Chapter 180: Words From a Certain Someone Are Like…
That night was peaceful. Nothing happened.
The next morning, Chen Yin woke up early and found that Qingying was gone.
The lingering warmth and fragrance indicated that she had just left recently.
…This girl. Chen Yin chuckled softly.
He turned over and saw Luo Luo still asleep in his arms, her ears drooped, her small hands clutching his robe like tiny paws.
She looked so adorable while sleeping.
Chen Yin lay there for a while longer, then got up to prepare breakfast.
As he stepped outside, he noticed a crowd gathered in front of the brothers’ hut.
Curious, he went to investigate. The hut was filled with the aroma of incense, and Nan Xiaoxiang sat at the table, calmly examining a patient’s pulse.
The younger brother was bustling around her, assisting her.
“What’s going on?” Chen Yin asked.
“Young Master Chen!”
The younger brother bowed respectfully. “The Divine Physician has told us about your kindness. Thank you for the food.”
“It was nothing.” Chen Yin waved his hand dismissively. “What’s she doing now?”
“Well, the Divine Physician asked if anyone in the village was suffering from any ailments due to the miasma. She offered to treat everyone for free. I went around informing everyone, but it took a lot of convincing to get them to come.”
Chen Yin watched in silence.
The brothers’ hut, though simple, had been transformed into a makeshift clinic, with Nan Xiaoxiang, dressed in white, sitting gracefully at the table, her movements elegant and precise.
She examined each patient carefully, her voice soft and gentle as she explained their symptoms and prescribed treatments.
Seeing her focused expression, Chen Yin didn’t want to disturb her and waited patiently.
She continued treating patients until noon, then finally rubbed her temples, her face etched with exhaustion.
“All done?” A plate of refreshing watermelon slices appeared before her.
“Thank you—huh?”
Nan Xiaoxiang looked up, surprised, and saw Chen Yin smiling at her.
Perhaps remembering last night’s events, she blushed slightly and quickly looked away.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been standing here since morning. You were too focused to notice.”
Chen Yin sat down beside her casually. “Why did you suddenly decide to treat the villagers?”
“While examining the brothers, I realized that besides the Cold Bell Netherleaf poison, they were also suffering from various ailments caused by prolonged exposure to the miasma.”
Nan Xiaoxiang’s eyes flickered. “I thought that even though the people of Wu Xuan Cave have a higher resistance to toxins, living in such an environment would still take a toll on their health.”
“As expected, most of the villagers suffer from migraines, shortness of breath, joint pain, and other strange symptoms.”
“Since we’re waiting for the Grand Witch anyway, I might as well treat them.”
“How long will that take? You only saw a few patients this morning.” Chen Yin picked up a slice of watermelon and took a large bite.
“It’s fine. The Wu Xuan Cave isn’t that populated.”
Nan Xiaoxiang took a bite of watermelon and offered a slice to the younger brother.
“So your name is Heitie?”
The younger brother, Heitie, nodded, his mouth full of watermelon.
“And your brother?”
“Qingtong.”
Chen Yin: “…”
…Do you have another brother dying of cancer?
The cool, refreshing watermelon eased the heat and fatigue.
While Heitie went to take care of his brother, Nan Xiaoxiang stretched discreetly.
Her graceful movements were like those of a cat.
Chen Yin watched her, his eyes twinkling, then suddenly reached out and poked her side.
“Eek!”
Nan Xiaoxiang jumped and glared at him, her hand protectively covering her side. “What are you doing?!”
“Chekhov said that if a gun appears in a story, it must be fired.”
Chen Yin said seriously, “Similarly, if a beautiful girl stretches in front of me, I have to poke her.”
Nan Xiaoxiang: “…Has the miasma affected your brain, Young Master Chen?”
“Ahem. I just couldn’t resist. You have such a nice figure.”
He had expected her to scold him.
But Nan Xiaoxiang just rolled her eyes and said, “If you’re so interested in figures, why don’t you go bother Miss Qingying?”
“I’m afraid she’ll beat me up.”
“So you’re taking advantage of a weak and defenseless mortal woman like me?”
Chen Yin thought for a moment, then slapped his forehead. “You’re right.”
“Since you can’t resist, I can do whatever I want, right?”
He reached out to tease her again.
Nan Xiaoxiang glared at him, her eyes blazing with anger.
But his hand just gently cupped her face, wiping the sweat from her brow, then pinched her cheek playfully.
Like he was playing with a doll.
Nan Xiaoxiang was one of the most beautiful women Chen Yin had ever seen. Even without the ethereal beauty of a cultivator, her looks were enough to make men lose their minds.
But Chen Yin just saw her as a beautiful doll, someone he enjoyed teasing.
Nan Xiaoxiang’s cheeks flushed slightly at his touch, but she just rolled her eyes at him.
“If you have so much free time to harass innocent women, Young Master Chen, why not do me a favor and ask Lian’er if there are any other villagers who need treatment?”
“Don’t you need a break? You’ve been working all morning.”
“It’s fine.”
Nan Xiaoxiang smiled faintly. “When you’re doing what you love, you never get tired.”
Chen Yin paused.
Her expression seemed familiar.
The exhaustion evident on her face, yet her eyes were bright and clear.
He suddenly remembered himself, many years ago, before his rebirth.
Staying up all night, fueled by instant noodles and sheer willpower, his eyes bloodshot yet focused,
Writing stories on his computer, from dusk till dawn.
Exhausted but happy.
“Do you understand that feeling, Young Master Chen?”
“Perhaps.”
Chen Yin’s eyes half-closed as he spoke. “I knew someone like that. He also chose to do what he loved and persevered until the very end.”
“And then?” Nan Xiaoxiang asked curiously.
“…And then he died.”
Many years ago.
“I’m sorry.” Nan Xiaoxiang bowed her head apologetically.
“It wasn’t your fault. Why are you apologizing?” Chen Yin chuckled.
“I didn’t mean to bring up any painful memories.”
She looked at him with clear eyes. “But I imagine your friend never regretted his choice.”
Chen Yin paused, then smiled faintly.
“…You’re right.”
“I’ll go ask Lian’er for you.” He stood up.
“By the way, is there anything you want to eat tonight?”
Nan Xiaoxiang looked at him, puzzled. “What do you mean?”
“I’ll cook you anything you want.”
Chen Yin grinned. “I’m quite confident in my culinary skills.”
She blinked her long eyelashes and said softly, “Then… mapo tofu.”
“Spicy food will give you pimples.”
“It’s fine, just this once! I’m a physician, I know what I’m doing!”
The ingredients for mapo tofu weren’t difficult to find.
Even in the resource-scarce Wu Xuan Cave, with the System Shop as his free pantry, Chen Yin had everything he needed.
After checking the ingredients, he decided to find Lian’er since it was still early.
She was easy to find. She was picking flowers in the meadow in front of the main hall.
“Ah, Brother!”
Seeing Chen Yin, she dropped the flowers and ran towards him excitedly.
“Do you have any more bread, Brother? Lian’er wants more!”
Chen Yin gave her a small cream cake and ruffled her hair gently.
Lian’er, ever the obedient child, happily munched on the cake, letting him pet her.
“What are you doing here, Lian’er?”
“We’re running low on flowers for the Gu worms. I’m collecting some.”
Chen Yin looked at the beautiful, vibrant flowers and couldn’t help but comment, “They’re quite pretty.”
“They are, but a single petal can kill ten oxen.”
Lian’er said with a sweet smile.
Chen Yin shuddered.
…Never mind. I won’t ask.
“Aren’t you afraid of getting poisoned?”
“I’ve lived here since I was little. I’m not afraid anymore.”
She swallowed the cake in one gulp, making Chen Yin worry that she would choke.
Then, she put the flowers in a bag and turned to him. “What do you need, Brother?”
“Are there any other villagers suffering from the effects of the miasma? My companion is willing to treat them for free.”
“The pretty sister who came with you?”
Lian’er thought for a moment. “There are a few. I can take you to them—”
She suddenly stopped and looked towards the main hall, a strange expression on her face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Brother,”
Lian’er looked at him seriously, “the Grand Witch is calling for me.”
“She’s coming out of seclusion.”
Coming out of seclusion? Chen Yin’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Wait, how do you know?”
“The Sound Transmission Gu.”
Lian’er smiled and pointed at her ear.
Chen Yin stared at her, a chill running down his spine.
…He had almost been fooled by her innocent and carefree demeanor.
She was the Grand Witch’s servant. She couldn’t be normal.
Perhaps he was already surrounded by countless Gu worms without even realizing it.
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