Chapter 3: The Young Man

Early the next morning, the medical center had just opened, but it was already surrounded by layers of people. A small number came to see the doctor, while the majority came to see the doctor’s beauty, making it quite lively.

Si Qingyu had been busy from early morning until noon before she finished seeing all the patients. Most had caught a minor cold due to the recent weather, and only two or three were slightly more serious, for whom Si Qingyu prescribed a few medicines and told them to come back for a follow-up visit after a while.

After being busy for half a day, Si Qingyu felt a bit hungry. She glanced outside and saw a few people still standing there, their eyes occasionally looking in her direction. Si Qingyu cast a calm glance at them but didn’t pay them any attention.

After all, with a new doctor suddenly arriving, it was natural for people to be curious.

At this moment, Si Qingyu was walking on the street, preparing to find a tavern to have lunch. Just as she turned her head, a small figure suddenly rushed out from the front and crashed straight into her arms. Si Qingyu had no time to dodge and was hit squarely. She frowned and looked down at the young man in her arms. The young man raised his head from her embrace, looking about thirteen years old. His foxy eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, still somewhat immature. His bright and lively eyes, cherry blossom-like pink lips, and small melon seed face were fair and smooth, with a faint blush.

Looking at the adorable young man before her, Si Qingyu raised her hand, grabbed his arm, and pulled him out of her embrace without mercy, then took two steps back.

The young man seemed not to have expected her to do this and was stunned for a moment.

Si Qingyu watched as the servant behind the young man ran to his side, panting, and said to the young man, “Young… Young Master, you ran so fast, this servant almost couldn’t catch up.”

Passersby who saw this scene began to gossip.

“Isn’t that Physician Si?”

“Yes, and isn’t that young gentleman the little demon king of the Li family! How dare he bump into Physician Si?”

“What else could it be? He must have taken a fancy to Physician Si. He truly doesn’t abide by the way of concubines. Who would dare to take him in the future?”

“Physician Si, you should stay away from him. Don’t get entangled with this kind of little demon king!” One of the women said to me.

Si Qingyu indeed did not pay attention to this commotion. She directly bypassed the young man and continued walking forward.

The young man behind her also reacted. He hurriedly walked in front of Si Qingyu and blocked her way.

Si Qingyu frowned, her phoenix eyes coldly looking at him, a trace of impatience rising in her eyes. Her voice carried a hint of coldness: “Please let me pass, young gentleman.”

The young man seemed not to see her impatience and looked at her with burning eyes, eagerly saying, “Just now, I accidentally bumped into you. I apologize to you!” The young man’s voice was clear and sharp, still with a hint of the sharpness of his voice-changing period. Despite saying words of apology, there was no sense of guilt, and his foxy eyes seemed to want to stick to her.

“…”

Si Qingyu looked at him coldly. Although she knew he did it on purpose, she still nodded slightly to indicate that she accepted his apology, then continued to bypass him and walk forward.

The young man followed closely behind her.

Si Qingyu didn’t pay attention to the person following behind her. She stepped into a tavern. It was just lunchtime, and there were many people inside, making it quite lively. Seeing Si Qingyu, it suddenly quieted down. The shopkeeper, who reacted first, quickly ran over and said, “So it’s Physician Si gracing us with your presence. Please come in, Physician Si.” The shopkeeper directly led Si Qingyu to a private room on the second floor and then gestured to the waiter.

Turning around to face Si Qingyu with great enthusiasm, his shrewd eyes shining brightly, he said, “I’ve long heard that Physician Si is young and promising. Gracing our small shop today makes it a great honor. What would Physician Si like to eat? Today, it’s all on me, Su.” As he spoke, he rubbed his hands.

Seeing his actions, Si Qingyu couldn’t help but slightly curl her lips, a hint of amusement coloring her phoenix eyes. She politely said, “Shopkeeper, you flatter me. I’m just an ordinary person.”

After a pause, she continued, “Shopkeeper, please go about your business. Just let me be.”

“Physician Si is too modest. Feel free to order whatever you want to eat. I, Su, will not disturb your meal.” After saying that, he called the waiter and left.

The people downstairs watched Si Qingyu go into the private room and slowly became lively again, their eyes occasionally looking towards Si Qingyu’s private room.

After ordering a few dishes from the waiter, Si Qingyu picked up the cup and took a sip of tea. Just as she put down the cup, she saw the young man from earlier barging in. The waiter couldn’t stop him at all.

Si Qingyu waved at the waiter, indicating that he need not bother with him.

Without the waiter’s obstruction, the young man came straight in and sat on the stool without any politeness. A red-faced servant followed behind him.

Si Qingyu directly ignored his existence and continued to drink tea with an unperturbed expression.

The young man propped his chin with his hands, his lips curved in a sweet smile. His eyes were like those of a fox, seemingly trying to hook people. He sweetly said to Si Qingyu, “Sister, you’re so beautiful! My name is Li Tianyang. What’s your name?” Without waiting for her to answer, he continued, “Ah, I know, your name is Si Qingyu, right? I’ve seen you before!”

Si Qingyu paused, her cold eyes finally looking at him.

Seeing Si Qingyu finally looking at him, the young man Li Tianyang’s foxy eyes became even brighter, flashing with a hint of cunningness: “I was sick before, and you helped treat me. Hmm, but you probably don’t remember me.” After saying that, he even put on a sad look.

Si Qingyu glanced at him but didn’t pay him any more attention. Indeed, she had treated so many patients in the past two years, so how could she possibly remember just one person?

Seeing Si Qingyu ignoring him again, Li Tianyang wasn’t angry. He just propped his face with both hands and stared at her fixedly.

Si Qingyu’s attention was on the storyteller downstairs.

At this time, it was lively downstairs, and the storyteller was telling interesting and strange stories from the jianghu.

With a turn of phrase, she said, “Speaking of which, have you all heard of the number one young master in the capital, Luo Shaoxuan?”

“Of course I’ve heard of him. I heard he’s stunningly beautiful and is the son of the capital’s richest merchant. If I could marry him, I wouldn’t have to worry for the rest of my life,” said a woman who looked a bit sleazy and frivolous, her face full of obscenity.

“How could a person like you marry the young master? A toad lusting after swan flesh,” someone who couldn’t stand the sleazy woman retorted.

“That’s right, take a look in the mirror at your scabby appearance,” someone echoed, and everyone laughed.

The sleazy woman’s face turned red from being retorted. She angrily looked at them, unreconciled, and said, “No matter what, he’s just a man. Sooner or later, he’ll become a woman’s accessory!”

“Even if that’s the case, that woman won’t be you. What are you getting anxious for?” After saying that, the group laughed loudly.

The sleazy woman’s face turned even redder from being laughed at. She glared at them resentfully but didn’t dare to say anything more.

The storyteller coughed, timely interrupting their laughter, and said, “Everyone, quiet down and listen to me. Speaking of the capital’s number one young master, Luo Shaoxuan, he is truly talented and stunningly beautiful. He can make men’s clothing, write beautiful calligraphy, and compose good poetry. He is skilled in all the arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting. You all know that the poetry conference is open to both men and women nationwide, yet he stood out among the many participants and won first place at the mere age of thirteen. He truly possesses both beauty and wisdom. Back then, the Emperor had also invited him to play a song at the state banquet. It is said that those who heard this song would never forget it in their lifetime. The Emperor also bestowed upon him the title of the capital’s number one young master…”

Hearing this, Si Qingyu’s long eyelashes slightly lowered, concealing a hint of darkness in her eyes as she pondered.

Li Tianyang, sitting across from her, stared blankly at Si Qingyu. Her brows were cold and elegant, her eyelids slightly lowered, and her long eyelashes cast beautiful arcs under her eyelids. Her overall temperament was cold and abstinent, keeping people thousands of miles away, yet making them want to approach her and gain her favor.

Li Tianyang couldn’t help but prop himself up and lean towards her.

Si Qingyu was thinking about something when she suddenly heard the young man’s clear voice beside her ear: “What are you thinking about?” Si Qingyu raised her eyes and saw the young man with his hands propped on the table, his whole body leaning forward, his face stopping ten centimeters away from hers, looking innocent and sweet.

“I wonder what Young Master Li’s intention is in following me all the way here,” Si Qingyu said after taking a sip of tea, ignoring his question.

Hearing her ask this, Li Tianyang’s face finally showed a blush, looking shy. His foxy eyes shimmered as he said, “I like you. Marry me!”

“…”