Thirteen thousand and thirteen.

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Emerging from the white mist, her vision gradually clearing, Luo Xu turned her head toward the newcomer. A clean, sharply defined youthful profile came into view, causing her to widen her eyes slightly. It was him—the boy Yu Mingwan liked.

Li Chongjing had grown up in Qinghe Ancient Town and knew it like the back of his hand. Almost everyone recognized him. Without hesitation, he quickly pulled Luo Xu into a nearby house as a group of ruffians rushed past outside.

Leading her through a back door and taking a few turns, Li Chongjing soon entered Qingquan Alley. Luo Xu stopped cautiously, eyeing him suspiciously when she saw that the alley ended at a house rather than an exit.

“That’s my home,” Li Chongjing said. “It’s a traditional Chinese medicine clinic. Don’t you want me to look at your injury?”

“I want to go to a hospital,” Luo Xu replied, turning to leave. Who would want to receive treatment in some rundown place like this old clinic?

Li Chongjing remained where he was. “Those thugs might be waiting at the exit. If you want to leave, have someone come pick you up here first.”

Her steps faltered instantly. If this were the capital city, a single call would… no, if this were two months ago in the capital, she wouldn’t even be facing this situation. Wherever she went, bodyguards followed at a comfortable distance, unobtrusive but protective. But now…

She glared fiercely at Li Chongjing. “If you try any tricks, I’ll make you pay.”

With that, she strode toward the Li family clinic.

Watching her back, Li Chongjing exhaled lightly and followed. But as he stepped onto the stone steps and saw the small sign on the door reading “Doctor Out on a Visit,” a bad feeling crept over him.

Chen Peirong had gone out, and no one knew when she’d return. Yet Luo Xu looked badly hurt—her face pale and sweating coldly.

Li Chongjing unlocked the door and let Luo Xu inside. The scent of traditional Chinese herbs filled the air—bitter, but not unpleasant, with a distinctive herbal fragrance. Luo Xu glanced at Li Chongjing, realizing that the scent on him was a mixture of fresh and dried herbs.

This was an ancient, simple old residence with two courtyards, front and back.

The front courtyard had been converted into the clinic. A square corridor circled a central courtyard filled with potted plants and a large water basin containing goldfish and lotus leaves. Round winnowing baskets held freshly harvested herbs drying in the sun. Several medicine boiling stoves stood nearby, and further inside was a large cabinet stocked with various medicinal materials. On either side hung white cloth curtains shielding small beds, and diagrams of acupuncture points adorned the walls.

Li Chongjing closed the door, had Luo Xu sit down, and called Chen Peirong to ask her whereabouts and when she would return.

“I’m doing acupuncture at Aunt Niu’s place. Uncle Niu needs a massage on his leg too. It’ll be at least another half hour,” Chen Peirong replied.

The Li family clinic had been established for many years, trusted by neighbors both inside and outside Qinghe Ancient Town. For most illnesses, people first sought Chen Peirong; only when she recommended hospital treatment would they go. Chen Peirong was always busy, and when neighbors who had difficulty moving called, he would bring his medicine box to visit.

Unless someone was on the verge of death, even if it was his own grandson injured, Chen Peirong would not abandon a patient in treatment to rush back.

Li Chongjing ended the call and looked at Luo Xu, who was sweating even more.

Sitting in the chair, Luo Xu felt the pain in her left scapula grow sharper as the adrenaline subsided. The pain was so intense it caused more cold sweat to bead on her skin.

“Where’s the doctor?” she demanded.

“The doctor is out visiting patients. The doctor’s grandson can take a look if you dare.”

“You?”

“Yes. Since I was little, my grandmother wanted me to inherit the family practice.”

Luo Xu eyed Li Chongjing suspiciously like a startled cat. She held no prejudice against traditional Chinese medicine; when she lived in the capital, Song Wan often visited the Chinese medicine hospital and frequently brought back herbal remedies for her grandparents and Xu Hanrui, keeping the entire family in good health.

She knew that Chinese medicine differed from Western medicine, and with reliable inheritance, one didn't necessarily need medical school or to be an old master to be credible.

But Li Chongjing was her peer—a boy…

Hiss! Damn it, it hurts like hell! Whatever!

“You better actually know what you’re doing!” Luo Xu snapped. Without hesitation, she began to loosen her jacket. The movement sent sharp pain through her shoulder, causing her to gasp and grow angrier. Her trembling hands fumbled with her shirt buttons, desperate to vent her frustration by smashing something.

Li Chongjing didn’t expect this young lady to have such a mercurial temper and to act so decisively. She began undressing without a word. He turned his body and lowered his gaze elsewhere, fluttering his eyelashes.

The Li family clinic had existed even before he was born. Chen Peirong had once firmly resolved to pass the tradition to him, so from a young age, Li Chongjing watched her practice medicine. He had seen countless bodies and should have been accustomed to it, viewing the pale human body as little different from a pale pig’s carcass.

Yet…

His heart pounded so loudly it felt like his eardrums might burst.

“What are you doing? Come here!”

Li Chongjing: …

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Taking a deep breath, Li Chongjing turned and approached.

Luo Xu’s shirt was half unbuttoned, the collar pulled diagonally down, exposing her left shoulder, with the strap of her white undergarment slipping out.

Li Chongjing felt his eyes burn and turned his face aside, but soon his gaze returned to her shoulder and his expression grew serious.

On the pale skin of her delicate shoulder, a large patch of black and purple bruising stretched from the left scapula—a shocking contrast that explained her intense pain.

Li Chongjing reached out to examine her. “Does this hurt?”

Luo Xu hissed in pain, her shoulder trembling, tears welling in her eyes. “What do you think?!”

“It’s probably a fracture, but everything else should be fine. I’ll apply some medicine first.”

He went behind the counter and took out a jar of ointment, dark and thick.

“What is this?” Luo Xu asked warily.

“My grandmother made this pain-relief ointment, brewed from Bauhinia bark, Angelica pubescens, Hibiscus leaves, fresh Arisaema, and Angelica dahurica. Applying it will ease the pain,” Li Chongjing explained patiently.

Luo Xu scowled but let him apply the ointment. The cold salve was spread gently on her skin, somewhat relieving the pain.

Yet her breathing grew increasingly rapid, her chest rising and falling more heavily.

She had gone out to clear her mind, but today had been an unending string of misfortune—first unruly kids, then a mentally disturbed exhibitionist, followed by a gang of blond-haired thugs who ambushed and beat her, leaving her injured and in agony.

If only it were before. If only…

“Luo Xu, what will you do? You’re no longer the Xu family’s heiress. Are we still going to follow you?”

“Luo Xu, do you really think anyone would like someone like you? If not for your background, who would care? Now you finally see the real world. Congratulations.”

“Your dad’s woman outside is actually Xu Mengrui’s mother? A village woman?? My god!”

“Smack!” Her face was slapped hard to one side.

“Luo Xu! I regret spoiling you like this. Get out!” Xu Hanrui shouted, red-faced and furious.

Li Chongjing finished applying the ointment and went for bandages. “I…”

His voice stopped abruptly as his whole body stiffened.

Luo Xu was crying, biting her lip tightly, tears streaming down her reddened face. Noticing his gaze, she glared at him fiercely. “Keep staring and I’ll gouge your eyes out!”

Li Chongjing looked away and silently began wrapping the bandages. When Luo Xu wasn’t looking, he glanced up at her again.

Tears fell from her eyes like pearls, trailing down her cheeks and nose, her long lashes dotted with droplets—astonishingly beautiful.

While bandaging, Li Chongjing discreetly caught a tear on the back of his hand and licked it off with his tongue.

Bitter. Tears taste so bitter? Is it because of so much grievance? Why does such bitterness make his mouth water, his index finger twitch, and crave more?

Wait, what are you doing? Are you a pervert? Li Chongjing froze, staring at the wet patch on his hand.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” After crying for a while, Luo Xu’s tear-filled eyes fixed on him, glaring venomously.

Li Chongjing was stunned by her large, watery eyes. His thoughts, which had barely gathered, scattered again. His lashes trembled as he lowered his gaze, swallowing hard. “I was just thinking about what medicine to prescribe for you.”

“Am I more pitiful than Yu Mingwan now?”

“No.” How could she be pitiful? She looked stunning.

Luo Xu sniffled and continued, “You’re really not in cahoots with Yu Mingwan?”

Though he had told Yu Mingwan he didn’t like her a few days ago, who knew if that had changed? People were so fickle.

“That kind of vigilance is good. I will never like her.” In fact, Yu Mingwan was, aside from Xu Mengrui, the person he hated most.

“Well, who do you like?” Luo Xu’s tear-stained face showed a hint of gossip.

In the past days, Luo Xu had caught up on all the school gossip and knew Li Chongjing was the campus heartthrob at Yuling International High School. Rumor had it that underclassmen and seniors alike were chasing him, and he was nicknamed “The Poor Noble Son.” It was hilarious—too much anime, no doubt.

Li Chongjing stared at her ingenuous, upturned face. His throat moved, his lips parted, when Luo Xu said, “Why are your pupils dilating again? Does that scare you? Do you like someone you shouldn’t?”

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Li Chongjing quickly averted his gaze and adjusted his glasses. “...I’ll prescribe you some medicine to promote bone regeneration and blood circulation. You should decoct it at home and drink it. You’ll recover soon.”

“You can decoct it here, right? Why do I have to do it myself?” Luo Xu suddenly became annoyed again. If others could enjoy the service, so could she, the young lady.

“There’s an extra charge for that.”

“Charge more then. I can afford it. How much?” Luo Xu angrily rummaged for her wallet, as if ready to throw money to settle the score.

“Ten yuan.”

Luo Xu: “……”

She stared at his elegant, ink-painting-like face, feeling as if the glasses hid his true eyes, unable to tell if he was joking. Dumbfounded, speechless.

Li Chongjing’s lips twitched slightly.

Luo Xu belatedly realized that the suffocating anger and frustration inside her had lessened considerably. She muttered a quiet curse and fell silent, her body trembling less than before.

Li Chongjing handed her some tissues from the counter. She quickly grabbed several and wiped her face, then began to blow her nose. Before she could find the trash bin, he took the used tissues and threw them away.

Luo Xu glanced up at him, somewhat pleased, thinking this guy still had some spark in his eyes.

After bandaging her, Li Chongjing poured her a cup of warm water, then went behind the counter to prepare medicine for her.

Opening drawer after drawer: Astragalus 30g, deer antler glue 12g, notoginseng 12g, ground beetle 15g, salvia 20g, angelica 12g, chuanxiong 12g...

While preparing the herbs, he asked Luo Xu, “Aren’t you going to report this?”

“Report what?” Luo Xu realized and sneered, “No need.”

In their circle, such matters were never handled by the police but settled privately.

At that moment, a knock sounded at the clinic door. Luo Xu’s driver’s voice came from outside: “Miss Xu? Luo Xu? Hello...”

Li Chongjing opened the door to let him in. Luo Xu stood, slapped money onto the counter, and prepared to leave.

“Your medicine,” Li Chongjing called after her.

“I don’t want any Chinese medicine! It tastes awful,” Luo Xu retorted.

Li Chongjing looked at the prepared medicine. She had just insisted on decocting it herself but now refused to take it so quickly.

“You gave me too much money.”

“Consider it a tip.”

Luo Xu left with her driver and soon disappeared down Qingquan Alley.

Li Chongjing looked at the pink banknotes in his hand. He loved money and considered the design and colors of paper currency the world’s most artistic and captivating perfect creation. Yet at this moment, the color of the bill seemed duller, less beautiful.

Thinking of Luo Xu, an image suddenly appeared in his mind: the elegant white cat with a bow tie from the childhood cartoon "Tom and Jerry," which Tom the cat always stared at with wide eyes and tried different ways to lick but never could.

…Not only could he never lick it, but he often got smacked instead.

Soon after, the sound of a bicycle bell rang through the alley as Chen Peirong returned, carrying his medicine box.

He saw the packets on the counter and looked at Li Chongjing, who sat quietly beneath the porch, lost in thought. “Did you just treat someone?”

Li Chongjing nodded.

“I thought you didn’t want to?”

Chen Peirong’s joy at thinking Li Chongjing had changed his mind about inheriting the practice was cut short when Li Chongjing said, “Just this once, an exception.”

A trace of disgust flashed in his eyes as he stood and went into the back courtyard.

Returning to his room, he pulled out his phone and eyed the new friend request from Xu Mengrui on WeChat. Coldly, he thought: It’s time.

He accepted the request.