Lu Zhaochong first talked about some of Zhou Niao's good changes, and then gave Zhou Xiang an explosive news.

After Zhou Xiang hung up the phone, she sighed. Her elder brother had grown up and could understand the difference between friendship and love. This made Zhou Xiang feel proud, but also a sense of loss like an old mother.

Seeing Zhou Xiang's expression, Ling Ran asked what Lu Zhaochong had said to her?

"He said that Xiao Xiaoxiao had once gone to see my eldest brother and asked him if he was willing to start a family with her. He refused, saying that his feelings for her were not love, but friendship. Xiao Xiaoxiao has been arranged by Old Man Xiao to go abroad."

After hearing this, a strange idea suddenly popped up in Ling Ran's mind, but he didn't say it out loud, after all, it was just his guess.

The two went downstairs. Zhou Yu and Zhong Lan were strolling in the yard. They were a little surprised to see them coming downstairs.

"younger sister?"

"Boss?"

Zhou Xiang looked at her second sister's belly. Hmm! It was about the same size as Zhonglan's, only about ten days apart. Both were five months pregnant. This time, her second sister wasn't having twins anymore, was she? Back then, she was healthy and well. This had made her terrified of twins.

"Yeah! We're back. Are your babies okay?"

Zhong Lan touched her belly and smiled happily, "Yes! The baby is very healthy. Doctor Cao comes to check our pulse every two weeks. Sister Zhou Yu's baby is also very healthy."

Zhou Xiang felt relieved. "You guys take your time and stroll around! I'll go to the kitchen to see what Dad is cooking."

Father Zhou was busy in the kitchen. When he saw his daughter, he started nagging, "You've been away for over a month, and you've made yourself look like this? Ling Ran, you've failed in your duty."

Ling Ran immediately admitted his mistake, "It's my fault. I didn't take good care of Xiang Xiang."

What else could Zhou's father do? He'd already admitted his mistake, so why would he continue to nag him?

Zhou Xiang lifted the lid of the pot from which steam was bubbling up. Hmm! It was stewed fish.

Father Zhou quickly took the pot lid from his daughter's hand and said, "You're opening the pot again! The water from the lid can't drip into the pot, otherwise it will smell fishy."

Zhou Xiang took a pair of chopsticks and picked up a small piece of fish from the pot. "Let me taste it to see if it has been salted."

Ling Ran handed her a bowl and said, "Let it cool before eating, it will burn your mouth."

Father Zhou poured out the steam from the pot lid, put the lid back on, and then kicked the two out, "Go out and eat, stop making trouble."

Zhou's mother just walked into the dining room, looked at her little girl who was stealing food, and nodded at her, "Are you greedy? Wipe your mouth after you finish eating. Doctor Cao will be here soon. He has been looking for you several times."

"Oh!" Zhou Xiang was only focused on eating and responded casually.

Ling Ran went to boil water and prepare tea.

Doctor Cao came quickly. He arrived just as Ling Ran's water boiled.

Zhou Xiang had destroyed the evidence of his cheating and went to the living room to accompany Doctor Cao.

When Doctor Cao saw Zhou Xiang, he also said that she had become darker and thinner. Zhou Xiang nodded and said, "She'll be back to her full size soon. What do you want to talk to me about?"

After Ling Ran put down the teapot, Doctor Cao asked Ling Ran to go to the living room door to help keep watch.

Ling Ran and Zhou Xiang looked at each other and went to guard the living room door.

Doctor Cao looked at Zhou and thought, "Where's my medical book?"

Zhou Xiang pointed to the South Tower and said, "It's upstairs! Do you want it? I'll get it for you."

Doctor Cao waved his hand. "No, I just want to tell you not to reveal the book to Ren Qing, Xiaosong, and Yao Qian either."

Zhou Xiang was surprised. "What's wrong? I felt something strange on the day of the apprenticeship banquet."

Doctor Cao lowered his voice, "Actually, I planned to never mention that book again. I thought the Cao family's medical skills would be cut off with me. With Ren Qing, I have a glimmer of hope. I will teach as much as I can.

Who knew Yao Qian actually wanted to learn medicine? I told her that she was old and had no previous foundation, so she said she would let her children learn it.

So, I think she's willing to be with Xiaosong partly for the Cao family's medical skills. However, if she really gives birth to Xiaosong's child, then if the child wants to learn medicine, then let him learn! I've also told Ren Qing that if Xiaosong's child wants to learn medicine and I'm gone, then she'll teach him."

Doctor Cao seemed to be tired, so he picked up the teacup and took a sip.

Zhou Xiang was confused. Does this have anything to do with medical books?

Doctor Cao continued, "The second half of the book discusses the use of Qi to guide acupuncture. I don't quite understand Qi, as it hasn't been mentioned since my grandfather's generation. There are also some explanations of herbs I've never encountered or heard of.

My grandfather once mentioned that these herbal explanations contained herbs that only existed in ancient times, and many of the ancient medical books left by the Cao family were either lost or stolen.

I asked you to keep the book because I didn't want this last copy to end up in my hands. If I hadn't given you a special warning, the book might have been treated as garbage.

I had originally thought of giving it to Ren Qing, but Yao Qian's intentions were too obvious. Her warning to Ren Qing made me think she might be here just for the book. So, the book has to stay with you. Whatever you do with it in the future is up to you! As long as the book isn't among my belongings after I die, Yao Qian and those who harbor thoughts about it will naturally give up their greed."

When Zhou Xiang heard the textual explanation of ancient herbs, his mind automatically recalled the medical book he had casually flipped through a few years ago. At that time, he focused on the parts he could understand, and skipped over the messy introduction to herbs and acupuncture techniques at the back.

Now, according to what Doctor Cao said, then, are there any plants that can be grown in the space mentioned in the text?

After Doctor Cao finished speaking, Zhou Xiang came back to her senses. After thinking about the second half of Doctor Cao's words, she said, "Will others and Yao Qian think that Ren Qing has hidden himself?"

Doctor Cao shook his head. "I gave Yao Qian many chances. She's searched almost every rat hole in those rooms."

Zhou Xiang was stunned. "Brother Xiaosong allowed her to search?"

Doctor Cao nodded. "Yes! Yao Qian's reason was that she was curious about ancient buildings and the secret rooms in TV dramas, so Xiaosong played games with her."

Zhou Xiang was confused. "Let's not talk about whether Brother Xiaosong is stupid or blinded by love. He has been by your side for more than 30 years. How could he not know about that book?"

"He doesn't know," Doctor Cao shook his head. "He went to the capital right after he recovered. He wasn't home when I gave you the medical book, so he doesn't know. He really thought the Cao family only had ordinary Chinese medicine techniques and medical books."

"Brother Xiaosong has too little experience."

"Everything is destined. I always use this as an excuse to check your second sister's pulse. You and Ling Ran are both capable people. If you feel that the book is too hot to handle, you can hand it in. After Ling Ran secretly hands it in, you will be safe and there will be no complaints."

Zhou Xiang nodded. "I'm safe here! As long as you don't leak anything, no one will guess."

Doctor Cao breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. I have no regrets now. From now on, I will do my best to pass on the Cao family's medical skills. When I go to the underworld, I will have the face to meet my ancestors."

"Don't worry! Ren Qing is steady and eager to learn. If you teach him diligently, he will definitely be able to pass on his skills."

Doctor Cao left the Zhou family with a smile. Zhou Xiang directly pulled Ling Ran upstairs, into his eldest brother's room, and then into the space.