Chapter 23: Secretly Ensuring Her Safety

Handsome, with a great physique—Hu Zhaodi, who had never dated in her previous life, was a bit tempted to poke this man’s abs.

But she couldn’t. Right now, she looked barely over ten, and she couldn’t afford to come across as infatuated.

Suppressing the urge to poke Mo Jinnan’s abs, Hu Zhaodi quickly finished changing his bandages.

“It’s getting late. I need to head back. Be careful not to get your wound wet, and take another dose of medicine later,” she said.

Mo Jinnan nodded. “Come early tomorrow. Don’t forget, I paid you two hundred taels to cook for me.” Hu Zhaodi rolled her eyes. “Don’t worry, I won’t forget. I have a strong sense of professionalism.”

Mo Jinnan blinked in surprise. Professionalism? That was a new term. He’d heard of virtues for officials, doctors, and teachers, but this was the first time he’d heard of professionalism!

With that, Hu Zhaodi strode off towards the mountain’s edge.

“Remember to bring me a blanket tomorrow!” Mo Jinnan’s voice called out from behind her.

Hu Zhaodi stumbled slightly and turned around. “I don’t have any blankets. Have your subordinate gather some dry grass. Look at what I’m wearing—does my family look like it can afford a blanket?”

Mo Jinnan twitched his mouth. “Didn’t I give you two hundred taels? Couldn’t you buy one?”

“Mister, those two hundred taels are my cooking fee. You didn’t give me blanket money. And our village is half a day’s journey from the county town. Are you sure you want me to spend that time instead of cooking?”

Mo Jinnan frowned. “Fine, forget it. You can go.”

Without hesitation, Hu Zhaodi turned and jogged towards the village.

By the time she reached the village entrance, it was already dark.

Just as expected, Old Man Ji and his wife were standing there with torches, worry etched on their faces.

Seeing Hu Zhaodi return safely, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

“Mr. Ji Ji, Mrs. Ji, what are you doing out here?”

Mrs. Ji smiled kindly. “It’s so late, we were worried about you! It’s dangerous to be out at night.”

Hu Zhaodi’s eyes instantly turned misty. The Ji couple’s genuine care touched her deeply.

No blood ties, but true family.

Supporting each of them with an arm, she said, “Let’s go home.”

With a loving look, Mrs. Ji said, “Child, this time you bought so much food and fabric, but don’t do that next time. You need to save more money for your future.”

Hu Zhaodi chuckled. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Ji. I still have money.”

“All that rice and flour must’ve cost quite a bit.”

“Not much, really. I sold a rare herb and thought I’d buy something nutritious. Only with a healthy body can I have the energy to keep gathering herbs and making money, right?”

“Yes, yes. Use it all to nourish yourself so you can be healthy.”

Hu Zhaodi pouted playfully. “No way. I bought it for all of us. If you don’t eat, then I won’t either.”

Mrs. Ji’s eyes grew misty, her nose tingling. Such a good child—how could the Hu family have treated her so poorly?

Now that ties were severed, at least she wouldn’t suffer like before.

This girl was too thin—she didn’t even look like her fourteen years.

If they fed her well, she would surely grow strong and healthy again.

Back at the Ji family’s home, Hu Zhaodi was surprised to see a large pot of hot water simmering on the stove, all prepared by Mrs. Ji for her to bathe.

After helping carry the hot water to her room, the elderly couple left her to enjoy a proper bath.

After washing up, Hu Zhaodi changed into fresh clothes and stepped out to empty the water. She noticed Mrs. Ji sitting under the dim oil lamp, measuring the printed fabric that Mr. Ji Ji had brought back.

“Mrs. Ji, you should rest early. The light isn’t great at night, so don’t strain your eyes with sewing,” Hu Zhaodi called out.

Mrs. Ji quickly put the fabric aside. “I wasn’t sewing, just measuring it a bit. I was waiting for you to finish washing up so we could empty the water together.”

Hu Zhaodi shook her head. “Mrs. Ji, I can empty it myself. Please, go rest.”

“You’ve been busy all day, child. I’ll help, and then we can both get some rest.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Ji!” Hu Zhaodi’s voice choked up a little.

Mrs. Ji looked alarmed. “What’s wrong, dear?”

“Nothing, Mrs. Ji. It’s just that…you’re so good to me!”

“Silly child, I care about you! If only you’d stood up to the Hu family sooner, I would’ve taken you in ages ago.”

Hu Zhaodi gave a small smile. The original owner of this body had been too traumatized from years of abuse to resist the Hu family.

Remembering the past eleven years of suffering, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

The Hu family…she would never let them off easily.

After helping Hu Zhaodi dispose of the bathwater, Mrs. Ji finally headed to bed. Hu Zhaodi returned to her room, sitting cross-legged on her bed to practice her martial arts until dawn.

By morning, she felt her internal energy had grown just a bit stronger. With the experience from her previous life, cultivating this time around was so much easier.

After washing up, she greeted the Ji couple and hurried back up the mountain.

Upon arriving at the cave, she made breakfast for Mo Jinnan, ate a little herself, then headed into the woods.

Two hundred taels wasn’t enough for her to be at Mo Jinnan’s beck and call all the time. Her responsibility only covered three meals a day.

So, she still had to hunt, gather herbs, and keep making money.

Watching her figure disappear into the forest, Mo Jinnan frowned.

He recalled the scene of Hu Zhaodi nearly losing her life while being chased by a tiger, and he called out, “Rufeng.”

“At your service,” Rufeng replied with a salute.

“Follow Miss Hu and protect her.”

“But, Master, I should stay here to look after you. You’re still injured.”

“Enough talk. It’s just a wound; I’m not crippled. Go and guard her in secret—she doesn’t know martial arts.”

“Yes, sir.” Rufeng turned and followed after Hu Zhaodi.

Not long after setting out, Hu Zhaodi sensed someone tailing her.

Detecting no hostile intent, she guessed it was likely Mo Jinnan’s man, Rufeng.

As long as she didn’t reveal her secret space, she didn’t mind Rufeng’s presence.

She continued gathering herbs along the way, and after half an hour, she stumbled upon a bunch of wild mushrooms growing on a dead tree trunk.

Wow! Wild mushrooms—what a delicacy!

But seeing so many, and not being able to stash them in her space, she realized she wouldn’t be able to carry them all back alone.

Reluctantly, she turned around and shouted, “Rufeng, is that you following me? Come on out! There’s something good here, and I can’t take it all back by myself.”

Hidden nearby, Rufeng was shocked. He’d been so careful—how had this young girl spotted him?

Could it be that she actually knew martial arts, despite the Master’s assumption?

No way…

How could someone without martial arts training detect him in stealth?

Absurd!

But since he’d been called out, and she’d even admitted there was something valuable she couldn’t carry alone, it would be unreasonable not to show himself.

With a flash, Rufeng appeared before Hu Zhaodi, looking slightly embarrassed.