Chapter 132: Wounded

Zhang Erzhu picked up a skewer of roasted meat and handed it to Jiang Qibin, joking, "With so many delicious things here, can this finally shut your mouth?"

Jiang Qibin took it and said smugly, "That works. I'll stop talking for now; I'm too busy."

Having delivered the goods, Qin Huiyin saw that Song Ruize was doing well and said, "Third Grandpa is still waiting for me to pick him up, so I should be going."

"Wait a moment..." Song Ruize called out to her. Seeing her turn back, he impulsively reached out to smooth her stray locks. "Your hair is a bit messy."

"Thank you," Qin Huiyin said with a sweet smile. "You must take care of yourself. No matter what you do, your health is the most important thing. I'm leaving now; see you next time."

Song Ruize watched Qin Huiyin’s figure fade into the distance.

In truth, her hair hadn't been messy at all. He didn't know why he had called her back, and once he had, he hadn't known what to say, so he had simply come up with a flimsy excuse.

Jiang Qibin, eating heartily, said to Song Ruize, "She’s gone, stop staring. The doctor told you to stay in bed and recover, not to walk around. Besides, the doctor said you need a bland diet. These skewers are too greasy for you, so we’ll just finish them off for you."

The others chimed in in agreement.

Song Ruize picked up a skewer and took a taste.

He didn't eat much; after all, if he wanted his wounds to heal quickly, he had to listen to the doctor.

Chen Yong noticed that Song Ruize’s expression had changed. He shoved his own skewer into Jiang Qibin’s hand and swiftly supported him.

"Are you alright?"

"The wound opened up," Zhang Erzhu said. "Quick, help him inside and get him to lie down."

The other two guards at the gate came over to help.

"Supervisor Song, why push yourself like this? If you really didn't want the young lady to worry, you could have just made up an excuse about being busy, like last time. There was no need to crawl out of your sickbed."

"She is very sharp; she would have been suspicious," Song Ruize said, leaning on Chen Yong’s shoulder. "By the time she comes back, my wounds will be much better."

Jiang Qibin’s eyes reddened as he watched. "To flush out the one making trouble, you’ve been through so much these past few days. Your wounds heal and then tear open again, and you even had a fever last night."

"The result is what matters, isn't it?" Song Ruize said calmly. "If I don't cast the bait, how can I catch the person?"

"I can't argue with you," Jiang Qibin said. "Hurry inside, I’ll apply your medicine."

Song Ruize had grown up without playmates, depending solely on Hunter Song. His father was not a kind man and was often indifferent toward him, leading Song Ruize to feel as though he had been forgotten by the world. Now that he had people who cared, looked after him, and regularly brought him good food, he knew he would no longer be left alone in the shadows.

"This dream... is beautiful," Song Ruize murmured, losing consciousness as he leaned against Chen Yong.

***

"Ruize had a hard life. Sister Huiyin is the one who pulled him back from the edge of the cliff, and the one he would crawl out of bed just to see," Zhang Erzhu said with deep emotion.

Having seen that Song Ruize was safe, the heavy stone in Qin Huiyin's heart had been lifted, and she hummed a little tune, feeling exceptionally light and happy.

When she arrived at the academy gates with the ox cart, she saw not only Third Grandpa Tang waiting there but also Tang Yichen.

Tang Yichen offered a gentle smile. "What good news has my little sister encountered to be in such high spirits?"

Qin Huiyin suddenly felt a twinge of guilt.

Although Tang Yichen was smiling, she felt as if there were blades hidden within it.

She leaned toward Third Grandpa Tang and whispered, "Is my brother angry?"

"I suppose... not?" Third Grandpa Tang looked at Tang Yichen’s smiling face and shivered.

More accurately, he was jealous.

*Tsk, tsk,* the battle for the sister’s affection had begun!

But it was only right. Huiyin was such a sweet girl; who wouldn't want to dote on such a wonderful sister? It was just that her loving heart was a bit too generous, and for a brother who wanted to be the *only* one, feeling a bit sour was only natural.

"Brother, aren't you busy?" Qin Huiyin asked.

"No matter how busy I am, I must thank you in person. Otherwise, wouldn't your brother be an ungrateful wretch?"

"We are siblings; there's no need for such formality. If you're so busy, you shouldn't wait for me."

"I have to let my sister see how I'm doing, to see if I've lost weight. You've brought me so much good food, I have to let you see the results," Tang Yichen smiled. "How is Song Ruize doing at the dam? It’s a bit harsh there, so it was right for you to rush over to see him out of concern."

"He's doing quite well," Qin Huiyin said with a dry laugh. "Brother, did you grow taller? Third Grandpa?"

Third Grandpa Tang agreed, "Indeed. I was startled the first time I saw him. Is this boy growing like a weed?"

"Taller, more handsome, and his eyes are brighter too. So reading really can improve one's appearance. I should go home and read more books to learn from my brother."

"Enough of that," Tang Yichen flicked her forehead lightly. "Don't bring skewers next time. That way, you won't have to rush, and I won't end up missing you entirely."

"Alright."

"How is Song Ruize doing at the dam?" Tang Yichen brought the topic back again.

***

Seeing his genuine concern, Qin Huiyin didn't hold back. "He was promoted again. He is now a supervisor, responsible for overseeing the workers."

"He’s certainly making a name for himself. That’s good, though; it saves you from having to worry about him," Tang Yichen said. "How are things at home? Is everyone well?"

"Very well! We’ve earned quite a bit of money and are preparing to build a new house," Qin Huiyin said. "Perhaps by the time you finish your imperial examinations, the new house will already be built."

"I haven't contributed to the family," Tang Yichen said with guilt. "People say that studying is what I should be doing right now, but I've missed out on everything happening at home. Does my studying really have meaning?"

"Our lives are still long, and we will experience many things in the future. We will have many shared memories. The fact that you can study is already remarkable, because I know that reading requires great endurance and faith. Everyone has a mission to fulfill, and your mission is to raise our entire family's social status."

As she spoke, Qin Huiyin gestured with her arms, as if she were giving a speech on a stage.

Tang Yichen was amused by her, and he reached out to pat her hair, his eyes full of tenderness.

"Very well, then I will study hard and do my best to achieve the highest rank possible, so that my results will be impressive and you can all share in the glory."

"I believe in you!" Qin Huiyin said. "Shall we head back now?"

"Yes, get home safely," Tang Yichen said. "Don't bring food over recently. I need to review, and those fellows keep sneaking into my room just for a bite to eat."

"Then will you eat well?"

"I will," Tang Yichen assured her. "I used to survive the whole day on corn buns, let alone the life I have now with meat, vegetables, and white rice. I will take care of myself. If you keep worrying like this, you’ll turn into a little old lady."

"The little old lady is going home now. Hmph!" Qin Huiyin climbed onto the ox cart.

Third Grandpa Tang said, "We’re off. Since you don't want us to bring food, we'll just go straight to the dam next time."

Tang Yichen grabbed the side of the cart and said to Qin Huiyin, "Keep bringing it. It's good to maintain a relationship with them. Didn't you say they would be my future connections?"

Qin Huiyin: "..."

A man’s mind was too hard to fathom; she couldn't understand it.

Third Grandpa Tang, looking as though he had seen through everything but chose not to say it, cracked the ox whip. "Off we go! Heading home!"