The elders had all left their names and contact information behind. In a way, they were entrusting part of their network to Zhu Yanyi. Later, when Zhu Yanyi flipped through the small notebooks, she gasped at the names inside. Many of these people would become very famous in the future, yet here they were, listed as her senior brothers, sisters, or junior disciples. Because of this, unless absolutely necessary, Zhu Yanyi would not deliberately seek them out, fearing she might bring them trouble. However, this decision would later earn her a good scolding from her senior brothers and sisters. But that is a story for another time.
The Medicine Elder was the last to leave. she handed her a small notebook as well. "The study of Traditional Chinese Medicine has no end. If you have questions, go find the people listed here. They are currently in Zhejiang Province. Also, write to us regularly. Tell us how you are doing. Do not hide any difficulties, understand?"
Zhu Yanyi nodded, her heart full of reluctance. "I understand. When I have a holiday, I will come to the capital to see you."
"Good." Although this little disciple had been with them for less than a year, her cuteness, gentleness, and intelligence had slowly seeped into their hearts. She was not just their final disciple; she was like their little granddaughter. Originally, they had planned to raise her together here. But now, they could only let go temporarily. Fortunately, they could assign various tasks. This little disciple was highly self-disciplined. They did not worry she would be lazy; instead, they worried she might work too hard.
The elders left behind the wealth they had accumulated in Sicheng Town. They departed silently and without fanfare. Zhu Yanyi had specially taken a day off to see them off. The elders simply rubbed her heads one by one before leaving. Only after they were gone did Zhu Yanyi sniffle and say, "Why did they all rub my head? My hair is messy again."
Seeing this, Xie Zhong’s sadness from the farewell vanished. He laughed heartily. "You girl, when will you stop being so vain?"
Zhu Yanyi raised her eyebrows and smiled. "Isn’t there a saying? Heads can be cut off, blood can flow, but hairstyles cannot be messed up."
"You study, and you learn to change sentences randomly? You have some nerve," Xie Zhong glared at Zhu Yanyi. Zhu Yanyi stuck out her tongue and walked away. Xie Zhong actually knew that Zhu Yanyi was doing this to make her feel less sad. This child valued relationships deeply. Seeing her secretly look down the empty road where the elders had disappeared, she knew she missed them. But she worried her grandfather would be sad because the elders had left, so she deliberately acted cheerful to comfort her.
Zhu Yanyi missed the elders leaving, but the fact remained that they were gone. No matter how much she missed them, it was reality. So, that day, she felt a bit unhappy. Worried that Xie Zhong would worry about her, she decided to go to the Guanyin Temple. Fortunately, Master Zhihui had not left yet. She would stay for another three years.
"Grandpa Zhihui." Zhu Yanyi walked in. Master Zhihui had just finished her lesson. She looked at Zhu Yanyi. "Have they all left?"
"Yes." Zhu Yanyi nodded. "Grandpa Zhihui, why didn’t you go to see them off?"
"Today we say goodbye; tomorrow we welcome. Why bother? This separation represents the next reunion. Child, you must learn this. Life is made of meetings and partings. If there were only meetings and no partings, life would be incomplete." Master Zhihui smiled, comforting Zhu Yanyi. As a monk, her words were somewhat detached. In truth, only she knew she also felt reluctant. But she could not help it. She was a monk, and such attachment was not suitable for her. So, she simply chose not to see them off.