Seeing Xiao Jin Yu’s pale complexion, Chu Chu said anxiously, “Wang Ye, are you feeling unwell already? Why not wait a couple more days, until all the bodies are properly arranged, before you come to look?”
“It’s nothing... I just want to see that cross-shaped abrasion.”
“Alright, I’ll find it for you right away!”
Chu Chu turned and ran into the courtyard. When she emerged, she was wearing a black apron and a pair of mud-stained black cloth shoes. In her hands, covered by white cloth gloves, she carefully held a pale human leg, stopping two steps away from Xiao Jin Yu.
Chu Chu turned the front of the leg’s calf toward Xiao Jin Yu and pointed at a distinct injury. “Right here.”
Just as Xiao Jin Yu was about to wheel his chair closer, Chu Chu quickly said, “Look from here—you can’t get any closer!”
“Alright...”
Xiao Jin Yu leaned forward slightly from where he sat, frowning lightly as he examined the injury for a while. Then he said, “Chu Chu, could you check if there are any other abrasions like this on this leg?”
Chu Chu carefully turned the leg over and over, eventually pointing out three such abrasions to Xiao Jin Yu: one on the upper thigh, one on the front of the calf, and one on the instep.
Xiao Jin Yu nodded thoughtfully. “Are your father and brother still busy inside?”
“Yes, they’ve got about thirty percent left to do.”
Xiao Jin Yu looked at her rather professional attire. “Go help them... I’ll go out for a while and return later.”
“Alone?”
“Mm... It’s fine. I just want to take a walk and think things over... and also stop by the winery next to the clinic to check on the wedding wine.”
“Alright,” Chu Chu said cheerfully, still holding the bare human leg. “When you come back, I’ll make you pork rib soup!”
“Okay...”
After getting lost once, Xiao Jin Yu had firmly memorized the streets and alleys around the county office. Leaving the county office, he slowly wheeled himself for nearly half an hour. Though it was tiring, he accurately found the small winery.
Last time he came, the door was locked. This time, it remained just as locked.
It was the third day of the lunar new year, and none of the nearby shops were open. Looking down the alley, the only shop with its door open was Qin's Clinic, right next to the winery.
When Xiao Jin Yu wheeled himself inside, Qin Ye was flipping through a medical book while diligently copying notes. Hearing the sound of the wheelchair rolling across the ground, Qin Ye looked up. Recognizing Xiao Jin Yu, he paused briefly before quickly rising from behind his desk and greeting him with a cupped-hand salute. “Young Master An.”
Xiao Jin Yu returned the salute, looking slightly embarrassed. “I came to buy wine, but the winery is still closed... I’m a bit tired from the trip from the county office and was hoping to borrow a place to rest at your clinic and have a drink of water.”
Qin Ye noticed the fine beads of sweat at Xiao Jin Yu’s hairline. “Ah, Young Master An, why so polite... The front hall is a bit cold—you might catch a chill. Come to the back hall and sit for a while. I’ll brew you a fresh cup of tea!”
“I’m imposing on you.”
“No need for such courtesy, no need...”
Qin Ye invited Xiao Jin Yu into a smaller room at the back, moved the charcoal brazier closer to him, and brought over a cup of hot tea, handing it to Xiao Jin Yu.
Xiao Jin Yu lifted the lid slightly, and the pure, fresh fragrance unique to new tea wafted toward him. Taking a small sip, he said sincerely, “Excellent tea.”Qin Ye waved his hand with a smile, "Nothing special, just some local produce. Drinking it for the novelty."
"Indeed quite novel."
Noticing Xiao Jin Yu glancing around his room, Qin Ye smiled sheepishly, "The place is small and rather shabby. I'm afraid Young Master An must find it amusing."
Xin Jin Yu held the warm cup, smiling faintly, "A medical clinic serves to aid the world and save lives. How could I dare to mock? I should instead thank you for your kindness in providing medicine, offering wine, and granting water."
Just as Qin Ye was feeling his face grow hot with embarrassment, he suddenly slapped his forehead at the words "offering wine," "Look at my memory! I almost forgot... Was it Young Master An who left silver here last time?"
"Indeed. If the amount was insufficient, please feel free to say so, Doctor Qin."
"Ahem, insufficient nothing!" Qin Ye said, quickly stepping out and returning moments later with the piece of broken silver Xiao Jin Yu had left on his desk days before. "That wine was originally a gift from the winery owner. Consider it my borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha—I gave it to Grandpa Chu... Young Master An, please take this money back!"
Xin Jin Yu held the cup, not moving at all, still smiling faintly, "How could one not spend money when sending gifts to one's future in-laws? Doctor Qin, please humor me in this."
"One thing is one thing... This money of yours is enough to buy half of Old Wang's winery. I dare not take it. You should keep it quickly!"
Xin Jin Yu remained unmoved, pondering slightly before saying, "In that case... I wish to ask Doctor Qin about something that goes against medical ethics. Consider this money as an apology for my impolite request. Would that be acceptable?"
Hearing that Xiao Jin Yu didn't sound like he was joking at all, Qin Ye was taken aback, "What matter that goes against medical ethics?"
Xin Jin Yu took another sip of tea, looking at Qin Ye as he said calmly, "I wish to inquire about someone's medical condition."
"This..."
Xin Jin Yu's voice lowered slightly, "If you find it truly difficult, I wouldn't dare to insist... It's just that this person is very important to me, but due to various misunderstandings, I cannot visit them directly. I am quite concerned."
Qin Ye frowned slightly, "In principle... as a doctor, these matters really shouldn't be discussed casually. But since Young Master An has put it this way... and you mean well after all, I'll weigh the situation and tell you what I can."
"Thank you, Doctor."
"Whose medical condition does Young Master An wish to inquire about?"
"It's regarding Young Master Wu, for whom someone came to request your house call the other day."
☆ 56 Four Happiness Meatballs (15)
Qin Ye was startled upon hearing this, "Young Master Wu?"
Xin Jin Yu's voice deepened, "His lumbar spine is broken."
"Oh!" Qin Ye suddenly understood, "You mean Young Master Wu from the house at the very end of Swallow Lane, right?"
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