Chapter 134

As the richest man in Qingyun, Wan Boping was someone everyone in Qingyun's official circles wanted to ally with, but his background made him look down on these officials; originally he wouldn't have paid any attention to the newly appointed county clerk Hu Xiaotian, a mere ninth-rank sesame official—he didn't even bother with Qingyun's County Magistrate Xu Qinglian, let alone this new deputy. Yet Hu Xiaotian and Wan Boping's acquaintance came about through the injury of Wan Family's second son, Wan Ting Sheng; if it weren't for Hu Xiaotian's intervention, Wan Ting Sheng would likely have already died and gone to the underworld.

Hu Xiaotian would set aside time each day to come over and change Wan Ting Sheng's dressing, and incidentally check his wound.

Wan Ting Sheng had been awake for three days, yet he remained mute and dazed, which made the Wan family upstairs and downstairs worry; his life had been saved, but his skull had been opened with a large hole—if he turned into an idiot, wouldn't that be worse than death?

Seeing Hu Xiaotian approach, Wan Boping hurriedly stepped forward to greet him, anxiously saying, "Sir Hu, Ting Sheng still hasn't spoken a word; I hope you will treat him."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, told Wan Boping to wait patiently outside, and entered Wan Ting Sheng's room alone.

Wan Ting Sheng sat on the bed, his eyes staring blankly ahead, his gaze somewhat bewildered—no one knew what he was thinking. Hu Xiaotian first changed his medicine, confident the wound was healing well, then moved a chair to the bedside and sat down, softly asking, "Can you hear me?"

Wan Ting Sheng's gaze still didn't turn toward Hu Xiaotian, and even Hu Xiaotian himself felt uncertain—damn, could it be that during the surgery the pooled blood wasn't cleared, compressing his language center, or perhaps there's other undiscovered brain damage, turning this guy into an idiot?

After a full minute of silence, Wan Ting Sheng finally said, "I don't remember anything at all……"

Hu Xiaotian heard him finally speak and couldn't help but let out a relieved breath, smiling as he comforted him: "You suffered a head injury; recovery takes time. As long as you rest patiently, everything will gradually improve." Although he despised Wan Ting Sheng's character, seeing that he had successfully saved the man's life still gave him an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

Wan Ting Sheng turned to Hu Xiaotian, his face filled with panic and helplessness: "I don't even know who I am—I don't recognize my parents or brothers…… I don't know what I did in the past…… I can't recall anything."

Hu Xiaotian lightly patted his shoulder; his impression of Wan Ting Sheng was that of a lecherous scoundrel. This guy stopped at nothing—he bribed Le Yao's personal maid, secretly gave Le Yao drugs, intending to take advantage when the night was deep and everyone asleep; fortunately I discovered it in time, rescued Le Yao, preserving that little widow's chastity. Judging by Wan Ting Sheng's current demeanor, he seems not to be feigning; this fellow has forgotten everything from his past, which for everyone might actually be a good thing. At least the world now has one less bad person, at least for now.

Wan Ting Sheng said, "You saved me?"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and spoke frankly: "I'm not that noble; I saved you to collect the reward."

Wan Ting Sheng said gratefully, "Mr. Hu, although I can't recall anything, I understand you are my lifesaver. Even if I were to bind grass and carry a ring, I would repay your great kindness."

Hu Xiaotian broke out in a sweat inwardly; if Wan Ting Sheng knew that the first blow that struck him was delivered by himself, he might have wanted to tear Hu Xiaotian apart. He comforted Wan Ting Sheng: "Don't have any psychological barriers; they are your family and won't harm you. Overcome your inner panic, try to communicate with those around you—it will help you recover your memory. Given your condition, you won't need much time to regain health."

Wan Ting Sheng said, "Thank you, Mr. Hu."

Hu Xiaotian rose and left, thinking to himself. If Wan Ting Sheng truly becomes a good person after this ordeal, that wouldn't be a bad thing either, but his nature is extremely vicious and treacherous; once he regains his memory he might well become even worse.

Wan Boping had been waiting outside respectfully; upon hearing his son had finally spoken, he was naturally overjoyed.

Hu Xiaotian said he had something to discuss privately, and Wan Boping, who had some understanding of this new county clerk, knowing there's no such thing as free gold from heaven, led Hu Xiaotian to his study.

Wan Boping's study was huge, with redwood shelves holding tens of thousands of volumes, but these books had basically never been touched; for a rich man like Wan Boping, even if he had no ink in his belly, he still needed some books for show.

Seated beside a tea pool as large as a billiard table, a handsome maid entered to brew tea for the two, her every move bearing the grace of a top tea master; after serving the tea, she withdrew gracefully. Hu Xiaotian's eyes couldn't help but follow the maid's willowy waist swaying like a willow in the wind. In truth the maid was merely of above-average looks, nowhere near the exquisite beauty of the little widow Le Yao; Hu Xiaotian's exaggerated display was intentional, meant to reveal his flaws to others so that Wan Boping would get the impression he was greedy for wealth and lustful.

Wan Boping indeed read something from Hu Xiaotian's lustful expression and smiled: "This maid is very sensible, good-looking, skilled in tea art; if Sir Hu likes her, I'll send her to serve you."

Hu Xiaotian thought Wan Boping was generous, then gave a hehe laugh and said, "Wan Yuanwai, you're being too polite; my meager salary couldn't support such a lovely maid."

Wan Boping cursed inwardly, "What does he mean? Do I have to send the maid and also support her? This guy isn't exactly generous either." Since Hu Xiaotian said that, he seized the chance to step down: "Sir Hu must be concerned about his official reputation; in that case, I'll temporarily help you keep her, and whenever you want her to keep you company, I'll send her over."

Hu Xiaotian gave a hehe laugh, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, thinking, "You're trying to bribe me with sex—do you take me for a fool?" He sipped his tea and praised, "Good tea!"

Wan Boping said, "Sir Hu, in your opinion, when will my son regain his sanity?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "This matter must not be rushed; I think Wan Yuanwai should first worry about how to alter the Feng Shui layout of the Wan mansion."

Wan Boping nodded along; he was about to bring up this very matter.

Hu Xiaotian then sighed: "I originally wanted to help you settle this, but lately I've been tied up with many affairs and really can't get away."

Wan Boping said, "Sir Hu, what trouble have you run into? May I hear about it?" Actually he had already heard rumors of Hu Xiaotian's troubles and vaguely guessed that this time Hu Xiaotian was almost certainly going to ask him for money.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Wan Yuanwai, although we haven't known each other long, for some reason I feel we get along very well."

Wan Boping gave a false smile: "I feel the same." Inside he was on guard, thinking, "You and I get along? What a load of bull—you're just after my money."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Wan Yuanwai, I have an improper request."

Wan Boping sighed inwardly, "The fox's tail finally shows—who knows how much he wants? For my son's illness I've already spent three hundred gold, which ought to be enough for you to squander for a while, and now after just a few days you want more money? Since you can help me break the Feng Shui curse, I'll spend once more."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Since we get along so well, why not become sworn brothers of different surnames?" As for this sworn brotherhood tactic, Hu Xiaotian learned it completely from Shi Xuedong; in today's era, sworn brotherhood is undoubtedly the best way to form factions and alliances—it doesn't mean you have to live and die together, as the saying goes, 'brothers are for selling out.'

Wan Boping never imagined Hu Xiaotian would make such a demand—'Damn, swearing brotherhood with me? That's obviously just to take advantage of me.' His age is about that of Hu Xiaotian's father; although Wan Boping doesn't dare underestimate Hu Xiaotian, he doesn't think Hu Xiaotian has the qualifications to become sworn brothers with him. In this era, sworn brotherhood is still quite serious; not everyone treats it like Hu Xiaotian and Shi Xuedong do, as a casual house‑play, rushing into eight bows as soon as they're excited.

Seeing Wan Boping's hesitant expression, Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, 'Oh no, today I've put my warm face on a cold backside— I've given him the chance to refuse me outright.'

Wan Boping indeed said, "Sir Hu, it's not that I don't want to seek higher connections; when I was young my mother had someone tell my fortune, saying I was destined to have no brothers, so……"

Hu Xiaotian laughed loudly, inwardly cursing Wan Boping for rejecting the offer after being given face—though it's not really his fault, since Wan Boping saw through Hu Xiaotian's motive and naturally didn't want to be taken advantage of for nothing. Hu Xiaotian said, "Actually whether we become sworn brothers or not is just a formality; as long as we get along, being friends is the same."

"Isn't that the truth!" Wan Boping also broke into a beaming smile, "Friends? When I treated you as a friend you still squeezed me for so much gold; if I really became sworn brothers with someone like you, wouldn't I end up being squeezed till I vomit blood three liters?"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Since Wan elder brother put it that way, I'll also speak frankly."

Wan Boping was both amused and exasperated: "We said we wouldn't become sworn brothers, yet you still dare to call me elder brother with a thick face—are you really preparing to extort me?" Although he was on high alert against Hu Xiaotian, he currently didn't dare offend him, since he still needed Hu Xiaotian's help with the Feng Shui break‑and‑enter, and besides, hearing him out couldn't hurt. So Wan Boping said, "Sir Hu, please speak!" No matter how affectionately you address me, I dare not recognize such a cunning 'brother' of yours.

Hearing Wan Boping's way of addressing him, Hu Xiaotian understood that the man was still drawing a line between them, and he sighed again: "The court sent me to Qingyun to serve as an official; I came full of enthusiasm, not seeking to achieve some earth‑shaking great work, only hoping to help Qingyun's common folk do some solid good deeds, taking the blessing of one region as my duty—who would have thought my ideals would be so beautiful while reality is so cruel."

Today's fifth update, an extra chapter for the ack alliance leader; as the deputy edition of the Medical Dao, the brothers have always been diligent, Zhangyu though we've never met, the brothers' deep affection remains in our hearts; in the new book the brothers remain together, Zhangyu has nothing to repay, only updates can repay the brothers' deep feelings.

First release on high-speed of the latest chapter of Medical Unification; this chapter is Chapter Sixty 【Refuse Me?】 (Part) for the ack alliance leader's extra update, address is