16. Apprenticed to Two Masters at the Same Time

The days as an apprentice were joyful, for all three resident physicians were highly experienced. Doctor Wu Siping’s skills in bone-setting, massage, and acupuncture were especially remarkable, but he was reluctant to teach Tang Yiyi because she was a girl; the apprentice he had always favored, Xu Bin, showed no real enthusiasm for learning. Yet it was Tang Yiyi who scored ninety on her acupuncture graduation exam, and her practical skills were likewise commendable. At last, under Xu Mingtang’s persuasion, Wu Siping agreed to teach Tang Yiyi acupuncture—on the condition that Xu Bin learned bone-setting from him.

He told Tang Yiyi, “Whenever Xu Bin learns bone-setting and massage, you’ll learn acupuncture. The two of you will do it together.”

“No problem,” Tang Yiyi replied. She then turned to Xu Bin and said, “You start with bone-setting; once you’ve mastered it, you can teach me. For now, whatever you need my help with, just say the word.”

Xu Bin smiled and agreed without hesitation.

That afternoon, as Wu Siping was leaving, Xu Bin gave Tang Yiyi a meaningful look, then jumped up to catch Wu Siping at the door. “Uncle Wu, please, sit down for a moment.”

Tang Yiyi fetched a chair and placed it beneath the wall adorned with banners. Xu Bin guided Wu Siping to the chair and even straightened the hem of his coat for him.

“Uncle Wu, since I’m going to learn medicine from you, there’s no time like the present. Let me serve you the tea of apprenticeship right now—would that be alright?”

Wu Siping chuckled. “Well, well, you’ve become so agreeable all of a sudden. You used to be dead set against learning, and now you’re talking about a formal tea ceremony? Something’s fishy.”

“Uncle Wu, I have no hidden motives—only open ones,” Xu Bin whispered in Wu Siping’s ear, “After all, if I’m to pursue a girlfriend, I have to make an effort. You’ve done so much to help me; if I don’t take the hint, how could I ever repay your thoughtfulness?”

“Oh, so that’s what you’re after…” Wu Siping suddenly understood, pointing at Xu Bin but glancing at Tang Yiyi. “Very well! No time like the present. Today, I’ll do a buy one, get one free; both of you can present your tea together.”

Tang Yiyi hurried to pour two cups of tea, handing one to Xu Bin. Xu Bin said, “I’ll go first; after all, I’m the senior apprentice.”

Wu Siping accepted Xu Bin’s tea. “You’d better be certain—once you start, you can’t quit halfway. Otherwise, I’ll break your leg with my bare hands!”

“Uncle Wu, you know me. I may be playful, but I’ve never joked about learning medicine when I’ve promised to do it.”

Wu Siping nodded. “That’s true.” He drank the tea.

Tang Yiyi then stepped forward and respectfully presented her tea. Wu Siping accepted it with a broad smile, took a sip, and, instead of addressing Tang Yiyi, he spoke to Xu Bin: “Tomorrow, you should buy Yiyi a good set of silver needles.”

“I will, I will,” Xu Bin replied promptly.

Once Wu Siping had left, Tang Yiyi approached Xu Mingtang a bit shyly. “Master, I still haven’t formally presented you with the tea of apprenticeship.”

Xu Mingtang laughed warmly. “That was just Xiao Bin playing along with your Uncle Wu. He’s fond of ceremonies like that, but I don’t need them. I trust my own judgment. The first time I saw you at your school, I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”

“Thank you, Master.”

After lunch, Tang Yiyi pulled Xu Bin out onto the balcony and asked in a hushed voice, “What ‘open motive’ did you tell Uncle Wu about? It must have had something to do with me—otherwise, why did he keep looking at me?”

“That’s a secret between me and Uncle Wu. Just focus on learning from him. With me at your side, he’ll teach you everything he knows.”

Tang Yiyi frowned, worried that Xu Bin’s lack of diligence might affect Uncle Wu’s mood. “And you? Do you really want to learn from him?”

“Of course. I’ll learn bone-setting—it’s much easier than memorizing prescriptions with my father. At least there’s less rote learning.”

“Why didn’t you want to learn from Uncle Wu before?”

“Back then, I had no one to share the burden of studying acupuncture with. Now it’s perfect; I focus on bone-setting, and it’s much easier.”

Tang Yiyi looked at him, speechless.

“Don’t worry about me,” Xu Bin reassured her. “Uncle Wu and my family go way back. He watched me grow up; he knows exactly what I’m capable of. If I take on too much, I get annoyed, and so does he.”

“Just don’t make him angry.”

“Even if I do and he refuses to teach me, he’ll make sure you finish. Don’t worry; the older generation always keeps their word. By the way, we’re practicing songs tonight—want to come watch?”

“I have to compare Master’s prescriptions this evening, no time.”

“Just bring your notes along. You can listen to us sing while you work. That way, you won’t fall behind on either.”

“Is that really possible?” Tang Yiyi was beginning to understand why his grades were poor.

“I need you to cover for me. I’ve already helped you with Uncle Wu; now you help me, just for this one month. Please?” Xu Bin put on a pitiful expression, blinking his eyes as if he might cry.

“If you need me, I’ll go. But I still don’t understand—how does my going along put Master at ease? Doesn’t he worry that I’ll get distracted too?”

“Haven’t you ever heard the saying, ‘With age comes wisdom’? Your Master is as shrewd as they come. He’s always been a good judge of character. He says you won’t slack off, so you won’t. He likes seeing me around hardworking people.”

“Are you sure you’re really his son? Who talks about their father like that?”

“That’s how it is with real fathers and sons—he’s sharp, and I’m no fool, right?”

“Hmph!” Tang Yiyi shook her head, well accustomed to Xu Bin’s self-assured ways. “Fine, I’ll go and cover for you. Just make sure I have a table; I need to take notes.”

“No problem—I could get you ten tables if you wanted!” Xu Bin promised enthusiastically.

Tang Yiyi nodded and tugged at her long ponytail. “I won’t nap this afternoon; I’m going to get my hair cut. Want to come?”

“Let’s go—I need a trim too.”

The two made their way to the Sisters’ Hair Salon at the end of the lane. As they pushed open the door, they found the older sister sitting in the barber’s chair, her face clouded with worry, with Qin Baike standing by her side. When she saw them enter, she forced a smile and stood up to let them sit.

“Is it just you? Where’s your little sister?” Xu Bin asked.

The young woman pressed her lips together hard, and tears welled up in her eyes. Qin Baike spoke quietly, “From now on, she’ll be running the salon alone. Soon, she’ll find another hairdresser to help.” He shot Xu Bin a meaningful look, signaling him not to ask further.