Chapter 6

The old man said, “You’re on your own.”

Chu Zhaoyou held onto him.

The old man effortlessly broke free from Chu Zhaoyou’s grasp, but he was still wary of the fool beside him. He said, “I’ll give him a few acupuncture needles to bring him back to his senses. Is that okay?”

“Fine,” Chu Zhaoyou reluctantly agreed, holding Xiao Heng and exposing him to the old man. “Why don’t you practice on yourself first?”

“You can doubt my memory, but not my medical skills!” The old man’s silver needle flashed and entered Xiao Heng’s hair.

Chu Zhaoyou hurriedly asked, “Xiao Heng, does it hurt?”

Xiao Heng’s reaction was a bit slow, and Chu Zhaoyou estimated that even if it did hurt, with his strong will, he probably wouldn’t say anything. So, he focused on the old man’s hand.

The old man’s hand was steady. After the treatment, he had some sweat on his hand.

Having seen many dangerous situations, even ones a hundred times more perilous than this, Chu Zhaoyou remained silent. However, the old man felt as if he were treating a beloved concubine, with the emperor watching nearby, and he could lose his head with one wrong move.

He sighed inwardly. This was why the capital was dangerous, and he didn’t want to go there. Over the years, several groups of people had come looking for him, including the regent. Treating the powerful was the most troublesome. He would rather wander the world in tatters than get involved in these political intrigues.

But when he was in a good mood and the roasted chicken smelled good, he could treat someone who looked pleasing to the eye.

After a few needles, Xiao Heng returned to the state he was in before his most recent headache. Although he still didn’t know anything and could easily be kidnapped and forced to work in a coal mine if left on the street, at least he wasn’t a fool.

Chu Zhaoyou now truly believed that the old man could cure Xiao Heng. Although he had emptied his entire savings, he had only dared to hope for a miracle.

He smiled, and his expression softened, as if he could change his demeanor at any moment.

The old man marveled at Chu Zhaoyou’s change in expression and glanced at Xiao Heng’s belt buckle, muttering to himself, “You’ve lucked out with a good wife.”

Before leaving, the old man kindly reminded Chu Zhaoyou, “Don’t leave him before he regains consciousness.”

The old man thought that the big fool looked important and wealthy, and he didn’t want to deal with the powerful. He was willing to help because of the fool’s condition.

As the old man left, he worried that the big fool would wake up and abandon the little fool, as often depicted in stories. What a ridiculous attitude! He scratched the goosebumps on his arm. It was none of his business!

With the old man and Chu Zhaoyou’s commotion gone, the forest suddenly became quiet, so quiet that Chu Zhaoyou could hear his own heartbeat.

Thump, thump, like a drumbeat.

Xiao Heng knew nothing about the conversation between Chu Zhaoyou and the old man, but seeing Chu Zhaoyou’s thoughtful expression, his heart involuntarily tightened. He wanted to see Chu Zhaoyou smile. His smile was particularly beautiful, even more so than the Buddha in the temple.

Chu Zhaoyou had told him that the temple housed a Buddha, but when he woke up in agony in the middle of the night, the Buddha couldn’t alleviate his pain, while Chu Zhaoyou could.

Chu Zhaoyou caught Xiao Heng’s intense gaze and suddenly felt guilty. He looked up at the sky and then at the ground, scuffing the dry leaves with his shoe soles.

Two dragonflies fluttered by, and Chu Zhaoyou suddenly realized—respect life and honor natural laws.

He pointed to the two dragonflies flying together and tugged at Xiao Heng’s sleeve, his excited white fingers following the dragonflies’ movements. “Xiao Heng, look!”

A swift palm wind swept through, and the dragonflies fell to the ground with a soft thud.

Chu Zhaoyou: “…”

The death of the dragonflies was so tragic that Chu Zhaoyou felt it deeply.

Bending down, Xiao Heng picked up the two dragonflies and handed them to Chu Zhaoyou, looking puzzled. “Not enough to eat, little one.”

“…”

In reality, it wasn’t Xiao Heng’s fault. Throughout their journey, anything that could elicit that excited look in Chu Zhaoyou’s eyes and make him grab Xiao Heng to look at it was various wild foods. The next step would be to have Xiao Heng catch them.

Xiao Heng had trained Chu Zhaoyou to have a reflex. Whenever Chu Zhaoyou wanted something, he would act first without a second thought.

Chu Zhaoyou dug a hole in the pile of dry leaves and sorrowfully buried the two dragonflies.

“Eat, eat, eat. This is all you know.”

Xiao Heng stood by with his hands hanging, not understanding what Chu Zhaoyou was doing. At times like this, he usually chose to remain silent, and Chu Zhaoyou would usually explain proactively.

Chu Zhaoyou looked around again and his eyes lit up!

A natural treasure!

Two dogs, one with a brown-black coat, slightly larger, was pressing down on a big yellow dog.

Xiao Heng was about to make a move, but Chu Zhaoyou quickly stopped his hand, which happened to intertwine with his. He closed his fingers and instructed, “Shh, watch carefully.”