Fang Wenwen walked in from outside carrying bags of all sizes, panting as she said, Quick, help me with these.
Lin Zijun snorted coldly, but he still stepped forward to take the things from her hands.
Thanks. Fang Wenwen shoved a milk candy into his hand, then excitedly showed her face to Lin Zhilan.
Dr. Lin, look at my face. It's completely healed!
Fang Wenwen had gone back to her hometown for the Lunar New Year. Having just returned today, she rushed over to share the good news.
She had undergone an earth-shattering transformation compared to last year.
Her previously thick bangs were pinned up, revealing a cute, round face.
The acne and pimples on her face had vanished, leaving her skin fine and smooth. Although a few faint acne scars remained, they were completely unnoticeable unless one looked very closely.
With her improved skin, her entire demeanor had brightened; she looked several years younger.
Lin Zhilan smiled. Very good. It seems you've been consistent with applying the ointment.
I haven't missed a single day. As Fang Wenwen watched her face improve day by day, her entire mental state had transformed.
She chattered endlessly about how proud and elated she and her mother had felt during the New Year.
Even her former classmates were shocked when they saw her.
Dr. Lin, these are all New Year's gifts my mom asked me to give you.
Since Du Hongmei had previously questioned Lin Zhilan to her face, she was too embarrassed to come herself and could only have Fang Wenwen express her gratitude on her behalf.
Lin Zijun rummaged through the bags slightly. Such a generous gift, Comrade Fang Wenwen. How lavish.
Lin Zhilan took a glance; they were all rare items like milk powder and honey.
Wenwen, you already paid the consultation fee for your treatment. Take all these things back. I can't accept them.
Lin Zijun asked, Teacher, why won't you accept them?
Lin Zhilan raised an eyebrow. Xiao Lin, with medical ethics like yours, don't you dare go out and tell people you learned from me.
Lin Zijun chuckled and helped her shove the things back to Fang Wenwen. My master doesn't want them.
Fang Wenwen clapped her hands. I told my mom Dr. Lin wouldn't accept them, but she insisted I bring them. However, I prepared some gifts myself for you, Linlin, and Chengzhou.
She took out a box of crayons and a thick stack of grid notebooks from the military-green canvas bag slung across her body.
The gift for Lin Zhilan was a complete set of silver acupuncture needles.
Lin Zhilan's eyes lit up, and she treasuredly took out the silver needles to inspect them.
She still didn't have her own set of silver needles and had been using Ye Congshan's all along.
It was the only set in the entire Traditional Chinese Medicine department.
Forging silver needles required a high level of technical skill, and there were simply no craftsmen on the island who could make them. It wasn't that Lin Zhilan was just being greedy for needles.
Wenwen, where did you get these?
Seeing that she liked them, Fang Wenwen was overjoyed. My grandfather has an acquaintance who is the head of the medicinal herbs station. When I went to pay him a New Year's visit, I asked in passing, and I didn't expect him to actually have a set.
Without another word, Lin Zhilan accepted the needles. Wenwen, I'll accept the crayons and notebooks. Tell me how much these needles cost, and I'll reimburse you.
Dr. Lin, Fang Wenwen drew circles on the ground with her toe, I don't want money. Could you make me a bit more of that ointment? Mine is almost out.
Sure. Lin Zhilan agreed without a second thought.
However, this ointment will be different from the previous one. It's for whitening and nourishing the skin. Do you want it?
Yes! Fang Wenwen was still a young woman; how could she not be tempted hearing that?
Lin Zijun had originally wanted to bicker with her a bit more, but upon seeing the silver needles, his tone softened.
Comrade Fang Wenwen, can you get any more of these silver needles?
Fang Wenwen crossed her arms over her chest. You know acupuncture?
I know a thing or two, Lin Zijun said, pretending to be profound.
Even so, I won't get them for you. Blah blah blah.
You...
These two had clashed from the very beginning, and they bickered for a long time before finally settling down.
Only after they finished arguing did Fang Wenwen bring up the main business.
Dr. Lin, school starts in a few days. Remember to have Jiang Chengzhou and Yan Yuan come and register.
Alright, I know.
Speaking of this, Fang Wenwen looked a little worried. It's the school's first year of enrollment. Starting tomorrow, I have to follow the principal around to promote it. I'm so afraid that hardly anyone will come to attend.
The school's enrollment was partly aimed at the children of military personnel in the family compound, and partly at the local children on the island.
The military children were fine, as their parents would generally send them to school, but it was not a guarantee for the local island children.
Children as old as Yan Yuan could already comb the beach to bring in income for their families; to them, studying was considered a waste of time.
Lin Zijun was a local islander, so he had experience with this. If you want to persuade them to go to school, you have to let them know the benefits of studying. Otherwise, they definitely won't go.
Do the benefits of studying even need to be explained? Fang Wenwen was confused.
One look at Fang Wenwen and it was clear she was a child raised in a family free from worries about food and clothing; she completely didn't understand the hardships of the common people.
Lin Zijun shook his head and sighed, Comrade Fang Wenwen, fishing families rely on fishing to make a living. Will reading a few more books help them catch more fish when they go out to sea?
Fang Wenwen: I...
She sighed, clearly understanding the logic.
Lin Zijun whispered, How about this: you help me persuade Teacher Lin to take me on as an apprentice, and I'll give you an idea?
Fang Wenwen huffed. The one most worried about enrollment is the principal. I'm not worried, so I won't speak up for you.
I didn't even provoke you. Why are you ruining things for me? Lin Zijun said unhappily.
Even Lin Zhilan and Ye Congshan looked over, curious as to why Fang Wenwen wouldn't let him become an apprentice.
Fang Wenwen blushed and said, Dr. Lin is so young and her medical skills are so good, but the Traditional Chinese Medicine department is only so big. What if she teaches the apprentice and ends up starving the master?
I... Lin Zijun was speechless. Even if you beat him to death, he never would have guessed this was the reason.
Lin Zhilan laughed as well. Teacher Fang, when you teach, do you also only teach half and keep the other half to yourself?
Of course not.
Lin Zhilan burst into laughter. Aren't you afraid that teaching the students will starve the teacher?
Traditional Chinese Medicine is vast and profound. Lin Zhilan herself was still constantly learning. She was not someone who selfishly hoarded knowledge; on the contrary, she hoped to see more people come to study and delve into Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Fang Wenwen pursed her lips, realizing she had spoken without thinking again.
Lin Zijun chuckled, Master, does this mean you're accepting me?
Since she treated him as a student anyway, Lin Zhilan simply went along with it. I'll accept you, I'll accept you. But I'm not accepting the bicycle.
Because Su Lang was a military officer, Lin Zhilan was very cautious when it came to receiving and giving gifts.
Lin Zijun replied, That won't do. The bicycle is my way of showing filial respect to you, elder.
Filial respect...
Lin Zhilan sighed. How about this: I was planning to buy a bicycle anyway. You transfer this one to me, and I'll give you the bicycle ticket and the money for it. That saves me the trouble, and we can consider it your way of showing respect. Will that work?
Su Lang's two sisters-in-law had sent identical bicycle tickets, and she was just thinking about buying one.
Seeing that she firmly refused to accept it as a free gift, Lin Zijun had no choice but to agree.
Fang Wenwen said, Congratulations on successfully becoming an apprentice. Now, about that enrollment method, Dr. Lin Junior, please enlighten me.
