Chapter 32 He easily guessed that he even gentlemanly lifted the curtain for her...
So on the day he bumped into her during training, he made a point of returning the business card he had found to her. Before leaving, he even inquired whether she wanted to see Dr. Xie.
All of this stems from the fact that Dr. Xie is his maternal grandfather.
So, could it be that he was able to easily see Dr. Xie today and get my mother medical treatment?
Zhu Liushuang quickly dismissed her unfounded suspicions: their relationship didn't seem to be that close yet... Otherwise, he should have taken the initiative to tell her that Xie Jingzhi was his maternal grandfather when they met that day, right?
Being delusional is a disease, and it needs to be cured!
Zhu Liushuang cupped her cheeks, trying to clear her head and stop being so self-satisfied.
"Xiao Zhu, who were you whispering to at the door just now?" Xie Jingzhi suddenly spoke up, his deep, resonant voice breaking the silence of the room.
"Huh?" Zhu Liushuang seemed not to have reacted yet, and murmured, "Dr. Xie, what did you say?"
Xie Jingzhi, who was changing the moxa sticks for Gu Chunling inside the curtain, suddenly laughed heartily: "Were you talking to my grandson just now? I think I heard his voice."
Although the old man was quite old, his hearing was remarkably good. Zhu Liushuang thought to herself: She and He Ming had only exchanged a few words, and their voices were quite low; she didn't know how the old man had heard them all.
“Yes…that’s right, your grandson is here,” Zhu Liushuang responded loudly.
There was a rustling sound inside the curtain, followed by Xie Jingzhi's voice: "Xiao Zhu, could you please ask him to come over and help me?"
"Who are you calling?" Zhu Liushuang asked uncertainly.
“My grandson, the boy you were just talking to!” Xie Jingzhi instructed, “Tell him to come to the physiotherapy room right away.”
Zhu Liushuang stood up, supporting herself on the armrests of the chair, her voice urgent: "Hey, I'll go call him for you right away."
She got up in a hurry, her steps quickening, and after leaving the house, she started jogging.
The sun was blazing outside, but thankfully there was a covered walkway under the eaves. Even so, I still managed to break a light sweat.
It was only a three- to five-minute walk from the examination room to the living room of the main house. Standing alone in the middle of the empty living room, she was momentarily at a loss as to where to look for He Ming.
It's just that she left in such a hurry that she forgot to even ask where everyone was.
"Miss Zhu, what are you doing here?" Just then, Yuan Xiaoqin came out of the kitchen holding a spatula.
“Aunt Yuan, I’m looking for He Ming.” Zhu Liushuang took a deep breath and continued, “Dr. Xie asked him to help out in the physiotherapy room.”
Yuan Xiaoqin put down the spatula and rag in her hands and said, "Are you helping to clean up the ginger paste and wipe the moxibustion sites? I'm good at that. He Ming is definitely working overtime, so I'll go instead!"
A hint of sadness flashed in Zhu Liu's eyes, but she didn't dare to refuse: "Alright, then Aunt Yuan, you can come with me."
In the blink of an eye, Yuan Xiaoqin awkwardly changed her tune: "Oh dear, look at my brain, there are still ribs cooking in the pot... By the time I come back from helping, the soup will probably have boiled dry."
Zhu Liushuang didn't understand the deeper meaning in her words, and tentatively suggested, "Then, shall I watch the fire for you?"
"No need, no need," Yuan Xiaoqin quickly waved her hand. "The old man called for He Ming, so I won't interfere. He's in the study, the second room on the left upstairs. Go and call him yourself!"
A hint of secret joy instantly welled up at the corners of her slightly downturned lips. Zhu Liushuang looked up in the direction Yuan Xiaoqin was pointing, and saw an intricate glass lamp hanging in the center of the ceiling.
She pursed her lips, trying to control the ever-widening smile, but the uncontrollable joy in her heart still slipped out from her eyes.
"Okay, thank you, Aunt Yuan." She tried her best to remain calm, then stepped up the stairs.
The closer she got to the study, the smaller her steps became. Conversely, her heart pounded heavily with anxiety, rising and falling in her chest.
After pausing at the study door and taking several deep breaths, Zhu Liushuang raised her right hand and gently knocked twice.
There was no response from inside the door.
"Knock knock," she raised her hand and knocked twice more, this time with more force than before.
"Aunt Yuan, I'm still busy... You and Grandpa eat first." The intermittent voice penetrated the door and reached her ears.
Zhu Liushuang cleared her throat, then quietly pushed open the door a crack. She peeked half her head into the study, her round eyes searching for He Ming's location.
Actually, there was no need to look for him. The study wasn't big, and He Ming was right in front of her. He was leaning back lazily in his chair, talking on the phone with a serious expression and sharp words, completely unaware of Zhu Liushuang "sneaking around" outside the door.
Only after the call ended did He Ming turn his back to her and ask, "Aunt Yuan, why are you standing at the door and not coming in?"
Zhu Liushuang pushed the door open completely, took a step forward into the study, and stood awkwardly.
At the same time, He Ming turned his seat around and sat down.
Their eyes met, and both of them were taken aback.
"Senior...it's me." She pinched her burning earlobe and gave an awkward smile. "I saw you were busy with work, so I didn't want to bother you."
"Did you need something?" He Ming remained seated lazily, but his tone was gentler than when he had called earlier.
Zhu Liushuang nodded vigorously: "Yes! Doctor Xie asked you to come and help. It should be... the finishing touches for the Du Meridian moxibustion."
He Ming's gaze lingered on her face for two seconds before he raised his phone and said helplessly, "You could have just sent me a WeChat message... You wouldn't have had to make this extra trip."
Oh right, how come she didn't think of that!
A hint of embarrassment flashed across Zhu Liushuang's face: "I'm sorry, senior, I was in a hurry. I was afraid you were too busy with work to check the messages in time, so I took the liberty of coming here."
She couldn't very well tell him that she was actually too excited just now and only focused on taking the opportunity to look for someone, so she forgot that they had each other's contact information, could she?
He Ming remained noncommittal, stopped pursuing the topic, turned and closed his notebook, then got up and walked over to her.
Today he was dressed casually, a stark contrast to his formal attire at work. He wore a white off-the-shoulder short-sleeved shirt, black casual shorts, and light gray sneakers. When his beautiful almond-shaped eyes looked down at her, Zhu Liushuang didn't dare to breathe, letting herself sink into that deep, cold spring.
"Aren't you leaving?" He Ming asked, turning his head when she didn't respond.
"Let's go, let's go... Dr. Xie must be getting impatient!" Zhu Liushuang moved aside and followed.
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Inside the physiotherapy room, Xie Jingzhi finished applying the third moxa stick to Gu Chunling, his face showing some fatigue. He bent down, removed the moxibustion device from her back, and then sat down on a chair to wait.
There was no sound around. Gu Chunling had been lying face down on the physiotherapy bed for a long time, and her knees were starting to hurt. "Dr. Xie, how much longer until it's over?"
Xie Jingzhi lifted the curtain and glanced outside: "It'll be over soon after my grandson comes and cleans things up. About ten more minutes, just hang in there..."
Without the pressure of the moxibustion device, Gu Chunling moved her legs slightly and asked curiously, "Is your grandson also a doctor?"
"Him? He's not interested in studying medicine. He's just used to doing odd jobs for me since he was little, so he knows a little bit about medicine." Xie Jingzhi waved his hand and took out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead.
If He Ming sees how tired I am, I'll probably have to shut down my medical practice right now!
"By the way, how old is Xiao Zhu this year?" Xie Jingzhi asked casually.
Gu Chunling thought Xie Jingzhi was bored and wanted to chat with her, so she answered whatever was asked: "I'm twenty-six years old (by Chinese reckoning) and have been working for two years."
Twenty-six is good, the age is just right. Xie Jingzhi calculated in her mind, becoming more and more satisfied. Just as she was about to ask more about the Zhu family, she heard hurried footsteps outside.
"Grandpa, you wanted to see me?" He Ming pulled back the curtain and walked into the physiotherapy room alone.
Xie Jingzhi put aside his calculations and solemnly instructed his grandson: "Why did it take you so long to come? Go wash your hands and then remove the ginger paste from her back." He gestured towards the sink, "Then wash the medicinal paste and mugwort ash off with a towel."
He Ming had no doubts. He took a white coat hanging on the wall, put it on, and quickly walked to the sink to turn on the tap.
He squeezed out a pump of hand sanitizer and carefully washed his hands, then disinfected his hands and wrists with disinfectant.
After finishing cleaning, he bent down to treat Gu Chunling's back.
The whole process was unhurried and seamless, as if it were etched into my memory.
Xie Jingzhi watched He Ming bustling around with satisfaction, a hint of regret appearing on her wrinkled face: such a promising talent, yet he didn't follow in his footsteps and changed his major to study finance.
"Alright, Grandpa." He Ming carefully wiped Gu Chunling's back, then pulled down her clothes without looking at her, and turned to reply to Xie Jingzhi.
"Go and call Xiao Zhu in." Xie Jingzhi concealed the desolation in her eyes and pointed in the direction of the curtain.
He Ming obediently did as instructed and stepped out of the physiotherapy room.
Zhu Liushuang, who was waiting outside, seemed restless, probably because there was someone inside who could easily tug at her heartstrings.
"Zhu Liushuang, come here for a moment."
A corner of the curtain was lifted, and the moment Zhu Liushuang looked up, she saw He Ming's thin lips part slightly, calling her name in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft.
She raised her hand, looking bewildered, and pointed to herself: "Did you call me?"
He Ming nodded and explained, "Yes, I have something to tell you." Having done odd jobs for his grandfather for so many years, he was very familiar with the whole process.
“Okay—” Zhu Liushuang stood up abruptly. “Thank you, senior.”
He Ming did not leave her to go into the inner room alone, but stood there patiently waiting. Only when she approached did he lift the curtain for her and make a "please" gesture.
"Little Zhu, come quick."
When Xie Jingzhi called to Zhu Liushuang, she still turned her head to look in He Ming's direction. The curtain swayed, but the handsome figure was nowhere to be seen.
He must be busy with his own things now, Zhu Liushuang thought dejectedly.
However, He Ming had already been very considerate; he even gentlemanly lifted the curtain for her.
"Dr. Xie, is there something you need to tell me?" Zhu Liushuang asked, perking up.
Xie Jingzhi stood up, supporting himself on the back of the chair. He pushed away Zhu Liushuang's hand, which was about to help him, and walked to Gu Chunling's side on his own.
He lifted half of Gu Chunling's shirt and pointed to the reddened skin on her back, saying, "Xiao Zhu, listen carefully. About three hours after the moxibustion, blisters will appear on your mother's back. Tomorrow... have her sit down, and you can treat the blisters. You need to disinfect the area three times from top to bottom with a cotton ball soaked in 75% alcohol. After the surface of the blister has dried, use a sterilized needle to prick along the lower edge of the blister..."
Xie Jingzhi spoke slowly, gesturing with her hands as she spoke, and Zhu Liushuang generally understood.
She took out her phone, quickly jotted down the doctor's instructions in her notes, and then asked, "Dr. Xie, is there anything else I should be careful about besides these?"
"Don't let the air conditioner or fan blow directly on you, try not to get angry, go to bed early... Come back next time after the blisters have healed." Xie Jingzhi smiled, "This little girl is quite thoughtful!"
Zhu Liu blushed slightly at the compliment: "It's nothing, it's nothing. Thank you so much for your help today!"
After exchanging a few polite words, a person walked in from outside the curtain.
Zhu Liushuang's eyes lit up, and her heart trembled slightly.
He Ming walked up to her carrying an enamel mug.
He stretched out his long arm and placed the cup in her hand: "Be careful, it's hot."
"Oh, okay." Zhu Liushuang gripped the handle tightly, and a strong smell of ginger wafted into her nose.
She doesn't like eating ginger, and when she eats out, she always painstakingly picks out the ginger, even the finely chopped pieces.
But now the cup was already in her hands, and it was ginger water personally delivered by He Ming. If she didn't drink it, she would be going against his kindness.
Zhu Liushuang lowered her head, frowned, and a "ready to die" expression appeared on her face. She planned to drink the "hot potato" in her hand in one gulp to show her sincerity.
She thought she had hidden it well, but He Ming had actually seen all of her constantly changing expressions.
"It's not for you to drink, it's for Auntie," He Ming said casually, clearing his throat.
Zhu Liushuang raised her head, her eyes, as clear as autumn water, filled with shyness: it turned out she had misunderstood!
"Oh, okay, thank you, senior—" Her face flushed, and she walked around the physiotherapy bed to her mother's side, handing her the ginger water.
Gu Chunling, with her back to the three of them, couldn't see what was happening behind her, but Xie Jingzhi, sitting in the chair, was thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
He suppressed a laugh and turned to look out the window. After a few seconds, he said, "After the Du meridian moxibustion, drink a cup of hot ginger water to warm and replenish your Yang energy."
"Oh, thank you for your trouble, Dr. Xie!" Gu Chunling slowly moved over and took the enamel cup her daughter offered, sipping the tea in small sips.
"Grandpa—are you done? The food is all cooked!" Just when the room was so quiet that only the sound of drinking water could be heard, Yuan Xiaoqin came to urge people to eat lunch.
"It's over, I'll be there in a bit," He Ming replied to Yuan Xiaoqin.
Xie Jingzhi's gaze lingered on her grandson and Zhu Liushuang's faces for a few moments before she suddenly suggested, "Ah Ming, why don't we invite Xiao Zhu and her mother to stay for lunch?"
When the old man turned his head, his face held a hint of pressure: "You and Xiao Zhu are friends, right?"
He Ming understood the implication in his grandfather's words and dared not argue. He didn't really mind having Zhu Liushuang and her daughter stay for lunch; it was just a matter of adding a couple more pairs of chopsticks.
Gu Chunling was completely confused and looked at her daughter with bewilderment: "Xiaoshuang, what's this?"
Zhu Liushuang didn't know how to explain to her mother for a moment, so she hurriedly lowered her head and whispered, "Let's talk about it when we get home..."
After dealing with her mother, she quickly looked up and declined Xie Jingzhi's offer: "How could I possibly trouble you! Dr. Xie, we need to go to the city to buy medicine later, and dinner has already been cooked at home..."
On her first visit to someone's home seeking medical treatment, she shamelessly stayed for a meal. No matter how much she liked He Ming, she couldn't have done that.
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Author's note: The steps for puncturing blisters after moxibustion on the Du meridian in this chapter are from the internet.
Staying for a meal is not out of the question!
But Shuangshuang is actually quite shy, so she couldn't get a free meal.
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