Meditating in the Snow

As he focused on trying to make the sound of the water fade away, footsteps interrupted him. Fahai tried to push the sound away, but he could hear the soft crunch of snow underfoot gradually getting closer. Finally he opened his eyes, frustrated, only to see a familiar figure below.

It was Physician Xu, with a bundle over his shoulder. As if he could feel the monk's gaze, the man looked up at that moment and their eyes met.

Xuxian squinted upwards. "Is that you, holy man? I did not realize you were there. Did I interrupt your meditation?"

Fahai told himself that this might very well be the gods helping him, though he was tempted to reply coldly, still ruffled from being disturbed. "Good day, Physician Xu. It is of no consequence. Are you gathering herbs?"

Xuxian shook his head. "It's too cold for most herbs, except perhaps roots. No, I was just setting some traps. It's strange that you should have chose that spot, it used to be my wife's favourite too when she lived on the mountain. Are you not cold up there, though?"

"Your wife's favourite, when she lived on the mountains," repeated Fahai carefully. He was thinking rapidly. Getting up, he gathered his robes and leaped down, landing lightly on his feet in a whirl of folds.

Xuxian watched him admiringly. "So you know qinggong too," he remarked respectfully. "No wonder you were able to get up there so easily."

The monk said nothing but he was noting down all these offhand nuggets of information. How strong exactly the snake spirit was he could not tell yet, since he had not had the chance to really interact with her; but from the sound of it he sensed that she was more powerful than the average animal spirit. How old she was, and how much cultivation she had amassed, he could only guess.

He bowed to Xuxian. "Granny Hong tells me that I ought to seek help from you for my cough," he said stiffly, with an effort. "But it is a small matter of no importance. Perhaps one day when Physician Xu is free, you could be so kind as to see me. If you are busy, you must not feel obliged."

Xuxian's eyes lit up. He scanned the monk briefly with an expert eye, noting how gaunt the man was, and the unhealthy colour of his cheeks. "Of course. I would be happy to do so." He chose his words carefully. "If you have finished your meditation, why don't you come back with me to my hut? I can prescribe you some medicine for your cough. It will be no trouble at all, please do not trouble yourself with payment. It is but a small thing."

Fahai remembered Granny Hong's words, even as he replied, "Thank you, Physician, but I am not without money. I could not dream of imposing on you."

Xuxian brushed him off. "Just come with me. We can talk about payment later. If you don't look down on my skill as a common village doctor, let me treat you. Come, we can walk back to the village together, I've finished setting all my traps."

He gestured invitingly at the beaten track. With a smile, Fahai followed him. "Are you taking me to your clinic?"

Xuxian laughed. "If I had one, I would. But you see, we are simple folks here. I could not possibly afford a clinic. My home is my clinic; my patients come to look for me there if they need anything."

So he would get to see Xu Suzhen as well. Fahai wondered what her reaction would be like when her husband appeared without warning with him.

"If you have time, you must join us for the midday meal. Susu would not mind, we often have friends dropping by. If you do not mind the kind of simple food we common people eat, you are most welcome to eat with us."

"It has been years since I ate anything other than simple food, if food at all," Fahai replied calmly. "I thank you for your hospitality, Physician Xu. Granny Hong was indeed not exaggerating when she said that you were a kind man."

Xuxian laughed. "She always remembers that I helped care for her husband before he died, and she thinks too much of me. But how could I do otherwise? She is the closest thing to a mother that I have had. She and Yuanzheng have been more than neighbours to me. Before I met Susu, they often invited me to eat with them, though they had barely enough for themselves."

He sighed, abruptly, looking thoughtful as they trudged through the fresh snow. "I have never been what they call a fortunate man, losing first my parents, then my uncle. But I have much to be grateful for. The gods rewarded my hard work, and gave me friends that, if not rich or powerful, are at least honest and loyal." He smiled.

"Honest and loyal." Fahai said softly to himself. "Are those, then, the qualities you value the most in people?"

Xuxian took a while to reply, clearly thinking through this for the first time. "Perhaps," he said at last. "I have never been much to be proud of, and I have never dared to demand much from anyone. I know my place. How could someone like me, who lacks so much, criticize others? But the very least that I can give, and which I expect, is to be honest and sincere. I may not have the best knowledge, or the best resources, but as a doctor I can at least guarantee that I have sincerity towards my patients. When I first took over my uncle's place, I was worried that I was not capable enough. There was so much I did not know, and I had hardly any experience. Compared to other doctors, I felt like a novice. But I remember telling myself that there was one thing I could promise, despite all that I lacked. I will never pretend to be more than I am, or to know more than I do; and I would do the best I can."

"That is interesting," Fahai said slowly. "And do you, then, require the same of others?"