pertwk Chapter 104 A Pure and Honest Heart, A Quiet and Tranquil Mind
Chapter 104 A Pure and Honest Heart, A Quiet and Tranquil Mind
Chapter 104 A Pure and Honest Heart, A Quiet and Tranquil Mind
I. Observing with a calm and detached eye reveals subtlety
Chen Shanhe held a pair of bright silver medical needles between his fingertips, lowered his head and eyes, and slowly and methodically arranged the medical instruments laid out on the consultation table.
He appeared to be concentrating on tidying up the items, but his mind was entirely focused on the silver needles and medicine utensils at his side.
In reality, with a subtle glance from the corner of his eye, he clearly saw every move taking place in the hall and under the eaves, without missing a single detail.
Murong Fangxiang leaned slightly to the side, close to the consultation table, a cheerful smile on her face, and began to chat with him about trivial matters concerning the clinic's medicinal herbs.
His words and actions were casual and natural, his demeanor familiar yet unrestrained, deliberately conveying a sense of approachability and ease.
Su Wanjing stood quietly under the eaves, her head slightly lowered, her two fingertips repeatedly twisting the hem of her clothes.
Between sentences, Murong Fangxiang would occasionally glance out of the courtyard, but out of the corner of her eye, she would steal a look at Su Wanjing under the eaves, her eyes hiding an irrepressible mischievous smile.
Chen Shanhe's fingertips suddenly paused, and he stopped arranging the silver needles.
He saw clearly the subtle gestures between the two, and the thoughts and emotions hidden in their eyes.
He could clearly see that Su Wanjing was harboring a bitter resentment, secretly struggling and conflicted, hiding a heart full of unspeakable jealousy.
He also saw through Murong Fangxiang's little scheme of deliberately getting closer to chat, pretending to be friendly, and intentionally teasing and joking with people.
He slowly raised his eyes, his calm and indifferent gaze sweeping over the figures of the two interacting.
Outsiders could not discern his inner thoughts, but he was already perfectly clear-headed and understood the subtle atmosphere flowing through the courtyard.
He neither exposed nor pointed it out, nor did he deliberately ask any questions. He simply watched the two of them quietly and silently, each revealing their true feelings, their emotions churning within them.
As evidenced by the poem
Observe the affairs of the courtyard with a detached eye.
Clearly, both hearts understand.
Having seen through the subtleties of human relationships
Unmoved by mountains and rivers, its vast expanse remains serene.
Second, maintain a steadfast and unwavering mind.
With a slight turn of his wrist, Chen Shanhe carefully placed the neatly categorized silver needles on the table into the solid wood medicine box.
His movements were steady and composed, neither hurried nor slow. Every gesture, from raising his hand to lowering it, was calm and peaceful, without a trace of impetuosity.
Since the group settled down in the small brick courtyard in the provincial capital and the people's clinic successfully opened, his mind had been firmly set, and it had never wavered in the slightest.
He was always gentle and humble in his dealings with others, and upright and honest in his actions. He practiced medicine with integrity and benevolence throughout his life, and he was also upright and straightforward in his conduct, always staying true to himself and maintaining a proper sense of propriety.
Murong Fangxiang visited him every day, handling all the trivial matters inside and outside the house, and taking care of everything with thoughtful care. He felt nothing but gratitude and respect in his heart.
In interactions with each other, always adhere to the proper etiquette and decorum of close siblings, maintain a clean and honest relationship, and conduct daily interactions in a proper and respectful manner.
They only discussed mundane matters such as clinic operations and the purchase of medicinal herbs, always maintaining a proper balance, and their words and actions never crossed any lines or showed any ambiguity.
In his heart, from beginning to end, there was only Su Wanjing.
From leaving his hometown to traveling together, and now settling in the provincial capital to stay together day and night, his heart has always been single-minded and his original intention has remained unchanged.
In my eyes and heart, there is never any room for anyone else, nor is there the slightest bit of ulterior motive or disloyalty.
Despite Murong Fangxiang's deliberate jokes and playful banter, and her attempts to appear friendly and warm, despite the subtle shifts in the atmosphere in the courtyard and the undercurrents of tension, she remained unmoved.
Chen Shanhe's heart remained as steady as a rock, calm and composed, and he was not easily disturbed by the trivial noises around him.
No matter how others try to test or tease him, or how they try to get closer, he remains steadfast and unwavering in his affections, never wavering or deviating in the slightest, and single-mindedly guarding only the person in his heart.
As evidenced by the poem
A steadfast heart brings peace of mind.
My lifelong affection is reserved only for one person.
Apart from being serene and free of distractions,
A gentle breeze and a bright moon bring tranquility.
Third, maintain proper boundaries and etiquette.
Murong Fangxiang smiled brightly and took a light step forward, reaching out to pick up the list of medicinal herbs spread out on the table.
She deliberately bent down slightly, quietly moving closer to Chen Shanhe, softening her tone of voice, and speaking softly and slowly.
"These main medicinal herbs on the list are the hardest to source; you simply can't find good quality ones in city pharmacies."
"I will make more connections with suppliers and people, and I will definitely get all the medicinal materials in time so as not to delay your daily prescriptions and treatments."
Chen Shanhe noticed the figure approaching beside him, and without making a sound, he subtly shifted his body to the side, taking a half-step away.
They naturally increased the distance between them, their expressions remaining calm and composed, their gazes upright and unbiased.
His tone was polite and proper, and he responded calmly and composedly, without revealing any unnecessary emotions.
"I appreciate your hard work in running around. Just focus on doing your job well and don't overwork yourself."
A simple reply, polite yet distant, perfectly balancing the appropriate level of politeness.
They clearly demarcated the boundaries between them, without the slightest hint of intimacy or familiarity that crossed the line.
They do not try to be overly enthusiastic or ingratiating, nor are they ambiguous or superficial. They are frank, upright, and honest in their dealings with others.
Upon hearing this, Murong Fangxiang paused slightly and was stunned for a moment.
She was quick-witted and perceptive, and instantly understood the distance Chen Shanhe was deliberately maintaining.
He chuckled to himself, understanding the situation perfectly, and immediately stopped his deliberate attempt to get closer, slowly straightening up.
No longer deliberately trying to approach or tease, they obediently withdrew their steps and quietly returned to their original positions.
Chen Shanhe always kept his principles and manners in his words and actions.
They are clear about their distinctions in dealing with people and affairs, and they understand these distinctions perfectly in their hearts.
Murong Fangxiang and I were just close friends, like siblings who helped each other, and we worked and interacted purely and honestly.
Only towards Su Wanjing did he harbor a unique tenderness and deep affection.
He never loses his sense of proportion or his mind; he acts with integrity and propriety throughout his life, never overstepping any boundaries.
As evidenced by the poem
Speak and act with moderation and maintain integrity.
The boundary was never crossed.
A frank and open relationship with no ambiguity.
A person who is upright will find peace of mind.
IV. Whispers gently soothe the heart
After finishing her chores, Murong Fangxiang turned and walked to the medicine cabinet against the wall, where she bent down and focused on arranging and organizing various medicinal herbs.
The hall fell silent instantly, with no more laughter or conversation.
Chen Shanhe slowly lifted his feet, his steps light and steady, and walked step by step toward the courtyard corridor.
Su Wanjing remained standing quietly with her hands hanging down, her head slightly lowered, her long eyelashes drooping down, concealing the emotions in her eyes.
She was quiet and silent, exuding a sense of melancholy and gloom.
She heard approaching footsteps, her shoulders trembled slightly, and her fingers clenched unconsciously, but she still didn't have the courage to look up.
Chen Shanhe stopped steadily in front of her, softened his tone of voice, his voice warm and deep, carrying a unique gentleness and warmth, and spoke softly.
"I was busy discussing miscellaneous matters at the clinic just now, and I'm sorry to have left you standing here alone for so long."
He slowly raised his hand, his movements gentle and careful, and lightly brushed away the fine dust that clung to the corners of her clothes.
A pair of clear, clean eyes, filled with a tenderness and affection never seen before, rested steadily on Su Wanjing's face.
"My relationships with others are just ordinary acquaintances, and we only talk about business and casual conversation."
"Those scenes of joking and playing around are just ordinary interactions; don't take them to heart. Overthinking will only cause you more trouble."
Upon hearing this, Su Wanjing slowly raised her lowered eyebrows and looked directly into his open and sincere eyes.
A sudden, slight tingling sensation in my nose, and the pent-up bitterness and resentment in my eyes slowly dissipated in an instant.
The tension in my heart gradually eased, and the emotions that had been churning inside me for days were completely calmed down.
Chen Shanhe always treated people with propriety and composure, remaining peaceful and distant towards outsiders, and adhering to proper etiquette.
Only when facing Su Wanjing would he shed all his aloofness, taking meticulous care of everything and showing tenderness and consideration in every way.
Throughout his life, he acted with integrity and uprightness, his original aspirations remained steadfast, and he never wavered in his commitment, year after year.
He was devoted to Su Wanjing with tenderness and affection, his love for her was unwavering and would never waver, remaining steadfast year after year.
As evidenced by the poem
Gentleness is reserved only for the one I love.
The roots remain unchanged year after year.
Proceeding steadily without deviation,
She spent her whole life cherishing this beautiful moment.