Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

“I am really missing the days when I suffered from physical pains,” Zheng Weijun said. “At the very least, I felt that my body was my own. Now, it is as if I am a piece of wood.”

“It’s good that you have such thought,” Wang Yao said.

“Dr. Wang, are you free at noon? Can you stay for a meal?” Zheng Shixiong asked.

“No thanks. I’ve told my family that I would come home to have a meal,” Wang Yao said.

“OK. Well, maybe next time,” Zheng Shixiong said as he walked Wang Yao to the door. After going back inside he asked, “Uncle Wu, is Weijun all right?”

“I cannot see any problems,” said Mr. Wu, who had checked the patient carefully.

“I hope he is going to be OK,” Zheng Shixiong said.

Zheng Weijun, who still had a pale face, was lying on the bed with blurred eyesight. He felt as if he was floating in a heavy fog in which he could not see anything clearly other than light and shadow. The brilliance of colors and beautiful scenery were hidden.

He was not completely blind but almost. He was in a state of lethargy full of endless strange dreams. Sometimes he dreamt he was in a vague place where everything was blurred and there was nothing, not even sound. He stood quietly alone as if trapped into chaos. He wanted to see, speak, and listen, but he could not. It was a painful torment for him.

Zheng Weijun did not want to fall asleep. Sometimes he even wanted to die. It was too painful to live this way. Now that he was awake, lying quietly, he said, “Uncle Wu?”

“Weijun, Uncle Wu went out, but I am here,” Zheng Shixiong said.

“Third uncle?” Zheng Weijun asked.

“It’s me,” Zheng Shixiong said. “Do you feel uncomfortable?”

“No, I just want to chat with someone,” Zheng Weijun said.

“You can talk, but don’t speak too much. Uncle Wu said, you have to rest now,” Zheng Shixiong said.

“Third uncle, I haven’t seen you for a long time. I have no idea whether you put on weight,” Zheng Weijun said.

“I put on a few pounds.” Zheng Shixiong looked at the younger junior lying on the bed with his eyes full of love.

“Is Xiaorui still so naughty?” Zheng Weijun asked.

“Well, he was still naughty, but I haven’t seen him for some days,” Zheng Shixiong said.

“It’s my fault to make you accompany me, an almost dying man,” Zheng Weijun said. “In fact, I don’t want to live in this way.”

“Weijun, don’t say that,” Zheng Shixiong said.

“I really want to see the world and my beloved relatives again,” Zheng Weijun said.

Creak! The door slowly opened.

“What’s wrong?” Mr. Wu came in to fine the young man lying on the bed was crying. “Do you feel any uncomfortable?”

“No, Uncle Wu, I just thought of some things and felt a little excited,” Zheng Weijun said.

“Based on your current situation, your mood can’t fluctuate too much,” Mr. Wu said.

“Uncle Wu, could you please consult Dr. Wang about my disease? I want to see you and the third uncle soon,” Zheng Weijun said.

“I will ask him,” Mr. Wu said.

In another yard in the mountain village, Su Xiaoxue sat quietly looking at the sky. “The sky here is really blue!”

“Yes, it is higher and farther than that in Jing,” Chu Lian said.

“What would you think if we also rented a house like Chen Ying or even bought one here so that we could live here when we have free time?” Su Xiaoxue asked.

The questions made Chu Lian uncomfortable. “It is no problem to buy a house here, which I can do right now, but as for living here, I cannot make the decision.”

“I will talk to mom when we are back,” Su Xiaoxue said.

Chu Lian went to find Chen Ying to discuss this matter.

“Buy a house, here?” Chen Ying asked.

“Yes, that is her idea,” Chu Lian said.

“It is easy. Leave it to me,” Chen Ying said.

In the afternoon, Wang Zecheng came to the clinic. His complexion was much better than the last time.

“Sorry to come here to trouble you again,” he said with a smile.

“Is it urgent?” Wang Yao asked. He could see anxiety written all over his face. There was even a canker sore on the corner of his mouth.

“Yes, it is very urgent,” Wang Zecheng said.

He had not worked for several days, which meant no income. Fortunately, his wife had a job in town. But, a strong man took care of the children at home and did house cleaning while his wife was a breadwinner. He could not see that lasting long.

“Let me check.” Wang Yao carefully checked him over. “No need to worry.”

“Is everything all right?” Wang Zecheng asked.

“Continue to rest at home,” Wang Yao said.

“Ah!” Wang Zecheng stared blankly. “Is… Is there any medicine that makes me better. I can’t wait.”

“No, there is a problem with your mentality,” Wang Yao said. “I have a book here you could read.”

“What book?” Wang Zecheng asked.

“Here you are.” Wang Yao grabbed a book from the table and handed it to him.

“It’s… Goodness, Huangting Jing?” Wang Zecheng asked.

“It is good for self-cultivation.” Wang Yao smiled.

“I don’t understand,” Wang Zecheng said. His mood was not good. He thought, Who has the time to read Taoist scripture at home, especially since I don’t understand it?

“Listen to me, don’t hurry,” Wang Yao said. “How old are you this year?”

“34,” Wang Zecheng replied.

“Go back home,” Wang Yao said.

The topic of conversation changed quickly, which made he feel a little uncomfortable. Wang Zecheng sighed and turned to leave.

Chen Ying soon arrived at the clinic.

“How can I help you?” Wang Yao asked.

“Su Xiaoxue wants to buy a house here,” Chen Ying said.

“Buy a house?” Wang Yao was surprised that another person wanted to buy a house in the village. “Well, I’ll make an inquiry.”

He knew finding a house wouldn’t be a problem.

“Thanks,” Chen Ying said.

…

In Jing…

“Are you sure?” Guo Zhenghe asked.

“She indeed went there,” a man said.

“Really? To show appreciation for helping to save her life?” Guo Zhenghe took a sip of wine and stared at the sky outside. The moon looked like a hook.

…

The next day, Wang Yao had a surprise visitor at the clinic.

“Dr. Wang, can I call you brother Wang?” Guo Zhenghe asked.

“Yeah, as long as you like.” Wang Yao smiled. He was indeed some years older than the son of the Guo family.

“That’s settled than. I won’t call you doctor. Here is some tea I brought from western Hunan,” Guo Zhenghe said. “Although it is not famous, it tastes good.”

“Thank you.” Wang Yao looked at Guo Zhenghe, whose smile was as bright as spring. “Did you come here for some business?”

“I like to come even if I have nothing to do because you saved my life,” Guo Zhenghe said.

“No need to mention it. I was paid to save you, so you don’t owe me anything,” Wang Yao said.

“It is not like that,” Guo Zhenghe said.

“Sir.” A cheerful voice came from outside. Su Xiaoxue smiled and entered the clinic. “Hey, Zhenghe, you are also here.”

“Hello, Xiaoxue. What a coincidence,” Guo Zhenghe said.

“Yes, it is,” she replied.

“I didn’t expect you to be here,” Guo Zhenghe said.

“It’s too boring to stay in Jing. I came to visit Mr. Wang, which I see as an outing,” Su Xiaoxue said.

“I also come to see Mr. Wang,” Guo Zhenghe said.

“Zhenghe, are you busy?” Su Xiaoxue asked. “I heard that you are now a deputy chief of the county.”

“Oh, no, I was just nominated,” Guo Zhenghe said.

Wang Yao sighed. Sure enough, promotion was easier when a personal relationship was involved. He had reached such a high position, even though he was so young. His future was bound to be limitless.

“Since it is a coincidence, let’s go get some lunch, my treat,” Guo Zhenghe said.

“You are visitors. It ought to be me who treats you to a lunch,” Wang Yao said.

Chu Lian soon arrived. She was surprised to see Guo Zhenghe. “You are also here, Zhenghe. What a coincidence!”

“Yes, it’s quite the coincidence,” Guo Zhenghe said.

At noon, they went to the village restaurant. They sat at a table with two bottles of wine and several dishes.

“Wow, it tastes good!” Guo Zhenghe praised the meal.

“It is no better than big restaurants in Jing since it is just a small shop in the mountain village, but the food is fresh,” Wang Yao said.

“Have you been busy, brother Wang?” Guo Zhenghe asked.

“Fortunately not,” Wang Yao said.

“Given your level of skill, working in this mountain village seems unworthy of your talent,” Guo Zhenghe said. “You should go to a big city to develop your career. Do you have any interest in going to Jing?”

“I like being here,” Wang Yao said. He had given Guo Zhenghe the same response to the same question more than once.

After lunch, Guo Zhenghe did not leave. He accompanied Su Xiaoxue to chat for a while.

“Do you plan to stay here?” he asked.

“Yes, I plan to stay here,” Su Xiaoxue said.

“In the village?” Guo Zhenghe asked.

“Yeah, the house Chen Ying rented has some extra rooms we can borrow,” Su Xiaoxue said.

“Hey, I happen to have nothing to do the next few days. I could stay here to accompany you.” The meaning Guo Zhenghe expressed in the statement was very explicit.