The next few days passed without anything particularly noteworthy happening in either ancient or modern times.
Lu Zheng either studied medicine with Liu Qingyan in ancient times, enjoying a touch of subtle flirtation, or accompanied Lin Wan in modern times, strolling through the streets, dining, watching films, or petting cats, doing the usual things couples do when they first fall in love.
His practical experience in time-space management surged, his proficiency skyrocketing.
One day, Lin Wan finished work early for a change and had dinner with Lu Zheng.
“What’s wrong?” Lu Zheng noticed Lin Wan seemed a bit distracted.
“Nothing.”
“Is it about a case?”
Lin Wan nodded, “The suspect is cunning, we can’t find a single clue.”
Lu Zheng placed a portion of food on her plate, “Then take your time investigating.”
Lin Wan idly stirred her rice, “But I’m juggling too many cases. If we don’t find a lead soon, this one’s priority will have to drop.”
“Then let it drop,” Lu Zheng suggested, “I know you want to be a great police officer, but even the best don’t solve every case, right? I heard the solve rate in Beacon Country is less than half?”
Lin Wan scoffed, “Can Beacon Country compare to us? That guy spent too much time there and brought back their bad habits. If we don’t crack this case, won’t it just embolden people like him?”
“Oh, a returnee, then?”
Lin Wan nodded.
“Can you tell me more?”
Lin Wan shook her head, “Sorry, team rules, no case details can be shared.”
“No worries, I get it.”
Lu Zheng understood perfectly, recalling how, when a case involved him, he was brought to the city bureau’s interrogation room for formal questioning.
After dinner, Lu Zheng and Lin Wan held hands, wandering the streets, basking in the evening breeze. Lin Wan’s mood lifted again.
“Lu Zheng.”
“Hm?”
“I’m free this weekend too. I booked a nice Italian restaurant, want to try it together?”
Lu Zheng nodded, “Sure.”
Lin Wan paused, turning to him with a probing look.
“What’s up?”
“Did Xiu Min tell you?”
Lu Zheng froze for a moment.
“Hmph!” Lin Wan pursed her lips, “She’s such a busybody.”
“I actually asked her,” Lu Zheng quickly explained.
“Really?”
“Really!” Lu Zheng nodded earnestly.
Lin Wan beamed, wrapping her arms around his, rewarding him with a kiss.
“You’re so thoughtful, thank you!”
“Isn’t that what I’m supposed to do?”
…
Lu Zheng wasn’t lying.
After he and Lin Wan became official, he quietly asked Huang Xiu Min about Lin Wan’s interests and her birthday.
So when Lin Wan mentioned booking an Italian restaurant for the next week, Lu Zheng wasn’t surprised at all, knowing it was her birthday.
However, his lack of surprise gave away that he knew about her birthday.
Lin Wan had never mentioned it to him herself.
“You’re every bit the police officer, spotting a tiny slip like that.”
“Are you praising me or teasing me?” Lin Wan said, exasperated, “When have I ever booked a foreign restaurant? You didn’t even ask, so you clearly knew.”
“Of course I’m praising you, look at me, I can’t even act,” Lu Zheng laughed.
“You really can’t act. I still remember that day at your place when you knocked Liu Leng into the wall and scared yourself half to death,” Lin Wan said, giggling.
“Social death on the spot!” Lu Zheng sighed.
“Liu Leng’s the one who died of embarrassment. Captain Liang teases him about it all the time, now the whole team knows.”
Lu Zheng shrugged, entirely unapologetic, “Not my fault.”
“Of course it’s not your fault,” Lin Wan said matter-of-factly.
Liu Leng: *I’m crying in the bathroom!*
So, the acting-challenged Lu Zheng walked Lin Wan home, parting with a kiss.
Before leaving, Lin Wan tapped his chest, “Rest well these next few days, there’s a surprise this weekend!”
Lu Zheng’s eyes lit up. Lin Wan shot him a playful glance, then skipped upstairs, laughing.
…
The next day, Lu Zheng spent another day at the Liu household, finally finishing *The Theory of Internal Organs* and *The Chart of a Hundred Acupoints*.
What followed were the Liu family’s medical texts, *The Qingtian Book*, along with various case studies, prescriptions, and acupuncture techniques.
While the earlier medical knowledge was theoretical, the later material was all about clinical application.
So Lu Zheng went with Liu Qingyan to Benevolence Hall.
“Huh?”
Upon entering Benevolence Hall, Lu Zheng spotted a familiar figure bustling about, helping carry patients, decocting medicine, or greeting and seeing off visitors.
“Hu Zhou?”
“Greetings, Hero Lu!”
Lu Zheng waved his hand, “Don’t call me a hero, I can’t bear that title.”
He turned to Liu Qingyan, “What’s going on?”
Liu Qingyan smiled, a mix of exasperation and warmth, “Since the Qiqiao Festival, he’s been coming every afternoon to help. Can’t drive him away, won’t take money.”
Lu Zheng looked at Hu Zhou, “You’re not earning money? What about your mother’s illness?”
“I’m earning!” Hu Zhou patted his chest, “I’m strong, a morning’s work earns me what others make in a day!”
He grinned, “Not only can I buy better things for my mum, I’m saving up for her medicine too.”
Old Mr. Liu, having seen off a customer, turned and said, “It’s just common herbs. You work here, that covers the medicine costs.”
“No, no, I have to pay!” Hu Zhou scratched his head anxiously, “I’m not helping out here for money. My mum says this is a life-saving debt, no amount of repayment is too much!”
Lu Zheng teased, “So what’s your plan?”
“That’s exactly what I think!” Hu Zhou nodded eagerly, then, worried Lu Zheng wouldn’t believe him, added emphatically, “Really!”
No more teasing, or he’d panic. Lu Zheng nodded, “Alright, I believe you.”
Hu Zhou broke into a wide grin.
“Gurgle, gurgle!”
The medicine was ready. Hu Zhou hurriedly took the pot off the fire and began pouring it out.
…
While Hu Zhou kept busy, Lu Zheng followed Liu Qingyan to the medicine counter, helping weigh and dispense herbs for patients while learning to identify them.
“This is liquorice, it strengthens the spleen and benefits the lungs.”
“This is angelica, it promotes saliva and nourishes blood.”
…
Lu Zheng spent the whole day at Benevolence Hall. Even with his current stamina, he only memorised the properties of a dozen or so herbs, as the combinations were simply too numerous.
At the end of the Shen hour, Hu Zhou said his goodbyes and dashed off.
Old Mr. Liu was still tidying the shop, while Liu Qingyan and Lu Zheng left together. On the way, Liu Qingyan explained two cases they’d encountered that day.
But as they reached the entrance of Tongyi Lane, a figure blocked their path.
“Young sir!” a hoarse voice sounded in Lu Zheng’s ear, “Have you encountered anything strange lately? There’s a ghostly aura around you!”
