Chapter 264: Chapter 264

Gong Ruini looked at Old Yuan by the kang, rubbing his hands non-stop, and really found it strange.

This guy was famously ruthless. To get ginseng from him, you’d expect to pay a steep price.

How could such a ruthless person make such a timid gesture? Gong Ruini felt the mixed signals were overwhelming.

Everyone present was stunned. They all looked at Old Yuan in surprise. "Uncle Yuan, did you dig up some ginseng?" It was, of course, Zhao Gang who stepped up.

Zhao Gang was also quite puzzled. Wasn’t it said that Old Yuan returned from the mountain empty-handed?

Old Yuan nodded and took out three ginseng roots from his bag, astonishing everyone.

Everyone knew Old Yuan could gather ginseng, but they had never heard of such a bountiful harvest at once.

Gong Ruini stared in disbelief. How could he have so much ginseng?

Could it be cultivated? But that seemed unlikely. Perhaps he discovered them earlier and harvested them all at once now.

The problem was Gong Ruini couldn’t understand. Clearly, Old Yuan knew the ginseng’s price would only rise, so why harvest them now?

Letting them grow for a few more years would increase their age and price. Gong Ruini just couldn’t figure out Old Yuan’s reasoning.

"Doctor Zhan, I want you to teach my grandson, Yuan Chengjie, some traditional Chinese medicine skills." Old Yuan knew this request wasn’t ideal, but he had no choice.

Old Yuan felt his age creeping up and had to think long-term for his grandson. Although things looked good now, who knows what would happen to his grandson after he’s gone?

Ah, so it’s an apprenticeship request. Gong Ruini was quite surprised. Zhan Jing had never taken an apprentice in the village. Did Old Yuan think that some ginseng could change her mind?

More importantly, if Yuan Chengjie were accepted, how would the villagers perceive it? Many had good relations with Zhan Jing, and many would be jealous to see her start accepting apprentices.

Zhan Jing was also troubled. She hadn’t taken any apprentices, originally coming as a re-education recipient, and kept a low profile, so taking an apprentice wouldn’t fit.

After getting more comfortable, Zhan Jing had given up on this idea. Interacting with the villagers, she didn’t think any of them were suitable apprentices, "Uncle Yuan, your request puts me in a difficult position."

Old Yuan knew that coming so aggressively with such significant gifts required thought, "I’m in my sixties and don’t know what tomorrow might bring."

"There are so many children at home, and to avoid issues for Yuan Chengjie, I haven’t taught him how to gather ginseng." Old Yuan didn’t care how this family matter was perceived by Zhan Jing and others.

Determined to have Zhan Jing take Yuan Chengjie as an apprentice, Old Yuan didn’t plan to hide anything.

Ah, Yuan Chengjie doesn’t know how to gather ginseng? Gong Ruini was shocked. Wasn’t Old Yuan said to favor this grandson, with rumors about Yuan Chengjie inheriting his wealth?

Could Old Yuan think ginseng gathering was too laborious and never considered it?

"It’s not that I don’t want to teach him or that Yuan Chengjie is stupid, but he knows a lot already and his uncles wouldn’t agree."

"They all eye my money, fearing I’d give it to Yuan Chengjie. Whenever I gather ginseng, they’re always trying to get money." Old Yuan felt bitter remembering his children.

Not being ones to gossip, Zhao Gang and others allowed Old Yuan to make this firm decision. Though Zhan Jing had concerns, so did he.

Uh, could the Yuan Family’s situation be so bad? Gong Ruini remembered the Yuan Family being quite united, but Old Yuan wouldn’t bad-mouth his children for no reason.

"I can’t leave much money to Chengjie, so instead, I figured teaching him a skill would be better. That way, even if I’m gone, he wouldn’t struggle."

"Grandpa." Yuan Chengjie was reluctant. Among his cousins, Old Yuan was his closest family. "Grandpa, you’ll be fine."

"Of course, I’m fine." What a simple child. Old Yuan might get irritated with this grandson, but knowing he’s healthy, he needed to prepare for Zhan Jing to accept Yuan Chengjie.

Though earlier the atmosphere seemed off, implying Old Yuan’s health wasn’t good, his angry look just now relieved everyone, realizing his condition wasn’t as bad.

"Alright, I exaggerated a bit." Old Yuan couldn’t complain about his grandson revealing him, despite his frustration.

Having already been found out by Zhan Jing and the others, Old Yuan switched his expression quickly, "But my family situation is true."

"At most, I’d leave Chengjie a house, nothing else." Old Yuan explained why he treated Chengjie well. Googlᴇ search NoveIＦire.net

Gong Ruini wasn’t interested in these family matters; instead, she focused on what to do with the ginseng.

Zhan Jing considered declining; teaching herbal preparation to village kids was one thing, but starting from scratch would be exhausting.

Yuan Chengjie was big enough; starting from the basics would be tiring.

Since Old Yuan had made up his mind, Zhan Jing, of course, faced a barrage of sad stories instead of a refusal.

Leaving Zhan Jing teary-eyed, she said, "I can accept him, but it’ll depend on Yuan Chengjie’s aptitude."

Even if sympathetic, Zhan Jing wouldn’t accept a foolish apprentice, so she honestly laid out the requirements in front of Old Yuan.

Old Yuan had no objections. If his grandson really couldn’t grasp it, there was no point in wasting time; better to learn something else.

"Teacher..." Yuan Chengjie was surprised, honestly thinking his grandfather expected too much and doubting Zhan Jing would accept him.

Zhan Jing wouldn’t have Yuan Chengjie call her teacher yet, "Wait until I officially accept you."

"If you meet my requirements, I’ll accept you as an apprentice; otherwise, there’s no hope." As long as he passed, being down-to-earth, Zhan Jing wouldn’t mind taking an apprentice.

This way, when nearby villagers needed a doctor, she wouldn’t have to run around, especially being busy with twin sons, a disciple would ease her burden.

Old Yuan was delighted, so he left the three ginseng roots, "For Doctor Zhan’s tuition."

Though fond of money, Old Yuan could bear its loss for his grandson’s future.

As long as his grandson worked hard, learning well from Zhan Jing, he wouldn’t worry about making a living.

No matter how valuable ginseng was, it depended on whether it could be kept, or it could be a disaster. Learning a skill was better.