Time is the most effective balm for pain—this has always held true.

Wen Jiang still remembered the first time he saw a dead body; he probably handled it even worse than Bai Qingqing did. Back then, he couldn’t eat, would start gagging the moment he remembered the scene, and was so drained he could barely stand.

It was Ning Yan who, while sneering at his uselessness, dragged him off to the clinic. He’d asked, “Didn’t you say you wanted to be a miracle-working doctor, a healer who saves lives? What kind of doctor’s afraid of the dead?” He told Wen Jiang that everything had already been arranged—he’d be staying and working at the clinic. The more pain and suffering he saw, the more he’d get used to it.

If Wen Jiang hadn’t been so weak at the time, he would’ve loved to bash Ning Yan’s head in. A cold-blooded bastard like that—why had he ever expected compassion?

And yet, those days at the clinic slowly began to change him. People were fragile, yes, but they were also resilient. Even broken bodies could survive. Those whose eyes still held a glimmer of life looked to the doctor with hope, longing to be saved.

Once you’re truly busy, there’s no time to feel weak. Now, Wen Jiang’s task was to redirect Bai Qingqing’s thoughts—to remind her that the world held more than just horror and malice.

He walked with her along the streets of Pingzhou. “I’ve been here once before, but it was in a rush, and I didn’t get the chance to appreciate the city. This time, I finally get to make up for it. I’ve heard their local Immortal Peach Wine is quite famous. Want to give it a try?”

Bai Qingqing shook her head a bit shyly. “I don’t hold my liquor well. Even the light wines in Xuancheng knock me out after two cups.”

“That’s all the more reason to try. Drinking’s a skill—you build it up cup by cup. Let me tell you a little secret: Ning Yan? He can’t hold his liquor either. Hahaha…”

Wen Jiang wore a look of sheer arrogance, so much so that it twisted his usually refined features. “Don’t be fooled by how high-and-mighty he acts all day, like he’s invincible or something. I’ll give him credit where it’s due—but when it comes to holding his liquor? Hahahaha, he’s miles behind me.”

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“Oh wait, that’s not even fair to me. He’s miles behind anyone! Hahahahaha!”

Wen Jiang burst into uncontrollable laughter. “That’s why he never drinks in public. People think he’s just aloof, too proud to join in, but the truth is—he’s terrified! Give him just one of those tiny little wine cups, just one, and he’ll show his true colors. Completely useless.”

Bai Qingqing stared at him, dumbfounded. “Really? But... he doesn’t look like the type…”

“That’s just his face scaring people off. I’m telling you, if he ever pisses you off, trick him into drinking. If you can get him to swallow even a sip, you’ll have your sweet revenge.”

Wen Jiang was sparing no effort in brainwashing her—mostly because he really wanted to see the show. Ever since Ning Yan realized he couldn’t handle his liquor, he’d avoided it entirely. Wen Jiang hadn’t seen him drunk in ages. What a pity.

But Bai Qingqing’s voice was soft and uncertain. “But Lord Ning has helped me so much... Why would I want revenge?”

Wen Jiang let out a long, regretful sigh. What a shame…

Pingzhou wasn’t much smaller than Xuancheng. The city was vibrant and bustling, its streets lined with shops and teahouses full of life. There were even things she’d never seen in Xuancheng—rare and unique to Pingzhou. As they wandered through the lively streets, the shadows clouding Bai Qingqing’s heart began to lift, little by little.

They were just turning a corner when, all of a sudden, a small figure darted out and threw itself at her feet.

“Fairy sister, please! Save my little sister!”

Bai Qingqing jumped, startled, and stared at the boy in shock. “I—I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else…”

She was dressed like a servant today. Why would he call her “sister”?