Chapter 160

Chapter 160

Shen Que moved closer slowly, so nervous that nose-breathing alone wasn't providing enough oxygen—he had to open his mouth to breathe.

What he didn’t expect was that as he drew near, the person lying flat on his back suddenly began to turn toward him.

It was too sudden; he was completely unprepared.

As a result, the thing he only meant to smell suddenly pressed right against him, slipping through his parted lips.

It went down incredibly smoothly.

Shen Que’s pupils instantly dilated, and he backed away at the fastest speed of his life, instinctively on the verge of spitting. But a glance at Chen Zui, who had turned over, reminded him not to wake him.

He forced himself to hold it in.

He fled the room like a thief—flustered but cautious.

As soon as he left, muffled laughter echoed in the bedroom. Chen Zui thought, *Even a straight guy’s mouth is pretty warm.*

Outside, Shen Que grimaced, spitting repeatedly, his face twisted in agony. He had only wanted to smell it! Although Chen Zui’s member was pale and clean, even quite pretty, it was still a man’s…

The thought of having put a man’s member in his mouth made Shen Que feel like the sky was falling.

He rushed back at top speed and brushed his teeth as hard as he could.

During breakfast, Chen Zui noticed that Shen Que was still acting awkward around him and was even eating with a pained look.

Lao Lei asked him what was wrong, and Shen Que muttered softly, "My gums are bleeding."

Lao Lei replied, "Must be internal heat. Let Doctor Chen get you some medicine."

Shen Que avoided looking at Chen Zui and stuffed a whole boiled egg into his mouth. "Not necessary."

Chen Zui pretended not to hear.

Nothing had happened on the river the previous night. Shen Que had assigned Xiao Xu to go to West Town to set up a meeting with Liang Yingzhang to discuss river matters. Xiao Xu had left early in the morning and returned right at mealtime. As soon as he got back, he reported to Shen Que: "Boss, they said to meet at the border at eleven."

Shen Que nodded. "Alright, good work. Go eat."

Lao Lei asked, "Boss, how are you planning to negotiate?"

Shen Que replied, "Barter."

Lao Xu put down his bowl of porridge and chuckled before speaking. "How about trading some people? Bring some single young men and women over to our side."

He was just joking—it was clearly an unreliable idea. Young laborers can also create the next generation, and for long-term development, they were more valuable than goods.

Lao Lei wiped his beard. "Don’t talk nonsense so early in the morning. You’re not even as reliable as your Xiao Xu."

Lao Xu chuckled twice.

Chen Zui, who had been listening quietly, put down his chopsticks. "Brother Shen."

Shen Que took a deep breath before looking at him—it seemed the shock from the "chicken incident" still had a significant impact on this straight man.

"What is it?"

"Brother Shen, I’d like to go with you to the negotiation to see how it’s done and see the world."

It wasn’t a big deal. The negotiation spot wasn’t far from town, so Shen Que agreed readily. "Sure, I’ll let you know before we head out."

After finishing his meal, Chen Zui first went to check on Xiao Wu, who was in good spirits and thanked him over and over.

Song Luo, who had stayed overnight, was eating nearby.

Chen Zui said, "Go back and rest after you finish eating."

Song Luo shook his head. "It’s fine, I slept last night. I want to stay and keep learning from you, Brother Chen."

He didn’t want to fall behind even for a day, especially since he was the oldest among the four apprentices and couldn’t afford to lag.

The morning wasn’t too busy. Chen Zui took his four apprentices to learn the medicines on the shelves and explained them.

Chen Zui said, "Don’t rush. Medicine is complex—the brain, bones, blood, organs, and so on. It’s impossible to excel at everything. First, get a basic understanding, then pick a specialty you’re interested in and have a talent for to focus on."

The four apprentices nodded earnestly.

At noon, Xiao Xu came to get him. "Doctor Chen, let’s go."

Chen Zui responded, "Alright," took off his white coat, and before leaving, instructed his apprentices, "Take a break at noon. If anyone comes, write down their symptoms but don’t prescribe anything—wait for me to return."

"Okay, Brother Chen," the apprentices said in unison, holding their notebooks, looking exceptionally obedient.

Chen Zui genuinely felt some of the joys of being a teacher.

At the border between the two towns, a table, chairs, and a canopy were set up.

The negotiation site was rather simple and slapdash, especially against the backdrop of the stone-paved road and the nearby rice fields.

Ao Tian remarked, "It feels like playing house."

Liang Yingzhang and his group had already arrived.

Xiao Xu was quick-witted. To make his boss look more authoritative, the first thing he did after getting out of the car was to step forward and pull out a chair, standing tall and shooting a sidelong glance at Liang Yingzhang’s group.

Shen Que walked over.

He raised his hand and placed it on Chen Zui’s shoulder. "Have a seat."

Instantly, Chen Zui became the center of attention.

Chen Zui looked embarrassed. "Brother Shen, you should sit. I’m fine standing."

Shen Que increased the pressure on his shoulder, pushing him toward the chair. "I said sit, so sit. Do as I say."

Xiao Xu’s eyes darted, and he quickly said, "It’s fine, Brother Chen, you sit. The boss has a chair."

He hurried behind Shen Que, knelt on the ground, leaned forward, and supported himself with his hands,

turning himself into a human chair.

The scene fell silent instantly, everyone’s expressions varied from astonishment to awkwardness. Even the summer breeze seemed to carry a hint of embarrassment.

Smart, but too smart for his own good.

Shen Que rubbed his forehead.

Then he gave Xiao Xu a light kick: "Get out of here."

Xiao Xu scrambled up, dusted off his pants, and returned to his father's side looking a little hurt. Lao Xu sneakily gave him a thumbs-up.

"That's my boy."

"Dad, what do you think? How did I do just now?"

"You did great! So clever, only you would think of that."

"Then why wouldn't the boss sit on me?"

"The boss was worried you couldn't take it."

The father and son whispered to each other, making Lao Lei beside them almost tug his beard off in irritation. He had someone go get a chair.

Shen Que didn't care whether there was a chair or not. He stood there looking like a troublemaker, lit a cigarette, and stuck it between his lips.

"You can have the fish, but you'll have to give us something in return."

He got right to business, no beating around the bush.

The faces of the people behind Liang Yingzhang fell, like they had plenty to say.

Liang Yingzhang only replied with three words: "Why should we?"

His men's chins went up defiantly. Yeah, why? The fish aren’t yours.

Ao Tian: "Back when you were protecting the big boss in negotiations, it must have been million-dollar deals, right?"

Chen Zui: "The circumstances are different. In this world, food is the most valuable thing."

Chen Zui had indeed experienced many high-pressure situations. It might sound ridiculous that two groups were fighting over fish, but in this world, Chen Zui understood.

With Liang Yingzhang’s response, the atmosphere got tense.

Shen Que tilted his head back, blowing smoke: "Why should you?"

He laughed.

His gaze swept over Liang Yingzhang and his men one by one: "Because your father came here as refugees with his twenty or thirty people, and our East Town gave you a chance to survive."

"Because the first batch of crops you planted came from seeds we gave you."

"Because the first winter you spent here, you made it through thanks to East Town."

"Should I go on?"

"Do you even have the face to listen to more?"

His mother had shown the West Town every kindness. To her, every human life was precious, and it was precisely because of her heart and compassion that East Town gradually grew stronger, drawing more and more people to join.

That’s what made East Town what it is today.

Back then, a few of Liang Yingzhang’s father’s men were moved and voluntarily came to East Town.

Shen Que’s voice wasn’t loud, but his words burned the West Town folks worse than a slap in the face.

In the past, Shen Que usually avoided bringing this up, so over the years, he had always resolved issues with the West Town through force. But the longer he stayed in his position, the more he understood what his mother meant when she said: "Fighting is the dumbest way to solve problems. I not only need to ensure everyone’s full bellies, but more importantly, I need to protect everyone’s health and lives."

Right now, Xiao Wu is still laid up in the clinic—so young, yet destined to end up a cripple.

Shen Que had to change himself.

The energy on Liang Yingzhang’s side deflated. First, everything Shen Que said was true. Second, they had agreed to negotiate because they also wanted a solution. They were tired of the back and forth of stealing fish and fighting every few days.

Liang Yingzhang: "What do you want me to trade for it?"

Shen Que: "From now on, we split the fish down the middle. As for that mountain, it’s eighty-twenty—eighty for me, twenty for you."

He pointed to the big mountain standing quiet.

Liang Yingzhang frowned. That was truly a big ask. Someone behind him was getting antsy.

Liang Yingzhang: "Sixty-forty. You take sixty, I take forty. Consider that extra ten percent my share for the fish."

Shen Que took another drag of his cigarette: "Seventy-thirty. Any lower, and the deal's off. Oh, and—"

He asked seriously: "I wonder if your old doctor over there can handle more people as your numbers grow? Have you trained a successor?"

He smiled.

The smile was bright but clearly threatening. Beside him, Chen Zui, sitting there with his legs crossed like a boss, was the confidence behind that threat.

Liang Yingzhang and his men also looked at Chen Zui.

A young, genuinely skilled doctor—they’d love to poach him.

If this negotiation failed, the only option left would be an all-out fight with everything we've got. Whether it was medical resources, manpower, or supplies, the West Town, having arrived later, couldn't compete with the East Town.

Liang Yingzhang didn’t think for too long. Shen Que’s initial demand was purposely unreasonable, but this was his final offer.

There was no room for further reduction.

If they wanted to continue growing in peace, the war between them had to end—it must end.

Both sides felt the same way, so the negotiation proceeded smoothly.

Liang Yingzhang pointed at Chen Zui: "Fine, but he has to apologize to me. Last time, I definitely didn’t touch him."

Shen Que frowned.

Everyone looked at Chen Zui again.

Chen Zui raised his gaze, looking surprised and innocent at Liang Yingzhang. His expression shifted quickly—from surprise to hurt and holding back.

He placed his hands on the armrests of the chair as if to stand up, but Shen Que stopped him.

Chen Zui turned to him: "Brother Shen, for the sake of cooperation between the two towns, I should apologize. It’s fine. Since Mr. Liang says he didn’t touch me, then I must have lost my balance. It’s my fault."

"It’s just an apology…"

He put on a shaky but brave smile: "Mr. Liang is the leader of West Town. I’m just a nobody doctor. Apologizing to him is nothing. I can’t let the peace we almost have between our towns be ruined because of me. If it means no one gets hurt because of this, I’d even be willing to get on my knees and bow."

Liang Yingzhang: "You—!"

Shen Que: "That's enough!"

Shen Que shot back at Liang Yingzhang: "Even if you're the boss of West Town, you can't bully someone from East Town. There were so many witnesses that day! Besides, why would Chen Zui falsely accuse you? What would he get out of it?"

Liang Yingzhang was so angry his nostrils flaring, yet he couldn't answer a single question. What did Chen Zui stand to gain? Liang Yingzhang couldn't figure it out either.

Shen Que continued: "You just want to smear his reputation, to make us doubt Doctor Chen and drive a wedge between us. You’ve miscalculated!"

Liang Yingzhang jabbed a finger at Shen Que: "You—"

His deputy pulled at his sleeve: "Boss, let's focus on what matters."

If this continued, the talks would break down.

Liang Yingzhang took a deep breath. As the leader, he had to set an example. He couldn’t risk what's best for the whole town over a personal grudge. Being the boss was both a privilege and a shackle.

Shen Que: "An apology is out of the question. Do you accept the terms or not?"

Liang Yingzhang ground out: "Tomorrow at ten, we'll divide the territory on the mountain!"

With that, he turned and stormed off, throwing a glare at Chen Zui before leaving.

Chen Zui had already placed his other hand on Shen Que's, saying understandingly: "Brother Shen, you don’t have to do this for me. It’s just an apology. I was bullied before too, even before coming to East Town. For everyone’s sake, I’m willing."

Shen Que looked at this fool who always thought of others, feeling sorry for him: "With me, no one gets to bully you. Not even you yourself."

Lao Xu and the others chimed in: "Yeah, we’re not apologizing to him. Why should we?"

Chen Zui’s eyes grew red with emotion: "Thank you, you’re all so good to me."

Finally, he looked intently at Shen Que with those teary eyes, his fair face flushed from the midday sun: "Thank you, Brother Shen."

Shen Que said earnestly: "You... be easier on yourself from now on."

Chen Zui smiled shyly: "I understand."

Only then was Shen Que satisfied. With a wave of his hand, he said: "Let’s go! Home!"

As he turned away, he glanced at Chen Zui again. Under the sun, his face looked even more handsome.

Chen Zui stood up but suddenly swayed unsteadily.

Shen Que, who had been watching him, quickly reached out to support him: "What’s wrong?"

Chen Zui leaned weakly into his arms: "...Maybe a bit of sunstroke."

Author's Note:

Chen Zui: Since I’m acting like a tea master, I might as well go all the way~ [Cabbage Dog]