Chapter 5

Shui arrived at the remote Chinese village, his monk robes standing out in stark contrast to the simple, earthy clothes of the villagers. His unfamiliar presence was met with cautious stares as he moved through the narrow streets. The village, isolated and tucked away in the mountains, wasn't accustomed to outsiders. Shui had long learned the art of blending in when necessary, but here, in this small community, his foreign appearance made him stand out.

He made his way to the village clinic, a modest building, and pushed the door open. Inside, a middle, aged doctor with a weary expression looked up from a desk piled with medical journals and herbal medicine bottles. The doctor's gaze lingered on Shui, his suspicion apparent.

"Can I help you?" the doctor asked, his voice skeptical. He was a man of average means and skill, his medical knowledge limited despite his position. He had passed the medical exams only after repeated attempts, meaning he had no choice but to settle in this remote village. His expression betrayed no interest in idle visitors.

Shui, mindful of his outsider status, spoke calmly. "I am Shui. I seek to learn."

The doctor raised an eyebrow. "Learn? You wear monk robes, yet come here, seeking to learn modern medicine?" His tone was laced with doubt, his gaze sharp. "I'm no teacher, and you don't look like someone who needs to be wasting time with the likes of me."

Shui nodded slowly, understanding the man's skepticism. "I am not a monk, at least not in the way you think. I was isolated from society for many years, now I seek to understand the world, not only through books but through the experience of those who live in it."

The doctor leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "Hmm, Sounds like a nice story, but I've seen enough people who think they're 'special' because they've read a few books. I trust experience, not theory. You want to learn? Start by helping with what's here, herbs, remedies, practical medicine. Modern techniques might be useful, but they're not much good when you're stuck with what nature gives you."

Shui understood the man's position. He was an average man, in an average town, with no grand aspirations, simply doing his best to get by. The village was small, isolated, and it had no need for a stranger with lofty goals. The skepticism in the doctor's eyes made it clear that Shui would need to prove himself, but he was glad to get some free labor.

"I understand," Shui replied, his voice steady. "I have read about many forms of healing, but I have no experience with your methods. I would appreciate the opportunity to assist you, to see how you work."

The doctor eyed him for a long moment, still dubious. "We'll see if you can keep up, but don't think you'll impress me with your fancy words, I've been practicing here for years, and I don't have room for anyone who can't pull their weight."

Shui nodded, remaining calm and composed, he was keenly aware of how much he had to learn, not just about medicine, but about society, it's customs, and the practicalities of living in it. He had lived his life in a sterile laboratory environment, surrounded by knowledge but never human interaction. Now, he was faced with the humbling reality of needing to fit into a world that worked not through intellect alone but through relationships and actions.

Over the next few days, Shui worked alongside the doctor, observing and learning. His brilliance far outstripped the doctor's, but Shui kept his abilities in check, choosing to absorb the small lessons about human interaction. The doctor was a simple man, accustomed to treating basic ailments with herbs and remedies, always frustrated with his inability to use more modern techniques due to lack of resources qnd opportunities. Despite his frustration, Shui could see that the doctor had an understanding of people, something Shui lacked.

Shui's presence in the clinic, while still met with suspicion, was slowly accepted. However, the doctor's skepticism remained palpable, especially when Shui mentioned his lack of papers and formal identification. The doctor didn't believe in charity or kindness for its own sake; he believed in the practical and without proper documentation, Shui's existence was, at best, questionable.

"You don't have papers. You don't belong to this place, and without that, you're not just an outsider, you're a problem," the doctor remarked one day while handing Shui a cup of tea. "You want to be a part of society? You need a name, a record, and a history. No one trusts anyone who can't be accounted for."

Shui, already aware of his predicament, thought deeply. He knew the laws on citizenship registration in rural China were lenient but required verification of residency. With no official documents or a way to prove his identity, Shui would have to travel to a larger town to forge the necessary papers, or find a way to manipulate the system.

For now, though, he had to remain here, in the village, and learn while he could. The doctor, skeptical but not unkind, allowed him to assist with some minor medical procedures, and Shui continued to watch the man's interactions with the villagers, seeing how trust was built through simple gestures and shared struggles.

Shui knew he couldn't stay in this village forever, he had to move on, to get closer to a place where he could acquire legal status. He would need to leave, travel to a larger town, and find a way to fit in.

For now, however, he learned from the doctor, not just about medicine, but about the ways of the world, including from books that the doctor had collected, Shui understood that, it was in the smallest of things, the gestures, the social customs, the unwritten rules, that true understanding of the society lay.