Chapter 27: 27, So delicious

Ren Xiaosu suddenly felt a bit puzzled; he had merely spoken the truth, yet inexplicably received the other party's gratitude.

According to his and Yan Liuyuan’s philosophy, one could only earn sincere thanks by offering something to others.

Once, during his lessons at the schoolhouse, Ren Xiaosu had wondered why Zhang Jinglin had portrayed the past era of human civilization so vividly—why had it taken millennia for humanity to reach such heights, only to crumble far more swiftly than it had been built?

Today, the couple’s exchange had left Ren Xiaosu bewildered, as though he had grasped some elusive truth he could not yet articulate.

That very day, Ren Xiaosu sought out Xiao Yu to remove the flag hanging outside the clinic and embroider the words “external wounds” upon it.

He had not shied away from deceitful schemes, but Ren Xiaosu always chose his targets with care.

Ren Xiaosu made a decision: from this day forward, he would treat only the ailments he could cure, and abandon those beyond his skill.

To his astonishment, not a single patient with external wounds arrived that day; instead, all who came suffered minor pains he could not address. Yet this was not the source of his shock—he was stunned that, in facing these patients, he spoke nothing but the truth, and throughout the day, he never once resorted to his black medicine, causing the number of thank-you coins to surge to ten!

Ren Xiaosu sat within the clinic, lost in chaotic contemplation… What in the world was happening…

Unbeknownst to him, perhaps the townsfolk had long harbored grievances against the previous physician, Yu Tong. When Ren Xiaosu acted thus, those who had visited him began to spread word voluntarily: “I think that fierce man Ren Xiaosu is far better than that bastard Yu Tong! If he can’t cure your illness, he won’t recklessly prescribe medicine to swindle your money!”

When idle folk heard this, they exclaimed, “Is there such a thing?” and flocked to the clinic to join the commotion…

They came in droves, yet Ren Xiaosu found himself in a bind—he had earned only a handful of thank-you coins that morning, while the number of patients had reached tenfold that amount.

Some complained of headaches, others felt their faces had suddenly swollen, but what left Ren Xiaosu most speechless was the arrival of those seeking fortune-telling…

Still, Ren Xiaosu held firm to his resolve; as he had explained to the couple, he managed to dissuade the townsfolk from seeking his aid.

Later, the townsfolk realized that Ren Xiaosu’s fees were indeed fair.

In the past, their impression of him had been one of ruthlessness—for in his youth, Ren Xiaosu and Yan Liuyuan had needed to fight tooth and nail to carve out a place in the settlement.

Later, their perception shifted to… that medicine seller.

Now, they seemed to unconsciously believe that if one truly suffered external wounds, Ren Xiaosu would be the first to turn to.

This sudden reputation left Ren Xiaosu feeling utterly bewildered. At noon, Xiao Yu carried a basket to the settlement to buy vegetables; their lives had grown more prosperous lately, with savings reaching 3,400 yuan, so their living conditions had improved accordingly, allowing them to purchase finer fare.

Xiao Yu occasionally bought fine salt and pork skin—the former’s texture differed greatly from coarse salt, while the latter was used for rendering oil in stir-fries.

There was a pig farm beyond the settlement; those domestic pigs had evolved, but they were castrated while still young, growing up to become remarkably docile.

It must be said that humanity was unparalleled in adapting to and exploiting their environment.

These pigs typically sent their finest meat into the refuge barrier, leaving only scraps and remnants in the settlement, and even those were scarce.

In the past, Yan Liuyuan had dreamed of entering the refuge barrier, one of his primary motivations being his desire to taste meat.

Xiao Yu, basket in hand, returned to the clinic and, upon entering, beamed with delight: “Oh, Xiaosu, you wouldn’t believe how the townsfolk praise you now.”

Ren Xiaosu blinked in surprise: “Really?”

“Indeed,” Xiao Yu said, smiling as she sorted the vegetables: “Our Xiaosu has become a true doctor now—he’ll surely find the finest wife in the settlement someday. When you marry and have children, I’ll help raise them.”

Ren Xiaosu grew awkward: “I’ve never thought of such things.”

Xiao Yu bristled: “You’re grown now; it’s time to consider these matters. I even bought some peanuts today—I don’t know where the townsfolk dug them up, but I’ll cook them for you later.”

Yan Liuyuan returned from the schoolhouse then; now, like his classmates, he could return home for lunch, whereas before he had carried two potatoes in the morning and eaten them in the schoolhouse to suffice for noon.

Upon entering, he spotted the peanuts in the basket and reached for one, only for Xiao Yu to swat his hand away: “These peanuts are still covered in dirt—you’re not allowed to eat them.”

Yan Liuyuan slammed the table in irritation: “You’ve become so beautiful—why won’t you let me eat peanuts?!”

Xiao Yu smiled again: “Go ahead, eat.”

As he peeled and ate the peanuts, Yan Liuyuan said to Ren Xiaosu: “Brother, there were so many people gathered outside the schoolhouse today. Master Zhang wouldn’t let them in during class, but as soon as school ended, they all rushed in. I don’t know what’s going on—should you go check?”

“Ah?” Ren Xiaosu froze, a foreboding stirring in his heart…

At that moment, a familiar figure stormed in angrily—Zhang Jinglin, the schoolmaster.

Ren Xiaosu’s eyes lit up: “Master Zhang, here for lunch at our home?”

“Eat shit!” Zhang Jinglin snapped: “If you can’t cure their illnesses, why send them all to me?!”

Earlier, Ren Xiaosu had told the couple, “Don’t believe me—go ask Master Zhang, or borrow his books on fetal protection.”

Finding this method effective, Ren Xiaosu had repeated it to every patient that morning.

Zhang Jinglin clutched his chest in anguish: “Ordinary ailments I can forgive, but even athlete’s foot—they dare send to me?! You have no idea how that creature smells after removing his shoes—this is only because I ran fast enough to escape!”

Ren Xiaosu awkwardly chuckled: “I merely thought your knowledge was vast…”

“I’m a teacher!” Zhang Jinglin roared: “If you can’t cure their ills, do you think I can? If you send another patient my way, I’ll assign Yan Liuyuan endless homework!”

Yan Liuyuan, mid-peeling: “???”

What conflict is this between you two? None of my business!

Ren Xiaosu grabbed a handful of peanuts and shoved them into Zhang Jinglin’s hands: “Rest assured, Master Zhang—I won’t do it again, truly, I swear!”

After a long pause, Zhang Jinglin peeled the peanuts and returned to the schoolhouse…