Chapter 4:

Yuzhou City is a very prosperous place, situated at the confluence of three rivers, with a mild climate and breathtaking scenery. Since ancient times, it has been hailed as a “paradise on earth” and is renowned as a famous “water town.”

Qin Chaoyu hadn’t spent all of her eighteen years completely isolated in that secluded place. In medicine, the most taboo is working behind closed doors—merely burying oneself in study is futile. Only by encountering various patients and tackling complex cases can one truly master the craft. Thus, Qin Bingwen had taken Qin Chaoyu out to practice medicine several times. However, it had been three years since their last excursion. As the saying goes, “A day in the mountains feels like a millennium in the world,” and the world had developed rapidly. Qin Chaoyu found the city somewhat unfamiliar.

Her master had left her a house in Yuzhou City’s Yuping Garden.

Qin Chaoyu was a bit bewildered because she didn’t know how to get there. Fortunately, she knew she could take a taxi; otherwise, she might have had to ask for directions the whole way.

Upon arrival, since she had documents proving she was the owner, she was easily allowed in. Observing the area, it seemed to be an affluent neighborhood—the houses were uniquely designed, embodying the characteristics of a water town, each standing independently with its own small garden. Even though Qin Chaoyu had been isolated from the world and knew little about it, she understood how valuable such a property here must be. No wonder the taxi driver had given her such a strange look earlier—he probably thought someone who could live in such a place wouldn’t need to take a taxi.

Gazing at the beautiful house, Qin Chaoyu wondered when her master had bought it and how much it had cost.

The area was vast, and walking around would have been exhausting for most. Fortunately, Qin Chaoyu was accustomed to trekking through mountains and forests, and with the aid of her inner strength, she managed. Otherwise, she might have collapsed from fatigue.

However, all the exhaustion vanished when she saw the house. The exterior was enclosed by an iron fence, and through the gaps, Qin Chaoyu could see a small wooden cottage with a garden in front, currently planted with flowers, trees, and other greenery.

Qin Chaoyu took out the key and entered. The interior’s decor style pleased her greatly.

The house had two floors. In the center of the first floor stood a large tree. Due to her medical training, Qin Chaoyu had learned to cultivate herbs and had developed a keen interest in plants, so she had studied them extensively.

This tree could only grow as tall as the house. It was clear that it had been carefully selected—it didn’t attract insects or moths. Above the tree was a transparent glass window, allowing one to lie beneath it at night and gaze at the stars. Of course, the window could also be covered. The second floor was built around the tree, with every detail exuding elegance—a house embodying the essence of garden-style architecture.

Qin Chaoyu hadn’t brought much luggage; everything was stored in her spatial pocket. Over the past two months, she had planted many flowers, fruits, and vegetables inside it. She had also discovered that time flowed differently in the space compared to the outside world. Qin Chaoyu wasn’t sure if this would affect a person’s lifespan, but she remained unaffected—perhaps because she was the space’s owner.

Entering the space, Qin Chaoyu immediately felt refreshed. The air inside was incredibly pure. She plucked a peach and took a bite—it was sweet and juicy.

“Tuantuan!” Qin Chaoyu called out.

From a distance, a red figure leaped several times and landed on Qin Chaoyu’s shoulder.

“Chirp!” The little squirrel nuzzled her face affectionately. It had been alone in the space for a long time. Though there was plenty of delicious food and fresh air, it had missed its owner terribly.

Qin Chaoyu lovingly stroked the squirrel’s head, indulging its affectionate gestures.

This little squirrel was the same one she had encountered while picking fleeceflower root. The day after Qin Chaoyu woke up, it had scurried into her bamboo hut and refused to leave. When she asked if it wanted to stay with her, it nodded, so she kept it. Thanks to its companionship, Qin Chaoyu had gradually overcome the grief of her master’s passing. Coming to Yuzhou, she had no choice but to bring the squirrel into the space. She was deeply worried about the time flow’s potential effects on it, so as soon as she reached a safe place, she entered the space to check.

Seeing that Tuantuan seemed unaffected, Qin Chaoyu felt slightly relieved.

“From now on, Tuantuan, you’ll live with me!” Kissing the squirrel’s tiny nose, Qin Chaoyu brought it out of the space.

Emerging, Tuantuan was momentarily startled—why had the surroundings suddenly changed again?

Qin Chaoyu quickly soothed it by stroking its fur. “It’s okay, this is our home now.”

Scenting Qin Chaoyu’s familiar presence and feeling her calming touch, Tuantuan gradually relaxed.

“Chirp~” Master~

—

Yuzhou was truly a city well-suited for living. With its mild climate, humid air, and clear skies, the pleasant weather lifted one’s spirits.

In the morning, Qin Chaoyu let Tuantuan perch on her shoulder as she headed out.

Today, she planned to buy daily necessities. After arriving the other day, she had been busy tidying the house and realized she lacked many things. Moreover, getting around was inconvenient, so she wanted to purchase a means of transportation.

In the mountains, everything had been self-sufficient, and money wasn’t needed. However, by selling herbs and occasionally practicing medicine, Qin Chaoyu had saved up a considerable sum.

This time, she had stored all her money in the spatial pocket, feeling it was safer there.

The first thing she needed was a smartphone—an essential item in this era.

Qin Chaoyu didn’t know much about phones, but after comparing options, she settled on one priced around two thousand yuan.

With time to spare after shopping, Qin Chaoyu wasn’t ready to return home yet, so she rode her newly bought bicycle to a small park. The bike was petite and cute, perfect for a girl like her.

Thanks to her martial arts training since childhood, riding a bicycle wasn’t difficult for Qin Chaoyu. After a few tries, she became quite skilled.

Worried she might not be able to keep an eye on Tuantuan while cycling, she placed the squirrel in the bike’s front basket.

The park she visited was a famous one in Yuzhou—Honghu Park. It was vast, designed in a classical garden style with artificial hills, flowers, bridges, and flowing water. It also housed shops and a large amusement park.

The park was bustling with people. Since it was summer vacation, many parents had brought their children to play, while elderly strolled leisurely, filling the air with vitality.

Qin Chaoyu felt slightly uneasy in such a lively setting. The crowd was overwhelming, so she dismounted and walked her bike.

As she strolled, she suddenly heard a voice call out.

“Big sister!” The speaker was a little boy, about five years old, with an adorable, chubby-cheeked face.

Qin Chaoyu parked her bike and crouched to his eye level. “What’s the matter, little one?” She liked children—especially polite ones. Seeing how cute this boy was, she was patient with him.

The boy, sensing her respect, beamed. Children, no matter how young, could recognize genuine kindness.

Hehe, this sister isn’t just pretty—she’s really nice too!

Without hesitation, the boy said, “Sister, I saw a super cute red squirrel in your bike basket. Can I pet it? I promise I’ll be very, very gentle and won’t hurt it.”

So it was about Tuantuan. Qin Chaoyu smiled. “Of course! A polite child like you—Tuantuan will love you!”

Flattered, the boy scratched his head shyly. “You’re really pretty too, sister!”

Qin Chaoyu lifted Tuantuan from the basket and held it out for the boy to see.

Having grown up in the wild, Tuantuan had a fierce streak. Moreover, it wasn’t an ordinary squirrel—it had once guarded precious medicinal herbs single-handedly, making it quite proud. To prevent any mishaps, Qin Chaoyu gently soothed it before presenting it to the boy.

The boy’s eyes sparkled the moment he saw Tuantuan. Tentatively, he reached out and stroked its back.

“Wow, sister, it’s so well-behaved! So cute—I love it!”

Tuantuan was clever too. Realizing the boy was praising it, it occasionally chirped in response, then curled up in Qin Chaoyu’s palm, resting its tiny head on its front paws—utterly endearing.

“That’s because you’re so sweet and polite. Tuantuan can feel your affection, so it’s being good for you.”

“Mhm! Sister, its name is Tuantuan?”

Nearby, an elegantly dressed woman stood quietly, smiling as she watched Qin Chaoyu and the boy.

She was the boy’s mother. His name was Han Xinchen, and he was her greatest pride—yet also her deepest regret. Xinchen had a heart condition that prevented him from running or playing like other children his age. While most five-year-olds were mischievous, Xinchen had matured prematurely due to his illness. She had consulted countless renowned doctors, but the results were always disappointing. Every time she cried, Xinchen would comfort her and wipe her tears. If someone could save her son, she’d do anything. Never had she imagined that this outing would bring such a genuine smile to Xinchen’s face. As a mother, her heart swelled with both joy and sorrow. But she wouldn’t give up. She had heard of an old Chinese doctor who had once cured a heart patient—she would find him.

As they played, Qin Chaoyu grew fonder of the boy. Trained in traditional Chinese medicine, she could tell at a glance that he suffered from a severe heart condition. During her travels with her master, she had successfully treated a heart patient before. She couldn’t bear to see such a vibrant young life fade away, but she wasn’t sure if the boy’s mother would trust her. After all, people often judged by appearances—especially in traditional medicine, where the belief was, “No beard, no credibility.”

Handing Tuantuan to the boy, Qin Chaoyu decided to test the waters. If the mother didn’t believe her, it would simply be fate.

Noticing Qin Chaoyu approaching, the woman asked politely, “Miss, is something wrong? Did we disturb you?”

Qin Chaoyu could tell this was a woman of privilege—only a refined upbringing could cultivate such grace.