A New Atmosphere

Chu Tianshu knew immediately what his second grandfather was doing.

The custom of worshipping bridges exists in many parts of the country, and it's unclear where it originated.

Perhaps because ancient bridges were difficult to build and often served as transportation hubs, people held a different kind of awe and expectation for them.

In some places, it is believed that bridges connect the living and the dead. When crossing a bridge, if it is a funeral procession, an extra stack of paper money should be placed on top of the bridge with Shitou so that the deceased can be safely sent to the afterlife.

If someone is seriously ill and near death, they will leave some money from the living world on the bridge in the hope that they can preserve their life force and not go to the underworld too soon.

It was once a common practice for children who were unwell to seek the blessings of godparents at bridges.

The day for worshipping the bridge is usually chosen around the Lunar New Year.

If you remember clearly, it's best to come here to offer sacrifices on the same day every year.

If you can't remember the exact date, choose your birthday or the fourteenth day of the first lunar month to make the trip. It will bring you a smooth crossing and good health.

Therefore, there is also a saying that "one should pay homage to the bridge on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month".

My second grandfather seems to have taken this old bridge as his godmother many years ago.

Even though my grandfather practiced witchcraft and my second grandfather had mastered feng shui, they could tell that this old bridge didn't have any special spiritual power.

My second grandfather still comes here to offer incense every year.

Chu Tianshu didn't remember the exact date of his bridge worship ceremony; seeing him here today reminded him of it.

As the old man finished his prayer, three incense sticks were already inserted into the incense burner.

Chu Tianshu walked over and greeted him.

Second Master Chu turned around, his face beaming with joy. "You're back!"

"Perfect timing, I'm going to pay my respects at the bridge, you should do the same."

Chu Tianshu faced the railing, clasped his hands together, shook them three times in front of his chest, and bowed his head in acknowledgment, which was considered a form of greeting.

Second Master Chu nodded and said, "This bridge will be demolished next year. Starting next year, I will no longer come here to pay my respects."

Chu Tianshu was a little surprised. "It's been demolished?"

"Demolish and rebuild."

Second Master Chu reached out and patted the railing. "Although this bridge doesn't possess any unique divine power, in terms of feng shui, any structure here has its significance."

"Moreover, in practical terms, when I was a child, the markets on both sides of this canal belonged to different villages and towns."

"It was because of this bridge that people could easily come and go, and communication became more frequent, which is why this place became more and more lively."

"It's a pity, the structure is old. I heard from the brigade headquarters that they're going to build a new bridge, one that's flatter and doesn't have this arched curve anymore."

Second Master Chu said regretfully, "This bridge is actually quite good, why did we have to tear it down and rebuild it?"

Chu Tianshu understood his second grandfather's feelings for the bridge.

However, there are actually many obvious cracks on this bridge.

Some people come to burn incense without bringing an incense burner; you can see that the incense sticks are stuck in the cracks in the bricks and stones.

It's fine for people to walk across, but it's not so easy for heavier vehicles to get across.

Second Master Chu was still complaining, "Even if we're going to build a new bridge, we can keep this old one."

Chu Tianshu said, "After all, this is a small intersection, so the new bridge will definitely be built here, as it will be the most useful."

If the old bridge is left here, occupying the space, even if a new bridge is built elsewhere, most people will probably still use the old bridge.

The construction of that new bridge was truly a waste.

"Yes, the feng shui of this place... is indeed the best."

Second Master Chu looked around, watching the rippling blue waves below the bridge and the gentle breeze on the bridge, and finally felt somewhat relieved.

Chu Tianshu then said, "Let's go buy groceries. I'll cook for you at your place today, so you can try my cooking."

Second Master Chu laughed and said, "Wait a little longer."

The three incense sticks weren't very thick to begin with, and with the wind on the bridge, they burned out in no time.

Second Master Chu clasped his hands together and bowed three more times, then put away the offerings, including the small incense burner, which he placed in a bag.

The two went to the market. Chu Tianshu went to the chilled food section and bought ten chicken legs, a few thin green peppers, a bunch of scallions, and a sea bass.

Finally, I bought a bunch of tender green vegetables from the greenhouse.

This type of leafy green is longer and more slender than the varieties grown directly in local homes, with thinner and more resilient stems.

It's a bit troublesome to stir-fry and not sweet enough, but it's perfect for soup. Just beat in two eggs and stir it up, and it tastes just like fresh vegetables.

Chu Tianshu was pondering how to make these things when he turned his head and saw his second grandfather walking through the market towards the brigade headquarters.

The brigade headquarters is not far from the vegetable market.

Actually, the term "brigade" is rarely used nowadays.

The brigade headquarters was changed to the village committee.

In front of the small building housing the village committee offices is a large cement area.

Someone set up two basketball hoops there, along with exercise equipment, like horizontal bars and parallel bars.

In the early morning and evening, some elderly people exercise here, while the evening is the liveliest time, with a large group of people dancing in the square.

Chu Tianshu was quite familiar with this place.

Several elderly men had fallen and injured themselves while exercising here, and some even called Chu Tianshu in a hurry to come and treat them, setting their bones and relieving their pain.

Whenever someone falls and gets injured, this place becomes quiet for a while.

But before long, he reverted to his old ways.

Chu Tianshu carried the groceries over and, sure enough, saw a large group of old men exercising there.

The difference is that today, besides the elderly, there are also many teenagers here.

And he doesn't practice haphazardly like before.

Students on holiday held small, silver-white balls in their Shangdu, stretching and contorting their muscles, practicing movements slowly and powerfully, like doing martial arts exercises.

Chu Tianshu could sense that the External Elixir No. 1 seemed to be able to stimulate their breathing rate and adjust their breathing patterns.

This kind of exercise may not seem strenuous, but it quickly makes you sweat profusely.

Many teenagers were so tired that they were panting and sitting down to rest.

The elderly people who could only follow along and practice the movements before now received the External Elixir.

Second Master Chu commented, "They've really practiced quite well."

"When the news of the government confirming the existence of martial arts and magic first spread, countless people talked about it, and many came to my house. It was so annoying that I had to go into hiding for a few days."

"Luckily, you haven't been home at all these past two months."

Second Master Chu said, "After pondering this matter a hundred times, it seems the initial enthusiasm has waned considerably."

"Everyone goes to work or school as usual, but you're more likely to see these people practicing martial arts wherever you go."

"The news always reports that factory workers practice these things during their lunch breaks."

Chu Tianshu smiled and said, "That's great. After our pharmacy officially opens, we'll get some affordable and universally applicable prescriptions for everyone. You can take them anywhere to make tea and drink them to replenish your energy."

As they were talking, he saw an old man over there, who was doing his kung fu practice and then grabbing a horizontal bar.

He swayed and swayed, then started swinging around on the horizontal bar.

Tsk, old habits die hard.

If they really develop a skill with it, who knows what kind of tricks they'll come up with using these machines.

Second Master Chu said, "I've always been quite concerned about the pharmacy staff. As you said, it would be best to hire some graduates related to traditional Chinese medicine."

"But for positions like security guards and warehouse management, you don't necessarily need to be a professional; just find some reliable ones."

"I'll show you their information later."

"There's someone in there who's a bit special. She's also a sorcerer, an old friend of mine, but I suspect her motives for applying for this job aren't entirely pure. Since you're back, why don't I invite her over for a meal so you can talk things over?"

Chu Tianshu responded with a soft "yes," and the two chatted for quite a while on their way home.

Especially when I walked to my own village's market town, I saw vast fields of farmland with thin, weak seedlings.

Second Master Chu couldn't help but reminisce about the famine that had struck back then.

People say that a timely snowfall promises a bumper harvest, but that disaster came at the worst possible time; the fields will definitely suffer a poor harvest this year.

Chu Tianshu wasn't particularly bothered by this, since his family's fields had already been leased out, and rice wasn't expensive to buy anyway.

The two returned home and began cooking.

First, prepare the fish, then layer it with scallion segments, reserving a small portion for later. Pour hot oil over the fish and steam it.

The chilled chicken legs have already been soaked.

Chu Tianshu personally took charge, making a horizontal cut near the Achilles tendon, then a vertical cut, peeling the chicken, skin and meat together, off the leg bone.

Then, use the blade to scrape along the cartilage, and a large piece of chicken thigh meat is deboned.

Shaving chicken legs with a knife was something he was used to doing, but now he still found it too troublesome to make three cuts on one leg.

After removing the two chicken drumsticks, he simply put away the knife, pressed down with one palm, and pulled with his left hand, pulling the complete bones, along with the small bone next to them, out of the meat.

In just a few seconds, the remaining chicken legs were processed, cut into small pieces, marinated with salt, ginger powder, and cumin powder for a while, and then stir-fried with green peppers.

Vegetable and egg soup is the easiest to make, but Chu Tianshu waited a little longer because the guests hadn't arrived yet.

Only after his second grandfather told him that the person had arrived did he put the vegetables into the soup.

"This is Li Tao, you Grandma Li."

Second Master Chu began his introduction from the kitchen doorway.

Chu Tianshu peeked out and greeted them.

Grandma Li looks to be less than 1.6 meters tall, rather thin, but very energetic. She has thick, silver-white hair, wears a printed shirt, and carries a bamboo basket in her hand.

"I'm here for a job interview. Forget about those seniority distinctions between older folks, just call me boss."

Li Tao smiled and said, "Boss Chu, I know that without a medical background, getting into your pharmacy won't be an easy thing."

"But I do have a few special skills, and since you've come to test me today, I'll demonstrate them for you."

She lifted a piece of coarse blue cloth covering the bamboo basket and began rummaging through it.

Chu Tianshu quickly said, "No rush, let's eat first."

"It's okay, I'll be quick."

A sweet aroma wafted from Li Tao's bamboo basket.

She took out a fist-sized white ceramic jar, which was more than half full of amber-colored, translucent substances that looked a bit like honey, or perhaps... syrup?

(End of this chapter)