As night fell, a deep silence enveloped everything.
Qi Huan had just finished bathing, her delicate face flushed pink from the steam, her lustrous hair flowing freely down her back.
The bathroom was some distance from her room. The chilly wind outside made her pull her cloak tightly around herself as she hurried back.
Once inside, she quickly dove under the covers.
Before sleeping, she habitually reflected on the day's events. Remembering Doctor Shen's words, she suddenly sat up.
After getting dressed, she knocked on Li Shuchen's door.
"Come in," came the response.
Upon receiving permission, Qi Huan gently pushed open the door and climbed onto the bed with practiced ease.
Li Shuchen's gaze immediately shifted from his book to her rosy, charming face. "Why isn't Huan asleep yet?"
"I've come to give you a massage," she replied.
With that, she lifted the brocade quilt and began massaging him through his white undergarment, applying even pressure.
In her previous life, whenever she had time off, she would return to the orphanage to visit the matron. She often gave the matron massages and had even searched for massage techniques on TikTok.
She never imagined these skills would come in handy in this other world.
Tao Su's mother was right – it never hurts to have more skills.
As Qi Huan massaged, lost in thought, her lowered brows and eyes appeared gentle and beautiful in the lamplight, her slender neck as white and lustrous as jade.
Her soft, boneless hands roamed over his legs.
Li Shuchen's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he silently recited a mantra to calm his heart.
It was both torturous and sweet.
Remembering what Yan Jiu had reported that afternoon, he parted his thin lips and said to Qi Huan, "Huan, I need to return to the Capital City. We leave in three days."
The battle in Mishan Valley had frightened Eunuch Luo into a serious illness. While recuperating at the government office, he had instructed Zhang Yuge, the magistrate of Yunzhou, to send people to find him.
Now that his poison was under control, it was time to set out. However, Doctor Shen still needed time to prepare his medicine, so he had scheduled their departure for three days later.
While he was deep in thought, Qi Huan had already moved from the foot of the bed to the head, throwing herself into his arms.
"Shu, come with me."
"Hide in my spatial pocket. I'll take you back to the Capital City. Once we arrive, I'll let you out. This way, the assassins will never find you. What do you say?"
"Alright."
Hearing his agreement, Qi Huan smiled mischievously.
Indeed, whenever she asked Shu if something was alright, his answer was always—alright!
Li Shuchen kissed her forehead. He wanted to massage her hands, but worried his cold body temperature might chill her. His hand hovered in mid-air before finally dropping.
After finishing the massage, the system awarded Qi Huan a hundred points, making her smile even more brightly.
"Goodnight, Shu. I'll come again tomorrow."
The next day arrived.
While packing her luggage, Qi Huan saw the stack of medical books again. Remembering Shen Jueming's earlier request to borrow some, she casually picked two and went to find him.
"Doctor Shen, here are the medical books."
After Shen Jueming happily accepted them, she added, "You can read these two first. Let me know when you're done, and I'll bring you new ones."
"Thank you, Miss Qi. Please wait a moment, I'll get some medical books to exchange with you."
Qi Huan didn't refuse his kindness.
The possessions of a medical saint were certainly valuable. Only a fool would pass up such an opportunity.
After exchanging the medical books, Shen Jueming hesitantly asked, "Miss Qi, may I copy the prescriptions from these books?"
Qi Huan nodded, replying, "In the future, I plan to print all these medical books and sell them in bookstores. You can copy them now, or buy a copy later."
Once she settled down, she intended to research woodblock printing or movable type printing to reduce book production costs before opening a bookstore.
By copying medical books and giving them to Doctor Sun, she could only help one doctor. But by printing and selling medical books, she could help countless doctors.
It wasn't just about earning points or money; she sincerely hoped to reduce the number of patients throughout the world.
It benefited others and herself – why not do it?
Hearing her words, Shen Jueming looked at her in surprise. "Miss Qi, do you mean what you say?"
"Of course!"
Seeing her clear and determined gaze, Shen Jueming felt a surge of respect and looked at her seriously for the first time.
After pondering for a moment, he said solemnly, "Miss Qi's actions are noble and full of great love, earning my admiration. You may also copy and sell the medical books I've lent you."
When he finished speaking, it was Qi Huan's turn to ask, "Do you truly mean that?"
From what she knew, most medical families in Li Country had ancestral rules about passing down medical knowledge only to male heirs within the family.
Her medical books actually came from her delivery warehouse. She could do whatever she wanted with them.
But she hadn't expected Shen Jueming, a native of this world, to have the same idea.
Seeing through her confusion, Shen Jueming smiled warmly and explained in a clear voice, "My power alone is limited. I hope there will be more highly skilled doctors like myself in this world."
"I hope they spread throughout Li Country and across the world, each person shining like a firefly in different places, illuminating the lives of every patient."
"My wish is: May good doctors fill the world, making medical care easily accessible."
"This is my lifelong aspiration."
"I share that wish," Qi Huan said, smiling at him with growing fondness in her heart.
Ding! Friend zone card!
Shen Jueming was a doctor with both skill and compassion. At this moment, she sincerely wanted to lend him all her medical books.
No longer for repayment, but because he deserved it.
He was a true medical saint.
It's rare to find a kindred spirit in life. The smile in Shen Jueming's eyes deepened. "Miss Qi, if you have any questions while studying medicine, feel free to ask me anytime."
"When I'm providing free medical consultations, you're welcome to come and learn if you're not busy."
Qi Huan smiled and thanked him for his kindness.
Afterwards, she happily shared this good news with Li Shuchen.
By the window desk, Li Shuchen raised his eyes to gaze at her joyful expression and asked, "Huan, why do you want to study medicine? Is it because of me, or because you truly like it?"
Qi Huan thought for a moment before answering seriously, "Both, I suppose."
"I don't want to feel helpless when you're injured."
"Moreover, I want to enrich myself and have a skill to rely on. No matter when or where, I want to be able to make a living with my own hands and help others. I think a life like that has substance and meaning."
She had grown a lot on this journey.
She gradually understood that the harder one works, the luckier one becomes; the stronger one is, the freer one becomes.
Her bright almond eyes sparkled like stars, imprinting deeply in Li Shuchen's heart.
Li Shuchen nodded and said, "If Qi Huan wants to learn, I will naturally support her."
If Qi Huan wanted to study medicine only for his sake, he wouldn't want her to go through such trouble.
He had money and power; he could employ countless doctors.
But if Qi Huan truly liked it, he would grant her wish.
He hoped that his little girl could happily do everything she enjoyed.
He supported her unconditionally.
"Shuchen, you're so wonderful! You score full marks in being a good man!"
Having grown up under feudal etiquette, yet not harboring the outdated notion that "a woman's lack of talent is a virtue," he respected her and cherished her. How could she not love him?
However, Li Shuchen's focus was on: "What does 'being a good man' mean?"
