After I Am died, You Tell Me This Is A Life Simulation?
Chapter 16 - Why Study Medicine?

Chapter 16: Why Study Medicine?

Seeing that Fang Han had matters to attend to, Elder Zhen had no choice but to leave with Cheng Lingsu for the time being.

Although the old physician’s initial intentions had not come to fruition, he no longer minded much.

As for Cheng Lingsu, she was even less likely to say anything further.

She was not one to be boastful to begin with.

In the days that followed, Fang Han didn’t see much of them.

There were, however, two occasions when he happened to run into the young Miss Cheng while out buying supplies.

But each time, they only exchanged polite greetings and didn’t engage in deeper conversation.

On this day, there were fewer patients seeking consultation.

Even during the day, Fang Han found himself with quite a bit of free time.

He reread the medical text in his hands once again, then closed it and let out a light sigh.

At my current level, it’s no longer easy to improve my medical skills in the short term.

Besides, he had read these medical texts countless times over the decades in the simulation, chewing through every word until it had lost its flavor.

Honestly… I care more about martial arts than medicine right now.

But both medicine and martial arts were paths that required long-term perseverance.

“There’s still about eight months before the second simulation begins… sigh.”

Fang Han wanted to adjust his mindset, but that was easier said than done.

To gain one thing and crave another—that’s only human.⁽¹⁾

Tap, tap—

He heard light footsteps. Lifting his eyes, he saw a petite and delicate figure entering.

Hair tied with a simple pin, dressed in plain linen robes.

Though her attire was simple, she had a certain ethereal grace.

Fang Han rose and smiled,

“Miss Cheng.”

Cheng Lingsu smiled when she saw him and called softly,

“Mister Fang. Uncle Zhen asked me to come borrow some herbs—your clinic seems to be running low.”

This kind of favor, of course, Fang Han would not refuse.

He led her inside and packed up the herbs she had mentioned.

Cheng Lingsu accepted them and expressed her thanks.

Her gaze swept across the table and landed on the medical book. After a brief pause, she asked,

“Mister Fang, I heard from Uncle Zhen that your medical skills are already quite advanced—so why are you still reading these basic texts?”

She had noticed that the book wasn’t particularly advanced or obscure.

Fang Han sighed and replied,

“To review the old and learn the new⁽²⁾. Besides, I had nothing better to do, so I was just passing the time. I’ve been trying to find some classical medical texts, but they’re hard to come by.”

Saying this, he couldn’t help but recall Elder Zhen’s words from before—how this girl’s medical skills were supposedly much greater than his own…

Though he was still skeptical, he hadn’t forgotten it.

“Miss Cheng, I heard Elder Zhen say that your medical skills are truly remarkable?”

Cheng Lingsu tied the herbal bundles with a small string and replied,

“It’s just that I studied a bit of medicine and pharmacology under my master’s. Nothing worth mentioning. Uncle Zhen was exaggerating.”

Fang Han said,

“Elder Zhen isn’t someone who tells lies. If he said so, there must be truth in it. You’re being modest, Miss.”

Cheng Lingsu didn’t respond right away.

Only after tying the last bundle did she lift her head, her clear eyes looking at Fang Han as she asked,

“Mister Fang, why did you decide to study medicine?”

Fang Han was caught slightly off guard by her sudden change of topic.

Looks like she didn’t want to talk about her skills.

Well, it’s understandable—matters of inheritance and legacy are serious business.

He pondered for a moment, then replied,

“As for why I studied medicine… to be honest, Miss Cheng, you may find it laughable. At first, I learned it simply to make a living.”

That was indeed the truth.

In the early and middle stages of the simulation, he had stumbled from failure to failure.

Eventually returning to Linshui City, he needed a stable way to survive.

It wasn’t that there were no other options—

It’s just that medicine was closely tied to martial arts, and deep down, he had been unwilling to let it go.

So he chose medicine.

Cheng Lingsu appeared surprised by his answer.

She had heard about Fang Han’s deeds from Uncle Zhen and had formed a favorable impression.

During their first meeting, she had also seen the respect and affection that the locals had for him.

So when she asked this question, she had expected to hear a lofty answer about ambition and ideals—

Not this.

Fang Han seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled:

“Are you disappointed, Miss Cheng?”

“No… Just a bit surprised,” Cheng Lingsu quickly shook her head.

“Mister Fang treats the sick and asks for almost nothing in return. You even offer free consultations regularly…

It made me think you were a truly noble physician—someone who practices medicine out of compassion. I admire that.”

Seeing her mature speech and thoughtful manner, Fang Han no longer regarded her as a child.

Before, she had looked to him like a mere girl of fifteen or so, not much different from a child.

But after running into her a few times and now chatting with her in depth, he could tell she was exceptionally sharp and mature.

There was no need to placate her with sweet words.

He smiled and said,

“I do have some good qualities, but I’m not as selfless as you think.

When I first studied medicine, it was just to find a way to survive.

As for everything I do now—free clinics, low fees—it’s just what I can manage easily.

It doesn’t cost me much, so I do it. It’s nothing to praise.”

Cheng Lingsu’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him and said softly,

“You’re too modest, Mister Fang.

There are many capable people in this world who could help others easily, but most choose not to.”

Fang Han didn’t want to dwell on the topic. He simply asked in return,

“The,n may I ask, Miss Cheng—why did you study medicine?”

Cheng Lingsu paused at the question.

Her expression froze for a moment. She lowered her head and didn’t speak.

After a while, she replied,

“No real reason. My master taught me medicine, so I just learned it.”

Fang Han nodded.

That’s perfectly normal.

Even in his previous life, most students didn’t choose their majors with any clear goal.

It was usually just whatever their parents suggested.

“Miss Cheng must enjoy studying medicine. Otherwise, how could you be so skilled?”

Cheng Lingsu blinked and hesitated, then said,

“I’m not sure… I just think it’s kind of interesting.

But honestly, I prefer tending to flowers and plants~”

Fang Han laughed heartily,

“That’s not bad at all!”

Looking at her pale and frail face, he felt a surge of sympathy.

After a moment of thought, he asked gently,

“Are these herbs urgent?”

Hearing this, Cheng Lingsu’s heart sank.

Is he trying to send me away because I’ve overstayed my welcome?

She didn’t show it on her face.

“Yes, I should hurry back.”

“Is that so… wait a moment.”

Fang Han looked a little regretful.

He turned, rummaged through a cabinet, and pulled out a small pouch of snacks.

“These are some little treats I made. Here—take them.”

Cheng Lingsu accepted the pouch, confused.

Fang Han smiled and explained,

“Mostly dried fruits and such.

Something to nibble on when you’re bored.

I hope you’ll like them.”

Hearing this, Cheng Lingsu stared at the pouch in her hands.

She began to understand.

He wasn’t trying to send me away.

A faint shimmer of tears welled in her eyes.

She said in a soft voice,

“Thank you, Mister Fang.”

Fang Han saw her lower her head, voice no longer bright and clear, but soft and sweet—

Her slender figure looked all the more delicate and pitiful.

He gently patted her small head, smoothing out her slightly yellow, fine hair.

Smiling, he said,

“You don’t have to be so formal.

If you don’t mind, you can call me Brother Fang.”

Feeling the warmth of his large hand, Cheng Lingsu’s face instantly turned red.

She lowered her head and whispered so quietly it was barely audible:

“Brother… Fang…”

Footnotes:

1. 1. 1. 1. 得陇望蜀 (dé lǒng wàng shǔ)– Literally “gaining Longxi but desiring Shu”; an idiom meaning never being satisfied, always wanting more. Originates from Han Emperor Guangwu’s conquests.

1. 1. 1. 1. 温故而知新 (wēn gù ér zhī xīn)– “Reviewing the old to understand the new.” From The Analects of Confucius. A classic proverb advocating continual study and reflection.