Chapter 40 - 39 Jiang An, Your Husband Is Here
Outside, the wind and rain are splendid, and the mountains and fields are all today. —— Zhang Ailing
Jiang An arrived early yesterday morning, the girl took the only long-distance bus that could reach the mountain. By the time she found the old Chinese doctor’s courtyard halfway up the mountain, it was already the afternoon.
Jiang An’s mother had been close friends with the old Chinese doctor’s wife. Upon hearing the reason for Jiang An’s visit, they immediately started preparing herbs for her. As the elderly lady took her hand and led her inside, she learned that Jiang An’s mother had passed away two months ago, and she couldn’t help but sigh: "Your mother had a hard life, taking care of you alone ever since your father passed away. I always told her to speak up if she needed anything, but she was so stubbornly strong-willed."
At this emotional moment, the old woman’s eyes were brimming with tears as she gently stroked the back of Jiang An’s hand, "Now that your mother has passed, don’t be a stranger. Let me know if you need anything. Though I’ve been living in these mountains for years, I can still offer you some help and company."
Jiang An responded gratefully to the consoling words of her mother’s friend. The old lady, curious about the purpose of her visit which was to seek a prescription for her grandmother, began to inquire interestedly. Jiang An simply mentioned it was for an elder and did not elaborate further, and the afternoon quickly passed with such exchanges.
As night fell along with the heavy rain, distant mountains sunk into a milky mist, and the torrential rain washed over the moss-covered stone paths, blending the hills and forests into the darkness of the night.
In the woods, the fragrances of flowers and earth swept through.
Seeing that the rain was not letting up, the old Chinese doctor and his wife had Jiang An stay over. The elderly couple, who lived alone, was delighted by the polite and obedient young girl. After dinner, Jiang An began discussing traditional Chinese medicine with the old doctor. Having studied Western medicine, she was fascinated by his unique insights into Chinese medicine.
While they were deep in conversation, the old woman walked in with a basin of foot-soaking water that seemed to contain some Chinese herbs. It smelled mild and pleasant. Jiang An asked curiously, and the old woman explained that the old doctor had chronic cold legs, and she had casually prepared some medicinal herbs to warm his legs. Jiang An was touched by the scene of the couple’s loving care for each other.