Chapter 8: Unexplained Hostility
This Xinhua Bookstore is the third largest bookstore in Kita Ward, Kyoto, and is surrounded by two or three elementary schools. Although it's only one floor, it's surprisingly spacious. A few years ago, the owner adjusted their marketing strategy, introducing a wider variety of books and dedicating a third of the space to selling dolls, celebrity cards, fans, skincare products, etc., essentially making it a small boutique, which has become incredibly popular.
With summer vacation in full swing and a special event happening today, the bookstore was bustling with people, especially the textbook section. Many parents were enthusiastically browsing with their somewhat unhappy children, and long queues had formed at the cashiers. However, medical books were always a niche area, with only a handful of books on display, so Shen Qingtang was able to leisurely browse on her own.
The bookstore had a complete selection of books, including "Huangdi Neijing", "Basic Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine", "Eight Extraordinary Meridians", "Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases", "Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold Pieces", and "Compendium of Materia Medica". It covered everything from basic to advanced, and had original, annotated, and foreign editions. She scanned the shelves and quickly flipped through the pages, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
It was as if she had read these books thousands of times, and even though the versions changed, they were all based on the same principles. She could understand the essence of a thick book just by looking at one page.
These medical books rushed towards her like the sea, and she transformed into a sponge, tirelessly absorbing knowledge in the ocean of information, activating the latent memory areas of her brain.
What's even more amazing is that she not only has a photographic memory for these theoretical knowledge, but also seems to have rich practical experience. Therefore, she can understand every obscure disease and every profound professional term at a glance. She turns the pages of the book faster and faster. In just two hours, the medical books she has read have piled up higher than a person, making her a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner with decades of rich theoretical experience.
The bookstore staff kept glancing sideways, unsure whether she was causing trouble or showing off. On the other side of the bookshelf, a girl with a youthful face and wearing a floral yellow dress stared in disbelief at the scene, excitedly exclaiming, "Senior Sister Ge, look! That person reads so fast! Is she also a member of our Traditional Chinese Medicine Association?"
Her face showed genuine admiration. These ancient medical books were always meticulous in their terminology, requiring annotations to fully understand. Otherwise, one would be overwhelmed by proper nouns and obscure words. Even though she had studied Chinese since childhood, her reading speed was still slow, let alone the need for practical examples to deepen her understanding. This entire process took anywhere from one to three months to complete a single medical book.
But what the other party was reading was the original manuscript without any annotations!
The two people accompanying them were Ge Youan, Huang Minmi's senior sister, and Shen Ruoqi, who was strolling with them. As soon as she finished speaking, the two of them immediately looked over.
Ge Youan glanced casually at the stack of books that was five or six meters high, lingered on the titles on the spines for a while, and then chuckled and said, "Junior Sister, who can read this fast?"
"She's flipping through the pages, not reading. Even Master couldn't read that fast."
Ge Youan was always proud of being taken in as a disciple by the medical sage Huang Linli, so he would mention the word "master" in two out of every three sentences.
Huang Minmi was still young, just turned sixteen. She had received an American education since childhood and had always been straightforward. She looked puzzled and asked, "Why would she do that?" She had looked carefully just now and there were no cameras around. Even if it was just an act, it would go beyond that.
A look of disgust and aversion flashed across Shen Ruoqi's face: "She's just jealous and trying to imitate others." She snorted coldly and said, "My eldest sister's medical talent is not something she can acquire by just flipping through a few books. Old Master Huang would never take her as his apprentice."
Two days ago, the slow-paced variety show "Farmhouse Courtyard," in which Shen Ruowan starred, became a hit across the internet. In the show, she demonstrated superb medical skills, especially her acupuncture technique, which she used with extraordinary skill to help an elderly woman in the countryside cure her long-standing migraine. The video went viral and was not only reposted by the Chinese Medicine Association but also praised by many TCM experts, who offered to take her on as a disciple. In the end, she was accepted as the last disciple by Huang Linli, the president of the Chinese Medicine Association and the founder of the Overseas Chinese Medicine Association, to pass on the art of TCM.
However, being unique in the entertainment industry, Shen Ruowan's fans felt triumphant and jumped around in the comment sections of various female celebrities every day, claiming to be "the living TCM doctor in the entertainment industry." Many high-end endorsements beckoned to Shen Ruowan, and her popularity soared, making her an undisputed top-tier actress.
Some obscure celebrities in the entertainment industry, envious of others' efforts to gain traffic and fame, have resorted to unethical methods, presenting "evidence" of their supposed talent for learning traditional Chinese medicine. Huang Linli himself expressed his desire to become a disciple, but was instead ridiculed mercilessly by netizens.
Huang Linli is no ordinary person. Born into a family of doctors with a century-old tradition of traditional Chinese medicine, he was exceptionally gifted and carefully taught by his parents from a young age. He began reading medical books at the age of three, seeing patients at five, and writing prescriptions on his own at seven. By ten, he had become known as a "little miracle doctor" among his neighbors. At sixteen, he opened his first clinic, and at twenty, he went abroad to study, dedicating himself to spreading traditional Chinese medicine culture and promoting traditional culture overseas. His diagnostic methods of "observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation" have become renowned overseas. Now, in his seventies, he has countless students and disciples all over the world.
It is no exaggeration to say that he is the greatest master of contemporary Chinese medicine, the pinnacle of Chinese medicine, and a master among masters of Chinese medicine. Epilepsy, tuberculosis, leukemia, kidney stones... many difficult and complicated diseases are no problem for him.
To say that one could bring the dead back to life and heal the wounded is nothing more than that.
There was even a saying at the time: "If the King of Hell calls you to die at midnight, Huang Lao can keep you alive until dawn." Besides, he believed that all medicines have some degree of toxicity, and he highly recommended traditional Chinese medicine dietary therapy both domestically and internationally. He believed that medicinal cuisine, combining the properties of ingredients and herbs, could not only regulate spleen and stomach function and replenish qi and blood, but also enhance immunity. The medicinal cuisine developed by his clinic was so popular that it sold out instantly.
Sensing the underlying hostility in her words, Ge Youan asked curiously, "Ruoqi, do you know this person?" Shen Ruoqi pursed her lips, seemingly feeling somewhat embarrassed, but still whispered, "She is the cousin I told you about, Shen Qingtang."
Ge Youan understood immediately, a look of disgust on her face, and said in a contemptuous tone, "So she's that unfilial daughter, that troublemaker."
These past few days, she had become close to Shen Ruoqi, so she had naturally heard of the name "Shen Qingtang." This woman was ignorant and incompetent, jealous of Ruowan, coveting Qin Rongyun, and committing all sorts of heinous acts, forcing her family to flee abroad and severing ties with them. Not only that, she was also a complete troublemaker, committing a colossal crime that resulted in Qin Guanlan, the general manager of the top-tier Qin Group, losing both his legs.
It's heartbreaking to see a promising young woman from a wealthy family confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
In this way, the other party's imitative behavior can be explained.
Nothing more than jealousy. A mocking smile curled at the corner of her lips, and she thought to herself with smug satisfaction: Not everyone can have the talent to learn traditional Chinese medicine like her.
Hearing their conversation, Huang Minmi exclaimed in surprise, "No way? She's actually Shen Qingtang?" Staring at the other woman's beautiful face with its classical charm, and recalling her notorious reputation, she shook her head, unable to reconcile it with the calm, composed woman engrossed in her book.
Ge Youan adopted the posture of the senior sister and earnestly instructed: "Junior sister, you have been raised by your master's wife since childhood and are well-versed in the study of herbs. You have no understanding of people's hearts at all. Don't you know the saying, 'You can know a person's face but not their heart'?" She confidently delivered her verdict: "People like this are completely vicious women. Although they are beautiful, their hearts are extremely wicked."
Shen Ruoqi nodded in agreement, "That's right, Minmin, stay away from Shen Qingtang." Huang Minmi was Huang Linli's beloved only daughter, and because of this status, she subtly tried to curry favor with him. After all, even the richest person can't escape the cycle of birth, aging, sickness, and death, and having such connections would be very beneficial to her.
She glanced down at her phone and said, "Minmin, have you bought all the medical books you wanted? My older sister said her variety show is almost finished filming, and she'll pick us up later to go eat at the hottest internet-famous restaurant in the city center."
"Maybe Brother Rongyun will come too, we can ask for a few autographs."
"Really? Brother Rong Yun will be coming too." Ge Youan's originally harsh face suddenly turned shy, and she put her hands together under her chin and said, "I'm a big fan of Brother Rong Yun, I really look forward to seeing him."
...
Huang Minmi wasn't very interested in these topics, so she said, "You guys chat first, I'll go look for that medical book again." She moved her feet and unknowingly came to another bookshelf. She half-squatted down and carefully scanned the neatly arranged books on the yellow bookshelf, muttering to herself in confusion, "Why isn't there a 'Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases' here?"
Suddenly, a thick brown book came into her view, and she heard the tinkling sound of a clear spring.
"It's with me."
Huang Minmi slightly raised her eyes and was immediately stunned.
The person in front of her was none other than Shen Qingtang, whom Ge Youan and Shen Ruoqi had repeatedly warned not to get close to. The next second, her body trembled slightly, and she immediately lowered her head and waved her hand, saying, "No need, I don't want it." Although she said that, her eyes kept glancing at the thick book out of the corner of her eye.
Shen Qingtang frowned slightly but didn't say anything. She silently put the "Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases" back on the bookshelf, sorted out the other books, and then took out several medical books that she had already organized and walked towards the cashier.
Huang Minmi studied medicine for sixteen years and came from a family with a rich medical heritage. Her eyesight and knowledge were amazing. If she remembered correctly, those were all medical books about how to treat paralysis of both legs.
Thinking of Qin Guanlan's crippled legs, a ridiculous idea quickly popped into her mind.
Could it be that Shen Qingtang wanted to teach herself medicine and cure Qin Guanlan's legs? But she quickly shook her head; that was absolutely impossible.
When Qin Guanlan suffered an accident involving his legs, his father was overseas and therefore did not accept the request for treatment. However, the expert from the hospital who handled the case was a little-known friend of his father. Therefore, his father had seen the medical records and told her personally that even he could not cure Qin Guanlan's legs with traditional Chinese medicine and help him stand up again.
How could Shen Qingtang possibly do something that even her father couldn't do? Not to mention, she was just an ordinary person with absolutely no medical skills.
At this moment, Shen Qingtang, who had just stepped into the vegetable market, had no idea that Huang Minmi had generated so many ideas in her mind and concluded that she could not cure Qin Guanlan's legs.
*
Shen Qingtang arrived a little late, close to noon. Most of the vendors had already packed up and the foot traffic had decreased by more than half.
However, there are advantages to having fewer people. She calmly bargained with others, leisurely collected her money, and noticed that the purple eggplants were crisp, the yellow potatoes were plump, the wild yams dug from the mountains were fresh, and the green peppers...emmm, still had the usual pungent and unpleasant smell.
However, considering someone's perverse sense of humor, she still bought it.
After successfully purchasing the ingredients she needed, Shen Qingtang glanced at the time, which was already approaching the appointed time, and frowned. If she didn't go back soon, Brother Qin might miss his lunch. Thinking of this, she quickened her pace, and just as she was about to take out her phone to call Uncle Wang, a sharp, piercing female voice, like a flute piercing the sky, filled with a thick sob.
"Little Flower, Little Flower, what's wrong with you?"
She was a woman with dark skin, a thin build, rough skin, and wrinkles all over her forehead. Her hands, calloused from years of farm work, were covered in wrinkles. She wore a slightly worn straw hat to shield herself from the sun. She looked to be about thirty years old.
At this moment, kneeling and holding her unconscious child, she slapped the little girl several times in a panic and fear. Unfortunately, the little girl did not wake up for a long time. Immediately, Xu Cuilan's eyes reddened, her body trembled, and she began to sob helplessly.
The Chinese have a gossipy nature ingrained in their bones, and since it was lunchtime and many people were eating and resting, a large crowd of onlookers quickly gathered around, discussing the matter animatedly.
"Did you get heatstroke because of the hot weather?"
"This child looks only five or six years old, right? So pitiful."
"How could she be such a mother? She didn't even know her own child had health problems."
"Should we take him to the hospital?"
"Is there a doctor at a nearby pharmacy? Please come quickly!"
"Is Dr. Ma here? Go and fetch him quickly!"
......
Inside Green Field Cafe, Huang Minmi and her two companions were drinking beverages and waiting idly for Shen Ruowan. Amidst their idle chatter, they overheard the news that a little girl had fainted at the entrance of the vegetable market.
Huang Minmi's expression changed, and she immediately turned to look at her and said, "Senior Sister Ge, why don't we go over and help?"
Upon hearing this, Ge Youan cautiously shook her head and said, "Junior Sister, you can't go. Master will be unhappy if he finds out."
"Why are we practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine? Isn't saving lives our mission?" Huang Minmi glared at him, dissatisfied. "At worst, I'll just tell my father."
Shen Ruoqi smiled and chuckled, saying, "Minmin, this isn't abroad. Things are much more complicated here." She sighed and said, "People these days are so wicked, especially the poor. They love to extort rich people like us."
Ge Youan nodded and said, "That's right, there are a lot of people who stage accidents to extort money. If you go to see her child for treatment, they might turn around and try to extort you." She patted Huang Minmi's head and comforted her, saying, "A wise person doesn't stand under a dangerous wall. I see someone has already called 120. We'll just watch from the side."
Seeing Huang Minmi move her lips as if to argue, Ge Youan's eyes darkened with a hint of warning as he said, "Junior Sister, Master told me to take good care of you. Don't cause me any trouble."
Getting into trouble... How could saving someone be considered getting into trouble?
Huang Minmi felt indignant but didn't know how to refute it. She could only purse her lips and keep sipping the cold drink in front of her, but the anxiety in her heart just wouldn't subside.
Feeling agitated, she said, "I'd better go take a look."
Ge Youan looked displeased and reluctantly followed, saying, "Junior Sister has really been spoiled by Master."
Shen Ruoqi silently agreed in her heart, but she couldn't just sit there alone. Looking at the glaring sunlight reflected from the window, she felt a surge of heat in her heart and forced herself to suppress her irritability as she followed.
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