Chapter 311: Chapter 278: A Huge Misunderstanding

"Greetings, Mrs. Sun." For Cheng Liujia, Sun Youwei was his employer. Although Yong’an Hall had changed its name, it still allowed him to consult here and earn a high salary.

He was already very content.

If one’s descendants cannot preserve the ancestral legacy, then there’s no point in trying to keep it. Anyway, keeping it would only lead to its ruin.

It’s better to sell it when it’s still valuable, ensuring a worry-free life for the family. Once he closes his eyes forever, he won’t have to worry about anything anymore.

Cheng had come to terms with this. Having such a gambling, unproductive son, what other choice did he have?

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Cheng." Sun Youwei had great respect for an old physician who had spent his life practicing medicine and saving lives.

Not everyone can be a living saint of medicine. Human efforts vary, but as long as one holds the intention to aid the world and save lives, they are worthy of respect.

"I just came by to take a look, with no other intentions. Once the consultation center opens, I won’t have time to come by anymore," explained Sun Youwei.

Yongning Hall was primarily managed by Xia Zhu now; she was practically a hands-off boss.

Of course, Xia Zhu received generous compensation from Sun Youwei, even higher than Xia Yuan’s position as deputy at the Benefit People Pharmacy.

Though Xia Zhu hadn’t achieved financial freedom, she was far better off than most people.

Wen Ruyu’s annual salary as the head of the Medical Bureau, plus various subsidies, wasn’t necessarily more than what Xia Zhu was earning.

Lin Miao wouldn’t shortchange his eldest disciple.

"The old man has never had the chance to meet Mr. Lin in person. I wonder if you, Mrs. Sun, could relay a message for me? I want to thank Mr. Lin in person," Cheng Liujia bowed deeply in a formal gesture.

"Sure, I will mention it to him when I see him." Sun Youwei nodded in agreement.

"Thank you, Mrs. Sun."

"Mr. Cheng, you’re too kind. As an elder, we should have visited you first. However, my fellow disciple is too busy, so I hope you understand."

"I dare not, I dare not..."

"Carry on with your work, I’ll go check on Mr. Shen, the physician."

"Alright."

Shen Haidong was diagnosing a patient, so Sun Youwei waited at the door instead of entering. Once the patient left, she went inside.

Upon seeing Sun Youwei enter, Shen Haidong quickly stood to salute. Nowadays, Lin Miao had a significant status and position. As Lin Miao’s fiancée and the owner of Yongning Hall, Sun Youwei’s status had naturally risen. Moreover, she was also going to take the medical practitioner exam, which would elevate her status even further if she passed.

"Greetings, Mrs. Youwei."

Shen Haidong and Xia Zhu were peers, and Xia Zhu addressed Sun Youwei as "Teacher’s Wife," yet since he hadn’t married Xia Zhu, he couldn’t do the same. Thus, he just offered respectful formalities.

"Mr. Shen, I’ve come today to discuss something with you."

Hearing this, Shen Haidong suddenly felt nervous because when the boss seeks you out, it’s either good or bad news, with no third possibility.

"Don’t be nervous; I’m just here to talk about you and Xia Zhu." Sun Youwei gestured for him to sit down. "Mr. Shen, please have a seat."

"Yes."

"I know you and Xia Zhu grew up together and have been childhood sweethearts. You’ve always liked her, right?"

"Yes." Shen Haidong naturally admitted this.

"Mr. Shen, you should be aware that Xia Zhu’s feelings for you are not romantic but rather familial. You grew up together without developing romantic feelings. Instead, you share a sibling-like bond, becoming family to each other. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

"I understand." Shen Haidong wasn’t foolish. He knew the issue between him and Xia Zhu. If they truly had romantic feelings, why wait until they were thirty and agree to an engagement only under Xia Yuan’s pressure?

"Xia Zhu doesn’t love you romantically, nor does she dislike you. But you understand the kind of love I mean, correct?"

"Mrs. Youwei, what are you trying to say? Please be clear; I can handle it," Shen Haidong said, his smile bitter.

"As Xia Zhu’s teacher, I believe you and Xia Zhu are not well-suited for each other. If you two forcefully stay together, happiness might not follow," Sun Youwei said. Since someone had to be the villain, she decided it should be her as the teacher’s wife.

"You mean..." Shen Haidong’s lips quivered as he asked shakily.

"I hope you can go to the Xia Family and voluntarily annul the engagement and retrieve the marriage certificate," said Sun Youwei. "Rest assured, we will handle this matter low-key, so it doesn’t appear as if you’re breaking the engagement. Moreover, we’ll compensate you so you won’t be at a loss."

"Mrs. Youwei, is this Xia Zhu’s wish?"

"It’s the wish of her master and me. She doesn’t know about it, but I understand her feelings. So I’m stepping up to be the one to say these things for her. Please don’t blame her; she couldn’t say these words herself," Sun Youwei explained honestly.

"It’s not her wish, not her wish..." Shen Haidong repeated twice, appearing slightly despondent.

"Mr. Shen, I understand your love for Xia Zhu, but she doesn’t love you. Her agreement to the engagement was purely out of obligation. If it was a mistake from the start, why continue this mistake?"

"Why can’t we let a mistake be a mistake?"

"Letting a mistake be a mistake—don’t you think that’s selfish?" questioned Sun Youwei. "You get what you want, but what about Xia Zhu? What about her spending the rest of her life in misery? Is that what you truly want?"

"Is it him, Wen Ruyu, isn’t it?" Shen Haidong suddenly asked, lifting his head.

Shen Haidong wasn’t blind. Over the past month, Wen Ruyu and Xia Zhu often spent time together. As her fiancé, seeing another man constantly around his fiancée, how could he not notice?

If it weren’t for Wen Ruyu, how could Xia Zhu have a change of heart?

Sun Youwei didn’t answer, but this was already a tacit acknowledgment. Actually, if Wen Ruyu hadn’t appeared, Xia Zhu might have ended up marrying Shen Haidong.

Once married, it would be impossible.

The problem is, Wen Ruyu showed up, and that complicates things.

We can’t just watch two lovers drift apart like this; as long as they aren’t married, some things can still be changed.

So, there needs to be someone to play the villain.

And this can only be done by Lin Miao as her master, no one else is qualified. Of course, Sun Youwei represents Lin Miao.

"Why?" Shen Haidong’s eyes instantly reddened. He had been waiting patiently for this moment, hoping to achieve a beautiful union, but unexpectedly someone stepped in and took away the woman he loved most.

No one could accept this.

"Mr. Shen, I know you can’t accept this right now, but no matter what, Xia Zhu does not have the marital fate with you in this life. You should let go," Sun Youwei said. "Think carefully, don’t make it embarrassing for everyone later."

"Mrs. Youwei, I want to see Xia Zhu."

"Okay, she doesn’t know I’m here to talk to you, and I can also tell you that she and Wen Ruyu are nothing but innocent. They haven’t broken through that barrier yet," Sun Youwei said.

"Why?"

"Xia Zhu is a person who adheres to rules and her own duties. Since she’s engaged to you, she wouldn’t associate with others, so you should be the one who understands her internal struggle the most," Sun Youwei said. "Of course, Wen Ruyu also hasn’t expressed his feelings to Xia Zhu. Mr. Lin and I want to bring them together, just consider it as Mr. Lin and me apologizing to you."

"Is it because Wen Ruyu is a disciple of Mr. Fu?"

"No, we’ve never thought of currying favor with Mr. Fu. If Xia Zhu liked just an ordinary person today, Mr. Lin and I would also help her," Sun Youwei replied without hesitation.

Shen Haidong slumped down, completely looking like he’d lost his soul.

"Actually, Xia Zhu is a career-oriented woman with her own ideals, and she has the courage and drive to achieve those ideals. You, although you have excellent character as a good physician, cannot be the man behind her," Sun Youwei said.

The Shen Family won’t allow the daughter-in-law to continue practicing medicine after marriage; they will forcibly demand that she return home to take care of the household duties.

This was already shown during the previous commotion with Xia Zhu’s mother; the Shen Family criticized Xia Zhu more than they liked her.

If it weren’t for Shen Haidong liking her, the Shen family wouldn’t want him to marry Xia Zhu.

Marrying Shen Haidong, Xia Zhu might not only lack her husband’s support but also fall into family disputes between in-laws, completely incompatible worldviews.

Shen Haidong and Xia Zhu had argued over this matter, but Shen Haidong’s demands align with the mainstream values of this world, so even if Xia Zhu is unwilling, she cannot openly resist.

If she resists, she would likely be condemned and criticized by mainstream values.

Exceptions do exist, but they require very harsh conditions.

"Mr. Shen, I’ve said what I needed to say, now think it over," Sun Youwei knew she had said all she could, and it was up to Shen Haidong to make his choice.

...

At this moment, Xia Zhu was still in the dark about the brewing storm concerning her marriage.

"Father asked me to come home tonight?" Xia Zhu was busy when suddenly the family’s old chief came to inform her.

"Yes, the master personally instructed it."

"Alright, then I’ll inform Mr. Lin and head home tonight." Xia Zhu didn’t think much of it and readily agreed.

...

After returning from the Xia Family, Lin Miao took a tour around the East Market, checking out the medicinal herb market. As a physician, he needed to keep up-to-date with the quality of the herbs.

This way, medication could be more precise; sometimes, patients get unsatisfactory results if the medicine’s efficacy is slightly off.

The weather was hot, so after a while, he went to Shanglin Temple.

This time, upon entering Shanglin Temple, he was directly welcomed into the Precepts Hall, the place where Fahai the Great Monk usually disciplines the monks and trains martial arts.

Since his last vegetarian meal at Shanglin Temple, he hadn’t had the chance to enjoy it again, and he was craving it a bit.

After donating so much incense money, what’s wrong with eating a free meal?

"Mr. Lin is here, disciple, quickly serve tea!" Fahai was delighted to see Lin Miao, eagerly instructing his disciple.

"The Great Monk has taken a disciple?" Lin Miao was surprised, although Fahai was a precept monk, he hadn’t taken disciples in Shanglin Temple, only occasionally teaching martial arts to the monks.

"It was entrusted to me by others, couldn’t refuse, just took him as an informal disciple," Fahai smiled wryly.

Being a person of the monastery does not exempt one from worldly troubles.

Lin Miao chuckled, showing his understanding.

However, when this informal disciple entered with a teacup, Lin Miao was stunned — wasn’t this Pei Jian’s second son, the unruly Pei Rui?