Cannon Fodder in an Era Drama — I Survive with Acting-Chapter 144: A Proactive Visit

He’d expected her to make some demands, or at least wait for him to coax her a little more, but she didn’t.

He looked up, his gaze falling on Song Qingya’s belly, and his tone softened. "You’re pregnant, so it’s not easy for you to get around. We can skip the apprenticeship ceremony; I can’t be bothered with those formalities. Since I’ve agreed to take you as my disciple, I won’t hold anything back. From now on, if there’s anything you don’t understand, you can come ask me anytime. I don’t live far, just have Yang Shang show you the way. Yang Shang, you’re her senior brother now. Take good care of her."

Yang Shang had been standing reservedly at the door, but he quickly stepped forward upon hearing this.

"HEH HEH, I’m barely qualified to be her senior brother. My skills, to be honest, are nothing special. When it comes to medicine, I’m probably not even as good as our new junior sister. You should have seen her treat the Sun Family’s child on the west side of town. A few needles, and the kid was perfectly fine."

Wen Junyi shot him a look, his tone tinged with reproach. "Then why aren’t you hurrying to learn more from your junior sister? You spend all day talking about how you’re no good. Do you plan to stay that way forever?"

Yang Shang chuckled. "Junior Sister, starting today, I’ll be counting on you to teach me a thing or two. Don’t hold back on me, alright?"

Song Qingya quickly rose. "You’re too kind, Senior Brother. I still have so much to learn. I’ll be the one needing your guidance."

Liuchang Town was small to begin with. With few residents, all the neighbors knew one another.

If a child had a fever or an elder had a cough, the entire town would know about it in half a day.

News that Wen Junyi had come to take on a disciple spread like wildfire.

On the first day, word spread that Yang Shang had accompanied Wen Junyi. By the second day, villagers had seen them with their own eyes, carrying gift boxes as they entered Song Qingya’s home.

By the third day, the entire town was abuzz.

Wen Junyi—it had been a long time since anyone had mentioned that name.

More than twenty years ago, he was a famous traditional Chinese medicine doctor in the provincial capital. His skills were superb and his temperament, unyielding. He once had a major falling out with the hospital director over a treatment plan, ultimately resigning and vanishing without a trace.

Rumors said he had gone south to practice medicine. Others claimed he had retired due to illness and become a recluse. Some even whispered that he had passed away.

But as it turned out, not only was he alive, but he had reappeared in a small place like Liuchang Town.

Even more shocking, the disciple he had taken was a woman.

The practice of traditional Chinese medicine was historically passed down from man to man, never to a woman. This was especially true for an old-school traditionalist like Wen Junyi, who placed great importance on rules.

No one had expected him to break this custom.

Moreover, this disciple was no ordinary person; she was the daughter-in-law of the Fei Village Chief’s family.

The Fei Family was considered well-to-do in town. Their son was the village chief, and their daughter-in-law was pregnant. Logically, she should have been resting and quietly waiting for her baby to be born. Why would she suddenly take such an elusive old doctor as her master?

Gossip grew on every street corner and in every alley. Some said Song Qingya was incredibly fortunate, while others claimed Wen Junyi must be getting senile. Still others secretly wondered if there was some hidden story behind it all.

But no matter what was said, this incident had become the biggest news in Liuchang Town in nearly a decade.

On street corners, around dinner tables, and in hushed bedroom conversations—everyone was talking about it.

Before this, Song Qingya’s reputation hadn’t been that great. The townspeople were divided in their opinions of her.

It had taken a great deal of effort and a full six months for her reputation to recover even partially. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible either.

But after she officially became Wen Junyi’s disciple and word got out that she was studying medicine, public opinion did a complete one-eighty.

Her reputation soared, growing by leaps and bounds.

People were no longer focused on her past, but on what she could do in the present.

This wasn’t something as simple as teaching people to cook. This was legitimate medicine—a skill that could save lives!

Who doesn’t worry about getting sick?

What family doesn’t have elders and children?

When someone had a headache or a fever, having a person who could make a house call, take a look, and write a prescription was an immense convenience.

Such matters were especially tricky in the countryside. A trip to the city to see a doctor was far and time-consuming, but people were afraid that a local charlatan would only make things worse.

Now that Song Qingya could see patients, she was naturally in high demand.

Although Song Qingya was pregnant, her physical condition was completely different from that of an ordinary pregnant woman.

Every day, she ate all-natural vegetables and fruits grown in the black soil of her space.

She drank Spiritual Spring Water, which left her feeling refreshed and invigorated.

On top of that, her master, Wen Junyi, was extremely attentive. He personally prepared medicinal meals and regularly checked her pulse to keep her conditioned, ensuring the well-being of both mother and child.

According to the system’s health monitor, her value had stabilized around 98, nearly a perfect score.

So, even if someone knocked on the door in the middle of the night seeking medical treatment, she wouldn’t feel exhausted.

She could get up at a moment’s notice, throw on a coat, light an oil lamp, and meticulously examine the patient.

She had a good memory and was a fast learner. She could accurately apply most of the medical principles and prescriptions Wen Junyi taught her.

When faced with a complex case, she would promptly consult her master, never daring to prescribe medicine on her own.

Her caution and earnestness won the trust of more and more people.

Gradually, people began to show up at her door on their own initiative.

They would arrive carrying baskets of eggs from their own chickens, some cured meat, or freshly steamed rice cakes. They’d say they were there to have her check their pulse, perhaps to see if they were low on qi, or to ask what medicine to give a child with indigestion.

These people weren’t coming for major illnesses; mostly, they were seeking peace of mind and the convenience of it all.

To their surprise and delight, Song Qingya would sometimes say, "My master is here right now. Let me take you to see him."

And just like that, they would get the chance to be examined by Mr. Wen himself.

That was better service than you could get at a city hospital.

In the city hospitals, you had to jostle through crowds and wait in line for hours, only for the doctor to see you for a few minutes.

But here, not only could they speak with the doctor face-to-face, but they also received detailed advice and even a handwritten prescription.

Many people from other villages traveled for miles just to get a diagnosis.

Song Qingya’s reputation spread further and wider.

She didn’t accept money and never discussed payment.

She did her best to help anyone who came asking. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

If someone insisted on giving her money, she resolutely refused.

At most, she would accept some homegrown greens, pickled vegetables, a handful of sweet potatoes, or a bag of glutinous rice—simple tokens of the villagers’ appreciation.

When word of this got out, it only made people see her as more genuine and kindhearted.

Within a few months, news of her had even reached Qi City.

Some families of officials in the city heard about her and sent people to inquire. They confirmed there was an exceptionally kindhearted woman who would treat anyone who asked and refused to take any money.

The news spread through small circles, and some elderly people in the city even had their children find out where Liuchang Town was, planning to make a special trip to have her help them with their health.

...

The street was bustling with a lively crowd.

People milled about the marketplace, and the sound of haggling rose and fell in waves.

A red cloth banner hung over the entrance to the supply co-op, bearing the words: Serve the People.

People bustled in and out, carrying nylon mesh bags filled with various daily necessities.

Most of the men wore faded blue work uniforms, their sleeves rolled up and Liberation shoes on their feet.

The women, for their part, mostly wore gray or dark green Lenin-style suits, their heads wrapped in patterned kerchiefs. They carried the same translucent nylon mesh bags, which held soap, toothpaste, enamel mugs, and even a few scallions and a bottle of soy sauce.

Occasionally, someone would be pushing a heavy, old-fashioned roadster bicycle.