Chapter 156: Fear
Su Yaoguang ran fast, slippery like a rat. Zhang Zhaodi couldn’t catch up and could only wave her knife while looking at the others.
“I say, you few, are you bored? If you dare say anything random again, the knife in my hand doesn’t recognize people.”
“Our fault, we won’t say anything random again.” Those few women hurriedly apologized.
“We just really like Yaoguang, thinking she’s at the flower-like age right now, staying alone in an empty room all day like this is so grievance. It’s not that Young Master Zhou is bad.”
“What do you know? When finding a husband, you have to find a young one. If you find an old one, in a few years he won’t be useful anymore. A young one is so good, full of vitality, with stamina that can’t be exhausted.”
Zhou Wangshu: “…”
Although Zhang Zhaodi was speaking for him, why did it sound so strange?
Those few women indeed looked at Zhou Wangshu with strange eyes.
Zhou Wangshu felt uncomfortable all over and hurriedly slipped away.
Su Yaoguang finally escaped Zhang Zhaodi’s dragon roar, slowed her steps. She saw Jiang Ziqian walking over from opposite, he saw her, and she saw him.
The two walked toward each other and smiled at one another.
Su Yaoguang looked behind him and asked, “No new patients sent up the mountain today, looks like the epidemic has a new turn for the better.”
“It’s not that there are no new patients, but there are rumors that the Imperial Envoy is traveling incognito. That muddled official in the neighboring city doesn’t dare send patients our way anymore and can only swallow his bitterness silently. The people in the neighboring city have started causing trouble. If that muddled official doesn’t think of a way to calm the crowd’s anger, not only will his official hat be gone, he might even lose his head.”
“What about those sick people? That muddled official won’t exterminate them all, will he?” Su Yaoguang worried. “Those are lives, not chickens, ducks, or fish raised in the backyard that can be killed at will.”
“He doesn’t dare. I think he’ll definitely come to seek advice and then arrange for people from his own county town to take care of his own county town’s patients.”
“If that’s the case, that would be pretty good.” Su Yaoguang said, “You’re up the mountain to deliver supplies again this time, right? You’re so busy, no need to come up personally.”
“I have to bring you the news, and see everyone’s situation. Anyway, with the epidemic serious now, all cities are under lockdown, no business, idle is idle.”
After Jiang Ziqian finished, he said in a joking tone, “I treat Boss Su as a friend, but Boss Su seems to not welcome me!”
“No, you misunderstood.”
When Zhou Wangshu found Su Yaoguang, she was talking with Jiang Ziqian about things in the city. The two could chat on many topics, looking more like two people whose souls match.
He snorted coldly and walked off from the small path beside.
At this time, in the dilapidated little bamboo house, Jiang Yihuan huddled in the corner, mumbling in her mouth, “I’m cheap, I’m lowly, I’m shameless, I’m selfish and insidious, I’m not even worthy to carry Su Yaoguang’s shoes… I was wrong, I shouldn’t have harmed Su Yaoguang… I want to get out, let me out.”
At this moment, her face was full of pus-filled blisters, her complexion waxy yellow, looking like she wouldn’t live more than a few days.
A bowl extended in from the rat hole.
Jiang Yihuan saw that bowl, pounced over to grab it, and upon seeing the dark mush inside, picked it up and wolfed it down.
After eating it, another bowl came in.
“What is this?”
“Medicine. If you want to die, you can choose not to drink it.”
“I don’t want to die, I’ll drink.” Jiang Yihuan gulped it down.
She didn’t believe Zhou Wangshu would be so kind, but now besides believing him, she had no other way. In her current state, even if given nothing, she wouldn’t live more than a few days.
Although there was no mirror, she had seen too many patients over this period, mild cases, severe cases, all kinds. She could imagine how ugly she looked now.
No matter what, she had to live on. If she died, she’d get nothing. She hadn’t lived good days yet, how could she be willing to die just like this?
Zhou Wangshu leaned against the wall, listening to the desperate sounds inside, his eyes full of amused expression.
With Jiang Yihuan in his hands, letting her die would be easy, just leave her here unattended. But he had never thought of killing her. Because killing her wouldn’t be fun.
If she died like this, in Xiao Yanci’s heart, she would always be that pure and innocent young girl. The Xiao Yanci in the dream hurt Su Yaoguang for such a woman, just thinking about it was particularly unhappiness. Since their feelings were so deep, he couldn’t be the one to break up the mandarin ducks. He wanted them to reunite, to see how ‘deep as the sea’ their love was.
Zhou Wangshu said faintly, “Good performance today. If every day from now on is as obedient as today, I’ll send you medicine, otherwise…”
“I’ll be obedient, I’ll definitely repent well.” Jiang Yihuan cried as she said.
“If you’re obedient, I’ll let you leave alive. After leaving here, regarding everything that’s happened recently…”
“I got sick, recuperated in the temple for a while, it was you all who helped me heal without holding grudges.”
“Very good, indeed someone who knows the times.” Zhou Wangshu chuckled lightly, “Remember, Xiao Ci has unlimited future prospects, guarding him well is better than anything. Rather than staring at Yaoguang, better to watch your own man closely, otherwise if someone else takes him, you’ll get nothing.”
“Yes, I know.”
“During the time you’re not around, who knows if that Wen Shi has gotten there first? You have to perform well, strive to leave early, otherwise…”
Zhou Wangshu left the bamboo house, and just as he reached near the temple, he saw Su Yaoguang looking for him everywhere. He felt a bit guilty and wanted to sneak away, but Su Yaoguang had already seen him.
“You little brat, you actually dared to scheme against me.” Su Yaoguang ran over and pinched his ear. “Zhou Wangshu, now my mom isn’t here, see who will stand up for you.”
Zhou Wangshu turned his head, gazing at her with deep eyes.
Su Yaoguang saw there were tears in his eyes, loosened her strength, and said guiltily, “I didn’t pinch that hard, did I?”
“Alright, I don’t blame you anymore.” Su Yaoguang said, “What was that just now, actually arguing with a few aunties?”
“If I were arguing with them, I’d directly go tell mom it was them who said it. You didn’t even listen to what they said, saying I’m young, that I’m not worthy of you, isn’t that disrupting people’s marriage? If I didn’t know they meant well, I wouldn’t have been so polite.”
Su Yaoguang looked at him with strange eyes: “Are they wrong? Do you think you’re worthy of me?”
Zhou Wangshu: “…Whether we’re worthy or not isn’t up to them. No matter what, in outsiders’ eyes we’re husband and wife. Saying that, don’t I want face?”
Su Yaoguang heard him say that and understood, turns out it was the kid throwing a tantrum. But also, even if he was young, others couldn’t be allowed to critique.
