The shopkeeper’s abacus clicked rapidly. “One thousand four hundred forty-seven yuan. Alright, let’s make the bill and collect your money.”
Earning a day’s wages in just one go, the mother and daughter-in-law’s hearts were racing with excitement. Chen Ruolan could hardly believe that she might live to see such days in her lifetime.
After taking the money, the shopkeeper asked, “Do you still have more of this herb?”
Many prescriptions required banxia, and wild varieties were scarce. He wanted to make sure this wasn’t a one-time deal.
Yu Chunmiao smiled. “Shopkeeper, we’ll try to find more. There should be some.”
In truth, there was plenty—they just didn’t want him to undervalue it.
Leaving the pharmacy, the two hurried to Dr. Yu’s orthopedics clinic. Just as they entered, a sharp scream pierced the air, making their skin crawl.
The scream subsided, and Dr. Yu emerged from the inner room, wiping his hands. He wore a white apron, his thick brows streaked with gray, and his sharp eyes seemed to see everything.
A waiting family member asked, “Dr. Yu, how is it?”
Without looking up, Dr. Yu said, “Nothing serious. Just rest a bit and they can leave. A broken toe caused all that commotion, and yet the eldest Qi boy broke his leg without a sound.”
Yu Chunmiao turned to her mother, puzzled.
Chen Ruolan nodded wryly. The “eldest Qi boy” Dr. Yu mentioned was, of course, Qi Chong.
“Dr. Yu, do you have a moment?” Chen Ruolan asked timidly, stepping forward.
Dr. Yu glanced at her, frowning. “If you hadn’t come now, Qi’s leg would almost be fully set. A delayed treatment could leave him crippled for life, with pain that strikes randomly.”
As a physician, he couldn’t stand seeing someone suffer needlessly—he didn’t care why the patient had delayed treatment.
Chen Ruolan, hesitant, said, “We’re here now. This is Chong’s wife. She wants to ask about treatment.”
With that, she gently nudged Yu Chunmiao forward and stepped back.
Yu Chunmiao bowed politely and smiled brightly. “Hello, Dr. Yu. I’m here to ask about Qi Chong’s leg. It can’t be delayed any longer.”
Dr. Yu snorted, his expression even sterner. “How to treat it? The bone needs to be broken and reset, a month of medicine, thirty taels. Have you saved enough?”
Yu Chunmiao flinched at his harsh tone but quickly put on a flattering smile. “Could we… pay in installments?”
If they waited until all thirty taels were saved, it would be too late. The only way was to pay as they went.
Dr. Yu considered for a moment. “Fine. Five taels per session, six days per session. Bring him here, and we’ll start treatment immediately. Finish the day, take him home, and change the medicine yourself.”
Yu Chunmiao did a quick calculation: six days, five taels each—manageable. She agreed at once, promising to bring him in soon.
Before they left, Dr. Yu warned, “No money, no medicine!”
Outside the clinic, Chen Ruolan kept patting her chest. “I was terrified! One raised eyebrow, one glare, and I didn’t dare speak!”
Yu Chunmiao, however, shook her head. “Mother, people like him are usually capable and upright. His sternness is normal.”
Dr. Yu was indeed one of the top orthopedists in ten towns. Iron-faced and strict, yes—but responsible and fair. He seemed intimidating at first, but he took his patients seriously.
Chen Ruolan couldn’t help but marvel at how astutely her young daughter-in-law could read people. Even at this age, Yu Chunmiao knew how to judge character like a seasoned veteran.
“Chunmiao, Qi Chong’s leg isn’t a small matter. Shouldn’t we tell Yuan’er?” Chen Ruolan said sheepishly. Treating her son meant buying gifts.
Without a second thought, Yu Chunmiao took her mother along and bought a pack of tobacco leaves, a pound of pork belly, and a pound of lean meat—her craving for meat was unstoppable. As soon as she earned money, all she could think about was braised pork.
She sighed. Isn’t transmigration supposed to come with a “golden touch”? She had none—and her craving for meat only grew stronger.
At the entrance to the woodworker Xiao’s courtyard, the gate was open. Inside, four or five men were busy working.
Chen Ruolan immediately spotted her second son. “Yuan’er! Yuan’er!”
Qi Yuan heard his mother and put down his plane, walking over to the gate.
The Qi family genes were strong—Qi Yuan wasn’t as tall as Qi Chong, but their features and builds were strikingly similar. Both brothers were handsome in their own way: Qi Yuan rougher and more rugged, Qi Chong taller and leaner with softer, refined features.
“Mother, I’ll be heading back in a few days. Why did you come?” Qi Yuan glanced at Yu Chunmiao and simply nodded.
Yu Chunmiao frowned. How rude—he wasn’t nearly as cute as Qi Rong.
Chen Ruolan patted Yu Chunmiao’s back and introduced her. “This is your eldest brother’s wife. Thanks to her, she earned the money so your brother can get his leg treated. In two days, he’ll go to Dr. Yu’s clinic. We came to let you know.”
Qi Yuan was surprised. Wasn’t the new sister-in-law supposed to be shy and useless? And yet, she earned money to pay for Qi Chong’s treatment?
Yu Chunmiao handed him the tobacco leaves. “Here, a gift for your master. In two days, take a day off and help carry your brother at the clinic.”
Qi Yuan blushed but respectfully bowed. “Thank you, sister-in-law.”
Yu Chunmiao nodded. “Make sure you come. We’ll have to rush home afterward to cook meat for Rong’er.”
Qi Yuan noticed the meat in her basket and wanted to ask how she earned it—but his senior apprentices called him from inside: “Yuan, the wedges are ready. Have you planed the frames?”
Before he could answer, Chen Ruolan pushed him inside. “Go help them. Don’t forget to come in two days. None of us can carry your brother alone.”
Yu Chunmiao grinned from ear to ear. A day’s work, a tael and a half earned! Prosperity was on the horizon. White rice, meat… life was finally looking up. She chatted and laughed all the way home with her mother.
As soon as they returned, Qi Chong was waiting outside. He reached out to help her lift the basket—but to Yu Chunmiao’s eyes, his open arms were an invitation to hug.
Delighted, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I earned a tael and a half today! I’ve already arranged with Dr. Yu. In a couple of days, you’ll get your leg treated.”
Chen Ruolan gasped and rushed into the yard. Was this really something a mother-in-law should witness?
Qi Chong was dumbstruck. Hands frozen, heart racing, he couldn’t speak. His handsome face flushed crimson, and his chest felt like it would burst.
He forgot to breathe, stunned, as the soft warmth of her little body pressed against him. Her gentle breath traveled through the fabric, sending shivers across his body.
Yu Chunmiao held him a moment before letting go. Qi Chong finally managed to breathe again, standing outside the yard, dazed, his half-raised hands still suspended in the air.
His mind was filled entirely with her. The hug he had been anticipating for days had arrived unexpectedly, without warning, leaving him utterly unprepared.
“Big brother, why are you standing out here?” Qi Rong returned, carrying a nearly full basket of banxia, only to see his elder brother flushed red and frozen in place.
Qi Chong snapped back to reality, took a deep breath, and silently returned to the kitchen to cook.