OFTLHFRO C69

Chapter 69: Done For, He’s Gone Stupid

The autumn rain that fell for half the night seemed to wash away the dust of the mortal world, and with the morning sunlight, the air felt fresh.

Having slept barely a wink, Luo Mingchen rubbed his neck and glanced at Huo Yan, who also hadn’t slept. He was just about to go to the kitchen to boil medicine when he saw Xiao Lin on the bed staring blankly around the room.

“You’re awake?”

Delighted, Luo Mingchen waved a hand in front of his face. “Do you know what number this is?”

Xiao Lin, as if being treated like an idiot: “…”

Seeing that Xiao Lin didn’t answer for a long time, Luo Mingchen said to Huo Yan, “We’re done for. He’s gone stupid.”

Hua Niang, who had fallen asleep with her head on the edge of the bed, frowned at the sound of Luo Mingchen’s voice. When she woke and instinctively looked toward the bed, she said in surprise, “Xiao Lang!”

“Hua Niang…”

With difficulty, Xiao Lin raised a hand to gently stroke her face. “I’m still alive?”

Leaning against Huo Yan, Luo Mingchen felt aggrieved. “So he was just ignoring me?”

Huo Yan said coolly, “Let him starve later.”

“Good point.”

Hearing this, Xiao Lin couldn’t help laughing and crying. “Enough, you two. I’m still a patient…”

“Then as a patient, say less,” Huo Yan replied. “The doctor said you mustn’t get emotional. If the wound splits and your heart meridian breaks, not even the gods can save you.”

Xiao Lin gave an embarrassed smile. “That serious?”

Blinking, Luo Mingchen glanced at Huo Yan’s solemn, bluffing expression and followed up, “You almost ascended to the heavens last night. When I pulled the arrow, blood sprayed all over my face. I was shaking from fright—tell me that’s not serious.”

Hua Niang started, too. Last night, seeing how calmly Luo Mingchen arranged everything, she had thought him very reliable. She hadn’t expected he’d been scared as well.

“You pulled the arrow out for me?!”

Just that slight emphasis made a sharp pain lance through his chest.

Huo Yan, merciless as ever, said, “Yes, exactly. Keep talking with that much force. When you pass on, I’ll go dig up your treasure and sell Hua Niang back to the flower house.”

Xiao Lin: “…”

Knowing Huo Yan was speaking in reverse, Hua Niang gently tapped Xiao Lin’s hand with a smile. “The two of them kept watch over you most of the night. Try to worry them less, alright?”

Deeply moved, Xiao Lin still felt a twinge of fear at Huo Yan’s stern face and managed a weak smile. “I’ll be careful.”

“Good that you’re awake. You’ll have some congee later and take your medicine.”

Relieved at last, Luo Mingchen still wondered how things were going with Wen Liuyun.

The lean-meat congee had been cooked the previous night. There were also steamed buns, stuffed buns, and sweet corn in the steamer, all kept warm.

Huo Yuhui and Huo Xiang hadn’t disturbed them. After breakfast, they went straight to the academy and even took Huo Xinyue along.

By the time Luo Mingchen realized this, the brothers’ class had already begun.

He had planned to go to the shop, but instead headed straight for Baiye Academy.

Carrying a basket of fruit, he handed two apples to the guards as he entered.

Hearing the sound of recitation, he could already imagine what expression Master Mo would have upon discovering the brothers had brought their little sister to class.

There was no hiding it anyway; better to apologize sooner rather than later—perhaps they would be lenient.

Even so, he still sneaked a peek through the classroom window. He saw the brothers, but not Huo Xinyue.

Which was… odd.

“Ahem!”

Hearing a cough behind him, he turned and found Master Mo holding a familiar child, his expression stern. “Didn’t Student Huo say you had matters to attend to?”

Seeing Luo Mingchen, Huo Xinyue happily stretched out her hands to be held.

With a dry laugh, Luo Mingchen said, “There were some things this morning… Shall I take her?”

Only then did Master Mo hand the child over. After a moment’s thought, he said, “She’s quite clever.”

“…Thank you.”

Smiling, Luo Mingchen offered him the fruit basket. “Teacher, you’ve worked hard. Please enjoy some fruit.”

Master Mo hesitated, then accepted and reached for money. “How much fruit do you have left to sell? My wife and I both like it; we’d like to buy more.”

“No need. You helped me take care of my daughter; consider this a thank-you gift. Since Xiaohui and his brother weren’t polite about it, Teacher needn’t stand on ceremony either. If you’d like more, I’ll send some over later. It’s just fruit—we grow plenty at home. It’s not worth much.”

Seeing Master Mo about to say something more, Luo Mingchen waved it off. “There’s still work at the shop. I’ll be going.”

Master Mo, left holding the basket: “…”

If it was a thank-you gift, then he could accept it.

If more came next time, he would give extra silver in return.

Only after leaving the academy did Luo Mingchen truly relax. Seeing Huo Xinyue blink up at him, he chuckled. “You… Was it comfortable being held by Teacher Mo?”

Smiling at him, she said, “Daddy, Teacher gave Yueyue candy.”

So it was for the candy…

With a laugh, Luo Mingchen poked her chubby cheek. “What kind of candy?”

Huo Xinyue fished a packet of sugar beans from her little pocket.

“…”

So that was why her tummy had looked so round—she’d tucked away a whole packet of sugar beans.

She plucked one and fed it to him. “Daddy, eat.”

He ate it with a smile. “Good girl.”

When they reached the shop, the door was open and Wen Liuyun was there, looking in good spirits.

Seeing him, Wen Liuyun smiled and bowed. “Thank you, Boss, for saving my mother’s life.”

Judging by his expression, she was much improved.

Smiling back, Luo Mingchen said, “It’s good that Auntie is fine. This really is on me—I knew her health wasn’t good and still asked her to look after the child.”

Wen Liuyun handed the remaining money to Luo Mingchen. “The doctor said it was thanks to the pill you gave. Now my mother is much better, and she won’t suffer angina again.”

“Really?”

This surprised Luo Mingchen. So the pill was that effective?

He remembered there were still a few dozen left in the medical kit…

A pity he’d never asked that wood-type ability user what herbs it was made from.

But a few dozen was plenty; they would do nicely as emergency medicine.

He had given Xiao Lin only one last night. At noon, he would check again—if it wasn’t enough, he’d give him another.

Since all was well, the shop needed to open.

This time, however, he didn’t brew too much milk tea, planning to close early and let Wen Liuyun have a bit of a break.

Chen Xiuyue was indeed much improved—she even seemed different from before, her speech no longer so weak. No wonder Wen Liuyun looked so happy.

After the lunch rush, yawning, Luo Mingchen was about to drag Huo Yan back home to lie down for a bit.

They had just finished tidying up when someone called out, “Cousin.”

They looked up to see Lin Qingfeng, and their feelings were complicated.

Ever since Huo Yan’s visit last time, they hadn’t seen anyone from the Lin family for quite a while. They hadn’t expected Lin Qingfeng to come on his own.

Seeing that Lin Qingfeng’s attitude was decent, Huo Yan asked, “What is it?”

Lin Qingfeng glanced at Luo Mingchen. “Cousin, could we speak alone?”

“No,” Huo Yan answered bluntly.

Having prepared a follow-up speech, Lin Qingfeng choked. “…”

At his incredulous expression, Luo Mingchen nearly burst out laughing.