NOVPUBChapter 61: Chapter 61: Lessons from Parents
Chapter 61 -61: Lessons from Parents
After eating the dumplings and drinking a big bowl of dumpling soup, Bai Xiao felt that life’s pleasures could hardly get any better.
He Qingsheng and He Huanhuan were very tactful. After the meal, they cleared the table and took all the dishes and utensils to the kitchen to wash up and tidy everything.
Bai Ju initially wanted to help, but Bai Xiao stopped her. She wanted to talk with He Wang, Bai Ju, and He Weng.
Bai Ju and He Wang didn’t understand why Bai Xiao asked He Wang to carry He Weng into this large room. He Weng, who hadn’t seen people for years, felt very uncomfortable in such a brightly lit place and nervously pulled the blanket up over himself, almost wishing he could crawl inside it.
Bai Xiao reached out towards He Weng, who blinked, not knowing what Bai Xiao was about to do.
“Xiao, what are you going to do? Don’t scare him,” Bai Ju implored, feeling sorry for her brother-in-law. To her, he was like a child she had raised. Having been married into the family for 12 years, she had taken care of him for that same period. From cleaning to caring and even handling his personal needs, she had nurtured a child into his twenties. In Bai Ju’s eyes, He Weng was no different from her own child.
“Sister, I had a narrow escape from death, even made a round trip to Lord Yama’s domain. Lord Yama was about to write my name in the Book of Life and Death. I was saved by someone, and those people were our mom and dad. They strongly argued with Lord Yama and exchanged their own merits for my little life,” Bai Xiao knew the bluff she used on the villagers, saying she learned medical skills from her father, but that wouldn’t fool Bai Ju. After all, Bai Ju had lived with her for many years as her sister, and knew very well whether she had learned it or not.
So, she thought of a more convincing excuse.
Bai Ju gasped, “What did you say? You met our mom and dad?”
This was indeed frightening. After all, the dead, when seen, are known to be just spirits, and people these days still hold certain superstitious beliefs about such spirits and gods.
“Yes! I met our mom and dad. They saved me by using their merits to allow me to return to the living world. Before leaving, they passed on their medical skills to me, charging me to use these skills to heal the sick, do good deeds, and accumulate virtues for my future blessings.” This statement flowed much more smoothly.
Indeed, Bai Ju believed it without a doubt, considering how her parents were so reluctant and worried about Bai Xiao when they were dying. Therefore, it was natural for them to protect Bai Xiao.
Bai Ju, moved to tears, patted Bai Xiao on the shoulder and said, “Xiao, you must make something of yourself and not let down our parents’ kindness to you. It’s also thanks to them that you, this little girl, still have your life.” It was both a sigh and a feeling of fortune.
He Wang didn’t know what to say. His deceased in-laws were good people. When they married their daughter to him, they were very forgiving in terms of the dowry and bride price and didn’t disdain him for being an orphan and for bringing a disabled brother into the marriage. He already felt fortunate to have such good luck with parents.
In his view, good people should receive good fortunes, yet his good in-laws had died so early. But to hear Bai Xiao say that they were still watching over their daughter even from beyond the grave reaffirmed their goodness indeed.
Neither of them doubted the plausibility or truth of this tale in the slightest.
He Weng was even more filled with reverence. n𝚘𝚟𝚙𝚞𝚋.𝚌o𝚖
“Sister, brother-in-law, let me take a look at He Weng. I should be able to cure him!” Bai Xiao requested, telling others verbally that she could treat people and needing them to believe her. After laying so much groundwork, this was the true intention.
He Weng was taken aback!
Treat him? His expression instantly turned dark. Over the years, his eldest brother and sister-in-law had spared no expense in hiring doctors for him; the money spent on his medical treatment could have ensured a comfortable life for the family. He knew it was because of him that his brother and sister-in-law were burdened. So many doctors had confirmed that he could never recover, and he had lost all hope. Each time, the disappointment that followed hope was even more crushing.
“Really?” In contrast to He Weng’s despondency, He Wang felt differently; his brother was still young. He was not willing to accept this fate of lying in bed for the rest of his life. If he could at least walk a few steps with the help of a walking stick, or handle his personal needs by himself, he would be deeply content, feeling he had honored their parents’ memory.
Bai Ju was also skeptical. Could the medical skills passed down to Bai Xiao by her parents truly be that remarkable?
But she knew quite well that her parents were only somewhat decent with identifying medicine—her father’s skills were modest, capable of treating minor headaches and fevers. He was incapable of treating serious, complicated diseases.
Could he have had some great opportunity with Lord Yama, learning true skills?
No wonder Bai Ju was doubtful. After all, talking about ghosts and spirits made many people very respectful of these so-called immortals who could revive the dead with a wave of their hand.
Bai Xiao nodded, “I really can cure him, but to treat this disease, I need a set of silver needles for acupuncture.” She only had one silver needle she had secretly kept from Doctor Xu, the village medic.
Actually, the so-called silver needles for acupuncture were merely a smokescreen. She could make her experiences sound even more legendary, but she definitely did not want others to treat her like a lab rat for experimentation.
“Alright, I’ll get them ready for you right now,” He Wang responded without considering the reality of her statement, grabbing his coat and rushing out.
Bai Xiao shook her head. Bai Ju asked, “Xiao, can you really do it?”
“Sister, the things I just told you and your husband, you must not tell anyone else. If people knew about my experiences, those scientists, and whatnot, would probably drag me back for blood tests and dissections to study exactly what’s going on with me. I do not want to die,” Bai Xiao frightened Bai Ju.
Hearing this, Bai Ju indeed turned pale, just imagining her sister lying there being dissected and covered in tubes made Bai Ju feel completely unwell.
“Right, we can’t talk about it. We can’t discuss these superstitious matters nowadays. Here’s what we’ll do, Xiao— if someone asks how you learned medical skills, just tell them you learned from our dad since you were little. All of us brothers and sisters can vouch for you. You are just more gifted, learned faster, isn’t that right? There’s no rule saying a wise son necessarily comes from a foolish father. Do you hear me?” Bai Ju really worried about her sister exposing these secrets.
Bai Xiao nodded, “I understand, second sister. Can’t I just do as you say?” She hadn’t even thought to suggest that herself, but her sister had already come up with it. But they were her family, after all!
Bai Ju looked earnestly at He Weng with eager eyes. He Weng could only helplessly nod and whisper, “Sister-in-law, rest assured, I don’t know anything.” Out of gratitude for the years of care from his sister-in-law, he would absolutely not gossip outside, although he really doubted whether this young girl could cure his disease.
Hearing this, Bai Ju clearly sighed in relief.
She knew this brother-in-law well; a bit shy and introverted, but a good person. Despite the difficulties he faced from childhood, he never became temperamental. Once he made a promise, he would keep it.
