Chapter 92: On the Train

Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn

Yu Erhu, though vigilant earlier, slept soundly through the incident.

Feeling guilty about what happened to Ye Mo, Wang Yan gave him two hundred dollars, saying, "Brother, I know your money was stolen. This isn't much, but it's for emergencies."

Ye Mo was surprised. Wang Yan's guilt and conscience surprised him. Yu Erhu awoke then, looking at Ye Mo and Wang Yan with evident confusion.

Ye Mo pushed the money back, smiling. "No need, I have money."

Wang Yan hadn't expected Ye Mo to refuse. She thought he was slightly better dressed than Yu Erhu, but not expensively so; just neat. She imagined he might need the money later.

Worried about his refusal, she explained, "I saw your money stolen but was too scared to intervene. Please take it; otherwise, I'll feel terrible." She spoke truthfully, having witnessed too many reports of retribution against witnesses.

A girl who had approached them earlier, now holding a bowl of noodles, chimed in, "I said his money was stolen, but he didn't believe me. You're broke now, right? Here's a hundred. I'm a student, so I don't have much." She produced some money.

Understanding that Ye Mo had been robbed, Yu Erhu, without hesitation, unwrapped layers of paper to reveal fifty dollars. "Brother, I don't have much, but here's fifty. My grandpa warned me about thieves; that Jin Jibing was one."

Touched by their kindness, Ye Mo, though frustrated, felt grateful. The world wasn't entirely cold, especially not Yu Erhu. He noticed Yu Erhu had a thick stack of fifty-dollar bills, revealing a simple but kind nature.

Ye Mo accepted Wang Yan's two hundred dollars, saying, "I'm fine with this; keep your money," to the others. He knew the girl was a student, Yu Erhu wasn't wealthy, and Wang Yan, though she'd bought a train bed, wasn't affluent.

Wang Yan was relieved. She felt profoundly guilty for witnessing the theft of thousands of dollars and doing nothing.

After accepting the money, Ye Mo produced three herbs from his bag and gave them to Wang Yan. "Consider this payment for your kindness."

The women looked puzzled, but Yu Erhu stared intently at the unfamiliar herbs.

"Big Brother, are you a doctor?" Yu Erhu asked, astonished.

Ye Mo shook his head. "Not exactly. I know herbs and collect them."

Wang Yan quickly pushed the herbs away. "Big Brother, I don't need these."

Ye Mo smiled. "You do."

"Why?" the girl asked, equally surprised.

Wang Yan waited for Ye Mo's explanation.

"You're infertile, and you know your condition best. Boil these three herbs three times, nothing else added. Drink the decoction and the residue; it will help." Ye Mo had diagnosed Wang Yan's condition. She was infertile and had at most twenty years to live. He’d found these herbs near the Vietnam border. Ideally, a fourth herb was needed, but Wang Yan's robust constitution should tolerate it. However, he would need to use his Chi to clear her meridians.

"Ah! You knew" Wang Yan, overwhelmed with emotion, repeatedly bowed.

Married for over ten years, she'd been unable to conceive, facing scorn from her in-laws and neighbours. Despite extensive treatments, she remained infertile. Though her husband loved her, she suffered greatly. She worked tirelessly to cope.

Overjoyed, she could barely speak. At thirty-nine, she felt her hopes dwindling.

Then, remembering herself, she produced a bank card. "It's not much, but it's my thanks. The password—"

Ye Mo interrupted. "Keep it. I have enough money; how do you know I'm not a fraud?" Subtly, he cleared Wang Yan's meridians.

Wang Yan, still unaware, hesitated. Is he a fraud? Why be so open about it? But today's scammers are clever…

Eventually, she kept the card. "Big Brother, give me your number. If this works, I must repay you."

Ye Mo refused. "No phone, no repayment needed. You've already paid for the herbs."

"Big Brother, your skills are incredible! Even my grandpa isn't as good!" Yu Erhu exclaimed.

Ye Mo offered Yu Erhu a job. "Erhu, you're kind. Join me in Luo Cang. I'm opening a clinic, and you can help."

"Of course! I have nowhere else to go," Yu Erhu readily agreed.

Wang Yan, still unsure, considered the herbs' efficacy.

The girl, impressed by Ye Mo's skills, announced, "I'm going to Luo Cang too! Let's travel together!"

"More the merrier," Ye Mo agreed. He found her kind and decent, and grateful for her past help.

Yu Erhu, despite his past caution about thieves, readily offered to help the girl with her luggage.

Ye Mo watched their belongings. Wang Yan remained silent, contemplating the herbs.

The girl, Yang Yi, a third-year practical medicine student at Jiang Nan Medical University in Luo Cang, was talkative and quickly bonded with Ye Mo and Yu Erhu. Wang Yan remained quiet, burdened by her thoughts.

In Beijing, Wang Yan bid them farewell. In Zheng State, they changed trains for Luo Cang. Believing Ye Mo was penniless, Yang Yi insisted on buying his ticket until he revealed his money.

They boarded the train to Luo Cang without incident. This time, only seats were available. Yu Erhu insisted on paying his own fare.

Yu Erhu, showing his naivete, asked about medical licenses. Yang Yi explained their necessity. Ye Mo wasn't concerned; he could easily obtain one with money.

Yang Yi, the only one with a phone, asked for contact information.

"We'll call you once we're settled," Yu Erhu replied.

"Please do! I don't know anyone in Luo Cang," Yang Yi said. She found Ye Mo comfortable to be around.

The three grew closer during the journey. Upon arrival at Luo Cang Station, they parted ways, promising to reunite soon.