Chapter 24: 24, Ren Xiaosu, the medicine seller

Ren Xiaosu initially doubted whether Yu Tong had truly seen him leave, or if the other party was deliberately framing him even without witnessing it.

Later, he recalled carefully and realized he had not seen Yu Tong’s figure at that time. Being someone like Ren Xiaosu, he knew that having snatched some of the clinic’s business, Yu Tong would naturally be on guard against him, wary of being harmed.

After all, in this world, one must be cautious of being schemed against in everything they do.

So if Ren Xiaosu felt that his memory held no impression of such a “dangerous target,” it meant the other party was truly not present, making the likelihood of Yu Tong lying and persecuting him greater.

As for whether Yu Tong had considered the consequences of failing to frame him, Ren Xiaosu thought he wasn’t that clever—probably hadn’t thought that far…

In the past, Ren Xiaosu had tolerated Yu Tong. After all, he had stolen his business and shattered his livelihood; Ren Xiaosu couldn’t bring himself to do that. So he advised Yu Tong once, telling him to go home and study medical texts properly, but the other party not only ignored the advice but came to harm him.

Ren Xiaosu sneered as he watched Yu Tong, who immediately dashed off toward the town, leaving a puddle of water on the ground.

Wang Fugui, standing nearby, laughed: “Looks like I’ve made a wasted trip. Turns out you’re fine.”

Ren Xiaosu turned to Wang Fugui, his expression serious as he said, “Thank you.” At that moment, he would remember anyone who spoke up for him.

“Hey, what are you saying?” Wang Fugui laughed, his face blooming like a chrysanthemum: “If it weren’t for Boss Luo’s appreciation of you, I wouldn’t dare speak up for you. It was Boss Luo who specifically sent someone to convey his message, asking the town’s managers to look after you.”

Ren Xiaosu paused: “What does Boss Luo do? Does he know me?”

Wang Fugui whispered, winking and gesturing: “Your medicine… Boss Luo loves it!”

Ren Xiaosu: “…”

Only then did he realize that this Wang Fugui had bought his black medicine and delivered it to the bastion.

“Boss Luo said that as long as you deliver the required amount on time each month, he’ll ensure you remain safe outside the bastion,” Wang Fugui said with a sly smile. In truth, he had ulterior motives—relying on Ren’s black medicine and Boss Luo’s connections could indeed secure his safety for life.

Suddenly, Ren Xiaosu was intrigued: “Does Boss Luo wield great power within the bastion?”

“You don’t get it, do you?” Wang Fugui boasted: “He’s the representative of the Qing family conglomerate in Bastion 113.”

“Why doesn’t the people from the Qing family conglomerate have the surname Qing?” Ren Xiaosu felt something was off.

“Don’t go spreading this,” Wang Fugui lowered his voice: “Apparently, he’s the illegitimate brother of a certain high-ranking member of the Qing family, a half-brother from a different mother.”

“Could you ask Boss Luo to get us into the refuge bastion?” Ren Xiaosu thought—if Boss Luo held such power, surely getting them in wouldn’t be difficult?

“We’re all contaminated. How could we enter the bastion?” Wang Fugui frowned: “Besides, if you go in, who will fetch herbs for Boss Luo in the wild?”

Ren Xiaosu suddenly understood—the latter was the real reason. Why would Boss Luo let him in when it was better to keep him outside to supply black medicine?

That evening, Yan Liuyuan suddenly developed a high fever that wouldn’t subside. Ren Xiaosu tried applying a bottle of black medicine to his forehead, but it failed to reduce the fever.

Sitting by the bed, Ren Xiaosu sighed as he watched the listless Yan Liuyuan: “This doesn’t require your wish. From now on, don’t make wishes without my order, understood? Fevers like this can kill.”

Yan Liuyuan barely opened his eyes, weak: “What if something happens to you? What about me?”

Ren Xiaosu pondered for a moment: “Stop arguing. I’ll make sure you all live well someday.”

“Mm.”

…

The next morning, while fetching water in the town, Ren Xiaosu heard a shocking piece of news—Yu Tong had fled overnight with his money, preferring to face the dangers of the wilderness rather than confront Ren Xiaosu…

Some said Yu Tong had gone to Bastion 114, the closest to the 113 refuge bastion, and in the opposite direction of wolf packs. Usually, taking the main road wouldn’t be dangerous.

Ren Xiaosu couldn’t help but find it amusing—he had scared him away…

But what happened next left Ren Xiaosu even more stunned. A man named Chen Haidong, sent from the refuge bastion, came knocking. Chen Haidong asked with a gentle smile: “Ren Xiaosu, I heard you heal the wounded and save lives?”

Ren Xiaosu hesitated: “I only treat knife wounds and external injuries.”

“No problem, no problem,” Chen Haidong laughed more heartily: “Healing is healing. Our town lacks a doctor—would you be interested?”

Lying in the hut still feverish, Yan Liuyuan was shocked, his eyes widening. His brother had only wanted to earn some gratitude and money, yet now he’d somehow become a legitimate doctor—the town’s only doctor! He hadn’t even wished for this!

Could it be that Ren Xiaosu’s actions the previous night hadn’t required a wish, so the luck had shifted?

But Ren Xiaosu clearly understood that the real reason was that this manager, Chen Haidong, also wanted to curry favor with Boss Luo.

Power was such a thing—it made those around you serve you meticulously.

Ren Xiaosu wasn’t foolish. He agreed without hesitation: “Would the clinic’s house be available for me…”

“Of course,” Chen Haidong smiled warmly: “That’s perfect. You can move in today. After all, no one’s there.”

With that, Chen Haidong walked away, humming a tune, when Old Wang arrived with a wooden box under his arm, followed by some brick-house residents—the wealthiest people in town.

There were those who ran small gambling dens, fabric shops, and grain stores…

Old Wang spoke up: “Congratulations, Ren Xiaosu. You’ve moved into a brick house now!” As he spoke, he handed over a gift box: “I’ve prepared some gifts for you and Liuyuan. You’re both recovering—eat this to strengthen your bodies!”

Curious, Ren Xiaosu opened it, revealing a white mass: “What’s this?”

“You don’t know? This is the bird’s nest I’ve kept for years,” Wang Fugui introduced: “It’s highly nourishing!”

Ren Xiaosu had only heard of it before but never seen it. Yet he’d always wondered: “Mr. Zhang Jinglin once said bird’s nest is made from swallow saliva, but I thought saliva’s viscosity wasn’t that strong, so it must be… phlegm.”

Wang Fugui: “?!”

Was this how gifts were supposed to be? He wasn’t pleased: “What about blood bird’s nest? What’s that made of?”

Ren Xiaosu mused: “Phlegm mixed with blood?”