Chapter 29 - Are You Acting on Impulse?

Chen Tao and Wang Ze were young individuals with dreams and aspirations. They had come to this city after graduating, which is how they had met. However, lacking connections and opportunities, they could only secure temporary jobs. Given the current economic downturn, even temporary employment was challenging to find.

So, yesterday, Wang Ze messaged Chen Tao, saying that he was almost starving. At the time, Chen Tao thought he was joking. He never expected Wang Ze to be serious! He had passed out from hunger in their rented room!

If it weren’t for Chen Tao’s realization that something was wrong and his prompt visit, Wang Ze might have starved to death.

“I can’t believe that in this day and age, there are still people who can starve themselves,” Li Xuejing found it unbelievable.

Don’t they know what to eat when they’re hungry?

However, Lu Ming immediately noticed the two young men’s predicament. He knew they probably didn’t have much money left. So, he brought them two packets of rice cakes.

Chen Tao expressed his gratitude repeatedly before leaving with Wang Ze. It was only then that Li Xuejing realized, “Could it be that they don’t have money for food?”

Lu Ming nodded, “It seems so.”

“Really? In this day and age, there are still people who can’t afford to eat?” Someone nearby exclaimed in surprise.

Wang Jieqiong fell into silence immediately. She knew that it was indeed the case! She belonged to that category, too. If not for Li Xuejing’s occasional assistance, she might have fainted from hunger several times.

“Yes, there are still many,” Li Xuejing replied.

“Because you haven’t seen them, you might think they don’t exist. Because you live in the light, you might think the whole world is beautiful. Just like some people associate illness and poverty because some people really can’t afford medical care.”

The one speaking was Wang Jieqiong. Lu Ming couldn’t help but glance at her, feeling that this girl must have gone through a lot. Such insights couldn’t come without experience.

They encountered a sudden event. It was already 9 p.m. Since they didn’t want to bother Lu Ming any further, everyone under Li Xuejing’s organization began to leave.

“Wang Jieqiong, are you leaving too?” Li Xuejing looked around and realized that Wang Jieqiong was missing.

Turning back, she noticed that Wang Jieqiong was still inside the clinic.

“You go ahead. I have something to take care of,” Wang Jieqiong said.

Li Xuejing had some doubts but didn’t press further. “Keep your phone on, and get home early,” she advised.

Wang Jieqiong nodded in acknowledgment.

After tidying up the clinic room, Lu Ming came out. When he entered the clinic’s lobby, he noticed that Wang Jieqiong was still there, which puzzled him.

“Why haven’t you left yet?” He asked.

Approaching Lu Ming with a sincere look, Wang Jieqiong said earnestly, “Doctor, I want to learn traditional Chinese medicine.”

Lu Ming was momentarily surprised by her statement. Learning traditional Chinese medicine?

He examined Wang Jieqiong for a moment but refrained from making any discouraging remarks, only asking, “Why do you want to learn traditional Chinese medicine?”

He figured that Wang Jieqiong might be acting on impulse. He had encountered many people with fleeting interests like this before.

“I think traditional Chinese medicine is amazing,” Wang Jieqiong began explaining. “In my hometown, many people can’t afford medical care. Going to a hospital for an X-ray costs hundreds of dollars, but with traditional Chinese medicine, all you need is a pulse check.”

After hearing Wang Jieqiong’s explanation, Lu Ming couldn’t help but chuckle, “So, you’re saying traditional Chinese medicine is more affordable?”

Initially, Wang Jieqiong didn’t catch on, but then she realized she might have misspoken and hurriedly clarified, “That’s not what I meant. I…”

Wang Jieqiong wanted to explain but struggled to find the right words.

“Traditional Chinese medicine is much less expensive than Western medicine, but that only applies to some common illnesses,” He began.

“Some life-saving remedies are worth a fortune, and even if you have money, you might not be able to obtain them.”

“Let me give you an example. There’s a remedy that can almost bring someone back from the brink of death. However, one of the ingredients has gone extinct, so they can only make one dose. Not long ago, a mysterious billionaire bought three doses of this medicine for 2 billion yuan.”

Wang Jieqiong listened in astonishment. A 2 billion yuan medicine? Traditional Chinese medicine was this expensive? She was truly broadening her horizons.

“So, after you learn this, do you plan to return to your hometown and treat the poor people who can’t afford medical care?” Lu Ming, seeing through her intentions, nodded.

Wang Jieqiong nodded vigorously. “The only disease in the world is poverty. I want to make it possible for everyone to afford medical care.”

Lu Ming fell into contemplation. It was evident that Wang Jieqiong had good intentions. However, learning traditional Chinese medicine sometimes depended on talent. Moreover, considering Wang Jieqiong’s age, many people who studied traditional Chinese medicine started working with herbs at the age of three and could identify numerous medicinal herbs by the time they were seven or eight. While others were early birds, she might be a latecomer.

“Are you financially well-off?” Lu Ming inquired.

“If you want to learn traditional Chinese medicine, it means that you might not have any income for a long period,” Lu Ming presented a harsh reality to Wang Jieqiong.

Wang Jieqiong fell into silence upon hearing this. It was indeed the problem she was facing. Sometimes, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to learn, but rather that her financial situation didn’t allow it.

“If I had a billion dollars, I wouldn’t dislike studying. I would study with all my might,” she thought.

“I’d learn everything from astronomy, geography, and history to arts, music, and dance. Having the financial means would eliminate all worries and allow me to study without any concerns.”

Seeing the disappointment on Wang Jieqiong’s face, Lu Ming changed his tone and said, “As an apprentice in our clinic, you’ll receive a monthly living allowance of $200. If you rent a room, there’s an additional $100 housing subsidy. We’ll also provide two meals a day, lunch and dinner.”

“In the building next door, there are three empty rooms. If you perform well as an apprentice, you can even get free accommodation.”

Wang Jieqiong blinked, thinking she must have misheard. A living allowance? And they would provide two meals a day? What kind of “school” offered such treatment?

Not paying tuition alone would be a luxury, let alone getting a stipend!

This wasn’t the kind of apprenticeship typically associated with trade schools. This was a genuine apprenticeship, almost akin to being a student. The distinction between apprentice workers and apprentices was significant. Apprentice workers were essentially laborers involved in an employment relationship, while apprentices were students who learned their craft through mentorship without an employment relationship.

“Is this… for real?” Wang Jieqiong found it somewhat surreal.

“Traditional Chinese medicine requires passing down knowledge, but the path to becoming a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner is a difficult one,” Lu Ming explained.

“To cultivate a qualified traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, it takes more than a decade or even longer. And during the training period, livelihood becomes an issue.”

“So, for those who genuinely want to learn traditional Chinese medicine, providing some support is only fair.”

The monthly stipend of $200 was calculated reasonably, considering it included two meals a day, enough for one person to live on for a month. Giving too much might encourage complacency, while giving too little could make survival impossible.

“Count me in! I want to learn traditional Chinese medicine!” Wang Jieqiong’s desire to learn traditional Chinese medicine grew stronger.

“Alright, then come to register tomorrow,” Lu Ming agreed.

“But I’m only at the clinic on Saturdays and Sundays. The rest of the time, I’m working in the hospital’s emergency department,” Lu Ming explained.

“I’ll arrange everything for you. When you come, just go to the counter and find an old gentleman named Lin Zhenghui. You can call him Uncle Hui.”@@novelbin@@

Wang Jieqiong was momentarily stunned. Lu Ming was also working at the hospital. Was he a master of both Western and traditional Chinese medicine? That was truly impressive!

No wonder he had become the head physician at such a young age.

“So, how should I address you in the future?” She asked. “Teacher? Master?”

“I’m Lu Ming. You can call me Dr. Lu or Dr. Ming. Teacher or master works too, whichever feels natural to you,” Lu Ming replied.

After some thought, Wang Jieqiong said, “Let’s go with ‘master,’ then. Does that mean I’m your disciple now?”

Lu Ming shook his head and chuckled, “You’re getting ahead of yourself. You’re just an apprentice at the clinic. An apprentice and a disciple are not the same. Disciples are individuals who can inherit the lineage. Right now, there are only two disciples in our clinic out of dozens of apprentices. So, you still have a long way to go.”

Wang Jieqiong didn’t expect to have her enthusiasm dampened so soon after joining. However, she wasn’t discouraged. If traditional Chinese medicine were easy to learn, it wouldn’t be considered a national treasure.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Let me give you a ride back,” Lu Ming offered.

“Oh, no need,” Wang Jieqiong declined. “I don’t want to trouble you.”

“Take a look at the time. The buses and subways are no longer running at this hour,” Lu Ming pointed out.

Wang Jieqiong glanced at the time and realized it was already past 11 PM. Well, in that case…

“Okay, thank you,” she accepted his offer.

So, Lu Ming drove Wang Jieqiong back to her place. However, instead of returning to the clinic or the hospital, he met Tang Xiaorou.

Two hours earlier, Tang Xiaorou had sent him a message expressing her desire for a barbecue. Therefore, Lu Ming planned to take Tang Xiaorou out for a late-night snack.

“I’m ready! Have you arrived yet?” Tang Xiaorou sent another message.

“I’m almost there. I have something to discuss with you later,” Lu Ming replied during a red light.

“What’s up?” She asked.

“Wait for me. I’ll tell you when I will come to pick you up,” he responded.

A little over ten minutes later, Lu Ming picked up Tang Xiaorou, and as soon as she got into the car, she sensed something was amiss. She sniffed the air and then gave Lu Ming a skeptical look.

“There’s a… scent in your car,” she remarked.

Lu Ming smiled and openly admitted, “I just dropped off a female student.”

“Oh my, not even trying to hide your affairs from me anymore?” Tang Xiaorou teased.

“What I wanted to talk to you about is related to this,” Lu Ming said. “I just took on a female apprentice, and I think she has potential.”

Tang Xiaorou chuckled, “You’ve just taken on an apprentice, and you’re already giving her rides home? It’s hard to believe you’re not acting on impulse.”

Snap! Tang Xiaorou took out a plastic toy spring knife from her bag at some point. Lu Ming glanced at it and was instantly startled. The fear of those eighteen cuts seemed like it would never leave him…