Chapter 2

“This…”

Wang Sanpao panicked. He was indeed the local tyrant of Wangjiabao Village and completely ignorant of the law, but he still knew that murder required a life in return. If someone died, they would have to eat a “peanut”—a bullet. That much, he understood. But how did this fool die just from drinking a couple of mouthfuls?

“What should I do? What should I do…?”

In the end, he steeled himself. This was just a fool, after all. He could just say the idiot fell into the water vat and drowned by accident. It had nothing to do with him. In fact, he was doing the fool a favor, freeing him from suffering so he could be reincarnated into a better life. The fool should be grateful to him!

Yes! That’s the plan!

Wang Sanpao got up from the ground, walked over to the woman, and threatened viciously, “The fool is already dead. You’ll say he drowned in the water vat by himself. If you dare tell anyone the truth, neither of us will get away with it. Hmph!” After saying that, he flicked his sleeves and walked away.

But while Wang Sanpao could just leave the mess behind, she couldn’t—especially since it was inside her own house.

Liu Axiang quickly ran over and lifted Wang Tiezhu from the ground, calling out anxiously,

“Tiezhu, Tiezhu! Wake up! Wake up! Don’t scare Xiangxiang-jie!”

No matter how much she shook him or called out, there was no response. Panicking, she burst into tears.

“Wuwuwu… Tiezhu, it’s all my fault… Tiezhu… wuwuwu!”

Suddenly, she recalled something she had seen on television. When someone nearly drowned, artificial respiration could sometimes bring them back. She wasn’t sure how to do it properly, but she had seen it done before. Right now, she had no choice but to try.

She leaned down and breathed into his mouth, then pressed on his chest, repeating the process over and over.

“Tiezhu, you can’t die…”

Five or six minutes passed, and he still didn’t move. But Liu Axiang refused to give up. She leaned down again and pressed her lips firmly to his.

“Hmm?”

Lying on the ground, Wang Tiezhu let out a faint groan, his senses slowly returning. In his hazy state, he felt something soft pressing against his lips—warm and comforting. Instinctively, he flicked his tongue out and licked it.

“Ah!”

Liu Axiang, who had been focused on reviving him, yelped in shock.

“Tiezhu, you… you’re awake!?” She quickly helped him sit up.

A stream of water gushed from his stomach, and he coughed violently. After a long while, he finally caught his breath.

Dazed, he opened his eyes and saw a beautiful young woman in front of him. He was confused.

“Uh… who are you?”

He vaguely remembered drinking with friends late at night. He had gotten drunk and somehow fallen into a river. The next thing he knew, he was here.

Hesitantly, he asked, “Did you save me?”

Liu Axiang didn’t notice his strange behavior. She was simply overjoyed that he had woken up. She pulled him into her ample embrace and sobbed,

“Tiezhu, you’re awake! You scared me to death! Wuwuwu…”

“Uh… uh… uh…”

Wang Tiezhu was caught off guard by this unexpected blessing. His hands hovered awkwardly in the air, not knowing where to put them. The two soft mounds pressing against him made it hard to breathe.

Meanwhile, deep within his mind, memories that did not belong to him surged out like a broken dam.

“Xiangxiang-jie, c-can you let go a little?” Wang Tiezhu had now fully absorbed all the memories of this body. “I can’t breathe.”

“Oh! Oh…”

Liu Axiang finally came back to her senses and quickly let go. “Tiezhu, are… are you alright?”

Wang Tiezhu waved a hand. “Xiangxiang-jie, I’m fine now. Thank you for saving me.”

“No need to thank me!”

Liu Axiang said, “I should be the one thanking you! If not for… Wait… Tiezhu, your brain… you’re not stupid anymore?”

She suddenly realized that Wang Tiezhu was speaking clearly and logically. More importantly, his previously dull, lifeless eyes were now bright and sharp. He didn’t look like a fool at all.

Wang Tiezhu nodded. “Xiangxiang-jie, I think the shock just now somehow cleared the blockage in my brain, and my illness is gone.”

“That’s wonderful, Tiezhu!” Liu Axiang was genuinely happy for him. “Your parents and your sister will be overjoyed to hear that you’ve recovered.”

But as she spoke, her expression darkened slightly. She hesitated before saying, “Tiezhu… now that you’re better and no longer a fool, will you… ignore Xiangxiang-jie from now on?”

“Of course not!”

Wang Tiezhu grinned. “Xiangxiang-jie is so beautiful. Why would I ignore you?”

Liu Axiang’s face turned bright red. Shyly, she muttered, “Tiezhu, you’re such a flirt… But I like it.”

Wang Tiezhu simply chuckled and stood up. “Xiangxiang-jie, don’t tell anyone about what happened today, okay?”

“Huh? Why?”

Liu Axiang frowned. “That bastard Wang Sanpao almost killed you! We should report him to the police and have him arrested.”

Wang Tiezhu shook his head. “It’s useless. Wang Sanpao acts so arrogantly because he has connections. And even if we report him, I’m perfectly fine now—what would I even say to the police?

“Besides, it’s the middle of the night, and it was just the two of us, a man and a woman, alone together. I don’t mind, but it might damage your reputation, Xiangxiang-jie. Let’s just let this go for now. I’ll remember this grudge and settle it with Wang Sanpao when the time is right.”

“Mm!”

Liu Axiang nodded obediently. She was touched that Wang Tiezhu was thinking of her. Blushing, she murmured, “Tiezhu, you’re so good to me… I’ll listen to you.”

Wang Tiezhu glanced at the clock on the wall. “Xiangxiang-jie, it’s getting late. I’ll head home now. If you ever get pricked by thorns again, just let me know. I’ll come over and pull them out for you.”

Liu Axiang recalled their ‘intimate’ moment earlier and felt her face heat up. She huffed, “Tiezhu, you’re so bad! I’m not letting you touch me again. Hmph! Keep dreaming!”

Wang Tiezhu chuckled bitterly. That wasn’t what he meant, but he didn’t bother explaining.

“Well, Xiangxiang-jie, I’ll be off now.”

Leaving Liu Axiang’s house, he walked home, muttering to himself, “How did I end up in a fool’s body? Wang Tiezhu, you were once a legendary divine doctor, a man of high status. And now, you’re a village idiot?”

Sigh…

Should he laugh or cry?

But since he had no family or attachments in his past life, there was nothing to tie him down. Now, he had a youthful body, his parents were alive, and he had a little sister. It didn’t seem so bad.

With that thought, his last bit of unease disappeared. Whistling, he headed home.

Ten minutes later, he arrived at his house and saw a shadow crouching over the courtyard wall, sneakily peering inside.

Inside the courtyard, the sound of water splashing echoed—someone was bathing.

Wang Tiezhu instantly understood.

This bastard was peeping!

His eyes flashed coldly as he grabbed a nearby dung ladle, scooped up a full load from the manure pit, and crept closer…