Prosperity Hall

The neighboring Qin's Noodle Shop was still closed, but the small door of Prosperity Hall had already swung open. Xu Bin, leaning against the door frame with a cigarette, lifted his eyes and once again found himself taken aback by Tang Yiyi, who was running lightly toward him from afar.

Her ponytail bounced gleefully behind her, and her fair face was flushed a healthy pink from exercise. Beads of sweat traced down her forehead and cheeks, slipping into her neck without a care.

She looked at Xu Bin's panda-eyed face and laughed, “Is it because I took over your room that you couldn’t sleep in a new place?”

“I slept late and woke early. Didn’t get enough rest.”

“Why sleep late? Staying up is just slow suicide.”

A hint of a smile flickered at Xu Bin’s lips. He took another drag, rubbed his eye with the back of his hand, glanced behind to make sure no one was inside, then asked, “How’s my mansion? Comfortable?”

“Incredibly so. Did you offer it to me yourself?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Thank you. Your family is so good to me.”

“Ha, don’t misunderstand. If you stay in that room, with my mother coming in eight times every night to tuck you in, you’ll run away too.”

Tang Yiyi’s stunned expression made Xu Bin laugh. “Why gape like that? Close your mouth!”

She shut her mouth at once, but couldn’t help lowering her voice, “Your mother loves you dearly.”

“Yes, in her eyes, I’ll always be in third grade.”

“Where are you staying now? Is your mother at ease?”

“We bought a new house in the new district ages ago. It’ll fall apart if no one lives in it.”

“Oh.”

“Come on, let’s go upstairs for breakfast.”

After breakfast, Tang Yiyi returned to her room, showered, changed clothes, and came downstairs just as the clock struck eight. Prosperity Hall opened precisely on time.

Prosperity Hall Traditional Medicine Clinic had stood for over a century, with the Xu family’s medical arts passed down through generations. Legend had it that their ancestor once served as an imperial physician in the Qing court, but unable to endure the factional strife, fled early to save his life. He journeyed to what is now Yicheng, using his extraordinary skills to marry, raise a family, and build a home.

The Xu family line was never robust, almost always a single heir each generation. Once, there were finally two boys, but one was frail and sickly, died without leaving descendants.

The Xu family not only inherited superb medical skills but also carried forward a noble ethic of healing the world. Those who benefited from Xu family’s kindness were countless. Even in the chaotic decade of destroying old customs, when young people shouted slogans at the door, the elders chased them home with sticks.

“People eat grain, who can guarantee not to fall ill?” Xu Mingtang concluded, “No era can do without physicians.”

Tang Yiyi asked curiously, “Why is the clinic called Prosperity Hall, not Healing Hall or Longevity Hall?”

“Oh, the founder’s name was Xu Shengshi.”

Now, besides Xu Mingtang, Prosperity Hall had two resident doctors, both retired from the city hospital in their sixties. The female physician, Liu Qi, specialized in pediatrics. The male doctor, Wu Siping, excelled at bone-setting, massage, and acupuncture.

In the pharmacy, besides Xu Bin, was a middle-aged uncle, Zuo Chengjiang, whose greatest passion was the stock market.

Xu Mingtang was best at gynecology, especially renowned for treating menopausal women. Frequently, young women suffering from blood deficiency and stagnation, whose faces were sallow, would come seeking help. After a few prescriptions, their complexions bloomed, so patients lined up every day, waiting patiently for their turn.

Here, most patients were middle-aged women, while Dr. Liu’s side saw young mothers with children.

The clinic was a constant flow of women coming and going, and those waiting would chat idly. They discussed health care and child-rearing, swapped cooking tips and knitting patterns, which shops were having sales, which market’s beef wasn’t watered down, how Zhang’s son got married, how Li’s daughter landed a rich husband—it was truly a real-life social circle.

Dr. Wu saw fewer patients, mainly those with spinal issues and sports injuries, but his treatments brought immediate relief and he charged the highest fees among the three doctors.

Prosperity Hall didn’t have a roll-up gate, but the oldest style of wooden slat doors. The width of each plank matched the span from thumb to pinky. Each plank was numbered; at closing, they’d slot them in one by one, and at opening, remove them individually and stack them aside.

When Xu Bin had removed half the planks, seven or eight patients had already trickled in, each taking a seat on the bench in order of arrival. No one cut in line or made a fuss.

Xu Mingtang pointed beside him, “Yiyi, bring a stool and sit here.” Then turned to the patient opposite, “This is my student, here for her internship. Please support the growth of young traditional doctors—let her take your pulse.”

“Oh, Dr. Xu, you’re too polite! Of course, I’ll support you!”

Xu Mingtang said to Tang Yiyi, “Take the pulse, write the prescription, and tonight compare it to mine. See what’s different, and think about why. If you can’t figure it out, come ask me.”

“Yes, Master.” Tang Yiyi nodded.

The people waiting on the bench chimed in, “Dr. Xu finally took on a disciple. We’ll support you!”

Dr. Liu laughed from the side, “Little Tang, spend a couple of days with me learning pediatrics. You seem patient—good with children, I bet.”

“Gladly, thank you, Dr. Liu!” Tang Yiyi felt deeply that coming here was the right choice.

Behind the counter, Zuo Chengjiang shrugged on his white coat and joked to Xu Bin, “This girl is nice. Girls who love to smile are lucky—perfect wife material. Go after her quickly!”

Xu Bin shot him a sideways glance, “You’ve watched too many soap operas, Uncle. There are plenty of girls who smile—how could I chase them all?”