After a long and arduous journey, including a hurried flight and a quick bus transfer, I was utterly exhausted. However, the moment I arrived at my destination, all the fatigue vanished. The scenery before me was breathtaking; simply being there was enough to soothe my soul with its natural beauty, filling me with a sense of joy. But I had no time to indulge in this beauty. The main purpose of my trip was to seek out a reclusive traditional Chinese medicine doctor, hoping to find a remedy in this remote yet beautiful place.
Following the address provided by netizens, Xia Liang inquired along the way, making many turns, and finally found the small courtyard deep in a quiet alley.
The courtyard before me resembles an ancient ink painting, with its blue bricks and gray tiles arranged in a harmonious and orderly fashion, and its eaves and brackets exquisitely crafted. Time seems to have slowed down here. The courtyard walls are covered with moss, mottled and uneven, bearing the marks of time. Xia Liang gently pushes open the half-closed wooden gate, making a soft "creak" sound, like a low murmur of time.
She leaned forward slightly, her gaze passing over the courtyard wall. Several unidentified branches peeked out from within, their tender green buds swaying gently in the breeze, as if beckoning to her. A ripple of excitement stirred within Xia Liang, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. What secrets did this courtyard hold? Could the extraordinary person so highly recommended by netizens truly unravel the long-held doubts in her heart?
Xia Liang took a deep breath, composed herself, straightened her clothes, stepped over the threshold, and slowly walked into the courtyard. Her steps were soft, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility, but her eyes searched eagerly, hoping to see that mysterious key figure as soon as possible.
Filled with trepidation and anticipation, Xia Liang finally met the legendary old traditional Chinese medicine doctor. The doctor, with his white hair and youthful face, sharp eyes, and composed demeanor, exuded confidence. Xia Liang dared not delay and quickly described her grandfather's symptoms in detail. The doctor nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then suggested treating him with acupuncture. Xia Liang understood that treating illness with acupuncture was not a quick fix and required a long-term approach.
Fortunately, Grandpa and Grandma were particularly fond of this picturesque place. Strolling along the country lanes, their faces beamed with smiles more often than usual, and their eyes sparkled again. Xia Liang saw this and felt deeply touched. He immediately decided to find a similar courtyard nearby to stay in. He thought that having Grandpa and Grandma surrounded by such beautiful scenery every day would lift their spirits and significantly help their recovery. So, Xia Liang began traveling through the surrounding villages, inquiring and searching house by house, his heart filled with anticipation for the future.
Xia Liang finally found a satisfactory courtyard nearby. The courtyard was not large, but it had the same tranquil charm as the old Chinese medicine doctor's house. After settling in, every morning he would accompany his grandparents for a walk along the country lanes, breathing in the fresh air with the scent of earth and watching the sunrise gild the fields with a layer of gold.
As instructed by the doctor, Xia Liang regularly took her grandfather to the traditional Chinese medicine doctor for acupuncture. Each time, the doctor was completely focused, the slender silver needles falling steadily into his hands and precisely piercing the acupoints. Her grandfather went from being a little nervous at first to gradually getting used to it, and would even chat with the doctor about everyday things, telling him about the interesting things that happened when he was young and went to the countryside.
As the days went by, perhaps nourished by the mountains and water, or perhaps as the acupuncture gradually took effect, Grandpa's complexion visibly improved. Grandma also became more energetic, often tending to the flowers and plants in the courtyard, humming old folk songs.
That day, Xia Liang took her grandfather to get acupuncture as usual, but on the way they met several other people who had also come from the city seeking medical treatment. They chatted and discovered that the old traditional Chinese medicine doctor's reputation had already quietly spread, and many difficult and complicated illnesses had shown improvement under his care. Xia Liang felt incredibly fortunate and became even more determined to stay with her grandparents until her grandfather recovered.
That small courtyard gradually became a warm harbor in Xia Liang's heart, carrying the laughter of the three generations of grandparents and grandchildren, shining brightly in the long river of time, witnessing the grandfather's gradual return to health, and also witnessing the deepening of this strong family affection.
As Xia Liang strolled along the village paths, the simple, sincere smiles and warm greetings from neighbors and villagers made him feel even more how endearingly simple and honest the people of this place were. Looking at his grandparents, who moved freely through the countryside every day, playing with the livestock and chatting and joking with newly acquainted friends, the wrinkles on their faces seemed to have smoothed out considerably; they had clearly fully integrated into and genuinely loved this place.
Looking at the small courtyard where he was temporarily staying not far away, a thought began to sprout in Xia Liang's heart, growing stronger and stronger—how wonderful it would be to stay here permanently. No sooner said than done, he began to inquire about the ownership of the courtyard, asking everyone he met if it was for sale. Some villagers enthusiastically helped to connect him with landlords; others chatted with him, telling him stories about the courtyard's past.
Finally, guided by a kind uncle, Xia Liang found the owner of the courtyard. He was a sprightly old man, and upon hearing her purpose, a hint of reluctance flashed in his eyes; after all, this courtyard held many memories for him. Xia Liang sincerely expressed her grandparents' deep affection for the place and the family's desire to settle down, her words earnest and heartfelt. The old man pondered for a long time, then nodded slightly, and the two sides began a detailed discussion about the price, future repairs and maintenance, and many other matters. Xia Liang was filled with anticipation, looking forward to the long years she would spend in this little courtyard, enjoying family time with her grandparents and being as close as family to her neighbors.
When Grandma received the property certificate for the courtyard, she couldn't stop smiling. The crow's feet at the corners of her eyes were filled with joy as she murmured, "Now we finally have a real home." Xia Liang looked at Grandma's happiness and her thoughts drifted back to when they bought their first house many years ago. Grandma had been just like that then, her eyes sparkling with anticipation for a new life.
To extend this joy, Xia Liang saw her neighbor's kittens give birth, fluffy little clumps like tiny snowballs. On a whim, she asked her neighbor for two. When the kittens were brought home, her grandmother gently stroked their soft fur, her laughter growing even louder: "Oh my, the house will be so lively from now on!" Xia Liang watched from the side, a smile unconsciously creeping onto her face.
In the days that followed, the sound of Grandma calling for the kitten often echoed in the courtyard, while Xia Liang busied herself building a nest and preparing food for the kitten. In their spare time, the three of them would sit around in the yard, playing with the kitten, admiring the flowers and plants, and the warm sunshine would fall on them, creating a peaceful and beautiful picture of pastoral life, where every moment was etched with happiness.
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