Chapter 75

Ruan Qing was too anxious to care about her father’s eccentricities at the moment. Donating money to Wild Hermits’ Temple seemed like a good idea—it would honor their masters’ spirits and help the villagers of Lao Mei Valley access the area more easily. Uncle Qi was still living in the temple, and if he refused to leave, the villagers would still need to bring him supplies.

After changing clothes, Ruan Qing grabbed Nian Qi and headed straight to the hospital. On the way, she explained vaccines to him:

“Basically, it’s like how smallpox in your time could kill people and spread to others. But those who had it once wouldn’t catch it again. That’s because their bodies recognized and defeated the smallpox virus, so they developed immunity.

“Vaccines work in a similar way. Most vaccines involve taking a virus and making it weak or inactive before introducing it into your body. Since it’s in a weakened state, it won’t harm you. Your immune system will defeat it and create antibodies. So later, if a healthy, active version of that virus tries to infect you, it won’t stand a chance. You’ll already have resistance to that disease. Most of the time, it works.”

Nian Qi found it easy to understand. In the underworld of Yama’s Palace, everyone specialized in different areas. While Nian Qi excelled in combat, some of his colleagues were poison experts. Those who worked with poisons often ingested small doses themselves to build resistance. Nian Qi had also taken certain substances for the same reason, though he decided not to mention it and risk scaring Ruan Qing.

After her explanation, Ruan Qing glanced at him while driving. “Why are you grinning at me like that?”

Nian Qi, now free to openly admire her, couldn’t help but smile warmly. “I just like listening to you explain these things to me.”

It was peculiar. With her parents, Ruan Qing acted like a hot-headed child, easily provoked and always ready to bicker. But with him, she was completely different—patient and understanding, never showing frustration at his unfamiliarity with the modern world. She always explained everything with care, using simple language and vivid analogies that were often so creative they made him laugh.

Yet she wasn’t overly polite with him, either, unlike how she treated her relatives in Lao Mei Valley or the receptionists and service workers she encountered.

With a smile lingering on his lips, Nian Qi followed Ruan Qing into the hospital.

Once there, Ruan Qing explained the situation to the doctor and asked nervously, “Is it dangerous? Should he get all the vaccinations?”

The doctor gave Nian Qi a once-over. His appearance didn’t exactly scream “isolated mountain dweller.” She found it hard to believe he’d been living a completely secluded life.

She reassured Ruan Qing, “It’s not as serious as you think. There’s no need to get every vaccine. Most vaccines are administered during childhood for preventative care; adults usually don’t need them. By adulthood, people have developed antibodies on their own.

“Vaccines mainly reduce the likelihood of catching certain diseases. They don’t guarantee complete immunity, and not getting vaccinated doesn’t guarantee infection either. It depends largely on the individual’s physical condition and immune system.”

Her explanation eased Ruan Qing’s worries. It seemed like the situation wasn’t as dire as she’d feared. Besides, Nian Qi’s physical condition was undoubtedly exceptional—his wounds healed faster than normal, a testament to his remarkable constitution.

In the end, they opted for booster shots of vaccines like hepatitis B—essential for adults—and finally felt at ease. However, as the saying goes, “Since we’re already here…”

Not that kind of “here”—this wasn’t a men’s clinic, after all. Besides, Ruan Qing didn’t entirely trust small-town hospitals; for anything serious, she planned to visit a top-tier hospital in a big city.

“Let’s both get an immunity panel done while we’re at it,” Ruan Qing suggested with a sly smile. “Since we’re here.”

Her expression turned teasing. “Didn’t you used to enjoy playing around? Let’s check for any… indiscretions.”

Nian Qi broke into a cold sweat, nearly swearing by the heavens. “I really didn’t!”

“I know, I know,” Ruan Qing replied. “But there’s no harm in checking—it’s for both our peace of mind.”

Truthfully, she was adamant. After her ex, Zhao Hao, had cheated, she couldn’t be sure it was his first time—or if there were more instances she never knew about. Better safe than sorry.

The bloodwork results wouldn’t be ready until the afternoon, so Ruan Qing took Nian Qi to the mall.

Before, her attitude was: Let’s make do with whatever is at hand. He can slowly adapt to society and learn to be independent. As for Nian Qi, he had been indifferent, feeling that as someone living under another’s roof, secondhand clothes were perfectly fine—no need for anything new.

Now, their mindsets had shifted.

For her: How can my man settle for less?
For him: Ugh, these clothes still carry Zhao Hao’s scent. It’s unbearable.

The people were the same, the items were the same, but their perspectives had changed.

In the afternoon, the results came back: both of them were perfectly fine.

Ruan Qing heaved a sigh of relief. Nian Qi was even more relieved, feeling a sense of reassurance.

With that matter resolved, Ruan Qing took the opportunity to issue a firm warning:

“I know your era had three wives and four concubines. Sleeping with maidservants, entertainers, or visiting brothels was considered normal back then. But let me tell you—none of that flies now.

“Let’s get this straight from the start. Don’t come at me later with some twisted logic like, ‘You and I are the only humans in “one life, one pair,” while maidservants and courtesans don’t count as people.’ No mental gymnastics, no excuses.

“Loyalty in a relationship is a basic principle—the bare minimum. If you can’t manage that, there’s nothing more to discuss.

“Modern women are nothing like the women of your time. Back then, they had no choice but to endure. Now? Breakups are as simple as a word, and divorces cost just nine yuan. It’s easy.

“And don’t think people stay single forever after a breakup. If I left you, my friends would throw me a breakup party with cake, and then immediately start setting me up with new guys.”

Nian Qi listened attentively, without swearing or protesting this time. Instead, he calmly asked, “Do these rules apply equally to both men and women?”

“Of course,” Ruan Qing replied. “It’s a matter of mutual respect.”

That was music to his ears. His eyes lit up as he clasped her hands tightly. “Then let us vow together: in this life and the next, I shall never betray you!”

Ruan Qing blinked. “Huh? Wait. I was talking about you—why are you dragging me into this?”

Nian Qi answered confidently, “The times have changed. Men and women are equals now.”

Ruan Qing was speechless. She couldn’t argue with that logic.

For Nian Qi, it was a genuine awakening to the modern concept of gender equality. And with Ruan Qing’s vibrant personality and striking appearance, he knew she would turn heads wherever she went.

While at the mall earlier, men occasionally brushed past Ruan Qing, only to glance back, their eyes practically sparkling. Their lingering stares were infuriating! Yet Nian Qi couldn’t exactly line them up and fight them all.

He now deeply empathized with how the wives of unfaithful husbands must have felt in his own era—grieving, resentful, and powerless to change anything. It’s not like he could throw a black hood over Ruan Qing and hide her away. That was out of the question.

“Ruan Qing, let’s swear an oath together!” Nian Qi’s eyes gleamed brightly, full of hope. His insecure expression was almost too pitiful to refuse.

Ruan Qing, who had been lecturing him just moments ago, somehow got roped into his enthusiasm. Raising her hand, she recited alongside him, “…During the time I am in a relationship with Nian Qi, I promise…”

Nian Qi frowned. “Shouldn’t it be for life?”

Ruan Qing refused. “Who can guarantee that? People break up for all sorts of reasons.”

“What reasons?” he asked.

She thought about it. “Like… irreconcilable differences in values? Most breakups probably happen because of that.”

“Be specific,” Nian Qi pressed.

“For example,” Ruan Qing began, “let’s say there’s an event. I might feel sympathy for someone, but you think it’s survival of the fittest and that the weak deserve their fate. Or I might believe something is wrong and shouldn’t be done, but you think it’s fine as long as it’s profitable.”

Nian Qi nodded thoughtfully, raising his hand. “…In all matters, big and small, I will follow Ruan Qing’s judgment.”

Ruan Qing: “…”

Well, fine. She raised her hand again. “…As long as Nian Qi doesn’t betray me, I will not betray him.”

Noticing him staring expectantly, she added, “For life.”

Only then did Nian Qi beam with joy. Silly guy.

And of course, he insisted on including a punishment for breaking the oath.

Nian Qi was very traditional—suggesting harsh curses like being struck by lightning or torn limb from limb. All very bloody.

Ruan Qing pondered for a moment. Using ancestors or family members felt inappropriate, so she decided to use herself as collateral. “If I break this oath, may I… um… gain 30 pounds?”

Nian Qi was unimpressed. “You’d still look good with 30 extra pounds.” He declared firmly, “At least 50 pounds.”

Ruan Qing: “…”

Weirdly, she felt a little happy. Why?

“Fine,” she relented. “If I break it, may I gain 50 pounds, lose my hair, and develop an M-shaped bald spot like Vice Mayor Xu.”

Nian Qi didn’t know what an M-shaped bald spot was at first, but when she mentioned Vice Mayor Xu, he understood. For Ruan Qing, that was practically a venomous oath. He was satisfied.

The two wandered around town all day and only returned home by dinnertime.

When Ruan Qing’s mother saw them walk in, she rushed over, her expression stiff. “Go talk some sense into your father. He’s gone mad.”

Ruan Qing blinked. “What?”

“He’s insisting on going to Lao Mei Valley—to the mountains—to find your Grandpa Qi,” her mother explained, pinching her brow. “I barely managed to stop him.” She glanced at Nian Qi. “Isn’t that the temple Xiao Nian stayed at?”

Both Ruan Qing and Nian Qi broke into a cold sweat. Why were all the Ruans like this?

In the living room, her father was fuming. Upon seeing Ruan Qing and Nian Qi, he rushed over like they were his saviors. “Talk to your mom, will you? She’s keeping me on a tight leash! It’s just a two-hour drive. I’ve been there plenty of times.”

“But you’re planning to go into the mountains?” Ruan Qing asked.

Her father defended himself. “If Uncle Qi can go into the mountains alone, why can’t I? I’m much younger than him!”

Ruan Qing scoffed, “What are you comparing with Grandpa Qi? That blunt Tai Chi sword of yours? Even I can’t keep up with him when he climbs mountains, let alone you. Look at your belly! You want to climb mountains like this?”

She leaned in. “There are wolves in the mountains, you know. What about Grandpa Qi? Back in his youth, he killed wolves. Wolves fear him, not the other way around.”

She gave him a pointed look. “You’d just end up as wolf chow. Now sit tight and behave!”

Her father was heartbroken. “The martial arts manuals have already been taken away. I just want to visit the temple before it gets developed. How is that so hard?”

Ruan Qing: “???”

Martial arts manuals?