bestfiction Chapter 206 Apprenticeship
Chapter 206 Apprenticeship
Upon entering the clinic, a rich and mellow aroma of traditional Chinese medicine wafted over, instantly enveloping Lin Qianqian.
The aroma had a faint bitter fragrance, mixed with a hint of spiciness. She couldn't help but take a deep breath, a wave of familiarity washing over her.
Lin Qianqian's expression was gentle, her eyes filled with nostalgia as she slowly looked around. Rows of wooden medicine cabinets were neatly arranged, each small drawer labeled with a neat label and filled with all kinds of medicinal herbs.
Her thoughts drifted back to the 21st century, when she was still Lin Xiaoqian, a busy nurse struggling to make ends meet. To learn more skills, she had interned in a traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy. Every day, she moved among the medicine cabinets, dispensing medicine for patients. The scene before her quietly overlapped with the images from her memory.
Looking at the medicine cabinet, her gaze swept over the labels one by one: honeysuckle, its delicate petals gleaming slightly, with excellent effects in clearing heat and detoxifying.
Astragalus has a firm texture and clear patterns when sliced; it is an excellent medicine for tonifying qi and strengthening the exterior.
Angelica sinensis has a unique aroma and its slices are yellowish-brown. It nourishes and invigorates blood and is often used for gynecological conditioning.
There's also Poria cocos, which is plump and white with a cute blocky shape, and it has a significant effect in promoting diuresis and eliminating dampness.
As Lin Qianqian pondered, she drifted off into thought, a faint smile playing on her lips, barely perceptible to others.
In this strange yet familiar space and time, the smell of traditional Chinese medicine became a wonderful link connecting her past and present.
Xiaodie stood aside, watching Lin Qianqian's series of strange actions. First, she stared blankly at the medicine cabinet, and then she inexplicably started to laugh. Xiaodie was full of doubt, her eyes wide and her brows furrowed.
Unable to contain herself any longer, she leaned closer to Lin Qianqian and whispered in her ear, "Young Master! Young Master!!!"
Lin Qianqian was lost in her memories when she was suddenly startled awake by the call. She instinctively let out a soft "Ah!" She snapped back to reality and gave Xiaodie a reproachful look.
Xiaodie, full of curiosity, pressed, "What are you thinking about! And why are you grinning like that?"
Lin Qianqian pretended to be angry, raised her hand and gently tapped Xiaodie's head, then put her hands on her hips and deliberately raised her voice, saying, "Why are you shouting so loudly! I'm not deaf." Although her voice was loud, it didn't carry much anger.
Xiaodie was startled by the sudden loud voice. She quickly covered her ears, pouted her pink lips, and muttered softly, "It's your fault for ignoring me. I called you several times and you didn't respond." After saying that, she turned her head slightly away, pretending to be aggrieved.
Looking at Xiaodie's appearance, Lin Qianqian's eyes were full of helplessness, yet unconsciously tinged with a touch of doting affection. She gently shook her head.
Just then, a faint, delicate fragrance wafted into Lin Qianqian's nostrils. This fragrance was elegant and refined, resembling neither orchid nor musk, quite different from the strong medicinal smell around her, making it exceptionally unique.
Lin Qianqian's nostrils twitched slightly as she strained to catch the faint fragrance, her mind racing to search for information on various medicinal herbs. Suddenly, her eyes widened, unable to contain her excitement, and she blurted out, "Ambergris!"
Ambergris is an extremely rare medicinal material in the world. It originates from the body of the sperm whale in the deep sea. When it is first expelled, it has an extremely foul odor. Only after being soaked in seawater for a long time and exposed to the sun for a long time will it gradually transform into a rare fragrance and medicine.
Its unique, delicate, and lingering fragrance not only soothes the mind and promotes sleep, but also has remarkable effects on some stubborn ailments. In modern times, it is a rare find, fetching sky-high prices at auctions; it's unexpected to be found in this ancient medical clinic.
"Xiao Die, this is ambergris!" Lin Qianqian exclaimed in surprise and delight, confirming again with her voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and joy.
Xiaodie was taken aback at first, a look of confusion flashing across her face. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes filled with doubt, and scratched her head, making her beautiful hair a little messy. This made her even more confused, her eyes full of bewilderment.
At the counter, the shop owner was focused on arranging the medicinal herbs. When he heard Lin Qianqian excitedly call out "ambergris," he paused, raised his head slightly, and a hint of curiosity and satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
He put down the herbs in his hand, walked lightly around the counter, looked at Lin Qianqian with a searching gaze, and asked in a gentle voice, "Young master, do you know about this ambergris?"
Lin Qianqian's eyes gleamed with confidence as she gracefully approached the man, nodding slightly and speaking with certainty, "Yes! This ambergris is a treasure of the deep sea. It comes from the sperm whale, and when it's first expelled, it has an extremely foul odor. Only after being soaked in seawater for a long time and repeatedly exposed to the scorching sun does it transform into a unique and rich fragrance. It's not only a top-grade spice but also a rare and valuable medicine. Medicinally, it can invigorate blood circulation, relieve abdominal pain, and also resolve phlegm and stop coughing, which is very beneficial for coughs and asthma; its fragrance also has a calming and soothing effect, making it excellent for aiding sleep."
Upon hearing this, the boss's eyes were filled with disbelief, and his mouth was slightly open, as if he had never expected that this seemingly young man would have such a thorough understanding of ambergris.
Immediately, admiration welled up in his eyes, and he nodded repeatedly, sincerely praising, "Young master, you are so young yet possess such insight and such a profound understanding of ambergris. It is truly admirable!"
Hearing the boss's praise, Lin Qianqian's cheeks flushed slightly, and a hint of shyness flashed in her eyes. She gently pursed her lips, a humble smile curving her lips, then slowly shook her head, her demeanor elegant, and said softly, "Boss, you flatter me. I only know a little bit. Ambergris is renowned, and I've only heard of a few of its characteristics; it's nothing special." Her eyes were full of sincerity, and she exuded an air of composure, showing no sign of arrogance despite the praise.
The boss's admiration grew stronger, and he couldn't help but step forward, clasp his hands in a fist and bow deeply to Lin Qianqian, his face full of sincerity and respect.
"Young master's words reveal your humility, which only underscores your extraordinary talent," the shopkeeper remarked, his eyes filled with respect. "Your understanding of ambergris is incredibly detailed. Such knowledge is beyond the reach of even seasoned pharmacists who have spent years in this field, let alone young people. If you have any questions about pharmacology in the future, please feel free to ask. I will answer them to the best of my ability." The shopkeeper bowed slightly, a respectful smile on his face.
Upon hearing this, Lin Qianqian's eyes lit up with surprise, her already bright eyes now sparkling like stars. Her cheeks flushed, and the corners of her mouth turned up in a wide smile, unable to hide her inner joy.
Immediately, she clasped her hands in a respectful bow, leaned forward, and said with sincerity and eagerness, "My surname is Lin, and my given name is Qian. If I could be accepted by you, it would be my greatest honor! I am passionate about medicine and have always hoped to have a good teacher to guide me. You have profound knowledge in medicine and pharmacology, and I hope you can accept me as your apprentice. In the future, I will definitely study hard and live up to your teachings."
A flicker of surprise crossed the boss's eyes, quickly replaced by delight and satisfaction. He smiled warmly and said cheerfully, "Such a studious and humble young master is exactly what I've been looking for! My surname is Chen, and my given name is 'Ji'. From this day forward, you will be my disciple."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qianqian was overjoyed. She quickly took two steps back, straightened her clothes, and solemnly knelt down, performing the three kowtows. After rising, her eyes were bright with respect as she said, "Master, please accept my bow. From now on, I will certainly follow your teachings and devote myself to studying medicine and pharmacology."
In Chen Ji's eyes, it was like a deep, dark pool, filled with his unreserved expectations for Lin Qianqian.
In that instant, the master and apprentice's eyes met. Like two streams converging, a warm current of trust and expectation flowed between them. That invisible bond firmly tied together the mission of passing on the art of medicine, and the flame of inheritance was ignited even more fiercely in their converging gazes.