"Hahaha, good. I’ll trust you this once, young man." The old man laughed heartily, finding Chen Mo increasingly interesting.
Chen Mo took out a pen and paper, scribbled down a prescription, and handed it to the old man. "The instructions for decocting the herbs and the times for taking the medication are all written here."
The old man signaled his security guard, Xiao Zhang, to hand over one hundred yuan to Chen Mo. "Young man, I don’t even know your name yet."
"I am Chen Mo, a doctor at the Red Star Rolling Mill." Chen Mo didn't stand on ceremony; he tucked the money into his pocket and said, "If you have any friends or relatives who are ill or injured in the future, feel free to come to me. I’ll offer you a five percent discount."
"Hahaha, excellent! If your prescription works, I will certainly introduce a few more patients to you."
After finishing the grilled fish, Chen Mo and He Yushui didn't linger and departed together.
Watching Chen Mo’s retreating figure, the young man asked the old man, "Chief, should we run a background check on this kid?"
The old man waved his hand. "Let’s head back first and have Old Wang take a look at this prescription. The self-confidence in that young man’s eyes is not something that can be faked."
The composure Chen Mo displayed, coupled with the fact that he clearly knew the old man’s identity yet showed no intention of currying favor, made him feel that the young man was truly extraordinary.
Above all, there was Chen Mo's assertion that people always begged him for help, and that a healer never begged anyone. Could someone without real ability dare to say such a thing?
"Brother Chen Mo, can you really earn that much money just by writing a prescription?"
He Yushui was already deeply infatuated with Chen Mo. Her "silly" brother only earned thirty-seven yuan and fifty cents a month, which was considered quite high, yet Chen Mo had earned a hundred yuan—three months' worth of her brother's salary—just by writing a single slip of paper. That was what you called real talent.
"I could tell the old man wasn't just anyone; he was clearly a veteran of the battlefield. Otherwise, for the illness he has, one hundred yuan for a course of treatment would be a bargain—even a thousand yuan would be cheap," Chen Mo said.
"It won't be long before that old man sends a sedan to the entrance of our Courtyard to pick me up for a follow-up consultation."
"You really are amazing." He Yushui’s eyes sparkled with adoration.
"I’m amazing in many ways. You'll see next month on your birthday," Chen Mo said with a grin.
He Yushui’s face flushed red instantly. She thought back to what he had said before—that they could do *that* once her birthday arrived. Soon, the two reached the gate of the Courtyard.
He Yushui was carrying a large bag of new clothes and wearing a beautiful dress, while Chen Mo pushed his bicycle, a large bucket hanging from the handlebars.
As soon as they entered the Courtyard, they immediately drew the attention of the neighbors.
The Third Granduncle's wife was the first to spot them. She smiled and said, "Little Chen, Yushui, you're back? Why are you carrying so many things?"
"Brother Chen Mo bought me clothes," He Yushui said, proudly setting the bag down.
"Oh my, so many clothes? Yushui, that dress is just beautiful! How much did that cost?" the Third Granduncle's wife exclaimed.
Many people in the front yard heard the commotion and came out to look.
"My word, and so many fish too! Little Chen, can you really eat all those by yourself? Why don't you bring them over to my place, and you and Yushui can come over for dinner tonight?" Seeing the large fish, her eyes lit up.
"No need, Third Granduncle's wife. Besides, the fish are alive, so I can keep them in the bucket if I can't eat them all. I’m even planning to get a dog later, so I don't have to worry about wasting any food," Chen Mo replied.
"Pfft." He Yushui couldn't help but giggle. The face of the Third Granduncle's wife darkened immediately.
Chen Mo ignored her and walked toward the middle courtyard with He Yushui.
Qin Huiru heard the bustle in the courtyard and stepped out to investigate. Upon learning that Chen Mo had bought He Yushui so many clothes and brought back so much fish, her eyes were filled with jealousy.
Seeing the dress He Yushui was wearing and how youthful and lovely she looked, it made Qin Huiru feel like a mere village girl. Not only was she wearing new clothes, but she was also carrying bags full of items.
"Brother Chen Mo, I’ll take these clothes inside first, then I’ll come find you," He Yushui said with a smile.
Seeing the envy and jealousy of those around her, an inexplicable sense of pride surged within her. *You people don't know Brother Chen Mo's true talent; only I know.*
"Mm, go ahead."
Chen Mo smiled and pushed his bike toward the back courtyard.
Having hit a wall with Chen Mo several times before, and with Mrs. Jia not around to shamelessly demand things, Qin Huiru didn't dare approach him despite seeing the fish in his bucket. Instead, she puffed out her pregnant belly and walked toward the home of the First Granduncle.
"First Granduncle..."
As soon as she entered, Qin Huiru relayed the news about Chen Mo bringing back so much fish and buying He Yushui so many clothes.
"First Granduncle, you know our family is barely scraping by. My baby is due soon, and our food rations have been cut. We really can't make ends meet."
Qin Huiru gave him a coquettish look, a sight that made Yi Zhonghai’s pulse quicken.
Yi Zhonghai swallowed hard and said, "Huiru, don't worry. We’ll hold a meeting of the entire Courtyard tonight to organize a donation for your family. Our Courtyard has always been a model of excellence; when one is in trouble, all provide support. Just rest easy."
"Oh, thank you so much, First Granduncle!"
Qin Huiru was burning with jealousy toward He Yushui. Especially after seeing her in that new outfit, carrying all those bags—*what right did she have to all that?*
Thinking of the look of utter disdain Chen Mo had given her earlier only made Qin Huiru angrier.
After putting her things away and locking her door, He Yushui skipped happily toward Chen Mo’s place.
Chen Mo had changed his clothes and was sitting at his desk, continuing to write the *Common People's Medical Manual* with a brush. As soon as He Yushui entered, she pulled up a chair and sat beside him, watching him work.
Chen Mo glanced at He Yushui. That youthful yet incredibly delicate face made him like her more and more. Because of the Youth-Preserving Pill she had taken, her already high level of beauty had reached new heights.
Moreover, thanks to Chen Mo’s consistent "feeding," He Yushui had put on some weight recently, no longer looking as thin as a bamboo pole.
Seeing Chen Mo looking at her this way, He Yushui’s face flushed pink.
Chen Mo scooped He Yushui up and placed her on his lap. They nuzzled for a while, and Chen Mo’s hands began to grow restless.
When they were on the verge of the final step, He Yushui quickly grabbed his hand. Though she was looking forward to it, she wanted to save that for her birthday next month; she wasn't quite ready yet. Besides, living in this Courtyard, she couldn't shake a feeling of unease.
Chen Mo kissed her on the cheek and released her. Blushing, He Yushui picked up a book and began to read.