On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Shen Xi Fan took her young niece to the bookstore. Her niece, a precocious fifth-grader, dismissed the young adult novels with disdain. “Childish, boring, and not worth reading. Why are so many people older than me crowding around those shelves?”
Sure enough, the young adult section was packed with readers—squatting, standing, sitting—each absorbed in their own way. After wandering through the sea of books, Shen Xi Fan sighed, “It feels like I’m at an awkward age—nothing here seems to suit me.”
Yet, when they reached the checkout counter, her niece raised an eyebrow. “Auntie, didn’t you say there were no books for you? Then why are you buying so many?”
Caught red-handed, Shen Xi Fan hurriedly stuffed the books into her bag. “Uh, no, these are just textbooks! I’m preparing to study abroad.”
Her niece gave her a skeptical look and muttered under her breath, “They’re all Chinese medicine books. Who are you trying to fool?”
As they left the bookstore, the street was packed with people. Since she had bought a lot of books, she carried them in her arms. Suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder.
“Shen Xi Fan, need a hand?”
Turning around, she stammered, “Oh, Happy New Year, He Su Ye! No, no, it’s not heavy—I can manage.” Her face flushed slightly, and she avoided meeting his gaze.
It was He Shou Zheng who spoke up. “Big Sis looks like she’s struggling! Little Uncle, how can you just stand by and watch?”
Only then did Shen Xi Fan notice the exquisitely dressed little boy standing next to He Su Ye. She couldn’t help but admire him, thinking, The He family genes are truly exceptional. This boy looks like a golden child. No wonder He Su Ye must have been so charming as a child.
Instantly captivated by the boy, she beamed at him. He Shou Zheng, unperturbed by her warm gaze, smiled sweetly and said, “Big Sis, you’re so pretty! You’re just like Audrey Hepburn—my favorite type!”
There was no way He Su Ye could have been this smooth-talking as a child, Shen Xi Fan thought. Still, as a 25-year-old woman, she felt utterly flattered by the boy’s innocent compliment.
Unable to hide her delight, she smiled brightly. “He Su Ye, he’s so adorable!”
He Su Ye ruffled He Shou Zheng’s hair before glancing at the books in Shen Xi Fan’s arms. Pulling out one, he held the rest for her as he flipped through a few pages. “This book looks good. Mind lending it to me for a few days?”
She nodded quickly. “Of course! Take as long as you want!”
On the bus ride home, Shen Xi Fan sat holding her Chinese medicine books, her brow furrowed in thought.
Will he figure it out? she wondered.
She had been learning bits about Chinese medicine—not just to avoid making a fool of herself in front of him, though her past blunders did embarrass her—but also to have more to talk about with him. He was always so patient, listening to her chatter with a gentle smile. But more than that, she wanted to understand his world, to get closer to him.
This field she had never explored before fascinated her. The poetic names of herbs—magnolia buds, lobelia, coltsfoot flowers—enchanted her. She marveled at the creative methods of preparation—not just water, but wine and vinegar could be used as catalysts; herbs could be steamed, powdered, fermented. The efficacy of these remedies, curing everything from respiratory illnesses to digestive disorders to blood-related conditions, felt miraculous. Chinese medicine was a vast, ancient treasure trove, passed down through generations of the Chinese people.
Meanwhile, as he watched Shen Xi Fan leave, He Shou Zheng asked dreamily, “What’s the pretty sister’s name?”
Caught off guard, He Su Ye bent down and pinched his chubby cheeks. “Why? Regret not chatting her up earlier?”
Unfazed, He Shou Zheng retorted, “Little Uncle, the way you’re talking makes it sound like you’re jealous!” He reached for the book in He Su Ye’s hand and asked curiously, “Hey, Grandpa has this book at home! Why did you borrow it?”
He Su Ye chuckled and took his nephew’s hand. “Stay out of grown-up business, little He Shou Wu.”
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