Free Web NovelChapter 361: Chapter 361: Extra Story 10
Master Chang called Xing Er over. He was seated while Xing Er stood.
Master Chang exposed his wrist and calmly looked at Xing Er, saying, "Remember this, it’s the Death Vein."
With those words, tears immediately flowed from Xing Er’s eyes.
But in the next second, Xing Er wiped away her tears with her sleeve, trying to calm her emotions and extending her trembling fingers with restraint.
"As a healer, one should have long seen through life and death. Master is ninety-eight this year, it’s enough."
Xing Er’s restrained tears fell again.
Master Chang’s voice was stern, yet filled with affection.
"Calm your heart."
"If a healer’s heart isn’t calm, the pulse won’t be accurate."
Xing Er bit her lower lip, taking a deep breath.
"Master, I understand."
Xing Er’s cold fingertips touched Master Chang’s pulse as he began to explain the Death Vein to her.
Jiang Cheng and the others listened quietly, deeply touched.
Legacy is never just a simple matter of two words.
It’s the culmination of efforts from generations, supported by predecessors, making it possible to endure over time.
Master Chang’s voice was clear, narrating slowly, and Xing Er tried her best to remember every word.
"Did you remember?"
"I remembered."
Xing Er nodded, seriously.
Master Chang smiled reassuringly, saying to Xing Er, "Go make a bowl of noodles for Master."
"Alright."
Xing Er turned and left, with Jiang Cheng following her out.
Outside, Xing Er’s tears fell one by one into the flour. She understood the Master’s last teaching and also knew he was about to leave.
Perhaps thinking of this, Xing Er quickened her hands’ movements. Master wanted to eat noodles.
"Let me help you."
Jiang Cheng boiled water, and Xing Er made the noodles.
"I was picked up by Master from the mountains."
"If not for Master, I would have been gone long ago."
Jiang Cheng didn’t interrupt. She knew Xing Er was reminiscing, recalling her moments with Master.
As the steam rose, the noodles went into the pot.
Xing Er deftly stirred them with chopsticks, counting the time as she fished them out, sprinkling scallions and fragrant oil on top.
"During many difficult years with Master, this simple bowl of noodles was our greatest hope."
Xing Er pursed her lips, blinking to hold back tears, and forced a smile as she carried the noodles inside.
"Master, the noodles are ready!"
"Good, good, they smell delicious."
Master Chang ate the noodles, while Xing Er just sat across from him.
After finishing a bowl, Master Chang leaned comfortably on the chair, gesturing for Xing Er to come over.
Xing Er knelt by Master Chang’s feet, holding his hand.
"Xing Er, you know where everything is at home, and where to bury me when the time comes. After that, go out with Jiang Cheng and the others."
"You have your own skills, adapt and move on, don’t trouble others."
"A healer’s duty is to save, but remember you have the right to refuse. Master’s teaching isn’t a shackle."
"Do what you want, happily, so I can be at ease."
Xing Er agreed to everything, responding affirmatively, and after hearing her answers, Master Chang closed his eyes satisfied, never to open them again.
Xing Er’s tears could no longer be held back.
She collapsed over Master Chang, wailing and crying.
"Master—"
"Master, now that you’re gone, no one will care about me anymore!"
"Master—"
Jiang Cheng stood behind Xing Er, able only to quietly accompany her, letting her tears flow.
At times like this, words like "don’t be sad" are just nonsense.
When the most cherished, the only person who cared about her, has passed, who can remain indifferent?
After a good cry, Xing Er gradually calmed down.
She began to handle Master Chang’s affairs.
Many from the village came to bid farewell and help, and by the second day, Master Chang was already buried.
Xing Er declined everyone’s company, kneeling alone in front of Master Chang’s grave for a long, long time.
When she finally came down, Jiang Cheng was waiting for her at the foot of the mountain.
Seeing Jiang Cheng, Xing Er said, "Thank you."
Jiang Cheng shook her head.
The two walked back quietly. Before reaching the door, Xing Er spoke again, "I won’t trouble you for long. I’ve never been out of the mountains, don’t know what the outside is like, but I’ll quickly adjust and then leave."
"Alright."
Jiang Cheng didn’t overly persuade her or say anything polite, because she understood Xing Er’s genuine desire not to disturb others.
As expected, Jiang Cheng’s single "alright" made Xing Er smile faintly.
With a slight smile, Jiang Cheng said, "Xing Er, I agree with everything you said, but please keep a place for us as friends so we can still connect, right?"
"Besides, as a future great healer, I still want to keep a good connection."
Xing Er was amused by Jiang Cheng’s words.
"How am I a great healer? I’m far from Master’s level."
Jiang Cheng encouraged, "A good teacher produces talented students, so you won’t be far off."
"Your Master said you learned well."
When Xing Er heard the word "Master," she looked nostalgic.
The two did not say much more and went inside together.
Jiang Cheng and the others rested one more night at Xing Er’s home, and early the next morning, after Xing Er came down from the mountain, they prepared to leave with her.
Before Master Chang passed, he said not to have Xing Er stay at home to observe his seven-day memorial.
Master Chang said that the deceased shouldn’t outweigh the living, urging Xing Er to leave with Jiang Cheng and the others.
Understanding her Master’s concerns, after one last trip up the mountain this morning, Xing Er took her packed belongings and got onto the truck.
After a deep gaze, the truck drove away.
Along the way, Master Guo drove slowly to prevent Gao Zhonghua from getting too jolted in the back.
Once the vehicle hit the main road, it became much smoother, and the speed slightly picked up.
Curiously, Xing Er watched the houses and people outside.
Noticing her unease, Jiang Cheng began pointing at distant houses to introduce them.
A person like Jiang Cheng, who could easily deceive foreigners, quickly captured Xing Er’s attention.
Throughout the journey, Jiang Cheng talked intermittently, and Xing Er’s anxiety about leaving home gradually decreased.
She admired Jiang Cheng’s knowledge.
"You know so much."
"Yes... quite a bit indeed."
Jiang Cheng admitted without any burden, and such a confident Jiang Cheng was something Xing Er had never seen before.
She smiled, observing Jiang Cheng with sparkling eyes. She was beautiful, but her aura was even more beautiful.
The truck made its way back to Beijing.
Shen Que immediately took Gao Zhonghua to the hospital, where Li Chunxiang was already waiting.
In the hospital corridor, Jiang Cheng held Li Chunxiang’s hand, comforting her, "It’ll be okay."
"Yes, yes, yes, everything will be fine. I have a lot of luck."
Hearing this, Jiang Cheng affirmed, "You’re right."
As they talked, Jiang Cheng introduced Xing Er to Li Chunxiang.
Li Chunxiang was extremely grateful, and Xing Er shyly nodded. In the end, Li Chunxiang was led away by Jiang Cheng.
"Be careful, you’re scaring her."
"Oh? Yes, yes."
Li Chunxiang was somewhat at a loss, but fortunately, Gao Zhonghua’s regular doctor came out soon after.
"The shrapnel has been removed. He just needs good rest, and Gao Zhonghua will be just like us."
