The Hai Method of First Aid
Suddenly, chaos erupted in the Spring Breeze Delight Restaurant. Jiang Bingren was spinning in circles, frantic. If the son of the Assistant Minister of War were to meet his end in this tavern, it wouldn’t just be a matter of the tavern’s future—the entire Jiang family might have to follow Yan Rong to the grave!
Before the servant even made it down the stairs, Jiang Bingren was already shouting, “Where’s the doctor? Why isn’t he here yet?!”
Hearing the urgent shout, Yu Jinnian immediately put down his teacup and snack. He pushed past Ji Hong and jumped off the seat, scrambling to put on his shoes. He could tell from Jiang Bingren’s panicked voice that the situation was critical—or at least it looked dangerous. Growing anxious, he fumbled with his shoes twice before giving up entirely. Tossing them aside, he ran out wearing just his white socks.
As soon as he stepped out from behind the screen, Jiang Bingren spotted him. The young master of the Jiang family slapped his thigh in realization, forgetting their earlier dispute. “How could I forget that Brother Nian is a doctor! Boss Yu, hurry, hurry, come check on him!”
Yan Rong had been choking, with a servant patting his back in a futile attempt to help him cough it out.
“Stop! Don’t hit him anymore!” Yu Jinnian barked, not caring about decorum. In front of all the literati, he hiked up his robe, still barefoot, and rushed over. Once he got closer, he saw that the patient was none other than the young scholar who had been glaring at them earlier. He asked the surrounding people, “Did he choke on something?”
Jiang Bingren frantically waved his hands. “I-I didn’t see anything!”
The tall young man nearby said, “Yes, it was a peanut!”
Yu Jinnian quickly rolled up his sleeves and moved to support Yan Rong. Seeing Yu’s small frame, a servant attempted to help, but Yu Jinnian sternly commanded, “Move away! Don’t touch him! And stop trying to push it down! The food is stuck in his windpipe—pushing it down will only kill him faster!”
At the words “kill him faster,” the crowd took a collective step back, terrified of being responsible for a life.
No one dared take on such a responsibility.
Jiang Bingren’s eyes were red with fear. “Brother Nian, can you handle this? This is the Assistant Minister’s son—”
“He could be the son of the Heavenly King, and I’d treat him the same in my hands!” Yu Jinnian was most irritated when people fussed over a patient’s high status, as if wealth or power could earn someone more years of life from the King of Hell.
Hearing the young doctor’s resolute tone, everyone fell silent, ceasing their panic.
Ji Hong, now wearing his boots, stepped into the crowd. Jiang Bingren, still nervous, lowered his voice and asked again, “Is Boss Yu really up to this? That’s the eldest son of the Assistant Minister of War. If something happens…”
Ji Hong’s calm confidence in Yu Jinnian was unwavering. “If he can’t handle it, then no one in this city can.”
“…” Hearing this from Ji Hong himself, Jiang Bingren had no choice but to suppress his fear and watch anxiously.
Yu Jinnian stood behind Yan Rong, wrapping his arms around him. Yan Rong was taller than him, so he had to bend one leg slightly forward to get leverage, positioning Yan Rong to sit slightly against his own leg. Yan Rong’s upper body leaned forward slightly as Yu Jinnian placed one hand into a fist and wrapped the other around it, positioning the fist against Yan Rong’s upper abdomen.
Taking a deep breath, Yu Jinnian tightened his grip and forcefully pressed inward and upward into Yan Rong’s abdomen.
Once, twice, three times.
Each movement was swift and powerful.
On the fourth attempt, Yan Rong’s eyes rolled back, his throat made a gurgling sound, and suddenly, he opened his mouth, ejecting a small object that flew across the floor, startling several onlookers as if it were some kind of monster.
Jiang Bingren peered down and exclaimed, “It’s out! It’s the peanut! The peanut!”
After spitting out the peanut, Yan Rong gasped deeply, like a drowning man pulled ashore, greedily gulping down the fresh air. The bulging veins on his face gradually receded, and the flushed redness of his neck slowly faded. Leaning heavily on the nearby table, he took several deep breaths, finally feeling as though he had returned to the land of the living.
Yu Jinnian released him and moved in front of Yan Rong, gripping his chin. “Open your mouth. Ah—”
Still in a daze after his near-death experience, Yan Rong obediently opened his mouth under the light. “Ah…”
“Hmm, alright. Drink some water to soothe your throat,” Yu Jinnian nodded. “The back of your throat is a bit scratched, but it’s nothing serious. Just avoid spicy food for the next couple of days.” He let go of Yan Rong and furrowed his brows in reprimand, “You need to be more careful when eating. What was the rush? Gulping down food like that could have cost you your life. You wouldn’t even have had time to regret it.”
Yan Rong instinctively nodded, coughing a few times, and then suddenly realizing something. He quickly pursed his lips and stared at Yu Jinnian.
The young doctor’s sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and his feet were bare, clad only in white socks, standing on the floor. Although shorter than Yan Rong, he looked up at him with a serious expression, scolding him sternly. Yan Rong hadn’t paid much attention to this youth earlier, having been more focused on currying favor with Ji Hong. Later, when he had been shocked by what he saw under the table, he had assumed the youth was delicate and demure, someone who must be adept at weaving enchantments to make people lose themselves in indulgence.
Seeing this scene, Yan Rong began to feel unsure about his earlier assumptions.
“Jinnian,” a low voice cut through the crowd. It was Ji Hong.
The young doctor turned his head, his face instantly softening back into his usual gentle expression. He lifted the hem of his robe and trotted over to Ji Hong, grinning mischievously. He whispered something, and Ji Hong naturally wrapped an arm around his waist. Nodding in response to whatever Yu Jinnian had said, they walked back together behind the screen, appearing close and intimate.
Yan Rong slumped back onto the seat, feeling as though he had just narrowly escaped death. His heart still raced with lingering fear, and he clutched his chest. He was about to rise and thank Ji Hong when a white-haired old man came rushing up the stairs, carrying a lacquered medical box on his back. Despite his age, he took two steps at a time, making those around him nervous.
Even the young apprentice trailing behind him struggled to keep up, exclaiming, “Grandpa Luo, slow down! You’ve got the legs of a sixty-year-old!”
Being teased by his apprentice only made Luo Qian more frustrated. “A life is at stake, and you’re worried about sightseeing?”
The old doctor had just finished scolding when he reached the second floor, only to freeze in confusion. There were no sick or injured patients as the servant had described, not even a drunkard—just a group of well-dressed young men staring back at him.
“Where’s the patient?” The apprentice caught up, equally baffled by the peaceful scene. He didn’t hold back his words, saying, “You’re not seriously playing with us, are you? No matter how big or prestigious the Spring Breeze Delight Restaurant is, you can’t toy with us like this! We ran all the way here worried we’d be too late to save someone!”
Yan Rong coughed twice and said, “Apologies, it’s me. But…”
Someone nearby chimed in, “He’s already been treated! That young doctor named Yu did it!”
“Incredible, really. Just a few quick moves, and it was done… My cousin choked to death while eating once. If only we had a doctor like Yu back then…”
The group began chatting amongst themselves, gossiping about various other matters.
Yan Rong’s expression darkened. He couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling brought on by the scandalous behavior he had witnessed, especially now that he realized that one of the two involved was possibly the very Ji Shuluan he had so longed to meet. This only deepened his gloom.
He couldn’t understand how someone so talented and refined could come south and get entangled with a youthful, delicate boy. Could it really be the allure of Jiangnan’s soft breezes and gentle waters, tempting even someone as esteemed as Ji Shuluan to fall into such an indulgence?
Ji Shuluan, in Yan Rong’s mind, should have been like his poetry and the rumors surrounding him—made of ice and jade, otherworldly and pure, with just a hint of frail illness, a man whose depth of feeling seemed destined to burn out tragically.
The last thing he should be doing was consorting with playboys!
Yan Rong had always despised such behavior, and it made him even more bitter that it involved Ji Shuluan.
In frustration, he downed a cup of tea, the hot liquid scorching his already sore throat. He winced, massaging his neck as he swallowed.
Luo Qian, upon hearing mention of “Doctor Yu,” guessed it must be Yu Jinnian. Following the direction indicated, he peeked behind the screen and sure enough, it was him!
At that moment, Yu Jinnian had his legs propped up on the side of the low seat, leaning forward on the small table, picking up a pastry shaped like a small figure. Beaming with joy, he pointed at the intricate flower pattern on the back of a small bowl, showing it to Ji Hong, who sat beside him.
Ji Hong nodded, seemingly making a playful remark, which made Yu Jinnian grin mischievously before he playfully shoved the pastry into Ji Hong’s mouth.
Yu Jinnian only noticed Luo Qian then. He quickly straightened up and smiled brightly. “Old Master Luo, I didn’t expect them to call for you!” Noticing the sweat beading on Luo’s forehead, Yu Jinnian exclaimed and jumped down, making space for him. He then scooted over to sit with Ji Hong on the other side of the small table.
Yu Jinnian nudged Ji Hong with his hip, and Ji Hong, unbothered, scooted further back into the corner of the seat to make more room.
The casual intimacy between the two spoke volumes—this was the kind of behavior only extremely close people would engage in, something that would immediately irritate anyone with even the slightest sense of distance between them. Luo Qian had only seen Ji Hong once before, outside the apothecary on a rainy day when he had come to fetch Yu Jinnian. Even then, their closeness had been apparent, but introductions had been rushed. Seeing them now, Luo Qian couldn’t help but scrutinize Ji Hong a little more closely.
Yu Jinnian introduced him, “This is my elder brother.”
Ji Hong gave a polite nod, following up with, “Old Master Luo.”
Luo Qian assumed they were sworn brothers and didn’t pry further. After exchanging pleasantries, Luo went straight to the point, “I heard young doctor Yu has once again displayed his exceptional skills.”
Yu Jinnian modestly replied, “It was nothing… Just an emergency, and I didn’t have time to think.”
Luo Qian was eager. “Your method last time for dealing with ‘evil qi’ was a revelation, a lesson more valuable than ten years of study! Now I hear you’ve demonstrated another impressive technique, one that can treat choking on food. To be honest, I’ve seen many such cases myself over the years and thought I had some experience in the matter, but I’ve only been able to save six or seven out of ten at best. There are always regrets… Would you be willing to share the secret of this method?”
Yu Jinnian quickly held up his hands, stopping Luo Qian from bowing in respect. “There’s no secret. It’s just a first-aid technique. I can show you how it’s done.” He looked around for someone to demonstrate on. Ji Hong began to step forward, but Yu Jinnian stopped him. “Not you, you’re too tall.”
Ji Hong: “…”
“Chen Li, you come here.” Yu Jinnian called over the little apprentice.
He carefully demonstrated for Luo Qian, explaining step-by-step how to embrace from behind, form the fist, and perform the abdominal thrusts. He explained everything in detail but avoided mentioning the underlying anatomical principles, such as how the abdominal organs, lungs, and diaphragm interact. Those concepts would be too complex to explain in such a setting and might even seem shocking if discussed openly. So, he left them unsaid.
After demonstrating the technique for adults, he also explained how to adapt it for infants and children. Luo Qian memorized everything carefully and then asked curiously, “Did you come up with this method yourself, young doctor?”
Yu Jinnian chuckled, “Not exactly. This method is called the Hai—” He suddenly paused, nearly slipping into a foreign name, and quickly corrected himself. “The Hai Method of First Aid. It was taught to me by a foreign doctor with the surname Hai, whom I met by chance.”
Luo Qian was astonished. “Young doctor, you truly are a man of extraordinary encounters!”
“Heh… yeah…” Yu Jinnian forced a dry smile, fearing that Luo Qian might press further. To change the subject, he grabbed a plate of pastries and said, “Today’s tea treats are excellent. Sir, why don’t you try some?”
Luo Qian didn’t stand on ceremony. He picked up a golden fried pastry and ate it, commenting, “Indeed, very good. Young doctor, these golden pastries are quite popular in Xinan. My little granddaughter pesters me all the time to get her some. Today, I’ll have to buy extra to take home.”
After chatting for a bit, Luo Qian took his leave, eager to study the Hai Method of First Aid more thoroughly.
Yu Jinnian, restless and disappointed by the so-called gathering of literati—nothing more than poets throwing petty insults at each other—decided it was time to go home.
As he got up from his seat, he wobbled slightly, and Ji Hong quickly reached out to steady him, bending down to pick up one of Yu Jinnian’s shoes.
Jiang Bingren walked in at that moment, just in time to see Ji Hong bending down to put the shoe on for Yu Jinnian. He felt a pang of jealousy and crossed his arms, leaning against the screen as he sneered, “This is a public place. Aren’t you worried about people laughing at you for being so open? Do you even know what people are saying about you outside?”
Yu Jinnian wasn’t pleased by this. He grabbed his shoe and put it on himself, stomping his feet on the low step. “I didn’t hear it, so why do you feel the need to repeat it?”
Jiang Bingren, now even more irritated, snapped, “You…!”
Yu Jinnian, puzzled, asked, “You’ve been so sarcastic lately. What are you angry at me for?”
Jiang Bingren hadn’t intended to argue with Yu Jinnian. After all, Yu had just saved Yan Rong, making him a benefactor to Spring Breeze Delight Restaurant. Such a debt of gratitude warranted a formal visit of thanks. Yet somehow, his mouth had moved faster than his brain, blurting out snide remarks. He glanced at Yu Jinnian, pressed his lips together, and said nothing further, his mood deflated. “It’s nothing… If you’re heading home, I’ll send a sedan for you.”
“No need. Walking is good exercise,” Yu Jinnian said, pulling Ji Hong along to leave.
“Wait,” Jiang Bingren called after them and signaled a servant. “Get a basket of those fresh golden dates from Louzhou. They’re rare. Pack some for him to take home.”
“…”
Yu Jinnian had assumed the so-called “golden dates” would be some kind of specialty red dates, but when he arrived at the back courtyard, he found baskets filled with small, golden kumquats instead. Each one was bright yellow, small, and still had green leaves and droplets of water clinging to it. Kumquats had a different flavor from other citrus fruits like oranges or tangerines—perhaps because they could be eaten with the peel and all, their unique fragrance always appealed to him. As soon as he saw them, he couldn’t resist, so he let the servant fill a basket to the brim without hesitation.
He picked one up and handed it to Ji Hong. Ji Hong frowned at it for a moment. “…You eat this directly?”
Holding the basket, Yu Jinnian nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, try it.”
The kumquat’s thin skin and sweet flesh gave way to a slightly sour aftertaste, leaving a refreshing fragrance in the mouth. Yu Jinnian chewed it with relish, but Ji Hong looked conflicted. Kumquats were a southern fruit, and because of the difficulty of transporting them north, they were usually salted or made into candied preserves by the time they reached the capital. In the Duke Li household, the kumquats they received were even more refined and rare. Thus, Ji Hong had never eaten a fresh one before, and he wondered, “Can you really eat this raw?”
After each ate one, they made their way toward the entrance of Spring Breeze Delight Restaurant. Just as they reached the door, they bumped into a hurried servant carrying dishes. Something dropped from the servant’s waist, but he didn’t seem to notice.
At that moment, Yan Rong came rushing down from the second floor. When he reached the doorway, he saw that Ji Hong and Yu Jinnian were already walking away. He hesitated for a moment, then decided not to chase after them. As he looked down, he noticed a small fan lying on the ground…
Meanwhile, as Yu Jinnian and Ji Hong walked toward the western part of the city, Yu suddenly realized his fan was missing. He retraced his steps but couldn’t find it anywhere. Growing frustrated and dejected, he declared that he wouldn’t go home until he found it. Ji Hong had no choice but to promise to write him a new one, which finally pacified him enough to go home.
Upon arriving home, Yu Jinnian immediately changed his clothes, carefully stowing away the jade-colored robe in the wardrobe as if it were a treasure. Then, rolling up his sleeves, he headed straight to the kitchen.
Since Ji Hong wasn’t used to eating fresh kumquats, Yu Jinnian decided to make candied kumquats for him.
He halved the kumquats, removed the seeds, and slowly simmered them with rock sugar. The result was a batch of beautifully glossy, sweet candied kumquats, each one coated in thick syrup. These could be eaten as a snack, sealed in a jar to last for three to five days, or enjoyed with tea or porridge. Alternatively, fresh kumquats could be sliced and soaked in wine for a unique flavor.
As the two lounged on a couch, nibbling on the candied kumquats, they discussed buying a lamb leg from the butcher the next day to brew some kumquat wine with it.
Meanwhile, in a dimly lit room in the eastern part of the city, Yan Rong sat with a small oil lamp casting a faint glow. He had picked up the fan and was now carefully inspecting it. It was made of plain bamboo and paper, humble and unremarkable—something that might not even catch the eye in a fan shop, where it would surely be passed over as a low-quality, inexpensive item.
But as he looked more closely at the writing on the fan, his expression suddenly changed.