TTLJDFL Chapter 60

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Huang Yiling was young and had a naturally sociable personality.

He placed his rather heavy oil-wrapped package on the table and said, "Yesterday, when Doctor Wu recommended the pills to me, I was about to refuse.

Luckily, I remembered reading in some miscellaneous books that in the capital’s large pharmacies, physicians refined pills for patients' convenience—making them easy to carry and consume directly.

The efficacy is no worse than decoctions, and there’s no need to go through the trouble of brewing them."

Li Jin nodded slightly. He had encountered too few people and affairs, and there were no freely accessible bookshops in town.

As a result, his understanding was limited to only a small part of local customs.

Though Huang Yiling was merely repeating hearsay, it still had some basis in fact, so Li Jin listened attentively.

Seeing Li Jin's serious expression, Huang Yiling became even more animated, saying, "These pills are sold in portions of two per pack, originally priced at four pennies per pack. I bought two packs yesterday, which was a day’s supply, and Doctor Wu even gave me a one-penny discount."

Li Jin, seeing his excitement, felt innocent at heart—Brother, these pills originally cost one penny each. It’s just that Doctor Wu, being shrewd, doubled the price.

Huang Yiling continued enthusiastically, "Li brother, if you go buy them, Doctor Wu will surely give you an even bigger discount!"

Li Jin simply smiled and steered the conversation away. He said, "I’ve brought a few paintings I made myself. I’d like to ask for your guidance."

Huang Yiling realized he had been rambling, almost like a shop assistant pulling in customers at the door.

Embarrassed, he rubbed his nose and picked up Li Jin’s paintings.

Having studied painting for nearly ten years, he immediately saw that Li Jin was a beginner. He smiled shyly and said, "Then I won’t hold back."

Dipping a finger lightly in tea, he pointed out, "Let’s start from the details and move outward. First, the ink distribution here is uneven…"

After explaining, he laid out a fresh sheet of paper and demonstrated for Li Jin.

Indeed, in the hands of an expert, the brush flowed effortlessly. Techniques that had taken Li Jin a long time to practice were easily displayed by Huang Yiling.

After finishing, Huang Yiling said, "If you don’t mind, you can try it yourself, and I’ll correct your brushwork."

Li Jin was eager to learn.

Their spot by the window had good lighting, and with few people around, their discussions flowed easily. Before they knew it, an hour had passed.

Li Jin felt that many of the obscure theories he had read in books suddenly became clear. His address for Huang Yiling also changed from "Brother Huang" to simply "Yiling."

Although Chen Xiran had previously said that reading books was sufficient for mastering painting, having someone to guide him made the process much more efficient.

Li Jin humbly asked for Huang Yiling’s advice.

Huang Yiling chuckled and said, "Ah Jin, your knowledge of painting theory is quite extensive, saving me a lot of explanations.

These brushwork issues can be resolved with practice. Before long, you’ll be able to paint whatever you envision."

Li Jin replied, "Thank you, Yiling."

They also discussed poetry composition techniques. Li Jin openly shared the inspiration and process behind his pastoral poetry.

He even showed Huang Yiling a poem he had labored over, packed with elaborate phrasing but heavily marked with corrections from Mr. Song.

Of course, Li Jin had since revised it according to Mr. Song’s suggestions.

Upon reading it, Huang Yiling widened his eyes in admiration. "I thought your chrysanthemum poem from the poetry contest was your peak achievement, then I heard your pastoral poem. And now, seeing this regulated verse, each piece amazes me even more!"

Li Jin modestly replied, "You flatter me, Yiling."

He then recounted the experience of composing this poem, making Huang Yiling chuckle. Their bond quickly deepened.

In the end, Li Jin generously paid for their meal at Baishi Restaurant and also bought two jin of sugar candies before heading back to the village.

Back home, Huang Yiling first presented the eight pills he had bought to Mr. Huang.

Then, he recounted his encounter with Li Jin. He had previously mentioned to Mr. Huang that Li Jin was actually the little miracle doctor from Xinglin Hall.

Huang Yiling said, "Sir, next time Ah Jin has a rest day, I’ll invite him over to check your pulse."

Mr. Huang replied, "That’s thoughtful of you. I read Li Jin’s pastoral poem as well. It was very well done. Yesterday, I spoke with Mr. Song and confirmed that the poem was entirely Li Jin’s own work, without a single edit from Mr. Song."

Stroking his beard, Mr. Huang mused, "Li Jin is only eighteen years old. He’ll be nineteen when he takes the county exam next year. If his eight-legged essays are solid, he has a high chance of being the top scorer."

"You should build a good relationship with him and also learn from his diligence instead of just focusing on painting all day."

Huang Yiling pulled a long face and agreed reluctantly. He wasn’t only focused on painting—it was just a way to relieve stress.

His parents, still in the village, had high hopes for him. Every time his elder brother came to town, he would bring a new set of clothes or handkerchiefs made by their mother, and sometimes even stewed pork ribs made just for him.

Though his family never said it outright, Huang Yiling knew they all wished for him to pass the exam this time.

A young scholar under twenty was practically a genius in this remote town!

Huang Yiling was well aware of his own abilities. Xu Zifan and Zhou Qi each had their own strengths, and even they didn’t make it on the first try. As for himself... his chances were slim.

With no outlet for his pressure, Huang Yiling could only resort to painting… but that was seen by Mr. Huang as neglecting his proper studies.

His heart was filled with bitterness.

But he also knew that he was just an ordinary farm boy who now lived a life akin to that of a young master. He had never done farm work since childhood and had relied entirely on the love and support of his family.

He absolutely could not disappoint his parents, eldest brother, and second brother.

Mr. Huang saw the determination in Huang Yiling’s eyes and told him to go back to his studies.

Medicinal pills were sold based on reputation and returning customers.

Huang Yiling was living proof of this. Today, Zhou Gui also told Li Jin that, including yesterday, they had sold a total of thirty-six pills.

As more people came back to buy them, others who saw the effectiveness of the medicine were willing to give it a try. After all, two pills only cost four pennies—not expensive at all.

However, Li Jin now faced a problem: the hawthorn berries at home were running low. He could only make fifteen more pills with what he had left, so he planned to go up the mountain tomorrow to buy 200 jin of hawthorn.

The orchard owner had mentioned last time that if the purchase exceeded 200 jin, they would deliver it directly to the village entrance.

Hawthorn berries cost five wen per jin, so 200 jin would amount to one tael of silver—a reasonable price.

More importantly, the orchard owner's hawthorn berries were large, had a sweet-and-sour balance, and were of excellent quality. He could also use them to make tanghulu for Qin Muwen every few days.

When Li Jin arrived home, he found that the young man had already picked all the persimmons from the tree in their yard and hung them in neat rows on the windowsill to dry.

The two hens that used to nest under the persimmon tree had been following Qin Muwen around like debt collectors.

Li Jin saw the scene and couldn’t help but smile slightly.

When Qin Muwen noticed he had returned, he stepped forward to take the basket from him and fetched water for Li Jin to wash his hands.

Those two hens, ever the bullies, immediately backed away as soon as Qin Muwen got close to Li Jin. They pretended to peck at the ground, acting as if nothing had happened.

Qin Muwen unfastened the buttons of Li Jin’s robe—buttons he had carefully sewn himself.

He unbuttoned them with practiced ease.

Li Jin changed into his homewear, a moon-white hemp tunic, which was more convenient for practicing calligraphy and eating.

As soon as Qin Muwen stepped into the courtyard, the two ‘debt-collecting’ chickens trailed behind him, still demanding their persimmons.

Ever since Li Daniu had gifted the chickens as a full-moon celebration present for Li Ruo, they had been living under the persimmon tree. They must have formed some emotional attachment to it.

But now that the persimmons were finally ripe, Qin Muwen had harvested every single one.

The two chickens were furious…

Li Jin had never seen such an exasperated expression on the young man's face before. Then, Qin Muwen turned and started reasoning with the chickens.

No—more accurately, he was threatening them.

"If you keep following me, I won’t give you any food!"

His ‘angry’ tone was surprisingly cute, like a fierce little Samoyed—still an angel even when trying to be scary.

The chickens, however, remained fearless.

Li Jin chuckled, "It's fine. I’ll ask Uncle Dahe to build a chicken coop for them. It’ll get cold in a month anyway, so we need to prepare a proper shelter for them."

Qin Muwen nodded in agreement. These two chickens had always been well-behaved, but today, just because he picked some persimmons, they had turned against him.

As soon as Li Jin approached, the chickens pretended to be looking at something on the ground but quietly shuffled back toward their nest under the persimmon tree—obedient as could be.

Perhaps due to Li Jin's intimidating presence, the chickens finally stopped making a fuss. Qin Muwen cooked some stomach-warming porridge with pickled vegetables for dinner, waiting for Li Jin to finish practicing his calligraphy before eating.

While Li Jin ate, Qin Muwen trimmed the lamp wick for him.

The candlelight cast a soft glow on his face, highlighting his long eyelashes and delicate features, stirring a natural sense of protectiveness in Li Jin.

Afterward, Li Jin went out to see Li Dahe and mentioned that he needed a chicken coop.

Li Dahe took a puff of his tobacco pipe, squinted, and asked, "How big? You only have two chickens, and you want a custom-built coop?"

Li Jin replied, "Make it big enough for five chickens. I plan to buy a few more later."

Li Dahe nodded, "Five is a good number. Your family will have a second child sooner or later. You need to make sure your husband is well-nourished."

Li Jin was already used to such remarks. He smiled and nodded, "That’s true."

Li Dahe chuckled, "The other day, Li Zhuzi came by asking me to make a walker for his third child to practice walking."

Li Jin was puzzled, "Isn't Zhuzi’s third child only three months old?"

Li Dahe tapped his pipe against the ground. "You don’t get it. I recently got some smooth wooden planks, and Li Zhuzi, being well-informed, caught wind of it."

Li Jin didn't hold back, "Then Uncle Dahe, don’t forget my little Bun. You attended his full-moon celebration."

Li Dahe was stunned. "Your little Bun is a ger…?"

Li Jin said matter-of-factly, "A ger is still my child, and I spoil him just the same."

Li Dahe nodded approvingly. "You’ve got the right mindset. Alright, just for that, I’ll make a few extra toys for your little Bun."

Li Jin cupped his hands in thanks.

After returning home, he copied texts for a while, then did three sets of push-ups—fifty per set.

By now, his abdominal muscles were well-defined, and his chest muscles were slightly prominent. Li Jin was quite satisfied with his physique.

After taking a bath, he entered the room. The young man was still awake, having left a lamp on for him.

Li Jin got under the covers and recalled something Li Zhuzi had once mentioned…

He took Qin Muwen’s hand and guided it downward. "Wenwen, help me."

T/N: Thank you for the support, it's a big help really🌸🌸🌸