?”

“It’s all this child’s fault!” Gu Chuxue angrily pounded her stomach. Niu Chunli’s face changed drastically in fright. “You can’t do that.”

“Mom, what should I do now? If I marry Qinghai-ge, people will definitely point fingers at me. Once the baby is born, everyone will know exactly what happened! If I get rid of the baby, we’ll have to go to the hospital, and then it’ll be even harder to hide,” Gu Chuxue sobbed. “I’m so humiliated I’d rather be dead.”

“Don’t say such unlucky things. If you die, what will happen to me?” Niu Chunli wiped her daughter’s tears and thought for a moment. “We’ll keep the baby! You’ll marry Qinghai right away. We can hide the real birth date of the child — there’s always a way.”

Gu Chuxue slowly calmed down, but suddenly her stomach began to hurt—

“Mom, mom, my stomach hurts,” she cried.

“How does it hurt?” Niu Chunli’s face went pale.

“It’s like a heavy, dragging pain,” Gu Chuxue cried out.

“Don’t be afraid, I’ll take you to the hospital,” Niu Chunli said, seeing her daughter in such pain. She didn’t care about anything else and hurriedly supported her out the door.

The neighbors saw it all clearly — oh my, is she losing the baby?

Bad news travels fast. Word quickly spread that Gu Chuxue was pregnant before marriage — and that the baby’s father was Gu Jinshu’s fiancé. Explosive!!!

——

At Jing City University, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

At first, Zhang Pingtian thought Gu Jinshu only knew a bit of the basics, but he was completely shocked.

“You… you could fully diagnose and prescribe medicine on your own.”

Gu Jinshu gave a small smile. “Teacher, I don’t have a diploma or a medical license, so I can’t just casually prescribe medicine.”

Zhang Pingtian caught the implication in her words and frowned in disbelief. “You want me to help you get a medical license?”

Before she could answer, he asked again, “Who did you learn all this from?”

“I’m self-taught. I’ve loved reading medical books since I was little,” she replied, leaving no gaps in her story.

Zhang Pingtian nodded thoughtfully. “Then would you be willing to—”

“Yes.”

He hadn’t even finished before she answered directly.

“You little girl…” Zhang Pingtian thought he had stumbled upon a treasure, when in fact the treasure had jumped right into his lap. But it didn’t matter — whatever intentions she had weren’t important. What mattered was that her knowledge of Chinese medicine was high and she was a rare talent.

“Alright,” Zhang Pingtian nodded slightly. “Have you eaten? If not, come have dinner at my house.”

“Okay, Teacher,” Gu Jinshu smiled faintly.

Zhang Pingtian studied her — the more he looked, the more he liked her.

……

Professor Zhang’s home was in a military compound, which surprised Gu Jinshu.

Seeing the puzzled look on his beloved new disciple’s face, Zhang Pingtian chuckled. “Ask whatever you want!”

“Teacher, is this a military compound?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “It’s quieter here compared to the family housing the Military First People’s Hospital arranged for me, or the faculty housing from Jing City University.”

“…”

“Nothing to be envious about. You’ll be able to live somewhere like this in the future too!” Zhang Pingtian said earnestly. “When your abilities reach a certain level, you’ll be sought after wherever you go.”

Gu Jinshu understood his meaning. Those who came begging her grandfather to treat them had never lacked for the rich or powerful — compared to those worldly possessions, health was far more valuable.

Thinking of her grandfather, a trace of sadness flashed in her eyes.

……

When they returned to the courtyard, someone was already waiting.

Gu Jinshu followed politely behind Zhang Pingtian.

“If you were coming today, why didn’t you tell me in advance? If I’d stayed at the university, you would’ve been waiting for nothing!” Zhang Pingtian said as he sat down.

Across from him sat an old man with a straight back and sharp features. He looked somewhat familiar… but Gu Jinshu couldn’t recall where she’d seen him.

“If you hadn’t come back soon, I would’ve just gone home — it’s only a few steps,” Old Master Lu waved his hand. “Last night I suddenly felt some discomfort in my chest, so I thought I’d come over for you to take a look.”

“You do it,” Zhang Pingtian said, motioning for Gu Jinshu to take his pulse.

She sat down and began the examination.

Old Master Lu studied her with surprised admiration — he’d never seen this young lady before.

“Your chest discomfort is an old problem. You should always carry fast-acting heart medicine with you.”

“Anything else?” Zhang Pingtian asked.

Gu Jinshu continued, “Sir, you should stop smoking — it harms your health.”

“Haha, this young lady is interesting,” Old Master Lu laughed. “Old Zhang, whose daughter is this?”

“She’s my new disciple,” Zhang Pingtian warned. “Don’t get any ideas — my Jinshu is still young, she’s not suitable for your grandson.”

“Whether they’re suitable or not isn’t up to you — it depends on whether they have chemistry.” Old Master Lu raised his brows at Gu Jinshu. “Young lady, you’re single, right? How about meeting my grandson sometime?

“My grandson may be a bit older, but he’s quite handsome! The two of you standing together would be a perfect match — handsome man, beautiful woman, a match made in heaven!”

“Stop right there!” Zhang Pingtian said unhappily. “I finally got a talented young disciple, and I haven’t even had the chance to keep her close yet — you’re already trying to steal her away?”