Chapter 617: Feeling Warmth

If someone else’s situation changes so drastically, they would also blame others, right?

Even Manager Wang would blame Yang Rui, thinking that it was his personal grudge with Wang Tianxue that led to the Department Store having such a strong competitor.

Wang Rui can still speak kindly to and pamper Tang Lili, providing her with the best food and drink. Isn’t that true love?

In terms of appearance, character, and ability, in what way can Tang Lili compare to Wang Tianxue?

Qin Yang couldn’t help but pinch her cheek, "Everyone has their own fate. Let’s go, what do you want for lunch? How about eating out?"

"How about hot pot? I’ve been craving hot pot."

There was a period when she didn’t like the smell of lamb, and she barely ate hot pot all winter.

Now that the weather had turned warm, she suddenly craved it again.

However, she didn’t want to eat at home to avoid filling the room with the smell.

"Okay, then let’s go for hot pot," as long as she suggested it, Qin Yang would never refuse.

...............

After Lin Chuxia returned to the city, her life went back to normal.

She usually stayed at home nurturing her pregnancy and occasionally visited her master.

As her belly grew bigger, Old Master He began to nag her, even giving her a prescription and sending Qin Yang to get the herbs.

Lin Chuxia couldn’t stomach herbal concoctions and kept pestering for half a day, asking her master if she could avoid drinking it.

Old Master He’s attitude was firm this time, asking her sarcastically, "Not drinking my medicine but taking your vitamins instead?"

Lin Chuxia knew her master was the one person she couldn’t hide anything from.

Luckily, her master always stopped at the right point.

She gave a cheeky smile, "Is that not okay?"

Old Master He frowned for a moment, "It’s fine. Take your vitamins, but you also have to drink the medicine I prescribed. You don’t have to drink it all the time, just for a week before the birth," he glanced at her belly, "to save you some trouble."

Lin Chuxia liked this arrangement, only a week after all.

Who wouldn’t want to suffer less during childbirth?

"Then I’ll listen to my master."

Seeing how quickly she changed her tune, Old Master He couldn’t help but laugh, "Now you’re willing to listen, but before you had so much to say."

"I was just eager to learn more about medical knowledge. How would I know the purpose of this prescription if I didn’t ask?"

"If you read more books, you wouldn’t be so clueless."

As the two bantered, Zhuang Yang’s voice came from outside, with Zhuang Jingshu beside him.

Seeing them, Lin Chuxia also stood up, "Ms. Zhuang, when did you come back?"

During this period, Zhuang Jingshu and Zhuang Yang had been handling affairs out of town, taking several days’ worth of medicine with them.

Lin Chuxia knew they were in Ancheng County.

Zhuang Jingshu affectionately helped Lin Chuxia sit back down, "Why are you still so formal? Your condition is becoming more inconvenient, there’s no need to be so conscientious."

When Lin Chuxia’s pregnancy advanced, Old Master He personally brewed her medicine.

Zhuang Jingshu respected Old Master He. Seeing how much he cared for his little apprentice, she dared not treat her lightly.

Prior to this, she had already admired the young girl, and now knowing more about her, Zhuang Jingshu liked her even more.

Zhuang Jingshu had come to seek a follow-up from Old Master He today.

Old Master He routinely checked her pulse and prescribed her medicine again.

According to Old Master’s assessment, Zhuang Jingshu’s condition had been treated to an almost satisfactory stage.

After all, having been ill for so many years, reaching this stage was quite an achievement.

From now on, she just needed to take good care of herself.

However, since Zhuang Jingshu wasn’t short on money and trusted Old Master’s medical skills, she intended to take a few more doses.

Old Master He then prescribed her some mild fortifying herbal remedies.

Zhuang Yang went to fetch the medicine while Zhuang Jingzhu sat in the courtyard under the shade watching Lin Chuxia and Old Master He handle the medicinal herbs.

The potted flowers Old Master He had cultivated had small buds now. He had harvested these flower buds and dried them as medicinal ingredients.

Each bloom was meticulously processed, careful not to let them deteriorate during drying.

Old Master He didn’t let Lin Chuxia touch those things, so she helped him organize the rest.

Zhuang Jingshu watched quietly, actually enjoying this kind of time.

During her years abroad, she worked tirelessly like a spinning top every day, afraid to stop for fear of thinking about a past she couldn’t return to or make amends for.

Day by day passed this way, the company grew larger, and her health deteriorated more and more.

She once thought maybe it would end this way; when her body finally gave out, she wouldn’t have to think about anything anymore.

Until she received news from home, giving her a chance to return.

Such news caught her unprepared, and trying to restore her health was already too late.

It was during this time that she realized that for over two decades, she had never truly been herself.

Until the impending approach of death, she had never felt regret.

No matter when only a healthy body allows one to accomplish more.

And as she looked at Lin Chuxia and Old Master He, Zhuang Jingshu felt that she had never experienced such peace in her life before now; this feeling truly warmed her heart.

Completing her tasks first, Lin Chuxia looked up to find Zhuang Jingshu watching her quietly.

Catching her eyes, she offered a gentle smile.

"Do you like these things?"

Lin Chuxia nodded, "Working with my master to sort out the herbs always brings a sense of tranquility."

"I feel it too. I’d like to join in, but I’m not familiar with these things and worry I’d mess them up."

Lin Chuxia laughed, pouring Zhuang Jingshu a cup of tea from a small teapot, "Try it; it’s a health-preserving herbal tea made by my master."

Zhuang Jingshu sipped a little, catching a faint medicinal fragrance, slightly sweet with a hint of bitterness, yet not unpleasant.

"As expected, the master’s craftsmanship is exceptional. Would it be possible for me to purchase some to brew at home later?"

"You’re still taking the medicine prescribed by my master, so maybe hold off for now. Once you no longer need medicine, you can drink this normally."

Lin Chuxia was aware of the tea’s benefits. It was particularly suitable for someone as frail as Zhuang Jingshu.

"Thank you in advance," Zhuang Jingshu expressed sincerely.

If she hadn’t encountered Old Master He and Lin Chuxia, she might not even be alive today, let alone think about fulfilling her wishes.

Thinking of this, Zhuang Jingshu couldn’t help but gaze at Lin Chuxia, her voice filled with guilt, "These years have been hard on you. I should apologize. If it weren’t for Jiayi, maybe your mother wouldn’t be so biased. I appreciate your mother’s love for Jiayi and at the same time feel deeply sorry. I’m sorry, child, for disrupting the life you once had."

Although Lin Jiayi had told her some things about them, Zhuang Jingshu had her own judgment based on what she saw and heard.

Besides, from the beginning, she never believed what Lin Jiayi said.