Chapter 2953

Yan Xiwan generously gave them time.

If someone had a talent for learning Traditional Chinese Medicine, it was true that one week was more than enough to memorize one Tangtou Ge (Rhyme of Decoctions). In fact, Yan Xiwan had only spent one hour to memorize it all.

"One week to memorize so little? That’s a long time," Sai Ke said.

Yan Xiwan glanced at him. "TCM is different from Western medicine. It relies more on talent and aptitude. Don’t underestimate this. This is just one rhyme, only one-fiftieth of the whole book. But it determines if you have the aptitude. If you can memorize it, you have the qualification to learn TCM. If you can’t, you are not suitable for it."

Sai Ke didn’t think Yan Xiwan was making things difficult for them. Ten rhymes wasn’t much, and a quick glance showed the content wasn’t heavy.

But many of the characters were indeed unfamiliar.

"The characters in your Zhonghua family are really troublesome," Sai Ke said.

"That’s why I gave you a month. I memorized the whole book in one hour," Yan Xiwan said. She didn’t want to discourage them, but she felt it was better to be clear.

"You took one hour, but gave us a month?" Sai Ke widened his eyes. "We aren’t that stupid, are we?"

"I said it before. Learning TCM depends on talent, not on being smart or stupid. Plus, you already struggle with our characters. A month should be enough for you to learn."

Yan Xiwan looked generous. "I only hope that in a month, you will tell me that each of you has memorized them."

"Just watch us. We will definitely do it," Sai Ke said seriously.

Yan Xiwan didn’t explain further. Only those who had truly memorized the Tangtou Ge would understand its complexity.

After Sai Ke and the others went to memorize the rhymes, Yan Xiwan returned to her daily routine.

Old Yuan, upon hearing this, raised an eyebrow at Yan Xiwan. "You really plan to teach them TCM?"

"Why not?" Yan Xiwan asked. "Western medicine can spread to our Zhonghua family. Why can’t our Zhonghua family spread TCM to the world?"

Old Yuan was stunned. Since ancient times, many skills were kept secret, including TCM. That was why Hua Tuo’s excellent medical skills were mostly lost. Even when passed down, doctors would hide some tricks.

Where in the world are there so many tricks to hide?

People often cherish their own broom, but if you don’t lend it to others, how will they know its use?

Yan Xiwan never believed medical skills belonged to one person or a group. She believed medicine belonged to the world. Some had the talent to learn well; others did not. But opportunities should be given to everyone. Whether they could learn depended on themselves. Restricting them was unwise.

Having taught Yan Xiwan for so many years, Old Yuan knew her well. she didn’t need her to speak; her expression told her what she was thinking.

Old Yuan said, "The proudest thing in my life is not that my medical skills are superior to anyone else, but that I took you as my final disciple. In this regard, you are much better than your senior brothers."

"Actually, my senior brothers are quite good too," Yan Xiwan said with a smile.

"Their character is fine, but their big-picture view and talent for medicine are not as good as yours," Old Yuan said. He knew his disciples’ personalities well. His first and second disciples were not bad people, but their talent truly couldn’t compare to Yan Xiwan’s.

"Master, don’t praise me like this. Luckily, no one else is here. If this gets out, you aren’t praising me; you are killing me," Yan Xiwan teased with a smile.

"Killing you? Am I that kind of person?" Old Yuan looked at her dissatisfied.

"Of course not, Master. But Master, you forgot I am only sixteen. I am still young. Praising me like this easily leads to my downfall. What if I become arrogant?"

"Cool it," Old Yuan said shamelessly. "Besides, I’ve watched you grow up. I’ve never seen you be arrogant once. I’d like to see what you look like when you are arrogant."

"Master, this is wrong. You are deliberately framing me," Yan Xiwan said playfully.

"You have to let me frame you," Old Yuan said. In front of this disciple, he found his mindset becoming younger.

Yan Xiwan stuck out her tongue, then said, "If Sai Ke and the others really memorize the ten rhymes, I want them to learn some basics from you first. You don’t need to take them as disciples, just teach them the basics. I have to go to school, and my experiments are only half done. I probably won’t have time for the basics."

"Fine. If that happens, you focus on your own things. Although I am old, I can still teach these basics. Besides, basics don’t take much effort," Old Yuan said directly.

TCM basics mostly involved memorizing various books and identifying herbs. Although trivial, it didn’t require much brainpower.

Why was it said that TCM required accumulated experience? Because the longer you studied, the more herbs you recognized, the more books you read, and the more cases you experienced, the more experience you gained. With correct experience, medical skills naturally improved.

People like Yan Xiwan, who had such good medical skills at a young age and integrated both Western and Chinese medicine knowledge, were very rare.

In the following days, Yan Xiwan continued her routine between the laboratory, dormitory, and classroom.

A semester passed quickly. Without saying more, Yan Xiwan was first in the final exams again.

Their class was special. Freshman year lasted only half a year, followed by sophomore year. So, the courses in the first half were quite heavy. If they failed, they could retake the exam. If they failed the retake, they would have to repeat freshman year.

The four people in Dormitory 207 had no problems with their studies.

"We’ve only been in university for half a year. When the second half comes, we’ll be senior students. I feel like I’ve aged a lot," Pei Wushuang said while packing her luggage.

Yan Xiwan packed her luggage, placed it in the corner, and put the items to be washed in a bag to take home. "Actually, I think this is good. Besides, I don’t have a summer vacation."

During the summer, Yan Xiwan still had to do experiments. When not doing experiments, she went to Old Yuan’s place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and to Professor Feng’s place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

"Comparing yourself to someone who isn’t human makes people look foolish. We don’t compare with you; we compare with normal people," Hu Ya said from the side.

Pan Hongmei laughed. "I heard the college entrance exam is on July 7th and 8th this year. In August, students will be organized to prepare for welcoming new students. Do you want to participate? This can add to your daily conduct points."

"Let’s go," Hu Ya said. "I have nothing to do at home anyway."

"How are things with your Chen Zhengguo?" Pei Wushuang asked.

"It’s okay. His mother heard Zhengguo say that if he doesn’t marry me, he won’t marry anyone in his life. He can’t bear to leave me. So, they will stay in a relationship, but marriage is impossible. If they have children in the future without being married, the children will take my surname. His mother got anxious and agreed to set a time during the summer vacation for the two families to meet," Hu Ya said with a smile. Although the process had twists, the result was good, so Hu Ya was very happy.

Yan Xiwan said, "It seems Second Brother-in-law’s efforts were quite effective."

"Indeed," Hu Ya said proudly. At least Chen Zhengguo hadn’t disappointed her.

"If you arrange for the two families to meet during the summer vacation, will you still come to school to work? Do you have time?" Pei Wushuang asked.

"Of course I have time. Besides, the two families meeting doesn’t mean they meet from morning to night. They just need to find some free time to meet," Hu Ya said.

Pei Wushuang said, "By the way, I plan to get engaged to Mengzi during the summer vacation. I’ll invite you all. You must not refuse."

"Your speed is fast," Yan Xiwan laughed.

"We aren’t as fast as you. You are already engaged," Pei Wushuang said.

Pei Wushuang now knew some things about Ouyang Tianyun. Mainly because Zuo Xiangmeng had a mission. He only found out when he was sent to escort Ouyang Tianyun’s research materials for testing. That was when he learned Ouyang Tianyun was a truly special talent, one of the top talents in the Zhonghua family.

Zuo Xiangmeng didn’t say too much, just mentioned it briefly, so Pei Wushuang knew.

Pei Wushuang was usually carefree, but sometimes very smart. After hearing Zuo Xiangmeng’s words, she immediately understood her meaning.

Yan Xiwan laughed. "My case was an accident. The two families had arranged the engagement long ago. Later, Brother Tianyun started working, and girls kept approaching him. There was no other way, so we advanced the engagement and got engaged early."

Yan Xiwan added, "Besides, when we got engaged, it wasn’t like now with various ceremonies. The two families just had a meal together."

Pan Hongmei asked curiously, "Fourth Sister, how old were you when you got engaged?"

"Ten years old," Yan Xiwan said without hiding it.

"Ten years old?" Pan Hongmei laughed. "Ouyang Tianyun is an old cow eating tender grass."

"Eldest Sister," Yan Xiwan pouted at Pan Hongmei. "I will tell my husband what you said."

"No, no, no. I was just saying it casually. Your husband is too protective. I dare not offend him," Pan Hongmei laughed.

"But since you have good news, I can’t fall behind. I plan to get my marriage certificate with Lu Fang during the summer vacation. After all, I am not young anymore."

Pan Hongmei was clearly happy. The joy radiating from her showed she was truly delighted.