Chapter 71: 071. Leave Early (Second Revision)
Translator: 549690339
The night deepened, and Su Liang brought hot water into Yan Shiba’s room.
This place was usually for receiving patients, with a simple screen handmade by Ning Jing. There was a table and chair outside and a bed inside.
As she went past the screen, she saw Yan Shiba lying in bed with her eyes open, quiet, wooden, and lifeless.
At the sight of Su Liang, she seemed to have pressed a button and suddenly came to life, her voice soft and tender, “Sister Liang.”
Su Liang frowned, “If you don’t want to talk, you don’t have to, there’s no need to be so exaggerated.”
Yan Shiba’s eyes flickered, and her smile grew even warmer, ‘What kind of style does Sister Liang like? Tell me, I can do it all.”
Su Liang shook her head, “Since you’re not an assassin for now, just rest.”
Yan Shiba’s eyes gradually deepened, “You saved me for the first time because we had a common enemy, and it was to your advantage if I killed Yan Sui. What are you after this time?”
Upon hearing this, Su Liang twisted the cloth in her hand and thought for a moment before saying, “Although we had conflicts in the past, we don’t bear any grudges. You killed my friend Yang Yu’s older brother, but his death wasn’t a bad thing. I’m a doctor, and when a wounded person comes to my door, if there’s no enmity between us, I’ll naturally save them, and I’ll also charge for it.”
Yan Shiba sneered, “Doctor? You save anyone so long as they don’t have a grudge against you? If it’s someone with a heinous criminal record who just hasn’t offended you, will you save them too?”
Su Liang nodded calmly, “I can save them. I’m accumulating Medical Skills experience. First, I’ll heal the person, then determine if they are a villain, then try the many different ways of death I’ve imagined, to carry out justice on behalf of heaven. It’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?”
Yan Shiba never expected Su Liang’s answer to be so strange, her face stiffened and her eyes became defensive, “Could it be that you plan to do that to me?”
Su Liang sneered, “Figured it out? It’s too late. You’ve walked into your own trap. If you can, try and run.”
Yan Shiba had a ghostly expression, “You… I really got the wrong idea about you! But have you forgotten, I still have hidden weapons! Today, it’s your time to die!”
“I’m so scared!” Su Liang said as she slapped the open hot cloth onto Yan Shiba’s face, wiping it haphazardly and complaining, “So dirty.”
“Sister Liang, you’re no fun. Why don’t you continue playing? I was waiting for that Ning fellow with the pretty face to come rushing in to save you, so I could give him a needle!” Yan Shiba’s tone was casual, but beneath the covered blanket, her left hand gripping the concealed weapon loosened abruptly.
Su Liang was washing the cloth, and Yan Shiba cast affectionate glances at her, “Sister Liang, to think I’m not even worth being called a heinous criminal in your heart, I feel so unaccomplished!”
Su Liang looked indifferent, “You were just a tool before. Do you think being an assassin is because you were born a killer?”
Yan Shiba fell silent for a moment, then sighed, “I became an assassin because my father was an assassin, I was born among assassins, and everyone around me taught me to be one. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that.” “That’s because you don’t Imow what’s good,” Su Liang said.
Yan Shiba suddenly laughed, “Sister Liang, you’re not trying to save me, are you? You aren’t that bored, are you? Do you really think you’re the reincarnation of a Bodhisattva?”
Su Liang stopped her work, frowning at Yan Shiba, “Are you sick? If you weren’t seriously injured and couldn’t leave, do you think I would let you stay? You call me sister so casually, giving me a random name, do you really think of yourself as my sister? You’re not that naive, are you? I heal you, you pay me, and you leave. It’s that simple. If you don’t like it, go away now!”
In the next room, Ning Jing heard Su Liang’s last word, and the faint curve of his lips vanished in a flash.
“How much do you want?” Yan Shiba asked as she looked at Su Liang. Su Liang snorted, “All of it. Whatever you have, that’s what I want.” “So greedy?” Yan Shiba’s face turned scornful.
Su Liang didn’t even look at her, “Isn’t that what you want? Any good intentions, and you think there’s an ulterior motive. You think you don’t deserve to be treated genuinely by others, so why bother getting close to me in such a contrived manner? If I treat you well and you can’t stand it, thinking I have another purpose, I’ll demand all of your possessions. If you don’t agree to give them, I’ll throw you out now. Will that satisfy you?”
“I! DON’T! AGREE! Throw me out!” Yan Shiba looked at Su Liang as the words escaped her mouth.
Su Liang threw the cloth back into the basin, picked up Yan Shiba, and walked out, “Ning Jing, open the door to send off our guest!”
Ning Jing’s door opened at the sound, and he walked straight to it, pulling the bolt open.
Su Liang carried Yan Shiba out without dropping her and leaned down to set her down outside the door.
Dark clouds covered the moon, and the chill was intense.
Yan Shiba’s cold eyes stared at Su Liang, a hint of mockery on her face, “Aren’t you a doctor? Is this how you treat your patients?”
“I am a doctor, but I don’t treat people who don’t know good from bad. You think I can’t truly have good intentions towards you? If this is what you want, I’ll grant it.” Su Liang said, closing the door and bolting it from inside.
“Go back to sleep, and don’t worry about it,” Su Liang said to Ning Jing. “If she wants to gamble with her life, I’ll accompany her.”
Through the closed door, Yan Shiba heard Su Liang’s words clearly, and her face darkened instantly.
The cold wind blew, and she shivered, sitting against the wall with her eyes closed, whispering inaudibly, “You have no reason to be this good to me… it must be fake…”
Unknown time had passed, and Yan Shiba felt colder and colder, her consciousness gradually blurring, and just before losing consciousness, she mumbled, “Bastard… really not taking care of me…”
It was late at night.
Su Liang was still reading when she heard a knock on her door.
“She’ll freeze to death,” Ning Jing said.
Su Liang was slightly annoyed, “If I bring her back, she won’t think I have a kind heart, she’ll think I’m trying to use her for something. She doesn’t trust anyone because of her past experiences. Do I have to coax her and beg her? I don’t have that much spare time, and I’m not that saintly.”
“When you sent her out just now, her forehead was dark. She might not survive the night. If you can accept collecting her corpse tomorrow, suit yourself.” Ning Jing finished before returning to his room.
Su Liang closed the book and walked outside emotionlessly.
Yan Shiba, outside the front door, was curled up in the cold wind, nearly freezing stiff.
Su Liang brought her back, moved the charcoal basin to the bedside, brought hot water to warm her hands, and only relaxed when her face regained color. After a while, Yang Shiba’s face grew even redder.
Feeling her forehead, she found that she had a fever.
“What a way to bring trouble upon yourself.” Su Liang called Ning Jing to bring her some alcohol and had him prepare the medicine.
“Once she’s better, kick her out immediately and give her a paper that says ‘cutting ties, whoever goes back on it is a dog’!” Su Liang said irritably, “I’ll write it later!”
After working through the night, when Yan Shiba’s fever finally subsided, the sky was almost bright.
Su Liang gave her medicine that made her fall into a deep sleep and didn’t wake up for a while.
Ning Jing fetched wooden boards and ropes for Su Liang, who then used them to secure Yan Shiba’s injured arm and leg.
After breakfast, Su Liang went to ask Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother if she could take care of Yan Shiba until they returned from the provincial city.
Since it was winter and there wasn’t much agricultural work to be done, Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother gladly agreed, assuring Su Liang that she could go with Ning Jing without worry and that she would take good care of Yan Shiba.
“Didn’t you say you were leaving on the eighth day?” Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother asked, knowing they still had a few days left.
Su Liang smiled, “We plan to hit the road ahead of schedule to avoid rushing along the way. Today, I’ll make the medicine for her. If it’s ready, we’ll leave today, otherwise tomorrow. Before we leave, I’ll ask you to come over. Please take care of things at home then.”
“You should start early, spend some time settling in the city, and not let any discomfort affect Ning Jing’s exam, ” Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother said.
Su Liang handed Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother a 100-liang silver note, telling her not to give Yan Shiba any special treatment. She instructed her to serve Yan Shiba whatever Bai Family ate, and if Yan Shiba didn’t eat, just let her go hungry.
The 100-liang note was to guarantee that Yan Shiba ate meat every day. However, it was important that everyone ate the same food, and Yan Shiba shouldn’t know that Su Liang had given the money.
“She’s weird and has been spoiled. Please don’t indulge her,” Su Liang said.
Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother was slightly confused, “Isn’t she your sister? Are you two…?” She couldn’t figure out if they were on good terms or not.
Su Liang sighed, “She’s been spoiled outside and needs some tough love. In any case, just listen to me. You’re just here to help, and if she dares to say anything offensive, scold her! Don’t hold back.”
After Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother took the money and went home, she mulled it over and concluded that Su Liang must be right, so the problem must be with Yan Shiba!
Of course, she wouldn’t scold Yan Shiba, but she certainly wouldn’t treat her like before, when she had actively taken care of Yan Shiba, fed her, and listened to her orders, after hearing that she was Su Liang’s sister.
Ning Jing went to the county town and bought some more medicinal herbs.
After locking the door, Su Liang busied herself for half a day, preparing medicinal ointment and oral medicine for Yan Shiba’s wounds. She packed them in small pouches, making them easy to use when needed.
Su Liang showed Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother how to use the ointment, reminded her of the schedule, and briefed her on things to note while boiling the medicine.
When Ning Jing passed through the town, he was seen by Hu Er’s follower. When he returned from the county town, Hu Er was waiting for him.
The custom-made carriage that Su Liang had ordered was finished, and Ning Jing took it to head back. They had also asked Hu Er for help in requesting a wheeled chair. Once it was done, it would be sent directly to Su Village.
Hu Er readily agreed, saying it wouldn’t be a problem.
They had already planned the trip, but after what happened with Yan Shiba the night before, Su Liang decided to leave early, and Ning Jing had no objections.
Su Liang, as a Doctor, saved Yan Shiba at last, but she no longer wanted anything to do with her. Yan Shiba’s sad past might have caused her psychological issues, craving affection yet refusing to trust anyone.
When Yan Shiba was eager to find Su Liang, Su Liang thought they could be friends and be kind to Yan Shiba, but instead, she grew suspicious of her intentions.
Su Liang didn’t owe Yan Shiba anything. Even if she had the time, there was no way she could indulge her.
After everything was taken care of, Su Liang and Ning Jing finished packing their belongings and prepared to leave.
Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother brought her two grandchildren to see them off and told them to be careful on the road.
“Sister Su Liang, will you come back?” Bai Xiaohu asked, feeling a bit down because his grandfather had told him that once Ning Jing became a scholar, they might not return.
Su Liang smiled and ruffled Bai Xiaohu’s hair, “We will come back for the New
Year.”
“Really?” Bai Xiaohu’s eyes lit up immediately.
Zhuzi squeezed forward, “Sister Su Liang, you should pat my head too.”
Unable to hold back a chuckle, Su Liang patted Zhuzi’s head, “You’ve grown taller, make sure to exercise well. I’ll bring you gifts when I come back.
The two boys immediately let go of Su Liang and ran to hug Ning Jing’s legs, both exclaiming:
“Brother Ning, you must protect Sister Su Liang!”
“Brother Ning, I’ll miss Sister Su Liang, and you have to bring her back soon!”
Ning Jing nodded gently, “Alright.”
Su Liang took out an envelope and handed it to Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother,
“This is a letter for Ajiu. When she wakes up, give it to her.”
Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother hurriedly took it, “The sun is setting, you better go now! Don’t worry about home, I’ll take good care of Miss Ajiu.”
Ning Jing drove the carriage, with Su Liang sitting inside. The carriage slowly crossed the bridge and headed towards the village entrance.
Su Bai heard they were leaving and caught up with them. He first asked if they would return, then told Ning Jing to take good care of Su Liang, reminding them to be careful when they were outside.
After watching the carriage leave, Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother took the letter back to Su Liang’s house and entered Yan Shiba’s room.
Seeing that she was still asleep, she left the letter on the bedside, looked at the ointment and packaged medicine on the table, and muttered to herself to remember Su Liang’s instructions. After reviewing the details, she closed the door and left.
As soon as Bai Xiaohu’s grandmother left, Yan Shiba opened her eyes.
“You said some harsh words, but you still cared in the end,” Yan Shiba scoffed.
“You arranged everything so well, but don’t assume I’m some grateful person.”
She tilted her head, saw the letter by her pillow, picked it up, bit one end with her teeth, and tore it open with one hand, revealing a thin sheet of paper inside.
Unfolding the paper, she fixed her gaze at the top line, which read, “Once you can walk again.”
Yan Shiba frowned as she looked at the empty space in the middle, then glanced at the bottom line, which read, “Get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost, get lost…”
There were a total of eighteen “get lost” phrases.
Yan Shiba stared at these words, first coldly snorting, “This is a trick to capture through releasing.”
After a short silence, she lost her composure and roared, “Ahhhhhhh! Damn it, girl, come back to me!”
The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆webnovel