CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 105: ARE YOU WILLING TO FOLLOW ME?

Spring has arrived, and the weather is gradually warming up. The once ice-bound mountains and forests are beginning to show signs of vitality. This is also the best time for hunting.

Chai Tieniu is a hunter. Spring and autumn are the seasons hunters love the most. In spring, animals come out to forage after hibernation, and they are actually quite fragile at this time. They are weak and easy to catch, with less danger involved. In autumn, animals have thicker fur, which, though more challenging and dangerous to hunt, can fetch a good price.

Chai Tieniu has been hunting for ten years and can be considered a veteran. Many young hunters come to him for advice, and he always teaches them earnestly and sincerely, reminding them to be cautious of dangers.

Yet sometimes, while you remind others to be careful, you end up neglecting your own safety, and thus, Chai Tieniu met with tragedy.

He lost his footing and fell from the mountain, breaking his leg...

This is a common misfortune among hunters. Li Qingmu’s foster father also injured his leg from a fall, which is why he’s been stuck at home since, hardly speaking a word from then on.

Chai Tieniu used to wonder why Li Qingmu’s father was like that. Even if one had trouble moving, they should live a happy and carefree life. But it wasn’t until he experienced it himself that he realized how distressing it is to lie in bed and rely on your family to take care of you.

He grew depressed and didn’t like to talk anymore.

Qiao’er came forward with a bowl of medicinal soup. Seeing Chai Tieniu’s depressed expression made her feel down as well. She handed the bowl to him, "Brother, drink your medicine. The doctor said, after you finish the medicine, your leg will heal."

Chai Tieniu didn’t respond, instead turning his face away.

Qiao’er burst into tears, choking up, "Brother, take your medicine, please don’t be like this. Father, Mother, and I all worry about you... Let’s drink the medicine, maybe it will really help..."

"Did Old Li’s leg get better after all those years of taking medicine? It’s still the same - aching often, making it difficult to walk, and even worse in winter with that old cold leg, uncomfortable. Am I going to end up like that too..."

"Brother, it won’t be like that. Old Li is just old, so the doctor said it’s hard to cure him. But you’re still young; you haven’t even married yet. You can’t give up, sob sob sob..."

Chai Tieniu, at twenty-one, was considered quite old in the village. Because as a hunter, there’s no income during the winter festival, he was also shy and not much of a talker. Mrs. Chai had tried to match him with several girls, but either they weren’t interested or asked for a bride price of twenty taels.

Making money isn’t easy these days. For an average family, asking for five taels is decent, while some ask for ten, but twenty taels - that’s indeed extortionate!

Chai Tieniu thought it was probably because he was not very likable and not a single girl was interested in him. Even those who were demanded high prices, so he planned to earn money come spring. But now...

He glanced at his injured leg, feeling his mood sink further.

He could already barely get married, and now it’s sure; he’s going to be single forever!

Feeling down, he looked at his crying sister and, being usually mild-tempered, suddenly felt irritated, waving his hand, "I don’t want to take the medicine; get out!"

"Brother..."

"Get out!"

His voice suddenly rose, scaring Qiao’er into almost dropping the bowl. She hesitated for a moment, placed the medicinal soup on the bedside table, and then left, looking back once in a while.

Watching his sister leave in upset, Chai Tieniu felt his earlier attitude was a bit too harsh, but it was too late to call her back, and he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He could only stew silently in anger.

"Knock, knock, knock. Qiao’er, Brother Tie Niu, are you home?"

Long Yue’s clear and pleasant voice came from outside. Chai Tieniu was stunned, quickly turning away, pulling the quilt over his head.

In his current condition, how could he face anyone?

Outside, Long Yue knocked on the door, and when no one came to open it, she knocked again. Finally, Qiao’er came to open the door, though with teary eyes, like she had been crying?

"Qiao’er, what’s happened to you?"

Long Yue carried a bag filled with dozens of packs of medicinal herb seeds, along with some special precious seeds. She came eagerly, wanting to tell Chai Tieniu about growing these, which is less risky than hunting, but seeing Qiao’er like this, her heart skipped a beat, sensing something was not right.

"Sister Yue, sob sob... my brother, he..."

"Speak slowly."

Li Qingmu was beside her, and seeing her face knew something was wrong. His words provided some consolation.

Qiao’er sniffled, "Brother got injured."

"Injured? How did he get injured? Is it serious? Where is he? Take us to see him!"

"My brother fell off the mountain and broke his leg. He’s lying inside. Father and Mother have gone to work to gather money for his medicine... sob sob, I’m useless, can’t help at all..."

Qiao’er started sobbing again, deeply saddened.

Long Yue quickly said, "Don’t be sad; take us to see your brother. After that, we’ll find a good doctor in the county to look at him!"

"Sister Yue, we have no money. Doctors in the county are all very expensive..."

Qiao’er’s face was full of pitiful helplessness. Long Yue sighed, gently patting her cheek, "No worries, isn’t Sister Yue here? Consider it my responsibility!"

"No, no, Sister Yue, how could we let you incur the expenses? Father and Mother wouldn’t agree when they come back, and we can gather the silver ourselves..."

"Who said I would treat your brother for free?" Long Yue widened her big round eyes, showing a displeased face with her hands on her hips, "I’m a businesswoman; how could I work for free? You’re good at embroidery, aren’t you? Come work at my Qin Family Embroidery Workshop to earn the money for your brother’s medicine!"

Huh? Qiao’er was first stunned, then delighted. Although Long Yue’s words were blunt, Qiao’er knew she meant well, not wanting to make them feel indebted and providing them dignity.

Seeing Qiao’er’s joyful demeanor, Long Yue also smiled and asked, "Will you follow me? Come to work as an embroiderer at the Qin Family Embroidery Workshop. The monthly salary is quite substantial, paid per piece. Are you willing?"

"Willing! I’m willing! Sister Yue, thank you, you’re so good... Thank you for helping us, sob sob sob..."

The girl started crying again, her voice filled with both grievance and clarity. Long Yue just felt a sense of pity.

In the previous life, Chai Tieniu broke his leg, and Li Qingmu helped them by finding a good doctor to heal it. As a result, he gained Chai Tieniu’s loyalty, who later saved Li Qingmu’s life during a mountain bandit attack, sacrificing his own. Although his family was heartbroken, they never bore any resentment.

They are a family that remembers kindness!

"Brother Chai’s leg injury isn’t severe; we’ll find a good doctor, and it will be fine."

Inside the room, Chai Tieniu heard Li Qingmu’s words, and his eyes lit up instantly, subconsciously calling out, "A Mu, is what you said true?"