Chapter 44: A Dark and Windy Night for Murder

After instructing Xiao Hu to spread the rumors, Chen Jie arrived at Physician Bai's house.

"Morning, Jiu Si."

As soon as he entered, Chen Jie saw Wu Zhong.

Today, Wu Zhong was completely different from yesterday. He looked radiant, his eyes were bright and spirited, giving off the impression of an old man experiencing a sudden burst of youthful vigor. He seemed to have returned to his peak state in his thirties.

Seeing Chen Jie, he greeted him warmly.

"Uncle Zhong, you look in great spirits."

Chen Jie offered a compliment, and Wu Zhong laughed. "Right? I feel like my complexion is quite good too, haha..."

After a few words, Physician Bai came out and arranged today's lessons for Chen Jie, though he also left him enough time to practice his fist techniques.

Yesterday, Wu Hong had told Physician Bai that Chen Jie had good talent and was a potential martial artist.

Physician Bai had once served as a resident physician for the Fishing Gang, so he knew better than anyone that the status of a martial artist was far higher than that of a doctor, and a doctor who knew martial arts commanded even more respect.

In his youth, had his physical constitution not been poor, he would have studied martial arts as well. Therefore, he was very supportive of Chen Jie's pursuit.

Thus, the day passed in an orderly fashion.

In the evening, after dinner, Chen Jie headed home. Before he left, Physician Bai mentioned that he had used Chen Jie's one hundred and twenty taels of silver to purchase many rare herbs. Once they arrived, he could concoct them into a medicinal bath to assist Chen Jie in his cultivation. The medicine was expected to arrive within a day or two.

Chen Jie hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

After eating his fill, Chen Jie took some leftovers home as usual.

Today's meal was excellent: braised pork and pure white flour steamed buns. Since Wu Zhong had "rejuvenated," the Bai family treated it as a celebration, so they had made braised pork to mark the occasion. The remaining half-bowl of braised pork was brought back to treat little Dou Ding.

"Sister-in-law, it's delicious!"

Looking at little Dou Ding's oil-slicked mouth, Chen Jie couldn't help but pat her head.

Su Yunjin was also eating happily. The matter with Ma Liu's debt had been resolved, and Chen Jie wasn't being made difficult by the Bai family while learning his craft. Wasn't life getting better day by day?

In another two years, once Chen Jie successfully mastered his skills, he could practice medicine independently and start earning money. Once the family had a steady income, they would no longer be like floating duckweed without roots; they could live a stable life.

Wasn't such a peaceful, ordinary life quite good?

He would practice medicine, she would cook for him, and in their leisure time, they could read a book or two of poetry. Wasn't that wonderful? She had already begun to long for her pastoral life.

Looking at the two women's satisfied faces, Chen Jie's eyes were full of affection. They truly were two women who were easily satisfied; did they never dream of great wealth and high status?

In truth, who wouldn't want wealth and status? But after experiencing enough hardship, they had discovered that peace and simplicity were the true essence of life.

Wasn't their current life a hundred times better than when Chen Jie was a degenerate gambler?

They knew how to be content, but Chen Jie knew that this world was predatory. To live well, one could only adapt to the law of the jungle.

Just like now—they were content with their current state, unaware that the demons Yu Sanliu and Ma Liu were already eyeing them. They wanted peace, but demons were lurking nearby; only by making oneself strong could one protect their family.

Having lived two lifetimes, Chen Jie understood one truth

You become what you consume. If you consume suffering, you will only suffer more. If you want to be human, you must consume the predators!

"Are you full? If you're full, let's go to sleep."

Chen Jie looked at the two satisfied women. Little Dou Ding patted her small belly and said, "I'm full. The braised pork was so yummy. I wish I could eat it every day."

Su Yunjin gave Dou Ding a light tap. "In your dreams. If you ate it every day, you'd be fat to death."

Dou Ding chirped, "Hee hee, if I can eat braised pork every day, then let me be fat to death, hee hee..."

As the two women spoke, Chen Jie said, "Mm. If Rui Rui wants to eat braised pork, then Rui Rui must be good and obedient. Hurry, let Sister accompany you to sleep."

"Mm." Little Dou Ding nodded. "Rui Rui is the most obedient."

However, Su Yunjin looked at Chen Jie with surprise. He was acting very strange today!

Usually, after dinner, he always liked to take advantage of her, fearing that if she went to sleep with Rui Rui too early, he wouldn't be able to tease her. But today, why was he constantly urging her to sleep?

Was he hiding something from her?

Su Yunjin looked up at Chen Jie and asked, "Husband, are you hiding something from me?"

"I... what could I possibly be hiding from you? Don't overthink it."

Su Yunjin replied, "It's not right. You're acting unusual today."

"Am I? Rui Rui, do you think Brother-in-law is acting unusual today?" Chen Jie asked little Dou Ding.

"Hmm, what does 'unusual' mean?" Rui Rui thought for a moment and asked a sharp question.

"It means being different from usual."

Rui Rui thought about it and said, "Brother-in-law didn't pester Sister today..."

*Uh, is it that obvious?*

Chen Jie frowned. Su Yunjin looked at him and said, "You are hiding something, aren't you?"

"Can I not say?" Chen Jie countered.

Su Yunjin fell silent, then nodded after a moment. "You don't have the heart to force me, so how could I have the heart to force you? I won't ask what you are going to do, but you must tell me—is it dangerous?"

Chen Jie looked into her eyes, his gaze filled with emotion. He nodded gently. "It's not dangerous. Just a small matter. I expect to be back before dawn."

"Mm." Su Yunjin nodded and immediately went to prepare his outer coat for his night trip. "The wind is strong outside. Wear a coat so you don't catch a cold. By the way, when are you leaving?"

"I'm leaving now."

"So soon? Mm, then you must be careful. Rui Rui and I will wait for you to return."

As Su Yunjin's instructions continued, Chen Jie smiled.

The night was like a hook, with a crescent moon hanging in the sky. The door to the Chen family's small courtyard opened. Wrapped in an outer coat, Chen Jie said to Su Yunjin, who was standing at the gate, "Go back inside. It's cold out here."

"After I go out, make sure to bolt the door. Don't open it for anyone until I get back, okay?" Chen Jie said tenderly.

Su Yunjin nodded. "I know. Don't worry, we will be fine at home. Don't let your work distract you by worrying about us."

Chen Jie nodded. "I'm going."

Su Yunjin waved. "Go on, be careful on the night road."

"It's fine. Go back in."

"Mm."

"Go back, go back."

As Chen Jie walked down the night road, he turned back and waved, signaling Su Yunjin to return to the house.

As his figure gradually receded, the light of the crescent moon shone upon the traveler's back. Beneath the wooden gate, a slender silhouette stood in the shadow, watching the man's departing back with eyes full of worry and reluctance.

But she did not call out to him, nor did she ask him to stop.

The man was already tired enough from supporting this family. Even if she could not do much for him, she could not become a burden, and she certainly could not make him stop for her sake...

All she could do was prepare his clothes when he went far away, prepare hot soup for when he returned, and when he departed, pray silently...

For safety, for smoothness.

And for his early return home.