Chapter 101 Yan Run

After finishing a bowl of porridge, she was not quite full, but at least her stomach was no longer empty; Zhong Yuxiu was in a good mood as she handed her bowl to Gou Dan in the kitchen, then strolled at the doorway, waiting for Hao Nan and the others.

Half an hour passed.

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo entered from outside, followed by Yan Rushan, whose posture was upright and composed; compared to Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo, both long accustomed to exercise, Yan Rushan appeared somewhat slender.

“Yuxiu, I’m here.”

Zhong Yuxiu looked up and smiled, “Have you had breakfast?”

“Not yet, I came especially to catch breakfast with you.” Yan Rushan smiled lightly, pulled out the chair beside her and sat down, resting one hand on the back of her chair. “Did you sleep well last night?”

“It was fine, I didn’t wake up midway.”

Yan Rushan nodded and waited for Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo to return after washing up, then they all had breakfast together before heading to the Medical University.

After escorting her to the university’s gate, Yan Rushan reminded her, “I’ll pick you up at noon to take you home. If there’s anything you’d like to eat, I’ll bring it along.”

“I don’t have anything in mind,” Yuxiu pressed her lips together.

Yan Rushan thought for a moment and asked, “Roast duck—would you like some? Quanjude’s roast duck. You’ve been back for almost a year and haven’t tried it yet, have you?”

Just the mention made her mouth water.

Zhong Yuxiu pouted, “I’d love some. Could you get me two?”

“Of course, three if you want. Go find your teacher, I’ll see you at noon.” Yan Rushan couldn’t help but feel amused and tender; the Wan family had once been capitalists, later red capitalists. The master of the Wan family had a formal job, and enjoying roast duck a few times was nothing difficult.

Red capitalists never truly donated all their assets. No matter how virtuous their words, there was always a stash in private. Everyone tacitly understood, though some ostentatious capitalists were heavily plundered during times of turmoil.

Some even lost their red capitalist title due to secret hoarding.

“Alright, make sure to get their dipping sauce too.” Without dipping sauce, the flavor wouldn’t be quite right.

Yan Rushan nodded, “I’ll have everything ready for you.”

“Then I’m off, goodbye.”

“Bye.”

Yan Rushan watched her enter, said a word to Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo, then turned and left.

Hao Nan stroked his chin, “Quanjude’s roast duck isn’t easy to get. You need to pre-order, and they sell out early every day. Three at once? I don’t buy it.”

“Comrade Yan is resourceful, he’s well-connected on the black market,” Tian Shangguo replied, his tone as cool as ever.

It’s just a few Quanjude roast ducks. If they can’t get them, others can’t either?

“You’re right, the black market network is broad.” Though it couldn’t be openly discussed, the information was always current, and business was far more lucrative than outside.

The two found a place to hide themselves, while Zhong Yuxiu hurried to Principal Xu’s office, only to find a young man talking with Principal Xu. She had never seen him before; his face was unfamiliar.

“Teacher, sorry I’m late.”

Principal Xu looked up and smiled, “You’re not late, there’s still a while before class begins. Come here, let me introduce you. He is the disciple of a friend of mine, also studying medicine. His name is Chen Xuebin. Chen, this is Zhong Yuxiu, my last disciple. You two should communicate often; young people have plenty of topics.”

“Hello, Zhong. I’m Chen Xuebin.” He extended his left hand for a handshake.

“Hello, Chen.” Zhong Yuxiu’s gaze was calm, her touch fleeting; the young man before her was somewhat delicate, his eyes shadowed as if light could not reach. Such people usually possessed deep scheming.

Chen Xuebin’s smile was gentle, “I’ve heard about you, Zhong, even before you arrived. It’s impressive that Principal Xu accepted you as his last disciple. I haven’t congratulated you yet.”

“It’s my honor to be valued by my teacher.” She withdrew her gaze and looked to Principal Xu. “Teacher, what are today’s plans?”

Principal Xu replied, “We’ll go to City West First Hospital for clinic duty. Chen and his teacher will also join us later.”

“I see! I haven’t learned pulse diagnosis yet. Will you teach me today?” Zhong Yuxiu’s eyes brightened. After weeks of diligent effort, she had finished all the books in her teacher’s office and mastered many medical theories. With extra guidance, the pace of regular classes could no longer satisfy her.

“Yes, I’ll teach you today. I’m bringing you along precisely for that, and to broaden your horizons.” Principal Xu smiled warmly, then turned to Chen Xuebin, “Chen, go and tell your teacher to meet us at the school gate.”

“Alright. Principal Xu, Zhong, I’ll see you at the gate.” With a wave, Chen Xuebin smiled slightly at Zhong Yuxiu and left the office, disappearing around the corner.

“Yuxiu!”

“Teacher?” Zhong Yuxiu turned. “Shall we go now?”

“We’ll leave right now.” Principal Xu started to move, then paused. “Wait a moment.”

Principal Xu hurried to the inner side of his desk, pulled open a drawer, and handed her a small, thick manual. “This is a record of my accumulated experience over many years. I’ve never given it to anyone else. Keep it safe. Once you finish reading, return it to me.”

Zhong Yuxiu held the manual with delight, “Teacher, may I copy it?”

“Yes. The theories and experience inside are somewhat chaotic; you’ll need to organize them yourself.” Principal Xu didn’t mind, as long as the original draft was preserved.

“Thank you so much, teacher.” She bowed sincerely, her smile blossoming. “Don’t worry, I’ll study it carefully.”

Principal Xu nodded, “You’ve always been diligent and persistent. I’m not afraid you won’t take it seriously; it is my precious wealth accumulated over the years.”

Zhong Yuxiu’s eyes curved in a smile.

Principal Xu fetched a medical kit from the adjacent office. Zhong Yuxiu hurried forward, “Teacher, let me carry it.”

“No need, it’s not heavy.” Principal Xu brushed her aside.

Zhong Yuxiu teased, “It’s a disciple’s duty to serve. Please don’t be polite, teacher.”

Principal Xu chuckled, tapping her lightly before handing over the medical kit. “You! Lazy and carefree most days, but your words are sweet when it matters.”

“That’s only in front of you, teacher! Shall we head downstairs?” In Principal Xu’s company, Zhong Yuxiu couldn’t help but soften her heart. He treated her with genuine kindness. The books in his office were freely available, and his guidance was always wholehearted—she could sense he harbored no reservation in teaching her.

Facing such a venerable master of medicine, she couldn’t bring herself to be anything but sincere.

“Alright, let’s go.”

The two left the office one after the other, Zhong Yuxiu turning back to close the door. As they walked downstairs to the school gate, Chen Xuebin was already there, standing beside a rotund elderly man whose hair and beard were snowy white. His eyes sparkled with vitality, and his skin was in even better condition than Principal Xu’s, indicating robust health.

“Yuxiu, come here.” Principal Xu quickly walked over, Zhong Yuxiu hastening after him. Principal Xu said, “Yuxiu, this is Professor Yan Run of our clinical department. Professor Yan, this is my disciple, Zhong Yuxiu.”

“Professor Yan, hello, I am Zhong Yuxiu.” Yuxiu stepped forward and nodded respectfully.