Zhu Yanyi went to the cultural center to learn music, following Xie Zhong’s advice. There were many good teachers there, opening a new window for her musical journey. Zhu Shunyao and Xie Xinlian were busy too—one building houses and factories, the other studying hard. So, Zhu Guifu and her group couldn’t easily block their paths.
About a week passed. Xie Zhong sent a message, asking Zhu Yanyi to come to her place. Since discovering her strong self-study ability, Xie Zhong rarely called her over. Now that she did, something must be up. Zhu Yanyi didn’t hesitate and went straight to Zhuangyuan Village to find Xie Zhong.
When Xie Zhong saw her, he said, “If I didn’t send a message, you wouldn’t have come.” He complained, but his face showed no real anger.
Zhu Yanyi flattered her, pouring a cup of tea. “Grandpa, I’ve been busy studying herbs. You know, I’ll be going to the city for school soon. I’ll only come back once a week. So, I want to learn more about herb properties before I go, to make better medicines.” She paused, then added, “But since Grandpa needs me, I came right away. What’s the matter?”
“Do you remember your Uncle Yijun?” Xie Zhong asked.
Zhu Yanyi nodded. “Of course! We haven’t been apart that long. Grandpa, you make it sound like we’ve been separated for hundreds of years.”
“It’s not about how long we’ve been apart. He called to ask for your help,” Xie Zhong said with a smile.
“What happened? Did something happen to Uncle Yijun again?” Zhu Yanyi asked curiously. Usually, when Uncle Yijun asked for help, it involved medical issues.
Xie Zhong wasn’t panicked. To her, it wasn’t a big deal. “It’s not too serious. Your uncle’s wife suddenly broke out in bumps all over her face and body overnight. Many doctors couldn’t cure her. Your uncle remembered you, the little doctor, and asked you to treat her.”
“Where is she?” Zhu Yanyi asked with a smile. “Since Grandpa asked me to treat her, she must be here.”
Xie Zhong nodded with a smile. “She is on her way. She took the 3 a.m. train and should arrive in Yao City around 2 p.m.”
Zhu Yanyi understood. From Yao City, they’d take a bus, which takes about forty minutes, then walk. It would take at least an hour in total. They wouldn’t arrive until evening. Zhu Yanyi smiled lightly. “I should have come in the afternoon.”
“Can’t you just chat with this old man while you wait?” Xie Zhong complained. Since Zhu Yanyi started school, they spent less time together. Among all the children, she valued her the most, so she genuinely grumbled this time.
Zhu Yanyi shrugged. “I’ll write calligraphy for Grandpa to see.” Since the patient wasn’t there yet, she couldn’t leave anyway. It was better to relax at the Xie house for the day.
“Write, then. If it’s bad, don’t enter the youth calligraphy competition next year,” Xie Zhong joked.
Zhu Yanyi smiled. “I think my writing is pretty good.” She spread the paper and ground the ink. As she worked, she asked, “Where is Doumiao? I don’t see her.”