Chapter 36: Chapter 36 The Old Doctor Leaves_1
Meanwhile, Xiaren heard the howling of a beast not far away. She recognized it as the cry of a creature named Tao Wu by the mountain people. These beings were very spiritual, not easily disturbed.
It’s said that Tao Wu usually does not make any sound, but when it does, it signifies the perception of someone’s death.
Her heart skipped a beat, she rose and walked towards the door. Just as Si Limo entered from outside, Xiaren plunged into his arms once more.
“What’s wrong?” Si Limo reached out to hold Xiaren’s waist, noticing something seemed off about her expression.
Qiao Xiaren shook her head, disregarding Si Limo and stepping over the threshold. Sure enough, the increasingly urgent sound of coughing was coming from the room where her master lived.
Indeed, her master was lying on the bed, barely breathing.
She never knew the origin and identity of her master. Villagers said he wasn’t originally from Shanshui Town, but twenty years ago, he brought his medical box and medical skills and settled in. From then on, he was a benefactor to the people of Shanshui Town.
Though curious, the people of Shanshui Town never dared to ask about his past. The master thus became the most mysterious and hard-to-understand person in the town, spending his days treating the illnesses of villagers and gathering herbs on the mountain.
That’s how he had lived his life.
Qiao Xiaren squatted before her master, her throat choking. In her past and present lives combined, the master had accompanied her for seventeen years. With eyes closed, he seemed to hear Xiaren’s voice, his rough hand reaching out to hold hers.
“Xiaren, remember what the master says.”
Listening to her master’s frail voice, Xiaren leaned her ear to his mouth. The master’s eyes could no longer open, straining to draw the last strength to speak, “Xiaren, remember that no matter what you encounter in the future, do not easily trust anyone. Do you understand, Xiaren, do you understand?”
After saying these words, the master started to pant heavily, his face turning green and pale alternately, finally issuing a heavy cough.
“I understand, I understand.” Qiao Xiaren trembled, gripping the master’s hand, tears flowing freely. There was sorrow for the master’s death and tragedy for her past life.
Qiao Xiaren, don’t trust anyone anymore.
The master’s body stiffened, and he was gone.
Xiaren saw the master’s eyes still wide open, his facial muscles gradually stiffening. She reached out her hand to close the master’s eyelids, her last teardrop drying up.
Behind, Shen Sichen and Ye Mohan watched as Xiaren placed a mat over the master’s head. She spoke quietly without turning her head, “Find a place to dig a hole, let’s bury the master.”
Ye Mohan nodded, taking the old doctor’s body with Shen Sichen. When people in Shanshui Town died, they were all buried in a hill of the town, symbolizing that the fallen leaves have returned to their roots. The master was not from Shanshui Town, but he wished to return to the source here.
Naturally, choosing a burial place was not a problem for Xiaren. After a suitable place was located, a few villagers helped dig the grave for the old doctor.