After a meal, Uncle Erba drank too much.
To be honest, Uncle Erba really couldn't hold his liquor that well. Though this jar of wine had been buried for about fifteen or sixteen years, it was still yellow wine at heart, with a low alcohol content. To Chen Jie, who'd been baptized by all sorts of liquors in his past life, it wasn't too strong.
But for someone of Uncle Erba's age, the wine was still a bit too potent. Chen Jie guessed that Uncle Erba could probably only handle about two bottles of beer.
In the end, it was Xiao Hu who carried Uncle Erba back.
Having finished his meal, Chen Jie practiced Yang Chun Skill and quickly sobered up.
He got up and saw that it was already noon. Chen Jie washed his face and brushed his teeth with salt. Then he had Su Yunjin change him into a new set of clothes.
With this, the smell of alcohol on his body was greatly reduced and almost imperceptible.
Su Yunjin also brought some mugwort to pat down on his body. The scent would cover up the faint smell of alcohol left.
It was his first visit to Doctor Bai's home. He didn't want to show up reeking of booze and leave a bad impression.
Soon Chen Jie finished grooming himself and changed into a set of freshly washed clothes, looking quite sharp.
"Wife, I'm off," he said.
Su Yunjin nodded, straightening up Chen Jie's collar, "Be careful, Ruirui and I will wait for your return."
"Okay."
Chen Jie nodded and then said to Daisy, "Ruirui, your brother-in-law is leaving."
Daisy ran out, "Brother-in-law, Ruirui will miss you."
"Huh?"
Chen Jie looked at Daisy, "I'll be back tonight."
Ruirui lifted his head and said, "Mm, I will still miss you."
"You sure know how to sweet-talk."
Chen Jie ruffled Ruirui's head, then turned and left.
...
Doctor Bai's house was the biggest tiled-roof house in the village, an impressive structure built by Wu Zhong once he became the Fishery Manager.
Doctor Bai had set up a small clinic there in a separate little house, serving both as a home and as a clinic.
When Chen Jie arrived, the Bai Family's front gate was closed. He knocked on the door, but no one answered.
Chen Jie knocked again, and this time there was sound from the courtyard. Soon the door opened, revealing not someone from the Bai family, but a young man with a bare upper body drenched in sweat.
Chen Jie looked at him, noting the young man's long arms and broad shoulders, covered with sinewy muscles, a strong chest, and a waist that, while robust, wasn't thick.
His legs were long and looked powerful without being too thick or thin.
Chen Jie instantly thought of a physique revered in the martial arts world from his past life, ideal for training in martial arts—a physique described as having 'ape-like arms, a wasp-like waist, and mantis-like legs.'
"Who are you looking for?" the young man asked Chen Jie.
"I am Doctor Bai's new apprentice. May I know who you are?" Chen Jie asked politely.
The young man immediately laughed upon hearing this and said, "You must be Chen Jiusi, right? Come in quickly; I am Doctor Bai's grandson, Wu Hong."
Chen Jie replied, "So it's Mr. Wu."
The young man laughed, "What Mr. Wu? That's too formal. Just call me by my name in the future."
Wu Hong, speaking politely, led Chen Jie into the courtyard and expressed his thanks, "Jiu Si, I've heard about what you did. My grandfather was so fortunate to have you. Without you, it might have been dangerous. You've done a great favor for our family."
Chen Jie quickly replied, "Mr. Wu... Brother Wu, let's not talk about this. What favors or indebtedness... It's Doctor Bai who took me as an apprentice and taught me my livelihood skills; he's the true benefactor. As for me, it just happened to be the right time—it was pure coincidence."
Chen Jie spoke modestly, while Wu Hong looked at him with increased respect. To grant favors without expecting repayment is the mark of someone who knows how to conduct themselves.
It's good to be kind, but some people, after doing a favor, keep on emphasizing, "I did you a favor, you owe me..."
Over time, not only does the gratitude fade, but it can also give rise to resentment. A truly clever person would never seek repayment for a favor.
Those who understand gratitude will remember it even if you don't mention it. Those who don't, won't get it even if you do tell them, and it just ends up annoying people. So why bother?
Wu Hong invited Chen Jie into the courtyard and had him sit on a stone stool, pouring him some tea while saying, "My grandfather takes a nap at noon—he only wakes up a little later. Please wait for a moment."
Chen Jie said, "No rush, no rush."
While waiting for Doctor Bai to wake up from his nap, Chen Jie and Wu Hong struck up a conversation.
Chen Jie was good at making conversation, and Wu Hong held him in high esteem because of his rescue of Doctor Bai, so the two quickly learned about each other.
Wu Hong didn't live in the village; he lived with his master.
His master was none other than the Chief Zhang in the county.
Doctor Bai had a sworn brother who worked at the government office and was close friends with the arrest officer Zhang Liye.
Once, when Doctor Bai took five-year-old Wu Hong to visit his sworn brother, it coincidentally happened that Chief Zhang was there too. Zhang took one look at Wu Hong—with his long arms, slender waist, and mantis-like legs, a natural-born martial arts prodigy.
And so, he wanted to take him as his apprentice and mentioned it to Doctor Bai, who thought it sounded great.
Chief Zhang, Zhang Liye, was no ordinary man; he was one of Mianshui County's Thirteen Grand Protectors, a famed Energy Transformation Master.
Even the Gang Leader of the Fishing Guild had to give him ample respect when they met.
The rank was far superior to a mere Fishery Manager, incomparable. His willingness to take on an apprentice was an honor for the Bai family.
And so, they agreed to the arrangement.
Chief Zhang was strict and insisted on residential training—a commitment that spanned fifteen years. Moreover, Zhang grew very fond of him and eventually took their relationship a step further by adopting him as his son.
He even helped Wu Hong secure a position at the government office, and he now served as a constable.
The reason he had come back this time was also because of Doctor Bai; after the doctor had a fall, the Bai family sent word to their son. Anxious, Wu Hong informed Zhang Liye, who directly granted Wu Hong a week's leave.
With that, he rushed back home from the county town.
As the two conversed, Doctor Bai woke up. They saw him leaning on a walking stick, coming out of the house, and likewise, he saw the two men chatting—both stood up in response.
"He's here."
Without any pleasantries, Doctor Bai then said to Wu Hong, "Go to the storeroom and bring out those two sacks of herbs."
"Yes."
Wu Hong went into the nearby storeroom and fetched the sacks of herbs.
Then Doctor Bai instructed, "Pour the herbs out onto the ground."
Soon enough, the ground was covered with herbs, all mixed up together, quite a mess.
Doctor Bai continued, "Your task for today is to separate these herbs. When you're done, you can leave."
After saying that, Doctor Bai went inside with his hands behind his back. While he was courteous to guests the day before, today he was stern—a master to his apprentice.
Doctor Bai was not one to go easy on his own student—he sincerely wanted to pass on his knowledge.
Wu Hong looked at the chaotic heap of herbs on the floor and said to Chen Jie, "Jiu Si, work hard. I won't be able to keep you company."
After saying this, Wu Hong went off to lift a grinding stone to build his strength.
Chen Jie eyed the herbs scattered on the ground, some even chopped into pieces, obviously mixed up intentionally. To his surprise, his first lesson turned out to be this task.