Chapter 23: Good Deeds Bring Good Rewards 

Lu Jin’s breakfast the next day consisted of wontons and plain steamed buns. Wanqing had instructed Mrs. Li to prepare this light meal for him since he had already indulged in rich meatballs and fish balls the day before. A mild breakfast would be better for his health and aid his recovery—helping him leave sooner.

Meanwhile, Wanqing’s family started their morning with white porridge and pickled vegetables, chatting about their meals for the day. They were especially excited about having braised pork intestines for dinner. Zhiqin and Zhiyuan cheered joyfully.

Everyone in the family had put on some weight since their separation from the extended household. Compared to before, they looked like completely different people. Lin Heng and his wife had always been an attractive couple, and their children had inherited their good looks—the boys becoming more handsome and the girls even more charming.

After finishing his meal, Lu Jin had another bowl of medicine.

Wanqing observed him thoughtfully. She had never stopped exploring the uses of her spatial spring water. She knew it had miraculous properties, but she was still unclear about its full range of effects.

She wondered whether Lu Jin had improved at all. Since both the water he drank and the medicine he took yesterday were infused with spring water, it should have helped, right?

As Lu Jin finished his medicine and handed back the bowl, Wanqing asked, “Do you feel any better?”

Lu Jin wasn’t sure how to answer. He had spent the entire day lying on the heated brick bed yesterday, seemingly at ease, but only he knew the pain he had endured—something others couldn’t truly understand.

If his body had recovered, he would have left already. It was frustrating being bedridden, even more so when he had to struggle with basic needs. Never in his life had Lu Jin suffered such indignities. Born into privilege, he had never been in such a powerless position.

After some thought, he said to Wanqing, “I won’t forget your great kindness. Once I’m able to move, I will leave immediately.”

Lu Jin—this was the first time he had revealed his surname.

“You can’t move right now? Are you in pain, or just weak?” Wanqing questioned him carefully, treating him like a test subject for her experiment.

“I ache all over, even my bones hurt,” Lu Jin replied helplessly, thinking that this girl was a little too curious for her own good.

“You don’t look like you’re in that much pain.” Wanqing was skeptical but noted his words in her mind.

[Spatial Spring Water User Manual]
Date: September 28, Qian Nation Calendar, Clear Weather
Test Subject: Lu Jin
Findings: It seems that the spring water does not relieve pain? (Unconfirmed, needs further verification.)

“How would you know if I didn’t tell you?” Lu Jin said weakly from the bed.

“Good point.” Wanqing nodded.

Well then, if she wanted to discover more effects of the spring water, she would just have to ask him about his condition more often.

Standing by the bedside, she studied his feeble appearance with some doubt. Honestly, she wasn’t entirely convinced that he was still so weak despite taking the spring water. However, she reminded herself that he was a patient. There was no reason for him to fake an illness. She shouldn’t be so suspicious.

Forget it. She would observe a little longer.

Lu Jin, on the other hand, found Wanqing’s scrutiny amusing. In truth, he was pretending—deliberately putting on a frail act.

Although he lacked the strength to get out of bed, he certainly had enough energy to speak. But if he didn’t act weak, he feared this girl would keep pestering him with questions.

Relaxing a little, Lu Jin lay back down and continued his breathing exercises. He figured that by tomorrow, he would be able to leave.

This time, his illness hadn’t been as severe as before. Previously, when his condition flared up, he wouldn’t be able to eat for three to five days. But now, he could still have proper meals. Perhaps that was why he had the strength to practice his breathing techniques and heal faster.

For that, he was genuinely grateful to this family.

Because of Lu Jin’s presence, Wanqing’s family had to keep the heated brick bed warm.

Since they were heating it anyway, Wanqing decided they shouldn’t waste the opportunity—so she planned to sprout some beans. She wanted to try growing soybean sprouts, mung bean sprouts, and even pea shoots. That morning, she had soaked some soybeans and placed them on the other side of the bed, assigning her younger brother, Zhiyuan, to watch over them. Since he was still young and spent most of his time on the bed, this task was perfect for him.

As for Lu Jin? No problem—there was plenty of space.

During winter in Qian Nation, food choices were limited. The common folk survived mostly on cabbage and radishes. The wealthy could afford chicken, duck, fish, and mutton, but fresh green vegetables were rare.

Wanqing didn’t intend to sell the bean sprouts for profit. She simply wanted to improve her family’s diet.

Mrs. Li had grown used to Wanqing’s strange ideas.

Ever since Wanqing earned her first twenty taels of silver, Mrs. Li had stopped interfering in her affairs.

She was a bit superstitious and believed the words of an old monk who had once said that this child was born with a thin fate—only by experiencing a near-death event could she gain great fortune.

Hadn’t that prophecy come true? She had nearly died, yet she survived. Great misfortune must bring great blessings. Otherwise, how else would she have received guidance in a dream?

What Mrs. Li didn’t know was that her real daughter had already passed away. The Wanqing standing before her now had a completely different soul.

Everyone in the family was eager to see what Wanqing would create this time. Every dish she had introduced so far was something they had never seen before, and if her bean sprout experiment succeeded, they would have yet another dish to enjoy.

The winter morning was a vast expanse of white.

Today, Lin Heng was visiting his younger sister’s home. Mrs. Li packed some meat along with a few fish and meatballs for him to bring, saying they were for her sister-in-law’s children to try. With the basket on his back, Lin Heng set off.

Upon arriving at Li Family Village, Sumei was surprised to see him. She greeted him with delight, calling out, “Third Brother!” before ushering him inside.

Lin Heng had come specifically to check on his brother-in-law. It had been a month, and he wanted to see if a follow-up visit to the doctor was needed.

When Li Zhongyi saw that Lin Heng had come all this way to see him, he was so excited that he immediately stood up, startling Lin Heng. Seeing how well his brother-in-law’s leg had recovered, Lin Heng was relieved and genuinely happy.

Lin Heng asked if he needed to return to Doctor Su for a follow-up, but Li Zhongyi shook his head. The village doctor had already examined him and confirmed that Doctor Su’s medical skills were exceptional. The bone had been set perfectly, and with another two months of rest, he would be fully healed.

In reality, Li Zhongyi and Sumei had already discussed this. Going to the county town would cost Lin Heng money again, and they didn’t want to burden him any further. So, they had the village doctor take a look instead. The doctor had said that Li Zhongyi was fortunate to have encountered a skilled physician—his leg had been saved, and all he needed now was rest.

Hearing Lin Heng’s offer, they immediately declined. They already owed their third brother too much.

Lin Heng didn’t insist. He set down the meat and reminded his sister to take good care of her husband. “Don’t skimp on food,” he told her. “Eating well will help him recover faster.”

Then he turned to the children and said, “These fish and meatballs were specially prepared for you by your third aunt. They’re delicious.”

The children weren’t familiar with fish or meatballs, but hearing the words “fish” and “meat” was enough for them to know it would be a treat.

Da Feng looked up at Lin Heng and said, “Thank you, Third Uncle and Third Aunt.”

Sumei also expressed her gratitude. “Tell Third Sister-in-law that she shouldn’t have gone to such trouble. We’ll be sure to visit during the New Year and thank her properly.”

Before Lin Heng left, Li Zhongyi’s parents prepared some vegetables for him to take home. They had nothing else of value to give, but they insisted he bring some cabbage and radishes.

Lin Heng didn’t refuse, letting them fill his basket before taking his leave.

After he left, Sumei brought the meat to the main house and announced, “Third Brother brought this over. Let’s add it to dinner tonight.”

Her mother-in-law was deeply appreciative of Lin Heng’s generosity. Meat was a rare treat for ordinary folk—something they might only get to eat once a year. “That Third Uncle of yours is truly thoughtful,” she said to the children.

The kindness Lin Heng had shown to Sumei’s family hadn’t gone unnoticed by Old Man Li and his wife. He had paid for the medical expenses in the county, and now he was even sending meat for them to eat. The rapid recovery of their third son’s leg was all thanks to him.

They weren’t ungrateful people. They couldn’t afford to pay him back in silver, but they could at least send him some vegetables. That was all they had to offer.

When Lin Heng returned home, Wanqing saw the basket full of cabbage and radishes and immediately understood that it had come from his in-laws. Smiling, she remarked, “That’s good. At least they aren’t ungrateful people—they know how to repay kindness.”

Zhiyuan, who was nearby, asked in a soft voice, “What does ‘ungrateful people’ mean?”

Wanqing explained, “Ungrateful people are those who accept kindness but repay it with harm.”

Mrs. Li chuckled and said to Zhiyuan, “You’re still young. You’ll understand when you grow up.”

But Wanqing disagreed. “He should learn now, so he won’t suffer losses when he grows up.”

On the other side of the room, Lu Jin listened to their conversation with amusement. This family was truly unusual—there was no rigid hierarchy, and no strict rules about what could or couldn’t be said. Oddly enough, he found himself liking it.

He even felt a little envious.

Despite their poverty, this family was warm and full of life.

But he never would have guessed that just a few months ago, things had been entirely different.

Because of one person—someone who didn’t quite belong to this world—this family had changed in ways they themselves hadn’t even realized.