Chapter 147
The sun was shining brightly outside, and sunlight slanted in through the window. It seemed it was already noon.
Fang Zichen was just about to throw off the quilt and get up when, before he could move, a faint rustling sound came from outside the window.
Then a big head appeared.
Guaizai stood on a small stool, gripping the two small bars on the window as he peered into the room.
After returning from the medical hall, Physician Xu had his apprentice prepare nine packets of medicine for him. He said to boil and drink them for half a month first. After finishing, Fang Zichen should go back so he could check his condition and prescribe a new formula.
The medicine couldn't be stopped, it needed to be taken continuously for several years.
It contained medicinal ingredients for nourishing the body and wasn't cheap. Nine packets cost over ten taels of silver.
Fortunately, their family's circumstances were somewhat better now. If it were an ordinary family, one would have to pull their lapel tight only to find their elbow showing through the torn seam.
[捉襟见肘 (zhuō jīn jiàn zhǒu): lit. to pull one's lapel and expose one's elbow; fig. to be in straitened circumstances, struggling financially.]
Zhao Ger wanted to stay and watch over Fang Zichen. Furthermore, after two days of intense worry where he had barely eaten or drunk, his own health wasn't particularly good either. But ultimately, business was important.
Without money, what was the use of talking about feelings?
He got up in the morning wanting to go to town to sell chili paste. Worried that Guaizai would pester Fang Zichen if left at home, he tried to bring the boy along. Guaizai, however, shook his head, refusing to go, and solemnly promised he would absolutely not make a sound to disturb his father.
Zhao Ger had no choice but to go by himself. He was only halfway through selling the chili sauce when Zhang Huaiwen arrived.
"Zhao Ger..."
Zhao Ger had no desire to deal with him, but Zhang Huaiwen remained planted directly in front of the stall. His fine clothing was so imposing that potential customers, who had initially approached for the chili sauce, now hesitated to draw near.
Zhao Ger frowned and told him to move away and not hinder his business.
Zhang Huaiwen seemed not to hear, only saying: "Zhao Ger, why haven't you come to set up your stall these past few days? Did something happen at home?"
Zhao Ger glanced at him: "No. Could you please move away?"
Zhang Huaiwen reluctantly shifted a few steps aside. His eyes grew dark and venomous as he watched Zhao Ger sell the remaining chili sauce, shoulder his carrying basket, and walk away without so much as a backward glance.
"Young Master," his servant said in a low voice. "Miss Jia says she wants to see you."
Zhang Huaiwen swept a cold glance at him: "Can't even succeed in dealing with a mere man. More incompetent than useful. I won't see her."
"But..." the servant hesitated. "Miss Jia said, if you don't go see her, she will..." Zhang Huaiwen's face grew increasingly gloomy. The servant, trembling with fear, said with difficulty: "She will tell this matter to Zhao Ger."
Zhang Huaiwen gnashed his teeth: "That wretched woman."
...
Guaizai had checked on Fang Zichen almost eight hundred times that morning.
He was terribly afraid Fang Zichen would wake up suddenly, thirsty or hungry. He didn't dare go far. He dug for earthworms by the small path outside the courtyard. The soil here was hard, and there weren't many earthworms. They were scrawny, like noodles, seemingly malnourished. He would dig a few times, then run inside to check. Seeing Fang Zichen was still asleep, he would sigh in relief and go back to work.
Now, seeing Fang Zichen awake, he giggled, very excited: "Father, you awake wow!"
"En!" Fang Zichen said, putting on his clothes. "Why didn't you come inside?"
"The door locked, cannot enter," Guaizai said.
"Ah? I didn't lock it!" Fang Zichen went to the door and tried pulling it, finding it wouldn't move. The door had been locked from the outside. The lock was probably quite large; when he pulled the door, it banged against the door panel with a clattering sound.
He didn't need to think about it; this was definitely Zhao Ger's handiwork.
Fang Zichen didn't know whether to be angry or laugh.
At the medical hall, he had held the person and comforted him all night, giving guarantee after guarantee, saying he absolutely would not leave, telling Zhao Ger to rest assured. Zhao Ger had agreed then, saying he believed him.
Damn.
Is this what he calls believing me?
Do I look like a convict to you, that I need this kind of treatment?
But... I suppose Zhao Ger just loves me too much.
My charm is simply too overwhelming; I really should be more understanding and cut him some slack.
He went to the window. Guaizai reached out to hug his neck, as if visiting a prisoner: "Father hungry? Daddy made bun-buns, inside got meat-meat, lots and lots of meat-meat, very yummy. Guaizai get for you to eat, okay?"
Fang Zichen pinched his cheek, it was soft and supple: "Good son, I want to brush my teeth first. Go get me a bowl of water."
"Okay!"
Guaizai jumped down from the small stool and pattered away.
After eating the bun and drinking some water, Zhao Ger returned.
Fang Zichen leaned against the window frame, arms crossed, his face not revealing any particular expression: "Yo! You're back?"
Zhao Ger put down his carrying basket and walked over: "Husband, you're awake! Are you feeling better? Have you eaten breakfast? Are you hungry? Should I go heat up some chicken soup for you?"
"That's not urgent right now," Fang Zichen looked at him, his gaze sweeping over him. "Tsk tsk tsk, Zhao Ger, I never realized before how... playful you are."
Zhao Ger didn't understand: "Husband, what are you talking about?"
"Pretending, you keep pretending." Fang Zichen wore an expression of 'Little one, I've already seen through you': "What's the meaning of locking me up?"
Zhao Ger's eyes widened in surprise, and he looked toward the door.
A large lock hung prominently on the door, clearly an old one, covered in rust marks.
"It wasn't... I..."
"Wasn't what, 'wasn't'? I see right through your intentions." Fang Zichen raised an eyebrow and said: "Do you think that by locking me up, so I can't get out, you can have me all to yourself? You little..." He chuckled twice, pleased with himself, feeling wonderful, not noticing Zhao Ger's hesitance.
"Imprisonment play." Fang Zichen said with a lecherous tone: "I haven't played this kind before. Thinking about it, it's quite thrilling."
Zhao Ger: "..."
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