Chapter 27

As Lu Qing led Xiao Yan back to the village, they saw villagers gathered under the big tree, chatting away.

They were greeted with smiles.

“Lu Qing and Xiao Yan are back?” a villager said with a laugh.

“Yeah, we just came back from Grandpa Chen’s place.” Lu Qing nodded, a bit puzzled. “Why is everyone gathered here? Did something happen?”

“No, no,” the villagers shook their heads.

“Lu Qing, you must study diligently at Dr. Chen’s place!” an elderly man advised.

“Right, if you encounter any difficulties, just let us know. We’re all from the same village, no need to be so formal.”

“It’s rare for Dr. Chen to be willing to teach you medicine. You must seize this opportunity!”

Other villagers chimed in.

Seeing the concern on the villagers’ faces, Lu Qing felt a bit dazed.

He remembered the words Dr. Chen had said to him before he left the mountain.

“Lu Qing, do you know why I chose to live in your village among all the nearby villages?”

“Lu Qing does not know.”

“It’s because I admire the simplicity of your village.”

“I’ve traveled across the land for decades, visited and lived in countless villages.”

“Among these villages, some are wealthy, some are poor, some are kind, and some are exclusive.”

“But the simplicity of your village is rare.”

“Unity, mutual help, and neighborly harmony.”

“Although villagers sometimes quarrel, they don’t hold grudges. When someone is in trouble, others help.”

“Such harmonious villages are rare even in my extensive travels.”

“When I first came to your village, I was attracted by this simplicity and decided to stay.”

After hearing Dr. Chen’s words, Lu Qing was thoughtful.

Indeed, even he could feel the simplicity of the villagers.

Otherwise, if it were another village with a less friendly atmosphere, he and Xiao Yan would have faced cold stares or even bullying long ago.

They wouldn’t be living peacefully in their home as they were now.

“Grandpa Chen, you said that the villages outside are different from ours?” Lu Qing had asked.

“Very different. Even the harmonious ones are not as mutually supportive and righteous as your village.”

“Why is our village different?”

“That, I’m not sure. Maybe you can ask the village elders someday.”

Recalling his conversation with Dr. Chen and seeing the villagers’ concerned faces, Lu Qing smiled and nodded seriously. “Don’t worry, everyone. I will study medicine diligently under Grandpa Chen.”

After saying goodbye to the villagers, Lu Qing took Xiao Yan’s hand and walked home, feeling very happy.

He felt fortunate.

Fortunately, he was reborn in this village.

If he had been reborn in one of those less friendly villages Dr. Chen mentioned, he would have faced a lot of troubles.

Now, although life was tough, there were fewer worries.

Moreover, as he became more familiar with this world, he believed that life would get better.

Back home, Lu Qing let Xiao Yan play by herself while he took out the "Compendium of Materia Medica" and continued reading.

Knowing the value of the Red Moon Carp, he no longer felt an urgent need to find a way to make money.

Once Dr. Chen sold the Red Moon Carp, he would have enough money for him and Xiao Yan to live on for a while.

What he valued most now was Dr. Chen’s test.

As long as he passed the test, he could formally learn medicine from Dr. Chen, an opportunity he must seize.

Therefore, even with the help of his abilities, having memorized the entire "Compendium of Materia Medica," Lu Qing did not relax and diligently studied its contents.

Time passed slowly as Lu Qing read.

Some villagers came by, wanting to ask him about fishing.

After all, the two big fish he caught yesterday were quite impressive.

Some wanted to learn from him.

But when they saw him reading in the yard, they didn’t dare to disturb him and quietly left.

For dinner, Lu Qing still made fish, along with some wild vegetables he picked from the yard.

After dinner, as it got dark, Lu Qing read a bit more before the sky turned completely black.

They couldn’t afford oil lamps, so once it was dark, he put the book away.

However, after an afternoon of review, he became even more familiar with the "Compendium of Materia Medica."

Except for a few words he didn’t fully understand, he had no more doubts.

After all, the "Compendium of Materia Medica" was just a book introducing herbs, a popular science medical book, and didn’t involve any medical theories, so it wasn’t hard to understand.

Especially with his abilities.

He believed he could pass any test Dr. Chen might give him now.

After putting the book away, Lu Qing prepared to put Xiao Yan to bed.

This world was unlike his previous one, where nightlife began at midnight.

Here, going to bed at ten o’clock was considered late.

Usually, everyone slept by eight or nine o’clock after dark.

“Brother, Xiao Yan is not sleepy yet.”

The little girl lay in bed, covered with a small blanket.

Moonlight shone through the window, illuminating her round eyes.

“Be good, Xiao Yan. Go to sleep early. We have to visit Grandpa Chen tomorrow.” Lu Qing coaxed.

“But Xiao Yan can’t sleep.” The little girl pouted.

“What should we do then?” Lu Qing was at a loss.

“Brother, tell me a story. Xiao Yan wants to hear the monkey story again!” the little girl said her wish.

“Alright.” Lu Qing sighed. “Where did we leave off last time?”

He regretted it a bit.

The past few nights, Xiao Yan woke up crying and wouldn’t stop no matter how he coaxed her.

He had to tell her a story, and she got hooked.

“Last time, the monkey wanted to be the king!” Xiao Yan remembered clearly.

“Alright, so the monkeys were playing by the stream and discovered a Water Curtain Cave…”

Yes, Lu Qing was telling the story of the Monkey King.

But he hadn’t read the original in his previous life and didn’t remember the details clearly.

He could only use his imagination to piece together the story.

Fortunately, the Monkey King’s story was captivating for children.

Even though he skipped many details, Xiao Yan listened intently.

But being a child, she soon became sleepy, aided by the calming effect of the Fish Stone.

Xiao Yan fell asleep before hearing how the monkey became king.

Lu Qing gently covered her with the blanket and was about to go to his own bed.

Suddenly, he heard a noise outside.