Chapter 32: How Many Can Stay True to Their Original Intention?

Chapter 32: Chapter 32: How Many Can Stay True to Their Original Intention?

"Little Fatty, have you seen Grandma’s Life-saving Pills?" He looked over the brick-built bed, but found nothing.

Little Fatty hurried in, and the other children, being very sensible, also rushed in to see what was happening.

Jiang Fan’s gaze fell upon the Dean.

The meridians and acupoints became visible to him, one by one.

The old woman was in her twilight years, and her body could no longer bear the strain.

He hadn’t realized the extent of it, but one look was all it took to shock him.

Over the years, the old woman had accumulated far too many injuries and ailments.

In traditional Chinese medicine, factors like wind, cold, dampness, summer heat, dryness, and fire are all considered pernicious influences.

When these influences invade the body, one falls ill.

Fortunately, she could still be saved.

"There are no Life-saving Pills left."

"I should have bought some to keep here sooner."

Li Qian’Er wept, utterly distraught.

"Grandma Dean," a crowd of children wept.

Jiang Fan patted Li Qian’Er’s shoulder. "Do you have any acupuncture needles? I know a little bit of medicine. Maybe I can try to save the Dean."

Li Qian’Er snapped out of her daze and nodded happily. "Yes, we do! I’ll go get them right now."

Jiang Fan carried the Dean to the brick bed. The cotton batting on top was old and tattered, yet they were still using it.

It was also somewhat damp.

The human body generates heat. Long-term exposure to such a damp environment damages a person’s yang energy, making them susceptible to illness.

This is what texts like the *Celestial Return Medical Records* refer to as external pernicious influences invading the body.

The acupuncture needles arrived. Jiang Fan had the children gather some dry firewood and bring it inside. He made sure the room was ventilated, then lit the firewood to raise the ambient temperature.

He then began the acupuncture treatment.

Li Qian’Er watched as Jiang Fan inserted the needles. His technique was swift—he clearly knew what he was doing.

She didn’t understand any of it, but her heart was in her throat, her only thought for the Dean to get well soon.

Twenty-six needles in succession.

This time, Jiang Fan employed a special acupuncture technique from the *Celestial Return Medical Records*.

He channeled his own True Qi through the needles and into her acupoints. This cleared the meridians throughout her body, restoring organ function and regulating her qi and blood.

The effect was remarkably clear.

Five minutes later, a good deal of color had returned to the Dean’s face, and her limbs were no longer twitching.

The Dean gently squeezed Jiang Fan’s hand. He patted hers in return, as if to say, ’Everything’s going to be alright. I’m here.’

"Don’t let the fire in here go out."

"You kids, when you see the fire starting to die down, add some more dry wood."

"Okay, big brother."

"But try not to be too noisy, okay? The Dean needs to rest quietly right now."

"Okay, we’ll be quiet."

Jiang Fan walked out of the classroom.

Li Qian’Er followed him out.

Even though it was summer, the orphanage was nestled against a large mountain, leaving a persistent chill in the air. The little sunlight that filtered down wasn’t enough to warm the place.

They sat down under a banyan tree.

After a moment, Jiang Fan spoke. "This orphanage has been around for decades. It must have helped at least a hundred orphans over the years, right?"

Jiang Fan glanced at the dilapidated surroundings. "Have none of them ever come back?"

Li Qian’Er gave a self-mocking smile. "About a dozen have come back, bringing some gifts to express their gratitude."

"But they usually only visit once, and then we never see them again."

Jiang Fan gave a dry chuckle.

Li Qian’Er said, "The innocence and ignorance of youth."

"The law of the jungle once you’re a grown-up."

"They enter a world of endless hustle and bustle, where they can barely stay afloat themselves."

"Let alone getting ahead of the pack, how could we possibly expect them to come back and save these children?"

Jiang Fan was silent for a moment. "Some people truly don’t want to return, wanting to cut all ties with this place completely."

"Others want to come back, but their own circumstances don’t allow it."

...

Who can truly stay true to their original aspirations?

Most of the time, vows are just empty words, spoken before the moment of decision truly arrives.

"But it doesn’t matter anymore."

"From now on, I’ll take care of this place," Jiang Fan said with a smile.

Li Qian’Er nodded. "Thank goodness we have you."

Now, she had no doubt that Jiang Fan would donate money to the orphanage.

Jiang Fan was still the same Jiang Fan she used to know.

’But then I think about how I actually tried to seduce Jiang Fan when he arrived...’

She felt truly mortified.

’To think that all along, he was the same Jiang Fan who always protected me when we were kids.’

’Ugh, I wish the ground would open up and swallow me.’

"Snot Girl, why are you blushing?" Snot Girl was Li Qian’Er’s childhood nickname.

He’d felt an inexplicable familiarity with Li Qian’Er earlier, but he never imagined she was the very same child he’d happened to save all those years ago.

Now that he recognized her, his way of addressing her naturally changed as well.

But Li Qian’Er was having none of it. She huffed. "I’m a grown-up now."

"And a beautiful woman, at that. Jiang Fan, you can’t call me Snot Girl anymore."

Jiang Fan tapped her on the head. "Grown-up my ass. In my eyes, you’ll always be that little Snot Girl from our childhood."

Li Qian’Er got flustered and puffed out her chest.

Gritting her teeth, her face flushing despite her efforts, she said with a hint of pride, "Are you saying they’re not big?"

The moment the words were out, she regretted them. Covering her face with her hands, she pressed her forehead against the tree trunk.

Jiang Fan just chuckled.

’Don’t let the fact that Li Qian’Er grew up in an orphanage fool you,’ he thought. ’Her figure is absolutely incredible.’

’Curvy in all the right places, and her looks are first-rate, too.’

’Unlike an ice queen like Yin Ruxue, she has a uniquely approachable charm.’

After a long moment, seeing that Jiang Fan wasn’t saying anything, Li Qian’Er finally composed herself.

"Um, Jiang Fan, from now on, can you just call me by my nickname?" Li Qian’Er asked.

"Snot Girl?" Jiang Fan teased.

"You’re the worst."

"Call me Qian’Er."

"Nope, that’s too mushy. Snot Girl has a better ring to it."

"AH! AHHH! NO!"

"Snot Girl, Snot Girl." Jiang Fan found that teasing this girl put him in a great mood.

"You’re building your happiness on my pain!"

"What are you talking about? You used to like it when we were kids, didn’t you?"

"That’s different!"

"Snot Girl."

"That’s it! I’m gonna bite you!" Li Qian’Er, enraged, grabbed Jiang Fan’s hand and bit down hard.

Jiang Fan gently patted her head. "Whoa, are you part dog or something?"

"You don’t know what my zodiac sign is?"

...

"I should get going. This is my bank card. There are 12 million on it."

"Find a new place for the children. It’s too dangerous here. If that giant boulder on the mountainside were to fall..."

"These kids would all be gone."

"Besides, given the conditions here, the kids will have a hard time getting through the winter."

"Twelve million?"

"That much?"

"But Jiang Fan, did you leave any money for yourself?" Li Qian’Er strongly suspected Jiang Fan had given her all his money.

"I kept some for myself." ’With my current abilities,’ he thought, ’making a bit of money is easy. This cash will do far more good at the orphanage.’

"Don’t worry, I kept enough for myself. You can use some of this to get a cheap car. That way you can take the kids to see Sichuan, and it’ll be easier for you to pick up supplies."

Li Qian’Er didn’t know what to say. Suddenly, she leaned in and kissed Jiang Fan.