Qing Tong asked for directions and came to the outside of Li's Clinic, but he didn't dare to go in. He and Xia Qianqian stood outside the clinic staring at each other: "Miss Xia, is this a clinic?"
"I don't think so either." Xia Qianqian said. Most clinics would have a sign, and the Chinese medicine cabinet would be at the entrance. You could smell the medicine when you stood at the door. But this one smelled of alcohol, and there was no sign or plaque.
boom-
A crisp sound of breaking was heard, as if someone inside was dropping something, which scared both Xia Qianqian and Qingtong.
"If you want to come in, come in. If not, get out!" The man's voice came out hard and rough.
Qing Tong swallowed and said, "Miss Xia, how about we go?"
"I'd better go in and take a look. Everyone is pointing this way, so it shouldn't be wrong." Xia Qianqian mustered up her courage and walked into the clinic, or tavern.
The door of the house was half open, and the light in the house was dim. An old man with a white beard was sitting on the ground drinking, with several wine jugs beside him. The strong smell of alcohol made Xia Qianqian frown: "Excuse me, is this Li's Medical Clinic?"
"Are you blind? Can't you see I'm here?" the white-bearded old man roared angrily and smashed an empty wine jug with a bang.
Xia Qianqian patted her chest and said with a flattering smile: "Doctor Li, I'm here to see a doctor..."
"I won't treat you today, I'll just drink!" Li Sui raised a pot of wine, "If you make me drink, I'll treat you for free!"
Xia Qianqian didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "How can you treat patients if you are drunk?"
"Let's see tomorrow when I sober up." Li Sui said confidently.
Xia Qianqian: “…”
It was too unreliable, so she decided to give up!
"Hey, little girl, why are you leaving? You don't want to drink with me anymore?" Li Sui stood up and stumbled forward.
Xia Qianqian was startled and jumped out of the door with a few big steps.
"Burp—" Li Sui held onto the door frame and burped, "Little girl, don't you want to see a doctor?"
Qing Tong frowned and stood in front of Xia Qianqian protectively. How could this be a doctor? He was clearly a drunkard!
Qin Shi felt something was wrong and lifted the curtain: "Qianqian..."
"Miss Qin?" Li Sui's hand on the door frame slipped, and he fell forward and lay on the ground. He raised his head and looked at Qin in shock, "Miss Qin, are you still alive?"
Qin's heart trembled, and she didn't know how to answer. She was not a lady, she was just a poor village woman from the mountains.
Li Sui had already climbed up and staggered to the side of the carriage, surprised and happy: "Miss Qin, it's really you, you're still alive!"
Xia Qianqian and Qingtong exchanged glances, but did not step forward to stop him, allowing Li Sui to continue.
"Miss Qin, where have you been these years? I'm Li Sui, do you remember me?" Li Sui raised his hand and smoothed his messy hair and beard, trying to look good. But the more he smoothed it, the messier it became, looking more like a crazy old man.
Qin hesitated for a moment and whispered, "Do you know me?"
"Of course, I, I..." Li Sui suddenly choked up.
Qin said: "I'm sorry, I don't remember what happened before..."
"Don't remember?" Li Sui looked up at Qin. Her eyes were watery but full of confusion. His heart skipped a beat. "Your eyes..."
"Blind." Qin smiled. "To be precise, I'm half blind. When there's light, I can still see some blurry images."
"Who blinded your eyes?" Li Sui suddenly raised his voice and roared.
Xia Yunyun shuddered with fear and shrank into Qin's arms.
"I don't remember. It's been like this since I can remember. I don't remember anything about the past either." Qin said.
Li Sui was stunned and stared at Qin blankly.
(End of this chapter)