Chapter 3: Labor First in the Sixties

Gu Yu’s expression darkened slightly as he felt a rush of blood to his head. His fierce gaze deepened, and his eyes flashed with reproach as he scooped a spoonful of egg water to feed Lin Muqing.

Lin Muqing was quite reluctant, treating the soup as if it were a toy.

“Why not just break a leg for him? Blame it on my inability to restrain myself, or maybe it was just fate that we crossed paths,” he said in a somewhat aggrieved tone.

“Did he fall off a slope?” Lin Muqing didn’t refuse; after all, he was familiar with it and drank spoonful after spoonful until the bowl was empty.

Gu Yu pondered, “The road was a bit slippery, I stumbled and fell, and then I saw someone else.”

Lin Muqing reminded him, “Didn’t I hear Liu Jianqun say that he was the one who saw you fall?”

“I’ll check on that.”

That evening, Gu Yu’s mood improved, and he killed a chicken, plus there were two wild chickens for making soup.

Gu Yu’s father placed two chicken legs into Lin Muqing’s bowl, saying, “Eat up, you’ve been wronged.”

Lin Muqing nodded. He felt full of strength and thought whether to eat the chicken leg was not based on past experiences but rather on the current moment; he didn’t reject it any longer despite several elders urging him to eat.

“Thank you, Dad.”

Grandpa Gu and Grandma Gu offered him vegetables, and then everyone got to eating.

Grandpa Gu urged him, “Today, your body is a bit weak, so eat a bowl of rice. With Gu Yu here, you don’t need to worry; they won’t dare come back!”

Lin Muqing found it strange, saying, “Isn’t his complexion better than the last few days? His skin looks fairer, and his face is much rosier now.”

Lin Muqing had just seen himself in the bathroom mirror; his complexion had improved a few shades, and he looked healthier and more radiant. His previous pallor was gradually disappearing.

Gu Yu smiled and dismissed the topic, “Gu Yuis back, so you don’t need to worry; it’s not an issue anymore.”

Gu Yu caught a glance from Lin Muqing, and he didn’t know why his ears were suddenly hot, caught by Lin Muqing’s gaze.

Lin Muqing’s tone was serious as he said, “Gu Yu, make sure to bring a chopping knife to work tomorrow!”

“I know, Mom.”

That night, they eventually went to bed after showering.

Lin Muqing lay on the bed, feeling somewhat out of place on the one-meter-eight wooden board.

It was mid-summer, and wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts felt hot, so he spread out a thin blanket, lying close to the wall, feeling stifled.

To compound the heat was the warm body next to him, and during winter, it would definitely be much warmer than burning coals.

Just then, he felt a gentle pat on his shoulder, causing his body to tense even more.

“Go to sleep.”

A deep, husky voice whispered in his ear, and there was the faint sound of a breeze; the cool wind blew over, and he subconsciously leaned closer toward Gu Yu, who was fanning him.

The man, who had previously appeared so cunning, surprised Lin Muqing with his kindness.

After a while, as the cool breeze continued, Lin Muqing gradually relaxed and fell asleep.

He awoke to the sound of roosters crowing, as if calling for the sun to rise.

It was only five o’clock; the outside faintly lit up.

Lin Muqing lay flat, his left arm inadvertently touching Gu Yu’s right arm. The man lay with his bare shoulders exposed, and Lin Muqing adjusted slightly to face the wall.

The system chimed in, “Is the host being too cautious? Gu Yu’s character is pretty good, he’s handsome, and his physique is more than adequate. Isn’t he supposed to be less reserved? His sensitivity rating has increased from forty to sixty. Forty means just friends, while sixty means he has feelings!”

“Why are you in such a hurry? Relax a bit,” Lin Muqing retorted at the system.

He felt even more restless.

The system replied, “My fault, I shouldn’t have said anything. If you choose one link, I can give you a subsidy; please don’t be angry.”

Lin Muqing: “Is there any need for this?”

“Are you awake?” Gu Yu’s voice came from behind him, light and hoarse from morning sleep.

“Uh-huh,” Lin Muqing replied, his voice still groggy but warm enough to catch Gu Yu’s attention.

“I’ll make breakfast; you can sleep a bit longer.”

Gu Yu sat up, quickly got out of bed, and turned to glance back at Lin Muqing. Hair that had been neatly styled was now disheveled around the pillow, and his slender back showed a subtle musculature that was revealed through his thin clothes. Gu Yu felt a slight tension in his body before quietly leaving the room to let Lin Muqing rest comfortably.

Lin Muqing wasn’t used to this, coupled with the fact that he didn’t sleep too well last night; he felt uncomfortable and had to keep on his back to avoid waking up Gu Yu.

Lin Muqing stayed in bed for a little while and then opened the system’s funding group for support.

“I bought this godly elixir for cultivation; a roast chicken is very rare around here. Thanks for the system’s help, by the way. I’m not mad. I’ll make sure to complete the task soon.”

The system felt a sense of having been cheated, shedding silent tears as it paid.

Lin Muqing was curious about this incredible treasure and wondered what amazing effects it would have.

In the end, it turned out to be a small bottle containing a single black pill engraved with golden patterns inside.

After collecting his things, he headed to the kitchen.

There he found Gu Yu’s mighty figure bustling about, steaming buns, cooking a meat and vegetable soup, and making rice; the kitchen was filled with steam as he worked swiftly and skillfully.

“Since your body is weak, why don’t you get some more rest? I’ll call you when breakfast is ready.”

“I’m feeling great today; I’m used to waking up early now.”

“Come sit for a bit; it’s almost done.”

Lin Muqing moved a stool to sit nearby but noticed a ten-centimeter-long scrape on Gu Yu’s right leg. There were also several patches of bruises on his legs, and his right ankle was swollen.

He couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Gu Yu, who stood as if he could endure pain indefinitely.

He reached out and poked Gu Yu gently.

“Ah! What are you doing?” Gu Yu quickly withdrew his leg, feeling the pressure numb his injury.

“It doesn’t look too serious; let me take care of it,” Lin Muqing said.

Gu Yu laughed, “No need. It’s mostly scabbed over.”

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Once breakfast was ready, it revealed a spread that the host had prepared.

Everyone gathered around to eat, finalize the day’s plans.

After breakfast, Lin Muqing pulled Gu Yu back into the room.

“I brought some medicinal oil from my mother’s home; it’s very effective. Let me put some on,” Lin Muqing said as he took out the bruise balm that the original host had brought along.

He mixed a drop of healing potion with the bruise balm to dilute it, which was effective enough to improve the situation significantly.

“I’ll help you.”

Gu Yu sat in a chair, feeling the effects of the balm ripple through the area around the applied pressure; “No need, I’ll do it myself; this oil smells bad, I can handle it.”

Lin Muqing insisted despite Gu Yu’s reluctance and started applying the balm to his injuries.

As Lin Muqing massaged the bruise, Gu Yu’s injury gradually softened, and the color lightened.

The long scrape stopped bleeding instantly, and he could almost feel it healing.

Lin Muqing realized this was more effective than he had anticipated from just a drop of diluted potion.

Gu Yu was surprised, “Is the effect of this oil really so remarkable?”

“It was left to me by my grandpa, who soaked it himself; he was a master in treating injuries,” Lin Muqing confidently stated.

This was a safe lie since the original host’s grandfather was indeed a renowned doctor; providing this believable backstory soothed Gu Yu’s surprise.

Gu Yu felt that the pain in his leg had lessened significantly; the wounds were scabbing over, and the bruises had nearly faded away.

Meanwhile, Lin Muqing became more familiar with Gu Yu, and occasionally, Gu Yu would share interesting anecdotes about his military experiences.

While washing clothes and tidying up, Lin Muqing helped in the household chores.

Gu Yu worked from early morning, earning points by laboring, going hunting in the afternoon, which included catching wild chickens and rabbits. After a busy night, he would soak Lin Muqing’s feet in warm water, causing Lin Muqing to feel invigorated.

Daily meals included meat, so there was no need to do hard labor; it was more about helping with cooking.

Lin Muqing felt himself gaining weight; upon arrival, he was eighty-three kilograms, but within a month, he was approaching a hundred kilograms.

His body had undergone adjustments, losing excess fat and strengthening muscle; combined with practicing yoga, his once slender physique had transformed into an alluring hourglass, with radiant skin and a toned figure.

Each time Gu Yu returned to bed, Lin Muqing didn’t dare meet his eyes, and he was careful not to lie too close at night.