Who Stole My Eggs?

Shi Yuan laughed at Xie Zuo, and when he tried to continue laughing, he found himself silenced.

“Uh! Uh-huh!” Shi Yuan stomped his feet in frustration.

Xie Zuo noticed the lightning-shaped mark on Shi Yuan’s neck and, forgetting his embarrassment, burst into laughter.

“Why are you silent now? Aren’t you usually quite talkative?”

Shi Yuan angrily pointed at Xie Zuo and then at Huo Yao.

Huo Yao, the instigator, showed no remorse. Instead, he knocked on the table, signaling Shi Yuan to hurry up and fetch the medicine.

Shi Yuan was on the verge of despair. What were these absurdities?

The mighty Deity of Thunder, the renowned Deity of Execution in the Six Realms, the idol he had intended to follow to the death, was infatuated with a rude and uncouth little demon. It was truly unreasonable!

Huo Yao took the pen and paper back from Xie Zuo, prescribing the medicine while attending to the patient.

It was the first time Xie Zuo had seen Huo Yao writing. As the saying goes, “The handwriting reflects the person.”

Lu Xiaopang was plump, and his handwriting was round and square. However, Huo Yao’s handwriting…

Though Xie Zuo didn’t understand calligraphy, he felt that those strokes were like dragons and snakes, the iron paintings and silver hooks majestic, powerful, and magnificent—truly consistent with Huo Yao’s own temperament.

Xie Zuo tilted his head and observed seriously. A strand of hair crossed his face and fell onto the back of Huo Yao’s hand.

Xie Zuo had luxurious hair, his three thousand black strands smooth and delicate like silk, carrying his unique fragrance.

Huo Yao paused, then raised his hand to tuck the strand of black hair back behind Xie Zuo’s ear.

His fingertips were dry and warm, brushing against Xie Zuo’s ear, making him shiver. Once again, the touch of Huo Yao’s hand left Xie Zuo with a numb sensation, utterly unbearable!

Shi Yuan, who witnessed this scene: …… Dog-man antics!

With Lu Xiaopang gone for good, Shi Yuan had to cook lunch alone. He would rather spend the day in the kitchen than endure watching those two people flirt.

.

In the afternoon, the crowd gradually dispersed.

Xie Zuo stretched and stood up, saying to Huo Yao, “Aren’t you tired? I’m tired of just looking at you.”

“It’s okay.”

Shi Yuan, who had only been unblocked during lunch, rolled his eyes at Xie Zuo. He muttered in a low voice, “People who don’t do any work say they are tired—how shameless!”

Xie Zuo, with his sharp ears, caught Shi Yuan’s words. “Little monk, are you talking about me?”

Shi Yuan turned away, avoiding eye contact. “What? I didn’t even mention the name!”

Laughter and chatter echoed outside the door as six elegantly dressed older girls entered, playfully jostling each other.

Upon closer inspection, Xie Zuo recognized them as the girls who had offered food to Huo Yao yesterday. They all appeared healthy with flushed faces and robust bodies, seemingly not in need of medical attention.

Huo Yao’s face displayed a hint of helplessness as the girls fighting amongst themselves who should go. Eventually, they chose a representative who sat across from Huo Yao, rolled up her sleeves, and extended her wrist towards him.

Huo Yao refrained from making physical contact and inquired, “Where is the discomfort?”

The girl, shy and timid, blushed and confessed, “My heart hurts.”

Huo Yao continued his questions, “Since when did it start?”

The girl blushed even deeper, admitting, “Yesterday.”

Her fellow sisters chimed in, “She started feeling pain when she saw you,”

“I think she’s lovesick; no medicine is needed, just let Brother Huo take a look, and she’ll be fine,”

“Exactly, Divine Doctor Huo, have you gotten married this time? All of us sisters are thinking about you!”

The local customs in the Beiyuan area were open, and the girls expressed their affection for Huo Yao without reservation.

Huo Yao swiftly prescribed a medication to the girls, a recipe for clearing fire and removing heat, instructing Shi Yuan to dispense the medicine.

“Oh, Doctor Huo always treats us with this prescription,” remarked one of the girls. Aware of his reserved nature, they took it in good humor and bantered with each other.

For them, it was a bonus to catch an extra glimpse of Huo Yao’s face. He was undeniably handsome, radiating a captivating masculine aura with his broad shoulders, slim waist, and visible muscle lines beneath his clothing. He seemed more appealing than the immortals depicted in their painting books.

However, as the girls noticed Xie Zuo beside him, their gaze shifted, and they became increasingly intrigued. Huo Yao, sensing the direction of their interest, coughed lightly and asserted, “My brother is practicing cultivation with ruthless path, avoiding worldly relationships.”

What? Who said that! Xie Zuo was about to protest when his throat constricted, silencing him at Huo Yao’s behest.

Shi Yuan couldn’t resist a taunt, “You deserve it.”

The new handsome boy turned out to be a monk, and once again, these beauties were left unappreciated.

As the girls departed happily, they soon began discussing the attractive makeup seller in town.

.

Once they were gone, Huo Yao lifted the ban on Xie Zuo.

Furious, Xie Zuo exclaimed, “How dare you do this to me? Who allowed you to lie about my path?”

Huo Yao retorted coldly, “What? Are you still planning on having casual relationships?”

Xie Zuo was indignant, “Why not?”

Huo Yao stood up, looking down at him. “Don’t even think about it. If you dare to make a move or cause any trouble, I will send you away immediately.”

After issuing the threat, Huo Yao picked up the medicine box and said, “Follow me to Lu Zhong’s house. Let’s take a walk.”

Xie Zuo followed Huo Yao with a straight face, while Shi Yuan brought up the rear, adding another crime to Xie Zuo in his mind: licentiousness.

Observing the situation, Shi Yuan couldn’t fathom what Huo Yao saw in Xie Zuo.

Lu Xiaopang’s sesame cake shop was situated in the center of the village, a flat terrain bustling with families engaging in small businesses throughout the year.

Upon arriving, it was dinner time, and a crowd had gathered in front of the biscuit shop.

“Uncle Huo!” Lu Xiaopang greeted with a hint of embarrassment. “My mother refuses to see a doctor. She insists she’s not sick and forces me to stay to help!”

Aunt Lu, holding a rolling pin, scolded her son. “I’ve never seen you talk back like this. Your mother can knead dozens of kilograms of noodles at a time, but you couldn’t handle a fart!”

Despite her scolding, Aunt Lu showed mercy, letting Lu Xiaopang out of the shop and stuffing another batch of freshly baked sesame cakes into his arms. “Now go!”

Huo Yao wasn’t angered by Aunt Lu’s resistance; instead, he took Xie Zuo and Shi Yuan in, enjoyed sesame cakes while waiting nearby. When the crowd dispersed, he approached.

.

Exhausted from her hard work, Aunt Lu sat in front of the shop, massaging her waist. Lu Xiaopang rushed up and suggested, “Mom, you should let Uncle Huo take a look. He’s a miracle doctor!”

“A miracle doctors? What about you? But you don’t want to learn medicine from Uncle Huo, you only want to practice martial arts.”

Lu Xiaopang murmured, “Uncle Huo’s martial arts are even more powerful. Once I master martial arts, I’ll break my heartless father’s legs…”

“What nonsense is this?” Aunt Lu slapped Lu Xiaopang, saying, “He’s your biological father, and he isn’t afraid of God’s punishment. He wouldn’t be afraid of you.”

Seeing Huo Yao, Aunt Lu tried to get up, but he stopped her. Half-crouching next to her, he said, “Let me take your pulse.”

“Alright, okay!” Aunt Lu felt nervous around Huo Yao, not due to any romantic feelings but because she perceived his strength. Every time he examined her, something happened…

“Don’t worry, Lu Zhong. Your mother’s health is fine. She just needs to control her diet, continue losing weight, and avoid getting angry.”

Aunt Lu couldn’t hide her annoyance; every time Dr. Huo took her pulse, he mentioned her weight. But Lu Xiaopang, unaware of her feelings, sighed in relief, “Mom, you heard him, right? You need to cut down on eating and stop losing your temper!”

Aunt Lu remained silent.

Xie Zuo glanced sideways; each mother and son seemed rounder than the other. It appeared to be their natural build, resistant to any attempts at restraint.

Huo Yao stood up, telling Lu Xiaopang, “Come with me to the mountains tomorrow for herb collection. We’ll set off at midnight.”

“Sure!”

.

On the way back, Shi Yuan observed Huo Yao and Xie Zuo walking ahead, contemplating a frightening realization: if Lu Xiaopang wasn’t here tonight, he had to confront this troublesome duo alone.

No, he refused!