Chapter 135: Whether He Lives or Dies Is Up to Him

Flower Pool Ford Village Tudimiao.

The classroom was packed, and the teacher only just arrived late.

Mu Nan Zhao looked very exhausted.

Nevertheless, he began teaching as usual.

The first period was morning reading, reciting texts at the same time.

The second period was calligraphy practice.

Mu Nan Zhao wrote out the few characters he was to teach today.

He had the students read, write, and memorize them.

After writing the last character, his complexion suddenly worsened, and when he sat down he even had to prop himself up with his hands on the desk.

Shitou practiced writing on his small wooden board while anxiously looking ahead.

Is Mr. Chen feeling unwell again? Is he alright?

Should we get him some hot water to drink during the break?

Shitou kept Gu Xixi's instructions in mind, wondering how to take care of Mr. Chen.

At that moment, Mu Nan Zhao leaned on the desk and stood up, saying, "Continue copying."

"Take them home to practice calligraphy after you finish writing, each person writing each character forty times."

"The selected passages for morning reading and recitation must also be memorized thoroughly; there will be a spot check tomorrow."

Gouwa raised his hand, and after being permitted, stood up to ask, "Teacher, does that mean we can get out of class early after this period?"

Mu Nan Zhao's hand on the desk trembled slightly, but since it was hidden in his sleeve, the children couldn't see.

"Yes, I have something come up; we'll end class early today."

Having said that, he quickly left the schoolhouse.

Shitou widened his eyes in confusion, wondering how he could be unaware of any affairs at home today.

After leaving the Tudimiao and walking to a deserted spot, Mu Nan Zhao could no longer hold back his cough.

A fishy sweetness welled up in his throat, his heart pounded like a drum, and his vision kept going dark.

Once this bout of coughing subsided, Mu Nan Zhao clenched his fists and trudged home with heavy steps.

No matter what, even if he died today, he could not collapse outside.

At least…

At least… return to that home, see that person, and then die…

Gu Xixi's home, the main hall.

An Qinghe's plan filled a full twenty pages.

It included sources of investment, cooperation models, various ways to realize the industrialization of agricultural technology, and possible future connections, etc.

The content was rich, and the organization was clear.

It was clear that during this period he had worked hard, not only thinking on his own but also going out for field investigations.

In the past, Gu Xixi only knew that An Qinghe was a smart and hardworking person, and given his exposure to farming from childhood, he might make a good partner.

Now it seems that An Qinghe even possesses some consciousness that is ahead of his time.

That alone is precious.

Gu Xixi looked at a few pages, couldn't help but smile, and gave a slight nod.

Zhang Shen, who was wiping the table nearby, saw this and asked curiously, "Is what Xiao An wrote for you good? I saw you looking at it for a while; you seem in a good mood."

Gu Xixi raised her head and said, "Indeed it's quite good, a bit beyond my expectations."

"If what he wrote could be realized, the things I want to do might be completed ten or so years earlier."

Although Zhang Shen didn't really understand, as long as Gu Xixi was happy, she was happy too.

"That's wonderful—knowing a friend who can help you like this makes coming to Yunling County truly worthwhile."

"Yes," Gu Xixi agreed with a smile, "It was not in vain."

The two were happily chatting when suddenly the courtyard gate burst open with a bang, striking the inner wall.

Zhang Shen exclaimed unhappily, "Who dares to kick our door in broad daylight!"

While muttering, she hurried out to settle accounts with that madman.

But Gu Xixi didn't wait for Zhang Shen to start scolding; instead she heard Zhang Shen's panicked shout:

"Hey! Xiao Chen, what's wrong with you?"

"Gu Xixi! Gu Xixi! Come out quickly!!"

Gu Xixi's heart sank, and without thinking she threw down the plan and ran outside.

Outside she saw Zhang Shen kneeling on the ground, holding up the already collapsed Mu Nan Zhao with both hands.

Mu Nan Zhao's eyes were tightly shut, and black blood began to flow from his mouth and nose.

Gu Xixi quickly shut the courtyard gate to avoid being seen by others.

Zhang Shen, frightened enough to choke, asked through tears, "Why is he spitting black blood? What should we do?!"

Gu Xixi of course knew the reason.

Mu Nan Zhao could normally take care of himself, relying entirely on Old Doctor Lang to suppress this poison.

But this was only suppression, not true detoxification, so the poison continued to spread gradually through his organs and body.

As Old Doctor Lang would put it, the poison is like a flood and ferocious beast; there will always be a day when it cannot be contained.

When that time comes, the final outbreak will surge, impossible to control, marking the poisoned person's time of death.

Gu Xixi and Zhang Shen worked together to lift Mu Nan Zhao into the west room.

In fact, this period has been Mu Nan Zhao's countdown to death.

Lao Langzhong kept his door shut, not going out; he was racing against time.

Gu Xixi had always avoided thinking about these problems, but this day eventually came.

Mu Nan Zhao lay on the bed, more black blood oozing from the corners of his mouth and nostrils.

Gu Xixi stood there silent, appearing to have an eerie calm.

Zhang Shen glanced at her and exclaimed anxiously, "I'll go call Old Man Jiang!"

Gu Xixi said nothing and did not stop her.

Zhang Shen had just run out the door when she bumped head-on into Lao Langzhong.

Lao Langzhong hastily protected the small porcelain bottle in his hand, "Ayoyo, what's the rush, what are you doing!"

"I finally managed to concoct the antidote, and luckily it didn't get spilled!"

Zhang Shen instinctively asked, "Antidote, what antidote?"

But she instantly realized something was wrong and quickly dragged Lao Langzhong inside.

"Xiao Chen is bleeding, black blood from his nose and mouth! Hurry up and treat him!"

Lao Langzhong stepped over the threshold and also smelled an unusual bloodiness.

His expression turned solemn, and in a few steps he reached the bedside.

"Xixi, are you here? Come over quickly and give me a hand!"

The master's voice made Gu Xixi suddenly regain her senses.

She knelt by the bedside, trembling hands turning Mu Nan Zhao's right hand over to let Lao Langzhong take his pulse.

Lao Langzhong sensed Gu Xixi trembling, and while feeling her pulse he snapped, "You're usually fearless—where's that grit now? This kid hasn't breathed his last; what are you panicking about?"

Gu Xixi calmed a little, silently watching Lao Langzhong take the pulse.

After a moment, Lao Langzhong raised his hand, his expression grim, "It's too late."

"I, old man, have finally managed to concoct the antidote after rushing back and forth; I had thought..."

His throat choked a few times, he could barely go on, "In the end, I'm still a step too late..."

Suddenly, Gu Xixi snatched up the medicine bottle Lao Langzhong had placed beside the bed.

It tipped out a black pill.

Gu Xixi dashed out and returned holding a spoon.

She pinched Mu Nan Zhao's jaw, pried his mouth open, pressed his tongue down with the spoon, placed the pill at the entrance of his throat, then poured in a little clear water so it flowed down the spoon into his throat.

The whole process could be called brutal.

Fortunately, Mu Nan Zhao could still make a swallowing motion even while unconscious.

Gu Xixi watched his throat gulp, then took out the spoon and tossed it aside.

Zhang Shen stared blankly, while Lao Langzhong listened intently.

"Xixi, did you give him the medicine?"

Gu Xixi slumped, leaning against the bedside and sitting on the floor, "Yeah, he swallowed it."

"Whether he lives or dies is up to him."