Chapter 513: Chapter 500: Talking About The Same Thing Again

“Little Sister Ning.” Upon seeing Zhuang Qingning, Zhuang Wencheng’s spirits lifted instantly, and he quickly approached her. “What brings you here?”

“Manager Cheng was looking for you. He has some matters to discuss, so I brought him here.” Zhuang Qingning responded truthfully.

Only then did Zhuang Wencheng notice Cheng Ruize and Fang Hou beside him. Apologetically, he said, “Hello, Manager Cheng. I was somewhat tired earlier and didn’t notice you.”

“I heard from Manager Zhuang that Doctor Zhuang had come home to see patients; it seems you’ve been overworked. No harm done.” Cheng Ruize waved his hand to indicate that it wasn’t a big deal, then continued with a smile, “Today I came to discuss a matter with Doctor Zhuang.”

“If there are matters to discuss, let’s talk inside where it’s warmer,” Zhuang Wencheng said, smiling as he invited Cheng Ruize and the others into the house.

After entering the courtyard, he hurriedly called Mrs. Wang to attend to the guests.

Mrs. Wang initially had mixed feelings when she saw Zhuang Qingning, but her countenance darkened further when she saw a young man following Zhuang Qingning into the house.

However, when she heard that this young man was Manager Cheng from the county town, who had come especially to find Zhuang Wencheng, and that Zhuang Qingning was simply guiding him, her face immediately broke out into a broad smile. She warmly welcomed them into the house and instructed her daughter-in-law to make tea.

She told her to use the best tea leaves.

After giving the instructions, she feared that her daughter-in-law would bungle the task due to clumsiness, so she let Zhuang Wencheng and the others sit and chat in the house while she went to the kitchen to make the tea herself.

Cheng Ruize, not one for unnecessary formalities, went straight to the point.

“Firstly, I arrived to apologize for an incident that happened previously, and secondly, to seek an apprentice for Doctor Shi. The latter is the primary reason. Doctor Zhuang need not feel embarrassed; I too, am keen on finding a suitable apprentice for Doctor Shi as soon as possible.”

Zhuang Wencheng was overjoyed by Cheng Ruize’s words.

Previously, when he was an apprentice in Ge Tonghua’s pharmacy in the county town, he heard of Doctor Shi, who was said to be a physician with even greater medical skills than Ge Tonghua.

In fact, in his younger days, when Zhuang Wencheng had ambitions to study medicine in the county town, he had hoped to apprentice under Doctor Shi, but Doctor Shi was not accepting apprentices at the time. As a result, after several twists and turns, Zhuang Wencheng ended up apprenticing under Ge Tonghua instead.

He never imagined that after so many years, he would still have this opportunity.

“Would Doctor Shi really be willing to take me as his apprentice?” Zhuang Wencheng asked with a hint of disbelief.

Typically, physicians prefer to take on apprentices when they are still children.

Firstly, children who have not yet been exposed to any medical knowledge are like blank slates, making it easier to teach them. Secondly, the bond between a master and apprentice is often strongest if the apprenticeship begins in childhood. For someone of Zhuang Wencheng’s age, physicians would generally be unwilling to take him as an apprentice, deeming him difficult to manage and overly thoughtful.

“I’ve mentioned this idea to Doctor Shi, and he seems quite interested. However, you and he will need to harmonize with each other frequently in the future,” Cheng Ruize replied.

“If Doctor Zhuang is willing, you can come to the pharmacy anytime to officially greet Doctor Shi as your master.”

“Good, good,” Zhuang Wencheng nodded continuously, but then added, “However, it may be a few days before I can visit. Please could you relay this to Doctor Shi for me.”

“I am currently working as a doctor in a pharmacy in town. If I were to leave suddenly, it might not be fair to the pharmacy. What’s more, I have several patients who need to pick up their medicine and get their pulses read in the next few days. I need to settle all these matters before I can go to the county town.”

The pharmacies in the town and the county town are not comparable at all. For a doctor, being able to climb one step higher could mean a world of difference in their future. Many people who have good prospects are impatient to seize them, for fear of missing out on opportunities that come their way.

Zhuang Wencheng, however, embodies the compassionate spirit of a healer. He wants to arrange proper care for his patients and make sure to leave everything in order.

Do well in your character before doing well in your work. Zhuang Wencheng is indeed a kind and honest boy; it appears that he has truly found a good apprentice for Doctor Shi this time.

Cheng Ruize nodded approvingly, “We’ll do as Doctor Zhuang says. Once Doctor Zhuang has taken care of everything on hand, he can meet Doctor Shi. I’ll relay this to Doctor Shi, rest assured, Doctor Zhuang.”

“Thank you, Manager Cheng,” said Zhuang Wencheng, quickly expressing his gratitude.

Having settled this matter, Cheng Ruize stayed for a while longer, casually chatting. Seeing that it was getting late, he bid his farewell and left.

Zhuang Wencheng saw Cheng Ruize and the others to the door, while Zhuang Qingning helped Cheng Ruize onto his carriage. After watching them leave, she returned home.

“Our Wencheng is so capable. Even Manager Cheng personally came to invite him to his pharmacy to work as a resident doctor.” After Cheng Ruize left, Mrs. Wang couldn’t keep her mouth from smiling. She was grinning so hard she couldn’t close her mouth, her smile stretching almost to her ears. She even pulled at Zhuang Wencheng’s clothes, trying to make him look more presentable.

“Mother,” Zhuang Wencheng frowned, “I’m just going to be an apprentice under Doctor Shi, not a resident doctor. Don’t spread rumors when you go out.”

“How’s that spreading rumors? Didn’t Manager Cheng say it himself? Doctor Shi is getting old. Once he has taught you all he knows, he’ll probably be ready to retire. Then won’t you be the real, full-fledged resident doctor of the pharmacy?”

Mrs. Wang laughed, “It’s only a matter of time.”

“Whether it’s sooner or later, it’s certainly not something happening at this very moment.”

Zhuang Wencheng knew of his mother’s nature. No matter how he tried to persuade her, he knew he would likely not succeed. Thinking for a moment, he said, “Manager Cheng agreed to let me become Doctor Shi’s apprentice because he saw that I’m an honest and straightforward person without a lot of ulterior motives. If you spoke about this outside and Manager Cheng misunderstood and thought I had many complex schemes and great ambitions, perhaps he would not think highly of me anymore.”

Perspective his words, Mrs. Wang’s smile drooped slightly, and she quickly responded, “You’re right, I understand now. Don’t worry, from now on I’ll make sure not to talk too much outside.”

Eversince Zhuang Wencheng returned from the county town, others have spoken ill of him for stepping down from being a doctor in the county town to becoming one in the local town. Although Mrs. Wang claimed to pity his fatigue and dislike for the apprentice’s job, she resented the gossip and felt ashamed. Now that Zhuang Wencheng has the opportunity to work as a doctor in the county town again, this time even being invited by Cheng Ruize himself, she was anxious to share this prestigious news, hoping to redeem their lost reputation.

However, upon hearing Zhuang Wencheng’s concerns about potentially jeopardizing his future, Mrs. Wang immediately abandoned this idea, reassuring him with a laugh, “Not to worry, I’m not stupid.”

“There is something that just crossed my mind, we need to have a serious talk about it.”

“What is it?” Upon seeing Mrs. Wang suddenly grow serious, Zhuang Wencheng couldn’t help but be curious.

“It’s about you and little Ning.” Mrs. Wang raised her eyebrows expectantly.

“Mother, why are you bringing up this matter again?”