Chapter 26: Still Can't Avoid Being Dragged Into His Game

Mu Nan Zhao looked at Gu Xixi, the corners of his mouth turning up in a smile.

Because you sold me out twice in a row, you owe me, and you should repay.

Gu Xixi let out a heavy cold snort, "I've already explained clearly, you're extorting."

Mu Nan Zhao said unhurriedly, "First, you had the doctor examine me, not only letting him see my wound but also leaking that I was poisoned, planting a huge hidden danger for me."

"Second, today, you had me meet Gu Qingye, and again you left me alone with her, spreading rumors that harm my reputation."

With each sentence he took a step toward Gu Xixi, satisfiedly watching her face turn pale as she retreated backward.

"Afraid?"

"Do you want to tell me what else you know?"

Gu Xixi was afraid; she felt not only wariness toward Mu Nan Zhao but also fear.

The edge of the windowsill jabbed her back, causing pain that reminded her to force herself to calm down.

"That old doctor is blind; he can't see."

"Moreover, he's just a country doctor nobody believes in; hardly anyone around comes to him for treatment."

"If you go to him for help, he might keep the secret; if you don't, you'd already be dead and buried!"

Mu Nan Zhao locked eyes with her for a moment, then stepped back a few steps, half-smiling.

"You're still quite bold to say that, my lifesaver."

Gu Xixi felt the pressure around her dissipate, she exhaled in relief, "Stop joking with me."

Mu Nan Zhao shifted his tone, "But you still owe me for those two times, you have to repay."

"Moreover... you already know this yourself: no matter how much you despise me, how hard you try to avoid me, refusing to know anything about me. But once you're involved with me, it's already impossible to stay out of it."

Gu Xixi pondered for a moment; when she lifted her head, only calm clarity remained in her eyes.

"I can go with you tomorrow."

"In the future, whenever you need me to provide cover, I can help at any time."

"But I have conditions."

Mu Nan Zhao agreed, "Speak."

Gu Xixi said, "First, you must not harm others or break the law, and you cannot have me do those things."

"Second, you cannot threaten to kill me or Zhang Shen anymore."

Mu Nan Zhao nodded, "I promise you."

Gu Xixi paused, "Also, the old doctor is very curious about the poison on your body."

"Until you find an antidote or another doctor, please let him treat you."

Mu Nan Zhao said, "Sure."

Gu Xixi looked at him in surprise.

At this moment, bringing this up, besides her liking the old doctor and wanting to help him fulfill his wish,

she also hid a little selfish motive of her own.

However, Mu Nan Zhao was deeply suspicious; she didn't expect him to agree so easily.

Mu Nan Zhao saw Gu Xixi's doubt and said, "I've been using his medicine; it effectively suppresses the poison, and lately the flare-ups have clearly become less frequent."

Gu Xixi realized, "No wonder you knew the old doctor diagnosed your poisoning; it's because of the medicine..."

She suddenly glared at Mu Nan Zhao, "So you'd already planned this; even if I didn't mention it, with no better choice you'd agree to let him treat you? Then just now you..."

"Still trying to scare you?" Mu Nan Zhao glanced sideways.

"Don't think I don't know; because of you, the gossips in the village talk about me."

"Thus, we're temporarily even."

Mu Nan Zhao drifted away, Gu Xixi gritted her teeth in place.

The next morning, Gu Xixi asked Zhang Shen for the old doctor's address, then set off with a sack on her back.

This was her first time leaving Flower Pool Ford Village alone after transmigrating into the book.

Leaving the village gate, walking less than half a li along the official road, you reach the neighboring Stone Village.

However, Stone Village is built along the slope, its paths winding and twisting.

Gu Xixi couldn't find the old doctor's house, so she had to stop a woman to ask.

After hearing her description, the woman first eyed her warily, "What do you want with that old blind man?"

Gu Xixi blurted, "I'm his distant relative."

The woman unhappily said, "Really strange, I've never heard that lunatic had any relatives."

She raised her hand to point a direction, "Do you see the elm tree? His house is just down there."

Gu Xixi thanked her and was about to leave.

The woman shouted behind her, "Since you're his relative, persuade him—stop crazy-ly blocking people, insisting they're sick; yesterday my son was stopped by him and burst into tears! What a pain!"

Gu Xixi kept a straight face without looking back, thinking, "He said your son is sick, yet you won't let him see a doctor—you'll regret it sooner or later!"

After turning two corners, she finally saw the house under the big elm tree.

Various herbs drying around, the house exhaling a strong medicinal scent—everything proved she'd found the right place.

Gu Xixi called out, "Old Doctor, Gu Xixi is here to visit!"

After a moment, the wooden door opened, rolling thick smoke billowing out and making Gu Xixi stagger back several steps.

Before she could steady herself, the old doctor, his face blackened with ash, rushed out with steps swift as a young man's.

"Girl's here! That brat isn't dead, is he? Did he say my medicine works?!"

Gu Xixi smiled and nodded, "He agreed to let you treat him."

"Great!" the old doctor cheered, running back and forth in the courtyard.

Little White, Little Yellow, Little Black, Little Flower, I finally have a patient! Hahahaha!

Gu Xixi looked around.

He doesn't live alone, does he? Who are Little White and the others?

Gu Xixi felt something rustling under her feet, lowered her head, and saw a white rabbit gnawing at her sack.

She tried to understand, "Is this Little White?"

Lao Langzhong nodded, gestured, and called out a three-colour cat, "This is Little Flower."

He then picked up two bamboo baskets, containing a grey rat and a yellow field mouse respectively.

"Little Black, Little Yellow, this is the girl I told you about; get acquainted."

These little critters were all injured, or near death from freezing or illness, and were picked up by Lao Langzhong and nursed back to health.

They thus became Lao Langzhong's family.

Gu Xixi had often seen snakes, insects, rats, and ants while gathering in the wild, so she wasn't afraid of rats.

She stepped closer, took a look, and greeted each of these family members in turn.

Lao Langzhong grew even happier, "It's been a long time since it's been this lively at home; I'll go cook, you eat here!"

"No need." Gu Xixi glanced at the still-smoking house, then hurriedly opened her sack.

"I brought you some things: the herbs I picked, and Zhang Shen's steamed red-date buns."

Both food and medicinal herbs are what Lao Langzhong is interested in; he immediately ran over to look.

He first grabbed a bun to eat, then with his other hand took out the medicinal herbs one by one.

"Isatis root, bupleurum, gentian… and even northern rehmannia!"

Lao Langzhong's tone grew increasingly excited, "Good girl! How could you find so many fine medicinal herbs?"

Gu Xixi generously said, "They're all for you."

"When I went into the mountains and saw them, I just picked them casually; some aren't fully dried yet, you can sort them out yourself."

Lao Langzhong cradled the herbs, reluctant to let go, shaking his head and swaying his body.

"This old blind man of mine thought himself clever, but I've still been tricked by you little girl!"