Chapter 23: 23 couples
Editor: Atlas Studios

Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang both got up early.

Xiao Liulang went to the village entrance to fetch water.

First, Gu Jiao checked on the old lady in the cottage. The red patches on her face had faded to the point where they were almost invisible, and the skin damage on the back of her hand had also basically disappeared.

Although she was far from a complete recovery, her infectiousness had been cut off.

Satisfied, Gu Jiao touched her chin, turned and went to the kitchen to prepare medicine for the old lady.

Looking at the bitter medicine brought before her, the old lady rolled her eyes in disgust.

To convince her to take the medicine, Gu Jiao had Xiao Liulang bring some candied fruit from town. The old lady loved candied fruit, but if she refused to drink the medicine, there would be no candied fruit for her.

Gu Jiao placed a bowl of medicine and a small plate of candied fruit on the table at the same time.

“So little! Only three!” The old lady was seriously dissatisfied with the quantity of candied fruit.

“Candied fruit is expensive. If you don’t want to eat it, so be it.” Gu Jiao said, and reached out to take the plate of candied fruit.

With a resentful glare at Gu Jiao, the old lady grabbed the candied fruit and reluctantly downed the bowl of bitter medicine.

Since Xiao Liulang had to go to the Medical Hall for treatment today, Gu Jiao had to accompany him, but she couldn’t leave the old woman alone at home.

Gu Jiao considered taking the old lady with her, but with security checkpoints along the way, they might risk being recognized by the authorities and their efforts would be in vain.

Although she was unsure if the old lady was indeed the leprosy patient being pursued by the authorities, it was better to be safe than sorry.

After much thought, Gu Jiao called over Gu Xiaoshun.

“Sister! You finally let me in!” Gu Xiaoshun excitedly said.

Gu Jiao said: “I’m going to town with your brother-in-law today. You will stay at home and look after the old lady. Her disease is no longer contagious, and the room has been disinfected.”

Gu Xiaoshun didn’t understand what disinfection meant, nor did he question how his sister knew that the disease was no longer contagious. He readily agreed, “Alright! Sister, don’t worry! I will watch over her!”

“I’ve left lunch in the pot, just serve her a portion,” Gu Jiao continued instructing.

Gu Xiaoshun pounded his chest, “Sister, you can trust me!”

Recalling something, Gu Jiao advised, “If someone asks, just say she is your brother-in-law’s relative, come to seek refuge with him.”

Gu Xiaoshun obediently agreed, “Okay!”

Just as Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang left, the gangsters who used to follow Gu Xiaoshun came knocking on the door.

“Boss! At last, we see you again! Heard you went to study, it seems you also picked up Dashun’s tricks! Let’s go! Let’s make some scores!”

“Scram! Scram! Scram! I’ve got important things to do!” Gu Xiaoshun dismissed them without hesitation.

Although he’d been itching for action for quite a while, he must fulfill the task his sister entrusted him with.

When Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang arrived at the Huichun Hall, Fen Lin had already been pacing anxiously at the entrance for quite some time. Their agreed meeting time with Huichun Hall was two hours past dawn, but he came an hour early, fearing there would be too many people seeking Dr. Zhang’s treatment.

However, after waiting for half of those two hours, there were no signs of a queue forming.

Just as he was wondering, he saw Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao.

His face instantly darkened, “Why are you here?”

Gu Jiao smiled lightly, “Just passing by.”

Fen Lin was confused. Wasn’t this wicked woman interested in someone else? Why was she constantly clinging to Xiao Liulang? She even followed him for his treatment!

What was wrong with Xiao Liulang? Wasn’t it important for him to get treatment? Why bring trouble upon himself? What if something went wrong?

Fen Lin warned coldly, “I must warn you, once we’re in the Medical Hall, you mustn’t speak out of turn or touch anything randomly. Do not cause trouble for Xiao Liulang and delay his leg treatment!”

“Oh.” Gu Jiao replied, she was neither impatient nor irritable.

However, Xiao Liulang frowned at Fen Lin, leaned on his crutch, and walked in.

The one who received them was Shopkeeper Wang.

Shopkeeper Wang had been waiting for quite a while. He greeted them warmly, taking a quick glance at Gu Jiao before saying to Fen Lin, “Master Fen, you’re here. This must be Master Xiao, your friend. I am Wang, the shopkeeper of Huichun Hall.”

Xiao Liulang nodded slightly.

Shopkeeper Wang marvelled inwardly, this young master Xiao was exceedingly handsome. Even in ragged clothes, he was more refined and elegant than any young master he had ever met.

“And this is…” Shopkeeper Wang looked at Gu Jiao, pretending not to know her.

Xiao Liulang paused before saying, “My wife, Gu.”

Gu Jiao thought to herself, wife Gu, hmm, this title sounds nice.

Shopkeeper Wang bowed and smiled, “So it’s Mrs. Xiao, my apologies for not recognizing you sooner.”

Gu Jiao thought, it doesn’t sound as pleasant when you say it.

“Shopkeeper Wang, is Doctor Zhang really here? Why don’t I see any patients lining up?” Fen Lin asked.

“Well, that’s because Dr. Zhang’s injury hasn’t fully healed and can’t accept many patients. I didn’t spread the news, only notified a few really anxious patients. There’s only one appointment this morning, which is you, and the rest are in the afternoon!” Shopkeeper Wang had anticipated Fen Lin’s question and had prepared his response ahead of time.

“I see.” Fen Lin believed him.

Shopkeeper Wang suggested, “Master Fen, please rest in the Grand Hall for a while. I will take Master Xiao inside for Dr. Zhang’s treatment.”

“Can’t I go in too?” Fen Lin inquired.

Shopkeeper Wang smiled and replied, “I’m afraid that would be inappropriate.”

Fen Lin considered this and nodded, “Alright then, I’ll entrust Xiao Liulang to your care, Shopkeeper Wang. You must make sure Dr. Zhang cures him!”

Shopkeeper Wang glanced at Gu Jiao out of the corner of his eye and smiled, “We will do our best.”

Once Xiao Liulang and Shopkeeper Wang entered the back rooms, Gu Jiao also stood up.

“What are you doing?” Fen Lin asked suspiciously.

“Going to the restroom.” Gu Jiao replied.

Fen Lin’s face turned red, “Go and come back quickly, don’t wander off!”

Gu Jiao went to the back courtyard with her little backpack on her back.

When she walked into the room, Xiao Liulang was already asleep on the wicker chair.

Shopkeeper Wang and the second shopkeeper were there.

“Miss Gu.” The second shopkeeper greeted.

Gu Jiao’s eyes swept over the incense burner on the table, then fell on Xiao Liulang’s handsome, sleeping face. She asked, “There’s nothing wrong with this incense, is there?”

The second shopkeeper replied kindly, “Only some calming incense. It’s our own blend here at Huichun Hall, it won’t harm the body. Will Miss Gu start the treatment now?”

“Hmm.” Gu Jiao walked over, placing her small backpack on the table, which contained her first aid kit. However, she didn’t intend to take it out in front of them.

The second shopkeeper was curious. Since Xiao Liulang was her husband, why didn’t she tell him directly? Or were they not a real couple?

However, the second shopkeeper was a smart man. In business, one should have more ears and fewer mouths.

He knew better than to ask questions that should not be asked.