Transmigrated Leftover Woman in Rural Style

Li Xiaogang tried to calm himself down and replied with his usual simple and honest expression: "Little Doctor Qi is the son of Doctor Qi of Cangbaicao Medical Hall, and he is the young master of Cangbaicao."

The old lady was delighted when she heard that the man was someone important. She exclaimed "Oh my!" and slapped her thigh, saying, "Our Xiao Gang is really capable, he's even become an apprentice! Alright, I'll go back with you later, I'll definitely make you proud."

After thinking for a moment, she took Li Xiaogang's hand and said, "Now that you're the young master's disciple, we won't have to pay for medical treatment anymore. Oh dear, I'd better tell your third aunt to go get checked out as soon as possible so she can give your third uncle a son."

Li Xiaogang had become more detached from many things. Therefore, he calmly said, "Grandma, I'm just a junior apprentice. It's already kind of them not to ask me for tuition fees, how could I expect you to come and treat patients for free? Can I come and treat you after I've mastered my skills?"

The old lady thought about it and agreed; apprentices at a medical clinic weren't treated like servants. But then she thought about how her grandson was an inner disciple, and she felt quite proud. After all, it sounded prestigious, and if she opened her own clinic in the future, it would be a good business.

Thinking that her two sons lived in the clinic, she asked again, "Now that you've become their apprentice, can't your father and son's medical expenses be reduced?"

We've come full circle. Feeling utterly helpless, Li Xiaogang said, "Grandma, the surgeon who treated my father and second uncle is a renowned surgeon from Beijing. He's not my master. By the way, if you're going to attend my apprenticeship ceremony, why don't you come back with me today? My sister has already tidied up your room."

The old lady was already reluctant to go back with Li Xiaogang after hearing that the money would all be used to pay for medical expenses. Although attending such a ceremony would be enviable, she was worried about how to answer if people asked about the outstanding fees.

They couldn't just say the fourth son's family was poor and tell the eldest son's family to figure it out themselves. There were quite a few people in the city who did business with the fourth son, and they all knew he had made a lot of money.

Sigh, they're all my sons, how could I not care at all? But my other sons are already struggling to make ends meet. If I don't take good care of my fourth son, who will take care of me in my old age?

The fourth brother and his wife are the same; I don't know what they're thinking. What's wrong with giving a few dozen taels to help their own brothers? They're not outsiders. The old lady usually gives away her savings to the fifth brother's family, so even though she knows the eldest and second brothers' families are in trouble, she can't help them.

If she went to the eldest son's house now without contributing a single penny, the old neighbors would surely gossip. If she didn't go, she would be even more likely to be criticized behind her back. The old lady was in a dilemma and couldn't decide.

Seeing the old lady's conflicted expression, Li Xiaogang offered a suggestion: "Grandma, my sister has thought of a way to pay for the medicine. She won't ask the uncles for money. Don't worry, come stay at my house for a couple of days. Dad is still in bed and can't get up. If none of you come, I'll be terribly embarrassed on the day I become an apprentice."

Upon hearing that there was no need to worry about medical expenses, the old lady was tempted again. She'd heard that the owner of Zang Baicao was quite influential, and this trip might enhance her reputation. She planned to tell her old friends about it when she returned, making them incredibly envious.

Li Xiaogang seized the opportunity to add fuel to the fire: "There were more than a hundred taels of silver at home before, but my sister bought a lot of things, and now there are less than eighty taels left. My sister said she's afraid it won't be enough to hold the apprenticeship banquet."

Upon hearing this, the old lady slapped Li Xiaogang on the back and scolded him repeatedly, "You spendthrift! You're such a spendthrift! What did you buy that cost so much? A banquet should only cost a dozen taels!"

"No, no, I have to go back and keep an eye on things. Otherwise, if your sister squanders all the money and then comes to us crying poor, we won't be able to bear it."

"Alright, go outside and play with Xiaojun. I'll pack up and come back with you later."

Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Li Xiaogang happily agreed and ran out to find Xiaojun. However, after leaving the room, the smile on his face changed. A trace of sadness appeared on his simple and honest face, and the disappointment in his eyes could not be hidden.

But my sister said: Family ties and filial piety are inescapable tribulations in this life. If you are fortunate enough to have elders who are considerate of their juniors, that is a blessing. If you are unfortunate enough to encounter selfish and biased elders, that is a curse. And vice versa.

Whether it's a blessing or a curse, it's the result of causes sown in the past life. What we need to do is find ways to balance these injustices and end all the evil roots in this life.

Xiao Gang heard his sister say these words shortly after she recovered from a serious illness following her fall into the water. At the time, he didn't understand what she meant at all, but today, he seemed to understand a little. Since they couldn't sever this ill-fated relationship, they could only endure it silently, just like today, no matter how heartbroken they were.

Because Li Xiaogang arrived early, he also ate lunch early. His fourth uncle was in the city discussing business and hadn't returned yet, so Li Xiaogang couldn't invite him in person. At the dinner table, when Li Xiaogang explained his purpose, his fourth aunt smiled and congratulated him, saying she would definitely come. But Li Xiaogang could see the lack of sincerity in her eyes.

After the meal, the old lady excused herself to tidy up, leaving Si Shen in her room for almost 15 minutes. When she came out, her aunt was incredibly warm and welcoming. She held Xiao Gang's hand and kept saying:

"Xiaogang, your fourth aunt said before that we are family, so if you have any difficulties, just ask. If your fourth uncle and aunt can help, we definitely will. Now it's great that you've gotten on the good side of the Qi family. Your fourth uncle and aunt will be counting on you from now on."

Li Xiaogang pretended not to understand and helped the old lady into the car. After the car left his fourth uncle's house, Li Xiaogang stuck his head out and said to his fourth aunt, Li Shi, "Fourth aunt, you mustn't count on me. My sister said, 'Mountains crumble, people run away. People can only rely on themselves.'"

After saying that, he told Uncle Liang to drive the cart. He still needed to go to Zuo Village and Yang Village to invite his third and fifth uncles' families.

The old lady seemed a little awkward after Li Xiaogang finished speaking. Feeling somewhat guilty, she slapped him on the back of the head and scolded him:

"How dare you talk to your aunt like that? You're so disrespectful. You're just a child and don't know any better. In the future, don't talk so much, or you'll be laughed at by others."

Li Xiaogang nodded obediently, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner resistance. He was still young and couldn't remain indifferent. Outside the car, Uncle Liang shook his head, feeling aggrieved for Li Xiaogang's family.

Behind the carriage, Fourth Aunt Li gritted her teeth and watched the departing carriage. She spat and muttered, "What's so smug about? If you're so capable, don't come begging to us. He's just an apprentice at a small pharmacy. Let's see if you can conjure up any money."