Chapter 24: Chapter 24 No One Is at My Sister-in-law’s House

Liu Zheng became immediately alert when he felt something was off about his own state of mind, the last shred of reason within him helping him snap back to reality.

If he really did such a thing, wouldn’t he be letting his brother down too much?

With that thought, Liu Zheng quickly suppressed the restlessness in his heart, put his hand on Wu Min’s shoulder, and pushed her away from his embrace.

"Sister-in-law, I need to head back into the mountains to gather some more herbs while it’s still early."

As he spoke, he picked up the basket that was lying beside him.

After being pushed away by Liu Zheng, Wu Min’s face turned pale in an instant.

To offer herself so willingly only to be rejected by Liu Zheng felt to her like being stripped naked and thrown onto the street for public exhibition.

The feeling was almost suffocating, leaving her with a sense of not wanting to live another day.

When Liu Zheng glanced over and saw Wu Min’s face change in color, his heart sank.

Such rejection was likely to cause Wu Min great harm.

With this in mind, he quickly managed a smile, patted the seat of the electric scooter, and said, "The pharmacy owner from the county not only gave me these thirty thousand but also a deposit in particular. We can’t disappoint their trust, so I have to pick the herbs as quickly as possible and deliver them."

While saying this, Liu Zheng patted Wu Min’s shoulder on purpose and continued, "As for everything else, let’s talk about it when I return later in the evening."

Wu Min felt much better after hearing Liu Zheng’s explanation.

Her face was no longer so pale.

Seeing her mood improve significantly, he smiled, relieved.

Wu Min’s thoughts shifted, and she immediately thought of the thirty thousand Liu Zheng had used to repay his debt, plus the extra ten thousand he mentioned, making a total of fifty thousand. She couldn’t help but ask, "Little Zheng, does that mean you managed to pay off your debts so quickly by selling herbs?"

"Yes!"

"Well then...that’s great, why doesn’t sister-in-law go with you to the mountains to gather herbs?"

Wu Min hadn’t thought too much about it; she just wanted to help by gathering more herbs to make more money.

"No need, sister-in-law, my brother still needs your care," Liu Zheng quickly shook his head in refusal and added, "Besides, if people see the sister-in-law and brother-in-law together in the woods, that would look improper."

Wu Min’s face heated up suddenly upon hearing these words, feeling quite shy.

Their recent close encounter had left her heart in disarray.

Now, reminded by Liu Zheng, she suddenly remembered that Liu Daniu’s mouth was still gagged.

With that thought, she quickly turned around and said, "Your brother’s mouth is still gagged, I need to go and undo it right away."

After saying this, she hurried off towards the house.

Watching Wu Min run into the house, Liu Zheng didn’t waste any more words and directly picked up his basket to head toward the mountain.

As he walked deeper into the mountain, his mind focused on serious matters.

He had indeed earned his first significant sum of money from gathering valuable herbs, but the task of picking herbs was never easy.

Finding rare herbs like the ones he found today wasn’t impossible, but it required both time and luck.

Although the village was backed by the Hundred Thousand Mountains, entering them to collect herbs was not a quick affair.

What would happen if the nearby patch of woods was stripped of its herbs? What would he do then?

Would he have to take trips that lasted three to five days, or even half a month, to gather herbs?

This was not a suitable solution, so a better approach was needed.

Scratching his head, Liu Zheng suddenly thought of the small clinic that he owned.

"I must manage the clinic well and get my medical skills recognized. The money earned from treating patients would then be enough to ensure a good life for my sister-in-law."

Liu Zheng’s eyes sparkled with determination, and then he thought of his brother again.

The main reason my elder brother became paralyzed in bed was indeed because the injury was severe.

The key issue was that we didn’t have the money for treatment at the beginning, so it ended up causing complete disability.

As a medical student, and seemingly having received the inheritance of a celestial sister, I wondered if I could attempt to treat my brother and possibly help him stand again.

At this thought, a fire seemed to rise in Liu Zheng’s heart.

I must work hard to earn money in the future, he thought, determined to make this family’s life better.

With a goal in mind, Liu Zheng suddenly felt a surge of motivation.

He took long strides toward the mountains.

But he had walked no more than twenty steps when he heard a voice calling him from the side.

"Little Zheng."

Startled by the voice, Liu Zheng hurriedly turned to look.

He saw Liu Sumei standing not far from the entrance of her house, waving at him.

At that moment, she appeared flirtatious, with seductive eyes.

"Sister-in-law Sumei, your wound hasn’t healed yet. Why are you walking around?"

Liu Zheng stopped in his tracks but didn’t approach her.

Blushing slightly, Liu Sumei felt a bit embarrassed, but still said, "I just came out to relieve myself! I happened to see you passing by, so I called out to you."

While speaking, she purposely touched up her hair, which made her look even more charming.

Liu Zheng, somewhat dazzled by her, nevertheless walked over and supported her, saying, "Sister-in-law Sumei, the snake venom in your body hasn’t been completely cleared. You shouldn’t walk around carelessly, as promoting blood circulation could aggravate your injury."

As he spoke, he helped Liu Sumei towards her home.

Liu Sumei nodded, agreed with a sound, and let Liu Zheng guide her towards her house.

Limping along, Liu Sumei felt the presence of the man beside her and couldn’t help feeling increasingly restless.

However.

After a few steps, Liu Zheng suddenly had a thought and couldn’t help but shudder.

He remembered what Liu Sumei mentioned earlier about setting him up with her sister.

Could her calling out to him be a deliberate ploy to bring him back home for matchmaking with her sister?

At that thought, Liu Zheng immediately halted.

Now, being poor and having nothing, how could he possibly marry someone?

So.

For the time being, matchmaking and marriage were out of the question. He should simply dismiss the idea.

"Sister-in-law Sumei, I still need to go to the mountains to gather herbs. If I get delayed, it’ll be dark," said Liu Zheng, stopping and then adding with an awkward smile, scratching his head, "I won’t be able to walk you back. You should call out your sister to help you inside."

Seeing that Liu Zheng refused to enter, Liu Sumei also stopped.

She shook her head with a hint of blush on her face, saying, "There’s no one at sister-in-law’s house. My sister went into town to sell things."

"Oh!"

Hearing that Liu Sumei’s sister wasn’t at home, Liu Zheng breathed a sigh of relief and continued to assist Liu Sumei into the house.

Once inside, Li Sumei sat on the kang bed and looked at Liu Zheng with a smile, saying, "Sister-in-law’s wound is very painful now. Would you like to examine it for her again?"