Wang Hongxia looked at him in disbelief, a chill spreading through her heart.
She doted on this second son the most, wishing she could give him her very heart and soul.
And this was her reward!
Overwhelmed with grief, Wang Hongxia couldn't hold back and slapped him hard across the face, his lip splitting open.
"Get out! Get out!"
Old Madam Zhou watched this scene with cold eyes, thinking this was true retribution.
"Wang Hongxia, stop the act. Give us the settlement money quickly. From now on, Zhao Jianguo will be our Old Zhou family's live-in son-in-law!"
Wang Hongxia gritted her teeth and took a hundred yuan from the house.
"A hundred? Are you treating us like beggars! Zhao Jianguo worked his fingers to the bone for years, and you're giving him a hundred in the settlement? You must be dreaming!"
Wang Hongxia stuck her neck out, her eyes wide as copper bells.
"It's only a hundred. Take it or leave it!"
Old Madam Zhou sneered, "It seems you have no intention of reconciling. Fine, we don't want this hundred yuan. Let's go to the police station! It's worth trading this hundred yuan for you to go to jail."
"Wait! Sister-in-law, don't rush. I've calculated, and I can divide a bit more for Jianguo."
Zhao Yongqiang dared not delay any longer and brought out all the money in the house.
Wang Hongxia still wanted to intervene, but Zhao Yongqiang slapped her.
"Do you really want to go to jail?"
Wang Hongxia trembled, her head drooping in despair, not daring to speak.
Zhao Yongqiang, to show fairness, brought out all the money and had everyone witness.
"There is a total of a thousand here. Four hundred yuan will be our living expenses for old age, and the remaining six hundred will be divided equally between the two sons, three hundred each."
The Old Zhou family members were finally satisfied and accepted the three hundred yuan, bringing the matter to a close.
Cheng You was somewhat disappointed. Was that it?
Qi Chengyan saw her lingering look and tapped her head.
"Aren't you leaving?"
Cheng You gave a soft "oh" and turned to follow him.
Before they had taken a few steps, Old Madam Zhou called out to her.
"Cheng You!"
"Auntie, what is it?"
Old Madam Zhou saw Qi Chengyan and was taken aback.
"Is he your boyfriend?"
Cheng You nodded generously, "My boyfriend."
Old Madam Zhou was a little disappointed. She had a very good impression of Cheng You, and her son was just of marriageable age, so she had wanted to arrange a match.
She smiled, "It's nothing, nothing. Auntie just wanted to thank you. If it weren't for you this time, A Ru would have..."
"Auntie, don't say such unlucky things. Sister-in-law is blessed and will be fine."
Old Madam Zhou nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, she'll be fine! If you ever need any help from our Old Zhou family in the future, don't hesitate to come to us. After this is all over, come to my place for a meal."
"Okay!"
Cheng You was not one to be coy and readily agreed.
Old Madam Zhou said a few more words to her, then left with the Old Zhou family.
Cheng You watched them go, then walked with her hands clasped behind her back, side-by-side with Qi Chengyan.
"You saved Zhou Yunru?"
Cheng You was startled. She was about to deny it, but when she met his deep gaze.
She knew he knew everything.
Just like Uncle Li.
This was also why Uncle Li had told her to be careful.
Once the Condensing Dew was given to someone, its miraculous effect would surely be noticed.
She hummed an affirmative, "It was just a coincidence."
Qi Chengyan didn't ask further. Everyone had their own secrets, and not everything could be spoken aloud.
"Qi Chengyan..."
"Hmm?"
"Uncle Li wants to take me on as a disciple."
Qi Chengyan's eyes were calm, not surprised.
"Did you agree?"
"Not yet, I haven't decided."
She didn't know if she could do it well.
Every person who came to see a doctor represented a responsibility.
She was accustomed to a leisurely life, and having something suddenly bind her made her feel uneasy.
Confused and scared.
"Then think it over carefully."
Cheng You reached out, her slender, white fingers like scallion segments gently pinching the hem of his clothes.
"Qi Chengyan, do you think I can do it?"
She looked at him with bright eyes, her red lips slightly pursed, her expression a little troubled, looking very obedient.
Only in front of him could she be so docile.
Qi Chengyan raised his hand impulsively, as if about to touch her small face.
He restrained himself with sheer willpower, finally raising his hand and placing it on her little head.
Cheng You's eyes curved into a smile, and she rubbed her face against his palm.
"Youyou, to gain something requires giving something back."
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world, especially for the fortuitous encounters Cheng You had.
Cheng You paused, as if she understood something.
She made up her mind, she would study medicine!
"I'll go tell Uncle Li right now!"
Her impulsive nature couldn't hold back for more than two minutes before revealing its true form.
Qi Chengyan helplessly pulled her back, "There's no hurry."
He took something from his pocket and placed it in her palm.
It was a box, larger than Cheng You's hand.
"What is this? Is it a gift for me?"
Qi Chengyan hummed, "Open it and see."
Cheng You felt a sense of anticipation, pursed her lips in a smile, and carefully opened it.
It was a watch!
She had never bought a watch before, but she knew they were expensive.
After all, it was one of the "three turns and one ring" of dowry items.
"This… this is too expensive, I don't want it."
Cheng You tried to return it to him, but Qi Chengyan turned and left.
"If you don't want it, then throw it away."
Cheng You's eyes widened. How could she throw away something so expensive!
She took the watch out of the box. The strap was a silver chain, and the dial was blue. It was a small and exquisite ladies' wristwatch.
She couldn't help but put it on to try. It fit perfectly.
Her frame was delicate, and her wrists were naturally slender.
Cheng You had envied other people's watches before and had tried them on several times, but they were always loose.
This showed that Qi Chengyan had put thought into it and shortened the chain.
She had originally intended to return it to him, but after putting it on, the more she looked at it, the more she liked it, and she couldn't bear to take it off.
"I'll only wear it today, and I'll return it to him tomorrow."
She liked it too much, so she'd indulge herself for a day.
Cheng You touched the watch on her wrist, utterly delighted, a smile never leaving her face.
"Uncle Li! Uncle Li!"
Before she even entered the door, she started calling out.
Uncle Li rubbed his aching back, "Come quickly and sort the medicinal herbs. Always slacking off!"
Cheng You ran over with a smile, "I'm not slacking off at all. I have something to tell you. I've decided to become your disciple. Will you still accept me? But I don't want to treat people; I want to learn to make medicine."
After much thought, she felt that treating people too easily exposed her.
Just like last time, seeing Zhou Yunru's pained expression, she had softened and given her Condensing Dew.
Uncle Li glanced at her, "Have you decided? I'm not very good at teaching the art of medicine-making. I can only guide you to the entrance, and you'll have to figure out the rest yourself."
"I've decided. I'll work hard!"
"Alright, I'll pick a day, and we'll have a couple of tables for a disciple-induction ceremony."
Cheng You blinked, "Just like that?"
"What else do you expect? Since you're going to be my disciple, I have a few words of advice for you. This path is not easy. Since you've decided to learn, you can't be afraid of hardship. If you falter..."
"I won't falter!" Cheng You retorted, pouting.
Uncle Li tapped her head, "However, you are someone who has a shortcut. You can use it well, but giving it directly to someone like Zhou Yunru, that can't happen a second time."
Otherwise, someone would quickly discover the anomaly.
Cheng You nodded obediently, "I won't do that again."
As for Zhou Yunru, Cheng You believed she wouldn't repay kindness with enmity.