Translator: virtual group Editor: virtual group
On the other side, Wang Guiying made Ji Changlin some sweet potato rice, picked up a few pickles as side dishes, and brought them to him to eat.
The villagers usually ate these for breakfast, and Ji Changlin didn’t say anything.
Wang Guiying saw that there was nothing else she needed to do, so she called Guo Xiang to go home with her.
When she was about to go out, JI Changlin suddenly said, “Mrs Gu, it has become inconvenient for me now that my leg is broken. Can I please hire your daughter-in-law to take care of me? I will pay her.”
“Huh?” Wang Guiying was surprised and looked at Guo Xiang seemed hesitant. She knew that her daughter-in-law didn’t know how to do housework, and it was inconvenient for her, a young girl, to take care of an old man.
“My daughter-in-law doesn’t know how to cook. I’m afraid she can’t,” Wang Guiying said tactfully.
“She can’t cook?” This time, it was Ji Changlin’s turn to be surprised. Guo Xiang was so capable, how could she not know how to Cook?
Guo Xiang blushed and smiled, “I really don’t know how to cook. I wasn’t very bright in the past,” Guo Xiang pointed at her own head and ridiculed herself.
“How about I cook for you?” Wang Guiying said. “Doctor Ji, you are a doctor in our village. It’s our duty to take care of you. You don’t need to pay us. You cure our illnesses. We would never ask for your money.”
Ji Changlin pondered for a moment and said, “but I don’t like to owe people favors. How about this? You cook for me, and your daughter-in-law will come over and I’ll teach her medical skills. How about that?”
Teach me medical skills? Guo Xiang looked at Doctor Ji in surprise. Did he find out about her?
Wang Guiying, on the other hand, looked excited, “Do you mean it?”
In the past, a lot of people had come over with gifts to ask Doctor Ji to be their teacher, but he had rejected them. He was actually willing to accept Xiang Xiang? This was Xiang Xiang’s blessing.
“I’m a person who will always repay kindness. Yesterday, she helped me…” Ji Changlin said, suggesting that he would repay Guo Xiang with his medical skills.
“That’s great!” Wang Guiying agreed immediately. Of course, she was more than willing.
Doctor Ji’s medical skills were brilliant. If he was willing to teach his daughter-in-law, that would be the best. Moreover, there was only one doctor in the village. Doctor Ji was old. In the future, he would definitely hand over the clinic to her daughter-in-law. When that time came, his daughter-in-law would become a doctor, and her son would also have a job. They would be able to live a good life.
Guo Xiang was a little reluctant. She did not want to become a village doctor and stay in the countryside for the rest of her life. Moreover, her marriage with Gu Zhennan was going to end sooner or later. She would leave the village and she wouldn’t be staying here forever.
Wang Guiying did not know Guo Xiang’s thoughts. She pulled Guo Xiang towards her happily, “Xiang Xiang, quick, address your teacher.”
Ji Changlin could see that Guo Xiang seemed a little unwilling. He waved his hand and said, “There’s no hurry. I’ll have her study with me for a few months first. If she has the talent, then I’ll formally acknowledge her as my student. If she can’t learn well, then forget it.”
“Yes, yes, of course.” Wang Guiying agreed on behalf of Guo Xiang. An ordinary apprentice usually would have to train for a couple of years. A few months was certainly worth it. Besides, her daughter-in-law was so smart. She wouldn’t have any problems at all. By then, she would definitely be able to become Doctor Ji’s student.
Guo Xiang didn’t want to say yes so soon, but she was not convinced after hearing Ji Changlin’s words. Was he questioning her capabilities? She had a photographic memory. Learning would be a breeze. I will show you my ability. I might even become your teacher in the end!
Ji Changlin saw Guo Xiang’s unconvinced expression and could not help but smile.
“Then, it’s a deal?!” Wang Guiying was very happy. “Xiang Xiang will learn medicine with you. I will cook three meals a day for you.”
Ji Changlin nodded and then shook his head, “Why don’t you save the trouble? You can use my food. Just cook my share when you cook for your family. I’ll give you another ten yuan as food money.”
“No way, I can’t accept your money,” Wang Guiying quickly replied. “Xiang Xiang is studying medicine at your place. It’s our duty to show respect to you…”
Truth was, her family really didn’t have money to buy any food, so Wang Guiying was in a difficult position.
“Then I’ll eat whatever you eat. I’m not picky. Vegetables and radishes are fine,” Ji Changlin smiled.
“That’s… I’m really sorry…” Wang Guiying blushed. She had green vegetables at home. Plus, having one extra mouth to feed wasn’t too difficult. An old person like him wouldn’t need much food.
“It’s okay. Sometimes when I’m home alone, I just eat pickles,” Doctor Ji said, “Now that I don’t have to cook myself, things are much easier.”
“That’s fine…” Wang Guiying nodded. “I’ll listen to you.”
“The food is in the rice vat at the back. You can go and get it yourself,” Doctor Ji pointed behind him.
During this time of the year, every family’s food was limited. Since he lived alone as a doctor, he was naturally better off than the average family. He usually could afford to eat rice. Of course, he wouldn’t ask the Gu family to give him their food. He knew their family situation.
“Ah, okay, I’ll go get it!” Wang Guiying nodded.
Guo Xiang went to help. She already had 10 kilograms worth of food on her side. Now that they had to carry Doctor Ji’s share as well, they would need more than one person to carry everything home.
“I’ll help my mother take the good back first. I’ll come back after I cook lunch. Can we start the lessons in the afternoon?” Guo Xiang said.
“Sure,” Doctor Ji nodded. He was quite happy that Guo Xiang was willing to learn.
The two of them carried the food home. As soon as they reached the gate of the courtyard, they heard Guo’er’s crying.
Guo Xiang and Wang Guiying looked at each other and rushed in.
Guo’er’s braid was undone as she sat in the middle of the courtyard. There was a red handprint on her face. She was crying.
Next to her stood Gu Jianmin and Aunt Gu, who had come yesterday, as well as a short and fat Man.
“Guo’er…” Wang Guiying cried out. She quickly put down the food and rushed over.
“Guo’er, what’s going on?” Guo Xiang also walked over.
“So much food!” Aunt Gu and Gu Jianmin saw Wang Guiying and Guo Xiang carrying two bags of food. Their eyes shone like hungry wolves, and they pounced on them without saying a word.
“What do you want?” Guo Xiang blocked in front of Wang Guiying and Guo’er.
“Daicai, it’s her. Yesterday, she beat up Qiang Qiang and us!” Aunt Gu turned her head and shouted at her son behind her.
“Did you beat up my son?” Gu Daicai walked over with heavy steps. He looked at Guo Xiang with malicious intent, then looked at the food on the ground. His eyes revealed a greedy look.
“You guys hit my mother and my sister. Have you got anything to say about that?” Guo Xiang looked at the man angrily.
“That’s because you refused to lend us food…” Gu Dacai tried to come up with an excuse.
“Ha, what a joke. Why should we say yes to you? We barely have enough food for ourselves. You hit us when you don’t get what you want, and you don’t allow us to fight back? What kind of logic is that?” Guo Xiang sneered.
“No food? Quit lying. What are these?” Gu Dacai pointed at the two bags of food on the ground, his eyes shining.
“These aren’t mine, they’re Doctor Ji’s. He broke his leg, and he asked us to help him cook…” Wang Guiying said quickly.
“Ha, do you take me as a fool? Why would Doctor Ji ask you to help him cook?” Gu Dacai laughed. “Quit the chit-chat. My parents and my son were injured because of you. I don’t want much. Just give us these two bags of food and this matter will be settled!”
“That’s it? How can two bags of food be enough? My precious grandson was scared out of his wits yesterday. Not only will they have to pay for the food, they will also have to give us compensation!” Aunt Gu said greedily.
“That’s right, we want compensation!” Gu Jianmin echoed.
“Don’t go too far!” Wang Guiying was so angry that she was about to cry.
“Guo Xiang…” Guo’er pulled Guo Xiang’s sleeve and raised her swollen face with a look of grievance.
Guo Xiang’s heart ached terribly. Guo’er’s fair and tender little face had been beaten until it was red and swollen. She must be in pain.
“Tell me, who did this to you? Don’t be afraid, I will stand up for you!” Guo Xiang gently touched Guo’er’s little face and comforted her.
“It’s him!” Guo’er pointed at Gu Dacai.
“Don’t bother talking to her. If they don’t have money, just take the food!” Gu Jianmin shouted again.
Gu Dacai rushed over, bent down and tried to grab the bags of food on the ground.
“Get lost!” Guo Xiang raised her foot and kicked him hard. Gu Dacai tumbled over and rolled on the ground.
Guo’er saw his embarrassing state and burst into laughter. He looked ridiculous.
“Dai Cai…”
“Son…” the two elders turned pale with fright.
Gu Dai Cai got up from the ground, his face flushed red. He didn’t expect Guo Xiang to have the guts to kick him, and he didn’t expect himself to be in such a sorry state.
Yesterday when he got home, he heard his parents say that they got beaten up by the daughter-in-law of the Gu family. He thought they were too weak. He didn’t expect this woman to actually have tricks up her sleeve.
“How dare you kick me?!” Gu Daicai was furious out of embarrassment. He looked around, picked up a shoulder pole on the side, and ran toward Guo Xiang.