A so-called knife, it was actually just a sharpened piece of iron.

The little beggar clung to it tightly, looking at him coldly, only letting go when Shuang Yun called out, "Doctor Li."

Song Yan rubbed his hands and said, "Coming out in this weather?"

Shuang Yun replied, "They usually wait outside for leftover food from guests, but the building hasn't opened for several days. It's freezing cold, already hard to bear, and I'm afraid they'll starve to death."

After a moment of silence, Shuang Yun suddenly said, "They once helped me deal with a troublesome guest, avenging me.

That wretched guest was a drunkard and a son-in-law who, after being belittled at home, came here drunk to bully people.

For just ten pieces of silver, he thought of me as cheap and lowly, and despite the bruises and swelling from the abuse, my grandmother did nothing.

After venting his anger, the wretched guest left, but they... ambushed him hard on the road, preventing him from returning home promptly. He was later discovered by his wife at home, and the consequences are easily imagined."

Shuang Yun smiled slightly, looking at the little beggars with an especially gentle expression, then patted the head of the child at the front and said, "They're like my little brothers and sisters."

The taller little beggar in the lead frowned and said, "Auntie Shuang, why tell him all this?"

Shuang Yun replied, "Doctor Li is a good person."

A dirty, short little one at the back made a face, stuck out their tongue, and said in an innocent tone, "Blah blah, a quack can be a good person too?"

Song Yan's face darkened instantly, rushing over to grab the little one.

The lead little beggar's expression changed dramatically, a fierce look flashed in his eyes, and he grasped the piece of iron like a knife firmly, about to charge over, but was held back by Shuang Yun.

Indeed, not far away, Song Yan, after pulling out the little one, simply cradled him in his arm, ruffling his hair fiercely and asking, "Am I a good person, am I a good person?"

Everyone could see that he meant no harm, wasn't even angry, nor did he mind the filth on the child, playing with the kid like teasing.

The little one cried out, "Big Brother, Auntie Shuang, save me!"

Her cry revealed her voice had changed this time, becoming soft and tender, clearly showing she was a girl.

Song Yan snorted coldly, carrying the little beggar further away, saying as he walked, "Today, even if you scream your lungs out, no one will come to save you."

The lead little beggar hurriedly followed, anxiously saying, "Hey! Li, what are you going to do?"

Song Yan said, "I'm taking her to eat wontons and change her into something warmer. Are you coming?"

The lead little beggar was stunned.

Shuang Yun smiled, and upon seeing the little beggar looking at her, she nodded slightly.

The little beggars immediately followed Song Yan forward.

They left the filthy alley, walked into the dusk sunlight, yet felt a bit fearful and timid, like field mice stepping onto the street.

But soon, they weren't field mice anymore.

They had new clothes.

Although they were cheap second-hand goods, they looked clean and warm.

The group of seven sat under a sign that read "Fish Soup Wontons," and began to eat.

The little beggars devoured the food ravenously, and after eating their fill, they looked at Song Yan, their gazes filled with brightness and gratitude.

Song Yan felt that even if he asked these little beggars to do something particularly dangerous at this moment, they would not hesitate. Not only would they not refuse, but they would also pat their chests and say they could definitely do it. Even if it meant death, these children would surely strive to accomplish the task for him before dying!

They were destitute, but all they had left was their dignity and loyalty.

He liked these children and liked Shuang Yun, just as he liked Xiao Jiu and An Li.

As long as he was with these people, he would feel genuinely happy and relaxed.

By the end of the meal, he naturally knew the names of those five little beggars.

The tall beggar who held a piece of tile was named A Huai. He picked the name himself, believing that only by telling others loudly, "My name is A Huai, as in 'bad guy'," would they be a little more fearful and less likely to mess with him.

The little beggar who made faces and stuck out her tongue was named Xiao Huan. Even with a clean face, she wasn't particularly cute—a little girl with a yellowish, emaciated face, but with distinct brows and eyes, indicating she'd be quite pretty if nurtured properly.

Seeing Xiao Huan still licking the wonton bowl desperately, Song Yan said, "Greedy little thing, don't lick it."

"I will lick it."

Xiao Huan muttered.

Shuang Yun laughed.

Song Yan said, "Business hasn't been good at the clinic these days. Come find me at the store entrance tomorrow at this time."

"This..." A Huai wanted to refuse, but he clamped his mouth shut, suddenly knelt down, and said, "Uncle Li, if you can take care of us brothers and sisters, my life will be yours from now on!"

Song Yan naturally didn't want his life, nor did he need him to gather any information. He simply liked these children, that's all.

However, he still nodded lightly.

Only then did A Huai stand up joyously, thanking repeatedly, "Thank you, Uncle Li, thank you, Uncle Li."

...

...

The next day...

"Uncle Li, this...this is way too difficult, isn't it?"

"Didn't you say your life is mine?"

"But...but...ugh..."

In the backyard of Changchun Hall, Song Yan threw a few medical books to the five little beggars, teaching them to read, also instructing them in herbal identification, medical theory, and skills.

Pan Yu was doing business in the front courtyard.

After a few more days...

Changchun Hall had only a sparse number of people coming to buy medicine each day. If Song Yan hadn't taken over the shop, they would have long been unable to pay the rent and forced to close down and leave.

On this day, a group of people suddenly arrived outside, and at the forefront was the Third Madam Qin, who had previously bought medicine from Song Yan. Seeing the poor business at Changchun Hall, she intended to purchase the shop at a low price. After Song Yan refused, she sent Jianghu people to take action.

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