Chapter 2808: The Stand‑In Was Forcibly Taken by the Mountain Bandit's Wife 14

Gu Fanghe's wound was deeper than expected, the flesh turned outward, and the blood looked dusky in the candlelight.

The old physician sweat beaded on his forehead, but his hand remained steady as he applied the special trauma medicine, then wrapped the wound tightly with clean white cloth.

The medicinal powder stung the wound, something ordinary people couldn't bear; these were the fine medicines he'd brought from the army, and though the pain intensified, Gu Fanghe didn't even furrow his brow, his gaze fixed on Jin Chen sipping tea at his side, a faint smile touching his lips.

The bleeding gradually slowed, and Yan Qi's anxious heart settled back into his belly as he recalled the report he'd heard on the way here.

"Dage, just before I arrived, I heard the mountain‑patrol brothers say that someone on horseback seemed to be approaching from below, making a considerable commotion that startled the tigers in the mountains and put our brothers on alert."

He looked at Gu Fanghe, his expression slightly grim, and said, "Dage, do you think… it might be one of Song Ji'an's men who's come back to kill again?"

Gu Fanghe's eyes darkened as he thought of something, then he turned his gaze to Jin Chen.

Jin Chen sipped his tea, relaxed and at ease; only when he sensed Gu Fanghe's stare did he lift his eyes, open and untroubled, showing nothing unusual.

Gu Fanghe stared at him for two seconds before speaking, "Lately the mountains haven't been peaceful; if you feel bored and want to go down to the city for a stroll, or wander nearby, just call for me—I'll go with you. Don't… run off on your own."

The last few words came out slowly, carrying a helpless, admonishing tone.

Jin Chen set down his teacup, the corners of his mouth curving, his gaze sweeping over Gu Fanghe's bandaged right shoulder, and said, "Oh?"

He drew out his tone, eyes teasing, "I'm just taking a leisurely walk to look at the moonlight."

"But you can't compare to you, Chief, spending all day amid blades and swords; you said you'd come to my place tonight for tea and a game, yet you returned covered in wounds."

His tone was light and airy, like a complaint mixed with teasing, showing little worry and instead a hint of playfulness.

The old physician beside them heard this, his hand trembling, nearly knocking over the medicine bottle; he glanced quickly at Jin Chen, his heart pounding.

"This young lord… his gall is too big! He dares to speak to the Chief like that!"

Gu Fanghe, however, let out a laugh, tilted his head slightly, propped his cheek with his still‑intact left hand, his gaze locking deeply on Jin Chen—gone was his usual cold severity, replaced only by indulgent fondness.

He called him, his voice low and slow, the tail end slightly rising, tone gentle, "Xiao Chen."

"Young master."

"Young lord."

Three forms of address, each more intimate than the last, each more affectionate.

"You… you're worrying about me."

Yan Qi: "???"

He stood nearby, playing the role of a wooden post, couldn't help but scrunch his brows, and hearing this sour remark left him utterly bewildered.

This isn't just teasing Dage; if it were his usual self, he'd already have been beaten!

How on earth did Dage manage to hear that he's worried!

Jin Chen's smile deepened, his eyes flickering, he propped his chin on one hand, leisurely regarding Gu Fanghe, "Chief, don't misunderstand."

"I merely think you can't easily fall, otherwise who would protect me in this vast Black Mountain Stronghold?"

Every word, every sentence, speaks only of advantage and disadvantage, not of worry.

But to Gu Fanghe's ears, it meant something entirely different.

He didn't ponder the winding implications; he only took the surface meaning at face value.

What does this indicate?

It shows that Jin Chen, in his heart, is willing to stay in this Black Mountain Stronghold.

Staying here isn't forced; it's because he is here.

Gu Fanghe felt that the wound, which had been faintly aching just moments before, no longer hurt as much.

His handsome face broke into a smile, the candlelight brightening his brows and eyes, even that red scar looking much softer; as he gazed at Jin Chen, his voice softened as well.

"Mm, I'll protect you."

【Villain Heartthrob Value +10, total 40!】

Following routine, the old physician ought to remind the Chief to take his medicine on schedule, rest properly, and so on.

But his lips twitched a few times, he glanced at Gu Fanghe, and the words on the tip of his tongue he simply couldn't bring himself to say.

The Chief has always been impatient with such things.

Having been injured, even getting him to obediently bandage the wound is rare; asking him to drink those bitter herbal concoctions on time is nothing short of a fool's dream.

In the past he'd always just tough it out, relying on his robust constitution to pull through by sheer force.

Yan Qi, this time, has actually learned to be clever.

He glanced at Gu Fanghe's complexion, then at Jin Chen, suddenly inspired, he stepped in before Gu Fanghe could speak to dismiss him and the physician, clasped his hands toward Jin Chen, and squeezed out an expression of utmost sincerity.

"Lord Jin… no, Brother Jin!" he corrected himself, his tone familiar, "There's something I still need to ask you to do!"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow at him.

Yan Qi ignored the warning glance Gu Fanghe shot at him in an instant, speaking rapidly, "Dage, this guy—aside from that, he's fine, but when injured he never treats himself properly! He'll skip medicine if he can, skip sleep if he can, and insists on toughing it out!"

"He's been like this since the army, leaving him with a host of old injuries! This wound isn't light, you really must manage him—make sure he takes his medicine on time and rests properly, otherwise the wound will heal slowly and he'll be the one suffering."

Gu Fanghe: "……"

A vein pulsed at his forehead, and he glared at Yan Qi.

But Yan Qi had steeled himself this time, pretending not to see, and looked at Jin Chen with pleading eyes.

Jin Chen heard him out, furrowed his brows, and told the physician, "Go ahead and say exactly what needs attention and what medicines to use—list them all."

The old physician, upon hearing this, was overjoyed, taking several paper packets from his medicine box: "This packet is for external use, to be applied when changing the dressing each day. These two packets are for internal use, one dose each in the morning and evening, decocted with three bowls of water down to one bowl…"

He explained in detail, but Gu Fanghe listened absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on Jin Chen as if glued, unable to look away.