Chapter 97

As soon as Zhenzhen got home, before she even had time to go to her room and change clothes, Grandma Li called her into the main room, looking nervous. “Well? Are his family easy to get along with? Does his grandma like you?”

Zhenzhen took off her wool coat and hung it on the rack while warming her hands with a cup of hot tea. “Junjie’s grandma seems to like me a lot—she even gave me a jade bangle she’s worn all her life.” As she spoke, she lifted her sleeve to show Grandma Li the jade bracelet on her wrist.

Grandma Li could tell it was jade, but didn’t know enough to judge the quality. She leaned in for a look and nodded happily. “That means she’s accepted you as her granddaughter-in-law.”

“Well, your granddaughter is just that charming—loved by all, even the flowers bloom at her sight.” Zhenzhen grinned as she sat down and crossed her legs. “Oh right, Grandma, I just remembered—back when we were up in Beicha Mountain, I dug up a jewelry box too. There were jade bangles inside—not as fine as this one, but still pretty decent. I’ll give one to you and one to Mom.”

Back in Beicha, Zhenzhen used to dig things up every few days. At first, Grandma Li was curious and would check out what she brought home. But later on, she didn’t even bother to look. Just this trip to the capital, Zhenzhen had brought a huge bag of stuff. It was a good thing there were enough people to help carry it; otherwise, it wouldn’t have made it.

“I don’t wear that kind of thing.” Wang Sufen looked up from washing vegetables. “It jingles and dangles—what if it gets smashed while I’m working?”

Grandma Li sat cross-legged on her chair. “I don’t like jade either—gold feels more secure to wear.” Then something occurred to her, and she stood up to rummage through a cabinet. “Zhenzhen once gave me a pair of gold earrings. I didn’t dare wear them back then, but now I see plenty of people wearing earrings on the street. I’m going to find them and put them on.”

That pair of gold earrings was the only gold jewelry she had her whole life—Grandma Li practically wanted to sleep clutching them. She opened a wooden box, unwrapped several layers of handkerchiefs, and finally revealed the earrings inside.

She pulled the tea stems out of her pierced ears and put on the earrings without even using a mirror, feeling the weight on her ears.

Grandma Li hurriedly grabbed a mirror and turned her head left and right, asking Zhenzhen and Wang Sufen, “Do they look good?”

“They do,” Wang Sufen nodded enviously. At least Grandma Li had silver studs when she got married. When Wang Sufen got married, she only had a red string. All these years, she hadn’t owned a single piece of jewelry.

Noticing her expression, Zhenzhen silently cursed herself for being careless. She jumped up and ran back to her room without even putting her coat on.

Wang Sufen glanced up and chuckled. “Still as impulsive as when she was a kid.”

Zhenzhen darted into her room, entered her space, and pulled out the jewelry box she’d once traded for with a capitalist’s wife using a giant yellow croaker. She grabbed a random case from it, opened it, and found it stuffed full of gold bangles, earrings, and gemstone necklaces. She threw on a casual jacket and carried the case back to the main room, setting it on the table. “Grandma, Mom, see if there’s anything you like—pick whatever you want.”

“What is this?” Grandma Li tossed aside the orange peel in her hand and casually flipped open the case—only to be dazzled by the sparkle of layer upon layer of jewelry.

“Oh my god!” Wang Sufen dropped her vegetables without noticing. She approached in shock, not daring to even reach out. “Zhenzhen, did you rob a rich family?”

“Robbery’s illegal.” Zhenzhen peeled an orange. “These are just things I dug up from the mountains before. Take whatever you want.”

“No, seriously—how did all the mountain treasures end up in your hands?” Wang Sufen couldn’t take her eyes off them. “Aren’t you afraid someone’s going to come looking?”

“Don’t worry—they’re ownerless. Just wear them freely.” Zhenzhen casually picked up a dragon-and-phoenix gold bangle and handed it to her mom. “Here, Mom, try this one.”

“Aiya, you haven’t washed your hands!” Wang Sufen looked at Zhenzhen’s fingers sticky with orange juice, heart aching. She was about to reach out but saw vegetable leaves stuck to her own hands. She quickly fetched a basin of water, and she and Grandma Li carefully washed up with soap and dried their hands thoroughly. Only then did they cautiously begin picking out the jewelry.

Zhenzhen stood off to the side, occasionally pointing with her sticky fingers to offer suggestions. Wang Sufen’s heart was racing, and she nudged Zhenzhen aside. “My little darling, go wash your hands—if the color rubs off, it’ll ruin the look!”

Zhenzhen burst out laughing. “If the color comes off, it’s not real gold—it’s gold-plated copper.” Still, seeing how careful her mom was, she popped the last orange slice in her mouth, washed her hands, and came over to help them pick.

The jewelry originally belonged to Madam Zhang, a wealthy woman in her sixties. The pieces leaned toward conservative, classic designs—perfect for Grandma Li and Wang Sufen. But both women preferred simpler styles without too many gemstones, choosing instead pieces that felt heavy and solid in hand.

After much back and forth, Wang Sufen picked out a pair of gold earrings and a gold bangle. Grandma Li also chose a bangle. The rest they packed up and pushed back toward Zhenzhen.

Zhenzhen couldn’t help laughing. “Just pick more—I’ve got plenty.”

“This is already a lot. I thought I’d never wear anything this fancy in my life. Didn’t expect to enjoy my daughter’s blessings in my old age.” Wang Sufen admired the chunky gold bangle on her wrist, pulling her sleeve up to show it off, then tucking it back in, then out again—finally leaving it half-exposed, satisfied.

Zhenzhen rummaged through the case again and pulled out two gold rings, handing them to Grandma Li and her mom. They put them on immediately and admired themselves in the mirror for a long time.

Grandma Li suddenly laughed. “Don’t I look like one of those old-time rich landlords?”

Wang Sufen smacked her lips. “Landlords didn’t have stuff this nice!”

“Oh look, there are two pearl necklaces too—just right for you two.” Zhenzhen pulled out two perfectly round, lustrous pearl strands from a separate pouch and handed one to each.

Grandma Li waved her off. “We’ve got nowhere to wear them. You keep them.”

Zhenzhen pushed them into their hands. “Wear them for New Year.”

The moment she mentioned New Year, Grandma Li was tempted. She tried hers on in front of the mirror. “I just worry it’s too showy.”

“No worries. If someone asks, just say your granddaughter gave it to you. You should show it off.”

At the mention of “show off,” Grandma Li laughed. “If I go back to the village, I’ll wear them all. No one here knows me anyway.”

Wang Sufen mused, “Next time Fourth’s wife visits, I’ll wear everything and strut around in front of her—let her stare at my big gold bangle every day.”

Grandma Li burst out laughing. “Trying to keep her up at night, huh?”

Thinking of her sister-in-law’s jealousy problem, Wang Sufen chuckled. “I just love seeing her sulk and whine and still not be able to do anything about it. Makes holidays so entertaining.”

“Well, you won’t get to see her this year.” Grandma Li fiddled with her bangle. “I had Mingbei send a telegram to Third and Fourth—told them to stay home for New Year. They’ve got grandkids now. A whole crowd staying for two weeks? We can’t afford to host that.”

Wang Sufen teased her for getting more childish with age. “But Third and Fourth always send you money every year.”

“That’s for my retirement. If they come eat it all up, that’s a loss.” Grandma Li glanced at her. “Their money’s barely enough—and Zhenzhen would have to chip in. Our Zhenzhen hasn’t even started working yet.”

Zhenzhen was playing with a ruby necklace. Seeing Grandma Li’s pained expression, she laughed. “It’s fine—if we run out of money, I’ll just sell a ginseng root. I can grow any vintage you want. Just spend as you like.”

Grandma Li burst into laughter. “You don’t even need to be a journalist—just grow ginseng at home.”

Zhenzhen grinned. “That’s not enough. One day I’m going to lease out all of Beicha Mountain.”

“Oh, listen to you.” Grandma Li tapped her on the forehead. “That mountain belongs to the state—you think they’d lease it to an individual? Such a naive kid.”

Zhenzhen only smiled. Grandma Li thought she was joking. After wearing the bangle for a bit, her wrist began to ache, so she dug out the cabinet key and locked away the pearl necklace and the big gold bangle, keeping just the earrings and ring. “This is much more comfortable. I’ll wear the rest when we have visitors.”
—

Xi Junjie turned off the stove under the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup that had been simmering for a day and night and brought a whole jar next door.

Seeing the familiar jar, Grandma Li hurriedly grabbed a towel to protect the table. “Why’d you make something this fancy again?”

Xi Junjie smiled. “I’m taking my grandma to see Mr. Zhang for a pulse reading today. I made extra—thought I’d bring a jar for him to try too.”

Grandma Li immediately said, “When you get there, give Mr. Zhang a bowl first—guaranteed he’ll want to check your grandma’s pulse every week.”

Zhenzhen went to change her clothes. “Grandma, I’ll go with Junjie.”

“Go on, go on.” Grandma Li waved her hand without even looking up. Even though it wasn’t mealtime, she hurried off to the kitchen in her little slippers to grab bowls and spoons. Back in the room, she eagerly pulled open the lotus leaves, and a rich meaty aroma instantly filled the room. Grandma Li took a deep breath. “Smells amazing.”

Mr. Zhang’s house was in an alley not far from Houyang. Ling Xiulan, Xi Junjie, and Zhenzhen picked up Madam Xi and drove straight to the alley outside Mr. Zhang’s home.

Zhenzhen had informed Mr. Zhang in advance, so after buying groceries early that morning, he stayed home, sitting in the warm front room flipping through a medical book.

“Sir, we’re here!” Zhenzhen called out as soon as she entered the courtyard. Mr. Zhang waved at them from the window. When they pushed open the door, the warm room was filled with a faint medicinal scent. Madam Xi recognized him at once—it was indeed Mr. Zhang Renzhe—and she reached out excitedly. “Sorry to trouble you, sir.”

“Please, sit down, elder sister,” Mr. Zhang said, gesturing for them to sit on the sofa. The old lady was a bit out of breath from walking, so Mr. Zhang brewed a pot of red date and goji berry tea and poured a bowl for each of them.

“I’ve always wanted to visit you, sir—didn’t realize we lived so close,” Ling Xiulan said sincerely. “This time we’d like to trouble you to take a look at my mother-in-law and prescribe something nourishing.”

“No need to be so polite.” Mr. Zhang smiled and took a sip of tea. “Zhenzhen is half a disciple to me, and Junjie’s a good kid. I live alone and it gets pretty quiet, so I’m always happy to see the two of them—it livens things up.”

Xi Junjie took the opportunity to bring out the clay pot. “Sir, we made Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for you. Would you like to have a bowl now or should I keep it warm on the stove?”

“I’ll have a bowl now.” Zhang Renzhe rolled up his sleeves. “Didn’t eat much breakfast—I’ve been waiting for this!”

Seeing the famed physician’s straightforward nature, both Madam Xi and Ling Xiulan relaxed. Xi Junjie lifted the lotus leaves, releasing the fragrant aroma. Zhang Renzhe’s eyes lit up. “This smells even better than what I had at the Grand Hotel back in the day.”

“Of course—it’s loaded with good stuff,” Zhenzhen said as she brought over five bowls. “You live alone and can’t finish it all—would be a waste. We’ll join you so you’re not embarrassed eating alone.”

“If you’re just greedy, just say so. Don’t make excuses.” Zhang Renzhe tapped Zhenzhen on the forehead with a finger. But after taking a sip of the soup, he immediately regretted his words. “Actually, eating it alone wouldn’t be embarrassing at all.”

Zhenzhen quickly picked up a piece of deer tendon and took a bite. “Too late, I already started—you can’t take it back.”

Their banter lightened the atmosphere, and after everyone finished a bowl, they all felt warmed up.

Mr. Zhang washed his hands and invited Madam Xi to sit at the table, placing his hand on her wrist. She didn’t have any major issues—just minor discomforts that came with age. Ling Xiulan had brought along her previous prescriptions and placed them to the side for reference.

After taking her pulse, Zhang Renzhe sipped his tea and said, “Actually, your constitution’s not bad. The minor issues aren’t serious. But judging by the dates on these prescriptions, you’ve been on medication non-stop for the past six months, which has caused some internal heat. If it were up to me, I’d say stop the medication altogether. I’ll give you a few dietary recipes—eat according to those, and come back in a month for another check-up.” He wrote out the diagnosis and handed it to Zhenzhen. “Let’s test you—write up a few dietary prescriptions.”

Zhenzhen had been training over the past six months and quickly wrote out over ten food-based remedies after reading the case sheet. Mr. Zhang nodded in satisfaction. “Looks like your hard work this past half-year has paid off—you’ve picked things up fast. So, shouldn’t you be paying tuition?”

Zhenzhen looked baffled. “Huh?”

Mr. Zhang sighed seriously. “We’re so familiar—I feel awkward asking you for money. So how about this…” He pointed at Xi Junjie, laughing heartily. “Let him cook to pay off the debt.”