Chapter 135: Misunderstood

Not knowing how much time had passed, Jiang Xiaomu opened his eyes again.

Piercing pain gnawed at every nerve of his, leaving him unable to move an inch.

His blurry vision gradually cleared, revealing a familiar face before his eyes.

His sister Jiang Xiaoyu was slumped beside the bed, sleeping soundly.

Her face was pallid, her lips chapped, fatigue etched between her brows, making one's heart ache.

Jiang Xiaomu wanted to reach out and smooth his sister's furrowed brow, to tell her she was fine, but his body felt as heavy as if filled with lead.

"Xiao Yu..."

He exerted all his strength, squeezing out a weak voice from his dry throat, but it was utterly unable to wake his sleeping sister.

He swallowed with difficulty, the burning pain in his throat making him cough involuntarily.

"Cough cough..."

Violent coughing tugged at his wounds, a wave of heart-piercing pain surged forth, causing his vision to darken.

Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth, enduring the intense pain, and struggled to focus his mind.

"System, system..."

He murmured it silently in his heart.

A familiar wave of dizziness washed over him, and his consciousness was sucked by a force into a void.

A semi-transparent screen appeared before his eyes, displaying various kinds of information.

"Healing module..."

Jiang Xiaomu laboriously scanned the text on the screen, looking for medicine that could treat his injuries.

【High-grade Healing Medicine: Can quickly repair severe trauma, restore stamina, price: 8000 Heavenly Fate Points.】

【Effective Painkiller: Can swiftly relieve all kinds of pain, duration 12 hours, price: 5000 Heavenly Fate Points.】

【Life Recovery Medicine: Can slowly restore HP, suitable for minor injuries, price: 3000 Heavenly Fate Points.】

Jiang Xiaomu looked at the dazzling array of potions on the screen and couldn't be bothered with all that.

He immediately chose to buy the high-grade healing medicine; after taking it, his wounds healed at a visible speed across his whole body.

Yet his body still felt a faint ache; years of fighting had already left Jiang Xiaomu with hidden ailments.

"Cough cough..."

Another bout of violent coughing made Jiang Xiaomu see stars.

"Brother! You're awake!"

A delighted voice rang in his ears.

Jiang Xiaomu turned his head with effort and saw Jiang Xiaoyu already awake, her eyes wide open, looking at him with concern.

"Xiao Yu..."

Jiang Xiaomu's voice was hoarse like a broken bellows.

"I... I'm fine..."

Seeing her brother awake, Jiang Xiaoyu's tears burst forth.

"Brother, you scared me to death! I thought..."

She choked up, unable to utter a complete sentence.

"Silly girl, why are you crying..."

Jiang Xiaomu wanted to lift his hand to pat his sister's head.

"I'll go fetch Doctor Li!"

Jiang Xiaoyu wiped away her tears, turned, and ran out the door.

Jiang Xiaomu watched his sister's retreating figure, a warm current welling up in his heart.

Soon, Doctor Li came running in, medicine box in hand, panting.

"Mr. Jiang, you're awake? What a miracle!"

Doctor Li said while beginning to carefully examine Jiang Xiaomu's wounds.

"The wounds are healing well, but you've lost too much blood; you need proper recuperation."

Doctor Li stroked his beard and said:

"I'll prescribe a few doses, three times a day, to be taken on schedule."

"Thank you, Doctor Li."

Jiang Xiaomu said weakly.

"Mr. Jiang, no need for thanks; saving lives and healing wounds is a doctor's duty."

Doctor Li waved his hand and turned to go fetch the medicine.

Jiang Xiaoyu never left his side, occasionally giving him water, occasionally wiping his sweat, fearful that anything else might happen to him.

"Xiao Yu, I'm fine now; go rest a bit."

Jiang Xiaomu looked at his sister's weary appearance and said, heart aching.

"I'm not tired; I want to stay with brother."

Jiang Xiaoyu shook her head and said stubbornly.

Jiang Xiaomu smiled helplessly and could only let her have her way.

Just then, the clinic's door was pushed open.

"Mr. Jiang, you're awake!"

The visitor was none other than County Magistrate Li Wenqing, behind him followed constables carrying some tonics.

He hurried to the bedside, his face full of concern, and asked:

"How does the injury feel? Anywhere else uncomfortable?"

Jiang Xiaomu struggled to rise and salute, but Li Wenqing pressed him down.

"No need for ceremony; you're weak, lie still."

Li Wenqing knew Jiang Xiaomu was seriously injured and unconscious, and he was deeply worried.

After all, Jiang Xiaomu had often helped him solve cases, and was a capable assistant.

Now seeing him awake and safe, his hanging heart finally let go.

"Thank you, Sir Li, for your concern."

Jiang Xiaomu's voice remained hoarse, yet carried gratitude.

Li Wenqing turned and ordered the bailiffs to set down the tonics he'd brought, then sat beside the bed and exchanged a few pleasantries with Jiang Xiaomu.

He asked Jiang Xiaomu how he got injured, learned it was the Five Absolutes Sect Leader who did it, and felt righteous anger rise.

"These damned bandits are utterly lawless!"

"Sir Li, those bandits are vicious and cunning; please be extra vigilant lest any survivors come for revenge."

Jiang Xiaomu weakly reminded him.

Li Wenqing said solemnly:

"Mr. Jiang, rest assured; I've sent men to strengthen patrols, and will not let these bandits have another chance to do evil."

Jiang Xiaomu gave a slight nod, acknowledging Li Wenqing's words.

He had known Li Wenqing for a long time, well aware that this county magistrate was upright and certainly not corrupt.

He just didn't know whether Li Wenqing's visit today, aside from concern, had any other purpose.

As he pondered, Jiang Xiaoyu walked in holding a medicine bowl.

"Sir Li."

Jiang Xiaoyu saw Li Wenqing, gave a sweet greeting, her face flushed with shyness.

Li Wenqing also smiled and replied:

"Miss Xiao Yu."

Jiang Xiaomu observed the two silently, sensing faintly that something was off.

Li Wenqing's gaze kept drifting, intentionally or not, onto Jiang Xiaoyu.

While Jiang Xiaoyu appeared poised, a blush tinged her ears.

Could it be…

Jiang Xiaomu's heart stirred, a thought flashing through his mind.

Could Li Wenqing be interested in Xiao Yu?

The idea surprised him somewhat, but it wasn't entirely impossible.

Though Xiao Yu is young, her looks are lovely and her temperament gentle, indeed winning affection.

And Li Wenqing is in his prime, still unmarried, so it's quite possible he could be moved.

But Jiang Xiaomu felt some worry.

In troubled times, romantic affection is ultimately a luxury.

Although he wished Xiao Yu safety and happiness, he did not want to be drawn into the vortex of officialdom.

"Brother, what are you thinking about? Drink your medicine."

Jiang Xiaoyu handed the medicine bowl to Jiang Xiaomu, breaking his train of thought.

Jiang Xiaomu took the bowl and drank it all at once.

Li Wenqing seemed to want to say more, but held back.

Jiang Xiaomu saw this, and his suspicion grew firmer.

"Sir Li, is there anything else?"

Jiang Xiaomu asked proactively.

Li Wenqing hesitated, then finally shook his head and said:

"Nothing else; I just came to check on Mr. Jiang's injury."

"Since Mr. Jiang is fine, I shall take my leave."

Having said that, Li Wenqing rose to take his leave, and Jiang Xiaoyu followed to see him out.