Beisitian didn’t care, but Yang Wulang was both angry and annoyed. Villagers all spoke so harshly. Beisitian wasn’t even a doctor yet; even if she was, it’s not a life-threatening disease. If she doesn’t want to sell the medicine, you guys just curse her?
Because of this, Yang Wulang made a special trip to Luo Er’s family to apologize to Beisitian.
Beisitian told him not to take it too seriously; let people say what they want.
Yang Wulang saw that she genuinely didn’t care, praised her for her healing skills, and admired her broad-mindedness. He had lived so long and hadn’t seen any woman quite like Beisitian—both capable and magnanimous!
Even though the flu was prevalent this time, it wasn’t life-threatening. Even without treatment, it would get better over time, just causing discomfort for a while. So after the medicine sold out, Yang Wulang didn’t plan to buy more from Beisitian.
One day while herding sheep, Liu Chunyu excitedly ran up to Beisitian, saying she could go to town now and asked if she wanted to go together.
Beisitian asked, "Who’s taking you there?"
"My brother is taking me. He wants to see if there are any opportunities in town," Liu Chunyu said, then grinned sheepishly.
Her brother Liu Chunshu and her sister-in-law Ma Guilan always prohibited her from mingling with Beisitian. Later, due to her mother’s influence, they turned a blind eye to her interactions with Beisitian. But if they saw Beisitian, it might stir up trouble.
Everyone knew Carpenter Liu’s eldest son looked down on the carpenter trade, wishing to work or do business outside. However, he lacked the knack for it and ended up losing money every time he set out.
Since he didn’t lose much, it hadn’t caused a big impact.
This time going to the town is because Carpenter Liu refused to finance his futile endeavors further, so he couldn’t go to the city and had to seek opportunities in town.
Judging by this attitude, Beisitian knew he wouldn’t accomplish anything.
"How about we don’t go together... well, let’s arrange to meet in town and stroll around together?" Liu Chunyu suggested carefully.
She really wanted to go shopping with Beisitian. Two young girls together had much to talk about. Her brother always had his head in unrealistic ideas, which Liu Chunyu didn’t understand nor wished to.
Beisitian nodded and agreed. Although she didn’t take Liu Chunshu seriously, she didn’t want to hear gossip nor make Liu Chunyu uncomfortable. Not meeting him was the best option.
The next day, Beisitian woke up early, placed her written words in her shoulder bag, and walked to town.
Due to continuous nutrition and deliberate exercise, Beisitian’s physique was very good now. Though her health wasn’t perfect, she wouldn’t easily catch a cold.
A good physical foundation is the cradle of nurturing spirit, and also foundational.
Now Beisitian could walk back and forth repeatedly and maintain steady breathing.
Upon reaching town, Beisitian first had breakfast, then went to Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop. Because she was in Qingzhou Town, Zhang Baoli was still the shopkeeper there.
Nowadays, it seemed the entire Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop envied the shopkeeper of the Qingzhou Town branch, no longer looking down on this small-town store.
Zhang Baoli also no longer yearned to return to the city because of the town’s size, which many people wished to manage but had no chance.
Why was it so sought after? Naturally, because of Beisitian.
Beisitian no longer provided embroidery items. Even a mere handkerchief now costs more than before, given her significant fame in the industry.
Even the embroidery pieces sold previously had increased in price. Bao Niang Embroidery Workshop wanted Beisitian to design a unique logo on her embroidery pieces. This way, whenever someone saw her logo, they’d know the piece was made by her.
Following her past habits, she embroidered her surname in Flower-Pinning Small楷 font at the lower-right corner.
A lively and refined ’Bei’ became Beisitian’s signature.
Double-sided embroidery—saying it’s simple, it is; saying it’s complex, it isn’t. It mainly depended on whether the learner put their heart and mind into it.
Since those sent to learn from the Beijing Main Store hadn’t arrived yet, Beisitian didn’t need to hurry in teaching the embroidery technique.
After chatting with Zhang Baoli for a while, she went to Wenfang Society.
Feng Yunzhang wasn’t in the store today; he was said to be attending a literary discussion that might keep him away all week.
Feng Yunzhang must have instructed the clerk to prepare the money early. When Beisitian delivered her goods, the clerk immediately handed over the payment.
Since Feng Yunzhang wasn’t there, Beisitian didn’t stay long. As she walked to the door, she saw Zhou Jiren approaching.
"Boss Feng isn’t here," Beisitian reminded, greeted him, and prepared to go to the place she arranged with Liu Chunyu.
"Miss Bei, since you’re here, why don’t you come over and sit for a while?" Zhou Jiren invited.
Seeing there was still time, Beisitian agreed, expressing she enjoys chatting with Zhou Jiren, who was knowledgeable about various topics and places, giving her a broader understanding of the world.
Watching the two walk away, the clerk at Wenfang Society scratched his head, "Didn’t the boss tell Boss Zhou yesterday that he’d be out today? Why did he still come?"
Not only did he come, but he pretended not to know the boss was out—what’s the point?
Upon arriving at Jishi Pharmacy, Ma Xiaoling was off today. A girl Beisitian didn’t recognize was covering for her, who greeted them upon meeting.
"Manager Zhou, you’re back. Would you like some water if you’re thirsty?" The girl was fair and delicate, the kind rural folks referred to as ’city girl.’
"No need." Zhou Jiren nodded and passed by her, taking Beisitian to the backyard.
Seeing this, Beisitian couldn’t help but smile, teasing, "Mr. Zhou might be in for a romantic encounter this year."
Zhou Jiren glanced at her, "Some people aren’t interested in the person but rather outside possessions."
Beisitian burst into laughter, and Zhou Jiren realized his words might have an ambiguous meaning, laughed along.
Ma Jian Country and Zhou Jiren entered the backyard one after another. Upon stepping inside, they heard Zhou Jiren’s laughter, making Ma Jian Country’s expression peculiar. He quickened his pace, Zhou Jiren’s smiling face came into view, rendering him dumbfounded.
Zhou Jiren’s eyes sparkled with a smile, with laughter evident at the corners of his mouth, indicating genuine amusement.
Before this, Ma Jian Country only ever saw Zhou Jiren’s smile—a mechanical one, always on display when meeting people like wearing a mask. His eyes never showed any real desire to laugh.
What could have made Mr. Zhou genuinely smile?
Ma Jian Country was curious but before he could approach, the two had already entered the study.