NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Chopsticks
Chapter 6: Chopsticks
“Am I about to have a master’s wife?”
Gu Xing studied the pair, recalling the women in the clinic today who had feigned illness to linger, only to be firmly rebuffed by Lin Mu.
His eyes widened.
This woman’s played a masterful game!
And Master’s demeanor seems… unusual.
With that thought, Gu Xing swiftly grabbed two empty bowls, filling one with fish soup and the other with dishes.
“What are you doing?”
Ji Wutong asked, curious at Gu Xing’s actions.
“You eat here; I’ll eat at the counter. If patients come later, someone needs to tend to them!”
Gu Xing chuckled, scurrying to the counter with his meal.
Master’s shy—I’d better make an excuse to give them space, lest I spoil their moment.
“This rascal, why isn’t he this diligent on normal days?”
Lin Mu, unsuspecting, felt only relief.
Perhaps Gu Xing had noticed today’s flood of patients and stepped up. Either way, it was a good thing.
Lin Mu had no family in Yanshan City. Though Gu Xing called him Master, Lin Mu saw him as a younger brother.
Gu Xing’s thoughtfulness warmed his heart.
“Don’t mind him. Try this fish soup—is it tasty?”
Ji Wutong ladled a bowl of fish soup and brought it to Lin Mu, gently blowing on the steam to keep it from scalding him.
“This fish soup is wonderfully fresh!”
After a sip, Lin Mu smacked his lips and nodded in praise.
“Really?”
Joy flickered in Ji Wutong’s eyes. She quickly picked up a piece of braised fish, deftly removed the bones, and placed it in Lin Mu’s bowl. “Try this!”
“That’s delicious too!”
“And these stir-fried greens?” Ji Wutong’s chopsticks moved nimbly, serving Lin Mu.
Lin Mu, like a child being fed, opened his mouth, swallowed, and praised each bite.
The scene was surprisingly harmonious, as if they had long been accustomed to such intimacy.
From the counter, Gu Xing stole glances, his suspicions growing.
“I recall Miss Wutong mentioning something last night about ten years ago.”
“Does that mean she and Master knew each other back then?”
“Master kept such a big secret from me!”
“No wonder he wasn’t sad when the Gu family broke the engagement—he knew Miss Wutong would come for him!”
“Soon, I’ll be calling Miss Wutong ‘Master’s Wife’!”
The more Gu Xing thought, the more excited he grew, wolfing down his food.
Master’s so kind and capable; he deserves a virtuous woman like Miss Wutong.
That Gu family miss, obsessed with martial arts all day, surely couldn’t make fish soup!
Yet, for some reason, the food in his bowl tasted increasingly sour.
If only someone would treat me like this…
“Another bite, ah~”
Ji Wutong selected another piece of fish and fed it to Lin Mu with her chopsticks.
Finding Lin Mu’s eating pace too slow, she had taken to feeding him directly.
Lin Mu complied eagerly, swallowing whatever she offered and praising it warmly.
This delighted Ji Wutong, spurring her to feed him with even greater enthusiasm.
“Miss Wutong, aren’t you eating?”
Lin Mu, unsure how much he’d eaten, felt his stomach bulge and asked.
“There’s plenty left~” Ji Wutong glanced at the nearly depleted dishes and said softly, “You eat first~”
Miscalculated. I should’ve prepared more!
“No, I’m full!”
Lin Mu patted his belly, letting out a satisfied burp.
Ji Wutong transferred the remaining rice to her own bowl.
Though she wasted not a grain, her bowl was only half full.
She turned slightly away from Gu Xing, lifted her veil, and began eating the leftovers.
But the moment a piece of green vegetable touched her lips, Ji Wutong’s eyes widened.
These chopsticks—hadn’t she just used them to feed Lin Mu?
What should she do? Fetch new ones from the kitchen?
Wouldn’t that seem too deliberate?
Ji Wutong wavered, torn.
She glanced at Lin Mu, then at Gu Xing, and silently shook her head.
Forget it. They don’t know, so no need to make a fuss.
She picked up another piece of greens and ate it.
As a martial artist, these scraps were hardly enough to sate her.
The sound of chopsticks scraping the plate made Lin Mu raise an eyebrow.
Moments later, Ji Wutong rose to clear the dishes.
“Gu Xing, wash the dishes!” Lin Mu called toward the counter.
Then he turned to Ji Wutong. “I’m a bit stuffed today. Join me for a walk on the street~”
“Well… alright~”
Ji Wutong, still slightly hungry, was reluctant to go out.
But since Lin Mu asked, she couldn’t refuse.
“Take it slow—let me support you~”
Ji Wutong took Lin Mu’s arm, guiding him carefully out of Yanshan Benevolent Clinic with the walking stick Gu Xing handed over.
The street’s chilly wind bit sharply. Ji Wutong glanced at Lin Mu, saw he was warmly dressed, and relaxed slightly.
“Miss Wutong, did you bring any luggage when you came?”
“Just a small bundle with daily necessities~”
“Is that so?” Lin Mu paused at the clinic’s entrance, then turned left, navigating by memory. “Yanshan City’s winters are colder and longer than elsewhere.”
“No matter how strong your internal energy, you should buy some warm clothing.”
They chatted as they walked, soon arriving at a clothing store under Lin Mu’s guidance.
“Isn’t this Divine Physician Lin?”
“No need to come yourself! Just send word, and I’d deliver to you. Why the trouble?”
The shopkeeper, a genial middle-aged man with a prosperous build, greeted Lin Mu warmly.
“Shopkeeper Hao, it’s been a while~” Lin Mu settled into a chair and chuckled. “I’m here to buy some thick, warm clothes for my friend.”
“Help pick out a few!”
“No trouble at all!” Shopkeeper Hao glanced at Ji Wutong, his smile broadening.
A graceful, elegant woman like her would look stunning in anything.
Matching a few outfits was easy—they had plenty in stock.
“But… is this necessary?”
Ji Wutong hesitated, reluctance flickering across her face. She was short on coin and carried few valuables.
“Don’t stand on ceremony. Consider it thanks for the meal you made~”
Lin Mu waved a hand. Though blind, his mind was sharp as a mirror, guessing her hesitation’s cause.
“Then I’ll borrow the silver from you~”
Ji Wutong’s lips curved, her eyes brimming with gratitude.