RPDPHW Chapter 13

“Good morning, Doctor Gu! Are you here to do some laundry?”

“Yes, Auntie Wang.”

“Hey, Doctor Gu! That young girl beside you—I don’t think I’ve seen her before!”

“Auntie Zhou, this is my cousin. She specially came to stay with me this time.”

“Oh dear, Doctor Gu, your little sister looks so shy!”

Gu Qingyin glanced back at Zhong Shujin, who was timidly clutching the wooden basin and hiding behind her. She smiled slightly and replied, “Yes, Sister He, my little sister is indeed quite timid.”

Unlike before, when everyone crowded by the stream early in the morning to do their laundry, it was already close to mealtime now, yet there were still a few women scattered along the creek, washing clothes.

After all, with the weather getting colder, fewer people came to do laundry early in the morning.

The people of Baining Village were always warm and friendly toward Gu Qingyin, the village’s only doctor.

“Come, come, Doctor Gu! Sit here! I just finished washing. This is a good spot—I’ll save it for you and your sister!”

Auntie Zhou, who was sitting upstream by the creek, quickly gave up her spot for Gu Qingyin.

“Oh, thank you so much, Auntie Zhou.”

“Heh, no need to be so polite! If it weren’t for you, Doctor Gu, my old back would surely be aching again in this weather!”

“Mhm, now that it’s getting colder, if you feel any discomfort, remember to come by and get some medicine from me.”

Auntie Zhou happily agreed, then carried her freshly washed clothes and headed home.

Gu Qingyin then led Zhong Shujin to the stone where Auntie Zhou had been sitting. She settled down and submerged the clothes from both of their wooden basins into the water.

Zhong Shujin glanced around and noticed that the other women were still sneaking glances at her. Feeling a bit awkward, she scooted closer to Gu Qingyin and asked, “Qingqing, why are they all looking at me?”

“That’s because our Ah Jin is just too beautiful, so they can’t help but steal a few more glances.” Gu Qingyin chuckled, pressing Zhong Shujin’s shoulder to gently push her back to her original spot. As she did so, she lifted the hem of Zhong Shujin’s dress, which had dipped into the water, and tied it up. Then she reminded her, “Sit tight. The water is cold—you wouldn’t want to fall in.”

Ever since the disciples of Qingyang Sect left a few days ago, life had been much more peaceful.

Taking advantage of the clear weather today, Gu Qingyin decided to wash the pile of clothes that had been accumulating for several days. However, Zhong Shujin insisted on coming along, claiming she wanted to help. No matter how much Gu Qingyin tried to dissuade her, she simply wouldn’t listen.

Gu Qingyin had no expectations that Zhong Shujin, who looked every bit like someone pampered from birth, would actually know how to wash clothes. She only brought her along because she was worried Zhong Shujin would get bored staying at home.

Yes, she was only bringing her out for some fresh air.

“Hmm, but clearly, Qingqing is the prettier one! So why are they only looking at me and not you?”

Most women would feel happy when receiving praise—especially when it came from someone like Zhong Shujin, whose innocent yet serious question carried a sincere admiration.

It was enough to make Gu Qingyin’s heart swell with joy.

“Pfft! That’s because they’ve never seen you before! So they’re just curious and can’t help but take a few extra glances at you,” Zhuzi, who had come to wash clothes with Zhang Shi, laughed loudly.

The next moment, he suddenly exclaimed in shock, “Wow! Doctor Gu is blushing!”

Gu Qingyin usually carried an air of cool detachment. Though she was kind and often smiled at those she was familiar with, Zhuzi had always known that, at her core, she was someone reserved and distant.

At the very least, after living next door to her for so long, he had never once seen her wear such a shy, bashful smile as she did today.

Seeing that Doctor Gu’s face had turned even redder, Zhang Shi, who was following behind Zhuzi, quickly knocked on his head to stop him from saying anything else that might embarrass her. Smiling, she chimed in on their earlier conversation, “You two sisters are both beautiful!”

In the village, Gu Qingyin had always been recognized as the most beautiful young woman. But now that Zhong Shujin was here, Zhang Shi couldn’t quite decide which of them was more stunning. They each had their own unique charm.

Either way, they were both exceptionally beautiful.

Still, Zhang Shi couldn’t shake the feeling that the two of them carried an air that set them apart from the villagers—something subtly different, something that made it seem as if, one day, they would leave this little mountain village behind.

Just like five years ago, when Doctor Gu and her master had suddenly arrived and settled here—without any warning.

“Oh dear, Sister-in-law Zhang, if you put it that way, I’ll feel embarrassed,” Gu Qingyin replied jokingly, trying to cool down the warmth in her cheeks that Zhong Shujin’s words had unknowingly stirred.

Then, smiling, she reached out and pinched Zhong Shujin’s cheek, playfully adding, “But our Ah Jin really is the prettiest!”

“Mm…” Zhong Shujin was the one who was truly embarrassed now. Her face had turned slightly red as she lowered her gaze to the hand still resting on her cheek. Pouting slightly, she mumbled, “Qingqing, why do you always pinch me?”

Gu Qingyin raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, “Oh? Am I not allowed to pinch you?”

Even though Zhong Shujin had lost her memory, deep inside, she still had this feeling—this sense that having her cheeks pinched like this wasn’t something that should happen to her.

And yet, Gu Qingyin had been doing it a lot these past few days. Pinching, touching, kneading—it seemed like she couldn’t keep her hands off her.

If it were anyone else, Zhong Shujin would have definitely said no.

But since it was Qingqing… she couldn’t quite explain how she felt about it. It wasn’t uncomfortable, at least. So, after thinking for a moment, she surprisingly responded as if negotiating, “Then… could you pinch the other side next time? You’ve been pinching my left cheek these past few days, and it’s starting to feel a little sore.”

Her expression was so serious that Gu Qingyin was momentarily stunned.

“Pfft!”

Hearing Zhong Shujin’s words, Zhuzi accidentally spit out a mouthful of water. When he saw his mother glaring at him, he quickly wiped his mouth and gave Gu Qingyin a very awkward smile.

Alright, now he understood.

So Gu Dafu’s little cousin… turned out to be a fool.

She’d said she came here to keep Gu Dafu company, but looking at it now, her family probably sent her here because they thought Gu Dafu’s medical skills were good and could treat her.

With that thought, the way he looked at Zhong Shujin carried a hint of sympathy.

What a pity. She was so pretty, yet… such a fool.

Zhang Shi, of course, had no idea what was running through her son’s mind. She smiled a little awkwardly at Gu Qingyin and let out a dry laugh. “Haha… kids just don’t know any better. You two sisters sure are close.”

“Haha… yeah.” Now Gu Qingyin truly felt embarrassed. She gave Zhang Shi a somewhat awkward smile before finally retracting her hand, patting Zhong Shujin on the head, and gently scolding, “Sit still and behave.”

Gu Qingyin swept her hair back behind her shoulders before sitting down and focusing on washing the clothes.

Meanwhile, Zhong Shujin truly sat obediently on the stone, legs crossed.

She rested her chin on her hand, watching Gu Qingyin wash the laundry with intense concentration.

After a long while, she glanced down at her reflection in the water.

Hmm… she still thought that Qingqing was prettier than her!

At first, Zhong Shujin had no idea how to help Gu Qingyin with the washing. But when she noticed that Zhuzi, despite only occasionally scooping water for Zhang Shi, was still able to help her finish much faster than Qingqing, she suddenly had a realization.

So, she imitated Zhuzi’s actions and started scooping water for Gu Qingyin.

She actually looked quite serious about it!

“Ah Jin,” Gu Qingyin sighed helplessly, stopping Zhong Shujin’s hand. “The water is cold, and your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. You can’t risk getting sick again.”

“With Qingqing here, I’ll be fine!” Zhong Shujin grinned mischievously at Gu Qingyin. “I already said I’d help you wash, didn’t I? I can’t go back on my word!”

Even though she had lost her memory, Zhong Shujin had not forgotten her principles.

A promise was a promise.

“…Fine, fine.”

Gu Qingyin had already lost count of how many times she had helplessly indulged her like this. Even though she didn’t want her to get wet and catch a cold, she still let her do as she pleased.

Even if Zhong Shujin’s so-called “help” was only making things more difficult for her.

“Doctor Gu, we’re all done. We’ll head back first! You two take your time—just come straight to our place for dinner later!”

Before Gu Qingyin could refuse, Zhang Shi had already picked up the wooden basin and left with Zhuzi.

Fortunately, Hunter Zhang’s leg injury had not worsened, so they had returned home yesterday instead of staying any longer to trouble Gu Qingyin and Zhong Shujin.

Gu Qingyin glanced at Zhong Shujin, who was gleefully playing with the water, and shook her head helplessly.

Well, if they finished washing and had to go home to cook, Ah Jin would definitely end up starving.

So, Gu Qingyin raised her voice and called out a thank you to Zhang Shi’s departing figure.

Sure enough, just as Gu Qingyin had expected, by the time they had finished washing—playing and bickering all the while—the village chimneys were already sending up trails of smoke, signaling dinnertime.

The washed clothes were, of course, much heavier now, soaked through with water.

Without hesitation, Zhong Shujin grabbed the heavier wooden basin. Afraid that Gu Qingyin would try to stop her, she immediately ran ahead.

Watching Zhong Shujin skip along so cheerfully, Gu Qingyin couldn’t help but smile.

Even her own steps felt a little lighter.