Chapter 245: Showcasing Culinary Skills
Xiao Yue thought to himself, ’If I were a man of letters, I’d use the most ornate language to describe the Little Divine Doctor’s beauty.
In all my thirty-some years, I’ve never seen a woman so beautiful. She’s like an angel who has strayed into the mortal realm.
She was alluring, yet possessed a sacred air. Her eyes, especially, were so deep and bright, like a piercing light that could see straight through a person’s soul.
So, someone this ethereally beautiful really does exist... and she’s standing right in front of me.’
Gu Jiaojiao, of course, had no idea what was going through Xiao Yue’s mind. She took out a bottle of medicine, handed it to him, and spoke.
"Take three pills from this medicine a day. I will come over every day to give you acupuncture. If all goes well, you should be recovered after ten acupuncture sessions."
Xiao Yue replied in a low voice, "Thank you, Little Divine Doctor."
He said nothing more. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, but that he was so overwhelmed with emotion he was at a loss for words.
In that instant, his heart, once a desolate desert, suddenly blossomed with a riot of vibrant flowers.
His heart, which had felt like it was baking under a scorching sun, unbearably thirsty, was suddenly quenched as if he had just feasted on sweet peaches and watermelon.
A sweet feeling filled his heart, an ineffable emotion. He was going to be completely healed.
"Don’t mention it. It’s my duty. A healer must have a compassionate heart. I’ll apply the silver needles for you now, and afterward, I’ll prepare a medicinal soup for you."
"Yes. Thank you, Little Divine Doctor," Xiao Yue said, thanking her once more.
One of Xiao Yue’s long-serving subordinates was seeing his master act so polite for the first time. ’He’s been seriously injured before and had several close brushes with death,’ the subordinate thought.
’But our master has never thanked a doctor before. Is he only being this polite because the Little Divine Doctor is beautiful?’
Elder Xu, meanwhile, was diligently observing from the side, studying intently. This was the highest-level ward on the border.
Mr. Han had previously stayed in this room, and now Han Jingshen was here too. Sheng Shijing was not yet qualified to stay here.
After Xia Qiuming finished examining Han Jingshen, he said happily, "You’re recovering remarkably fast. The Little Divine Doctor’s medicine and acupuncture are truly something else."
It even made Xia Qiuming want to learn how to use silver needles, though he knew it wasn’t a skill that could be mastered overnight.
"Haha... The Divine Doctor’s medicine is definitely out of the ordinary. In the past, even when my injuries weren’t this severe, I had to recuperate for a whole month before I could get back on the battlefield."
Han Jingshen was ecstatic. He had thought this injury would prevent him from ever returning to the battlefield!
Now that Han Chenyu’s insomnia was cured, Mr. Han wanted him to take command of the military operations.
Only now did Mr. Han have time to linger in the ward. He also wanted to use this as an opportunity to step down from the front lines.
Except for when Gu Jiaojiao was on the phone or sleeping, Mr. Han was always at her side.
After she finished applying the silver needles on Xiao Yue, Gu Jiaojiao prepared to make a medicinal meal. After all, Mr. Han was nearly seventy.
He had been seriously injured this time and needed to replenish his vitality, so Gu Jiaojiao had started making medicinal meals for him a few days prior.
The meal was filled with medicinal herbs that nourished vitality, enriched the blood, and strengthened the body. It had the slightly bitter aroma of traditional medicine.
Han Chenyu also needed medicinal meals to help his body recover. Since Gu Jiaojiao was staying there, she would prepare them whenever she had the time.
She also instructed the surgeons. With her kind heart and beautiful face, it was no surprise that everyone was very fond of her.
When she was making the medicinal meals, two young soldiers from the kitchen detail would follow her around, helping her by tending the fire and fetching water.
Gu Jiaojiao tailored the medicinal meals to each patient’s taste and specific condition.
Once the meals were ready, the two young soldiers would eagerly ladle them into bowls, place them on a tray, and follow behind her.
Entering the ward, Gu Jiaojiao went to Mr. Han first. "Brother, it’s time for your medicinal meal."
"Thank you, Little Sister." After thanking her, Mr. Han took his bowl from the tray.
Gu Jiaojiao then approached Xiao Yue’s bed and explained, "Mr. Xiao, your wounds are starting to heal now.
You can use these medicinal meals to supplement your recovery. It will help your body regain its functions more quickly.
Please, give it a try. It might not taste great, but as they say, good medicine is bitter. I’ve done my best to remove most of the bitter taste."
Xiao Yue took the bowl. It was the perfect temperature, a sign of the Little Divine Doctor’s thoughtfulness. He immediately took a sip. "It’s not bitter at all. In fact, it’s quite good. Thank you, Little Divine Doctor."
He wanted to call her "Little Sister" too, but by the rules of seniority, he was supposed to address Mr. Han as "Uncle."
Mr. Han and his father were brothers-in-arms who had faced life and death together. It was a shame his father had been injured so severely many years ago that he could never return to the battlefield.
"As long as it’s palatable, that’s what matters. Bitter medicine helps the sickness. Even if it doesn’t taste good, you must drink a bowl every day. I was planning to head to Qing City, but you still need nine more consecutive days of treatment with the silver needles."
Before Xiao Yue could say anything, Mr. Han chimed in with an invitation, "Little Sister, why don’t you just come straight to the Imperial City with me?"
"I’ll make a trip to Qing City first, then we’ll see. Don’t worry, Brother, I’ll contact you when I get to the Imperial City."
Because Xiao Yue was present, Gu Jiaojiao and Han Du had a tacit understanding not to mention that she was going to the Imperial City for university.
"Little Divine Doctor, when are you going to the Imperial City? Through Uncle Han, would it be possible for me to ask you to examine my father then?"
"Of course. My brother already told me that he has a group of friends who need their health checked. I’ll contact him as soon as I get to the Imperial City."
Xiao Yue was speechless. He didn’t know what to say, so he just quietly drank his medicinal soup.
Han Jingshen held his own portion of the soup, sipping it with great relish. ’This soup my little grand-aunt made herself is just the best!’ he thought.
If Gu Jiaojiao knew what he was thinking, she would have been mortified. Because Han Jingshen was young, she hadn’t made any special effort to remove the bitterness from his portion.
In reality, it wasn’t tasty at all; it was incredibly bitter.
Sipping his own, more palatable medicinal soup, Mr. Han chatted in high spirits.
"Little Sister, those young rascals of mine went out to hunt wild boar. You’ve gotten a bit thinner lately. I’ll have the kitchen staff make some of your favorite dishes later to help you build your strength back up."
"Really? If they catch a wild boar, I’ll show you my skills in the kitchen, Brother! I don’t just cure sickness—I’m an amazing cook, too."
"Really? Little Divine Doctor, you can cook, too?" Xiao Yue asked in astonishment.
"Uncle Xiao, my little grand-aunt’s cooking is amazing! If they manage to hunt a wild boar today, you’re in for a real treat. She’ll put her skills on full display for you to try."
"It’s incredible... the Little Divine Doctor even knows her way around a kitchen!" Xiao Yue muttered to himself, still in disbelief.
"Yes. What’s so surprising about being able to cook? I usually make my own meals," Gu Jiaojiao said with a laugh.
The ward filled with cheerful laughter, no longer as oppressive as before. Such an atmosphere was also beneficial to the patients’ recovery.
In the midst of the happy chatter, a young soldier ran in to report, "They’ve returned from the hunt! They caught five wild boars today!"
Gu Jiaojiao shot to her feet, and Mr. Han was just as excited. "Let’s go, Little Sister! Let’s go have a look!"
Xiao Yue and Han Jingshen could only remain in their hospital beds, watching the others’ departing figures with a sigh.
"Sigh, if only I could get out of bed!"
"Hmph. Even if you could get out of bed, it’s not like you’d have time to go to the kitchens."