‘Silver Vase? That’s a nice name.’ Adam Sullivan found it amusing. But then, thinking it over, he immediately understood and asked solemnly, “May I ask, young lady, what is your relationship with Miss Yin?”

“That’s my young lady.” Grace, the little maid, lifted her chin proudly and said, “I’m her personal maid, the kind with a lot of status.”

“My apologies, my apologies.” Adam Sullivan tried to prop himself up, but his body was too weak, so he could only smile wryly and say, “I really can’t get up, I’m truly being rude.”

Seeing his sudden change in attitude, Grace asked curiously, “You change your face so quickly?”

Adam Sullivan replied seriously, “My father already said, if it weren’t for Miss Yin’s help, my little life would have been claimed by King Yama. So,” he cupped his hands and said, “I dare not simply thank you for saving my life. Since Miss Grace is here on behalf of Miss Yin, I naturally must show my respect.”

A few grand-sounding words immediately coaxed the inexperienced young girl into a good mood. Not only did her earlier displeasure vanish, but Grace even felt he was truly a good, conscientious, and polite young man.

Under Adam Sullivan’s subtle guidance, the atmosphere in the loft became harmonious. Grace opened the food box and took out a ceramic jar. As she lifted the lid, a tempting aroma wafted out with the rising steam, making someone’s hungry stomach growl loudly.

Chapter Four: The Scholar’s Livelihood (Part One)

“This is chicken soup my young lady specially instructed the kitchen to make.” As Grace ladled the soup into a delicate blue-and-white porcelain bowl, she boasted as if presenting a treasure, “It has ginseng, angelica, astragalus, and more than a dozen other medicinal herbs—very nourishing.” She then took out two medicine packets wrapped in oiled paper, set them aside, and said, “One is for replenishing qi and blood, the other is for injuries. One is for you, one for Mr. Sullivan. Don’t mix them up.”

Adam Sullivan smiled gently and said softly, “Miss Grace, may I ask you a question?”

His weary smile was as fragile as blue-and-white porcelain, making Miss Grace’s heart tremble. Her cheeks flushed red, and she gently set down the bowl, mumbling like a mosquito, “Go ahead, but if it’s too personal, I can’t tell you.”

“I wouldn’t be so presumptuous.” Adam Sullivan gave a bitter smile and said, “What I want to ask is, after I was bitten by the snake yesterday, I passed out. I don’t know how my father met your young lady, or how we ended up here.” He looked at her sincerely and said, “Could you tell me about it?”

“Oh, that.” Grace sounded a little disappointed. “Alright…” She placed a handkerchief on the bench, sat down across from Adam Sullivan, and softly recalled, “Yesterday, after noon, I was accompanying my young lady at our Jiren Hall to check the accounts when we heard a commotion in the front hall. My young lady asked me to go see what was happening. When I went to the front, I found out that Mr. Sullivan was carrying you and rushed into our Jiren Hall, begging the resident doctor to save you. But the rule at Jiren Hall is that patients must pay fifty wen as a consultation fee before the doctor will treat them…”

As she spoke, Grace glanced at Adam Sullivan worriedly, and sure enough, saw his expression darken. She quickly explained in a low voice, “My young lady only took over Jiren Hall last month. She didn’t know about this rule at first, but she’s already ordered them to abolish it.”

Adam Sullivan nodded and said quietly, “Miss Yin is kind-hearted.”

“Of course, my young lady is the best.” Grace smiled proudly and continued, “Mr. Sullivan couldn’t pay, so the doctor refused to treat you. The argument got heated, and there was some pushing and shouting, which alarmed my young lady.”

Adam Sullivan knew things weren’t as simple as Grace made them sound. After all, the shop belonged to their family—of course they’d take their own side, right? Whether right or wrong, they’d naturally defend their own people. But he could almost be certain that the scratches and bruises on his father’s face were most likely caused by those so-called ‘Jiren Hall’ staff…

It wasn’t that he was being cynical or making wild guesses, but he understood human nature too well. If they were just strangers, Miss Yin waiving his consultation fee and giving him some free medicine would already be more than enough kindness. There was really no need to send her personal maid to check on him the next day, bringing chicken soup and medicine—especially medicine for injuries. If it wasn’t out of guilt, what else could it be?

Thinking of how the old man had to humble himself for his sake, endure the faces of petty people, and even got beaten, he felt his blood rush to his head and clenched his fists tightly.

Fortunately, he was mature enough not to show his emotions, and since this little maid and her young lady had only shown him kindness, he really shouldn’t take it out on them. Taking a deep breath, Adam Sullivan smiled at the anxious Grace and said, “Please, go on.”

“You’re not mad at us, are you?” Grace was still young, and her next words gave her away.

“How could I be?” Adam Sullivan smiled gently and said, “You and your young lady are my saviors. I’m grateful—I wouldn’t dream of being unreasonable.”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Grace clasped her hands to her chest and said shyly, “My young lady said, no matter what, since you’re in our care, we have to take full responsibility.” If Adam Sullivan were naive, he wouldn’t have understood what she meant.

※※※

Adam Sullivan didn’t want to discuss the matter further and frowned slightly, “Wasn’t I bitten by a snake? Why prescribe so many nourishing medicines?”