Chapter 27 - 27 27 Wu Hong

Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Wu Hong Chapter 27: Chapter 27 Wu Hong Uncle Erba drank too much during the meal.

To be honest, Uncle Erba’s tolerance for alcohol was quite low. Although this jar of wine had been buried for fifteen or sixteen years, it was essentially still rice wine, with a low alcohol content. For Chen Jie, who had experienced all kinds of alcoholic beverages in his previous life, it wasn’t considered strong.

However, for someone like Uncle Erba, who was getting on in years, this wine was a bit too strong. Chen Jie estimated that Uncle Erba could only handle the equivalent of two bottles of beer.

In the end, Uncle Erba was carried back by Xiao Hu.

After eating his fill, Chen Jie practiced the Yang Chun Skill once, quickly dissipating the effects of the alcohol.

He got up, checked the time, and realized it was already noon. Chen Jie washed his face and brushed his teeth with salt, then had Su Yunjin help him change into a different set of clothes.

This reduced the smell of alcohol on his body considerably, almost to the point where it couldn’t be detected.

Su Yunjin also found some wormwood and patted it on his body, which helped cover up the remaining faint smell of alcohol.

It was his first visit to Doctor Bai’s home; he couldn’t leave a bad impression by smelling like a drunkard.

Very soon, Chen Jie finished grooming himself and changed into freshly washed clothes. He appeared quite refreshed.

“Wife, I’m leaving.”

Su Yunjin nodded and helped tidy Chen Jie’s collar, saying, “Be safe. Ruirui and I will wait for you to come back.”

“Mm.”

Chen Jie nodded and then said to Daisy, “Ruirui’s brother-in-law is leaving.”

Daisy ran out, “Brother-in-law, Ruirui will miss you.”

“Huh?”

Chen Jie looked at Daisy, “I’m coming back tonight.”

Ruirui looked up and said, “Mm, but still miss you.”

“You’re sweet-talking.”

Chen Jie rubbed Ruirui’s head, then turned and left.

...

Doctor Bai’s home was the largest tile-roofed house in the village, built when Wu Zhong became the Fishery Manager. It was quite impressive.

And Doctor Bai had set up a small clinic there, with a separate little house, which could be considered both a home and a clinic.

When Chen Jie arrived, the Bai Family’s gate was closed. He knocked, but no one opened it.

Chen Jie knocked again, and then there was a sound from inside the courtyard. Soon, the gate opened, not by the Bai, but by a shirtless, sweaty youth.

Chen Jie looked over and saw the young man had long arms, broad shoulders, and muscles covering his body, with strong pecs that tapered down to a narrow waist.

His legs were long, neither too thick nor too thin, obviously built for explosive power.

Immediately, Chen Jie was reminded of the martial arts community’s legendary physique suitable for martial arts practice: ape arms, wasp waist, mantis legs!

“Who are you looking for?”

The young man asked Chen Jie.

“I’m the new apprentice of Doctor Bai. And you are?”

Chen Jie asked politely.

Hearing this, the young man immediately smiled, “You must be Chen Jiusi. Come in, quickly. I’m Doctor Bai’s grandson, Wu Hong.”

Chen Jie said, “So you’re Mr. Wu.”

The young man laughed, “What do you mean, ‘Mr.’? No need for formalities, just call me by my name from now on.”

Wu Hong spoke as he courteously led Chen Jie into the courtyard and expressed his gratitude, “Jiusi, I’ve heard about your situation. My grandfather would have been in real trouble if not for you. You have done our family a huge favor.”

Chen Jie quickly responded, “Mr. Wu... Brother Wu, let’s not talk about this. There’s no favor to speak of. Doctor Bai accepting me as an apprentice to teach me a trade is the real act of kindness. It was just good timing on my part.”

As Chen Jie spoke politely, Wu Hong cast an appreciative glance at him, recognizing him as a person who performed good deeds without expecting anything in return.

*Doing favors for others was a good thing, but repeatedly emphasizing one’s kindness to others could dull its effect over time and even breed resentment.*

*Truly wise people bestowed favors without seeking returns.*

*Those who know gratitude will remember even if you don’t mention it. Those who don’t will remain unmoved no matter how much you emphasize it, and it only invites annoyance. So why bother?*

Wu Hong let Chen Jie into the courtyard, where Chen Jie sat on a stone stool, and poured him some tea. “My grandfather has a habit of taking a nap at noon. He’ll wake up in a little while, so please wait a bit.”

Chen Jie replied, “No rush, no rush.”

While waiting for Doctor Bai to wake up, Chen Jie began chatting with Wu Hong.

Chen Jie was a good conversationalist, and Wu Hong, having a favorable impression of Chen Jie due to his rescue of Doctor Bai, soon found that they both learned about each other’s situations.

Wu Hong didn’t live in the village; he stayed at his master’s house.

His master was Chief Zhang of the county.

Doctor Bai had a fellow apprentice working in the government and maintained a good relationship with Chief Zhang Liye.

Once, Doctor Bai took the five-year-old Wu Hong to visit this fellow apprentice. Chief Zhang happened to be there, and he immediately took a liking to Wu Hong, recognizing his physique is ideal for martial arts, with ape arms, wasp waist, and mantis legs.

He wanted to take Wu Hong as his apprentice, and when he mentioned it to Doctor Bai, Doctor Bai thought it was a great opportunity.

Chief Zhang, Zhang Liye, wasn’t an ordinary person; he was one of Mianshui County’s formidable Thirteen Grand Protectors and a well-known Energy Transformation Master.

Even the Gang Leader of the Fishing Guild would offer him some respect.

His status was far higher than a simple Fishery Manager. Accepting the Bai family as disciples was considered quite an honor.

So, they agreed to it.

Chief Zhang was very strict, requiring Wu Hong to live with him for training – this arrangement lasted for fifteen years, and Chief Zhang grew fond of him, even elevating their relationship from master and apprentice to taking him as an adoptive son.

He even helped arrange for Wu Hong to work in the government, where he became a constable.

The reason for his return this time was because of Doctor Bai. Yesterday, Doctor Bai had an accident, and the Bai family entrusted someone to send word to their son. Wu Hong was worried and informed Zhang Liye, who immediately granted Wu Hong a seven-day leave.

That’s why he rushed back from the county seat.

As the two talked, Doctor Bai awoke, leaning on a crutch as he came out. Seeing the two in conversation, they both stood up.

“You’re here.”

Doctor Bai didn’t stand on ceremony and said to Wu Hong, “Go to the storeroom and bring out those two sacks of medicinal herbs.”

“Sure.”

Wu Hong replied as he went into the storeroom, brought out the sacks of medicinal herbs.

Doctor Bai then said, “Pour all the herbs onto the ground.”

Soon, the ground was filled with a mixture of herbs, scattered in a mess.

Doctor Bai said, “Your task today is to sort these herbs. Once you’re done, you can leave.”

Saying that, Doctor Bai went back inside, hands behind his back. He was polite to guests yesterday; today, he was strict with apprentices.

When it came to his apprentices, Doctor Bai wasn’t gentle. Being overly courteous would lead to nothing being taught. He was sincerely passing on his skills.

Wu Hong looked at the chaotic pile of herbs and said, “Jiusi, do a good job. I won’t accompany you.”

With that, Wu Hong went aside to lift grindstones to build his strength.

Chen Jie looked at the pile of herbs, some of which had already been sliced into medicinal pieces, deliberately mixed together. He hadn’t expected his first lesson to be this.