Chapter 133 City Streets 33

Chapter 133: City Life in the Prefecture (Part 33)

Chen Sanxi was equally surprised to encounter Qin Banban and the others here, his eyes widening in astonishment.

He first glanced at Qin Banban, then turned to Liu Guyu and Cui Lanfang, exclaiming, "Auntie Cui? When did you all come to the prefecture?"

Cui Lanfang was also taken aback. She rose to greet Chen Sanxi, scrutinizing him from head to toe, and delightedly said, "It really is little Sanxi! We moved here in July."

"It’s been three years since you left the village, hasn’t it? So you’ve been in the prefecture all this time? You came back for New Year's the first year, but never after that! I thought I’d never see you again!"

Even after all these years, Chen Sanxi hadn’t grown any more talkative, remaining as reticent as ever.

He said, "I had work during New Year's these past two years, so I didn’t go back."

Cui Lanfang burst out laughing.

Fang Liuyin also put down his chopsticks and stood up, asking with a smile, "You know each other?"

Qin Banban quickly explained, "Teacher, he’s from the same village as us!"

"What a coincidence! I know this man too—he’s an escort from the He Family Escort Agency. Other men don’t trust a woman practicing medicine and rarely come by, but he’s the one who comes by most often to buy medicine. Over time, I came to know him! Though today is the first time I’ve learned his name."

Fang Liuyin spoke cheerfully.

Chen Sanxi, however, said matter-of-factly, "The medicine here is cheaper."

He was straightforward and never one for sugarcoating things—who else would say something so plainly!

Cui Lanfang was amused but also a little embarrassed, worried that Fang Liuyin might take offense. She hurriedly said, "This boy… he’s never been much of a talker since he was young. After all these years, he hasn’t changed a bit!"

But Fang Liuyin laughed even more heartily and asked Chen Sanxi, "Where are you hurt today? Come, let me take a look."

Chen Sanxi didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Qin Banban, who was staring at him with wide eyes, and then at the half-finished meal on the table. He realized he had arrived at noon, right in the middle of their lunch.

He then said, "It’s a minor injury. Doctor Fang, please finish your meal first."

With that, he found a wooden stool and sat down, his expression calm and showing no sign of pain, as if it really were just a minor injury.

Seeing his demeanor, Fang Liuyin assumed it was indeed minor and wasn’t in a hurry, deciding to finish eating before examining him. This would also give the fellow villagers some time to catch up.

Liu Guyu asked a few questions and learned that after leaving the village, Chen Sanxi had headed straight for the prefecture. Initially, he worked loading goods at Meijiang Wharf until he happened to meet the chief escort of the He Family Escort Agency, who thought he had the build for martial arts and took him in.

Chen Sanxi took Escort Chief He as his master, trained in martial arts with him, and took on escort and transport jobs, making a decent living for himself.

After finishing his meal, Fang Liuyin walked over to Chen Sanxi and asked, "Where are you hurt?"

Chen Sanxi slowly removed his outer garment, revealing his sturdy shoulders and arms. A large bruised area covered his shoulder and back, and his upper arm was wrapped in a thick layer of white gauze, though it was unclear how severe the injury beneath was.

He said casually, "My arm won’t budge. Probably dislocated."

Fang Liuyin: "..."

Fang Liuyin was stunned for a moment before exclaiming, "You're hurt this bad? Why didn’t you say so earlier?!"

Instead of answering, Chen Sanxi looked at Qin Banban and asked, "Are you studying medicine? This is a good chance to learn bonesetting. Want to give it a try? You don’t get opportunities like this often."

He was still bare-shouldered, his muscular shoulders and back faintly visible, which made Qin Banban quite flustered.

If he were a stranger, she might not have felt so awkward. Lately, watching her teacher administer acupuncture had gradually accustomed her to seeing patients as mere cases.

But Chen Sanxi and she grew up in the same village, knowing each other since childhood—how could she possibly see him as a specimen?

Chen Sanxi didn’t have any ill intentions; he genuinely believed it was a golden opportunity and spoke with complete sincerity.

The clinic usually dealt with minor injuries and illnesses, so encountering a dislocated shoulder was rare—might as well learn while we can? Who knew when the next chance would come?

Cui Lanfang said with an exasperated laugh, "You silly boy, what nonsense are you talking! Doctor Fang, don’t listen to him. Hurry and check that arm—it must hurt so much!"

Fang Liuyin nodded but still called Qin Banban over. He didn’t let her handle it directly; instead, he carefully explained how to set the bone step by step while he worked.

With a *crack*, Fang Liuyin released his grip and said to Chen Sanxi, "See if you can move it?"

Chen Sanxi rotated his arm and finally nodded. "It’s fine now."

Qin Banban was amazed. She had listened attentively and felt she understood, but watching Fang Liuyin succeed in one go still felt wondrous.

She even curiously examined Chen Sanxi’s arm, turning it around, her eyes shining with fascination.

Fang Liuyin returned to the table to help Cui Lanfang clear away the dishes, then said to Qin Banban, "Banban, take off his bandage, clean the wound again, and apply fresh medicine."

Qin Banban replied loudly, "Okay!"

She carefully unwrapped the bandage and only then saw the bloody mess on Chen Sanxi’s upper arm. It was unclear where he had scraped or bumped it, but the wound wasn’t deep—just a large, nasty-looking wound.

"Hey, and you said it was just a minor injury!"

Qin Banban frowned and shot Chen Sanxi a glare, but he didn’t even flinch, as if it truly didn’t hurt.

She muttered, "...As if this flesh isn’t even part of your body."

While murmuring, she cleaned the wound.

The injury was actually quite clean—likely because escorts often got hurt and could handle simple wounds themselves.

Qin Banban cleaned it once more, carefully applied medicated powder, rewrapped it with a clean bandage, and finally took out a bottle of medicinal oil, working it thoroughly over the bruise on his shoulder.

"All set."

Banban said softly, then added, "Be careful recently—don’t reinjure it. Keep your diet light, less oil and spice, and no alcohol."

Chen Sanxi nodded and took out a small piece of broken silver from his pocket.

Qin Banban widened her eyes and waved her hands hurriedly. "This is too much! Ah... you’ve really come into money now! Handing out silver so casually!"

Chen Sanxi said concisely, "I’ll need to come back for dressing changes."

Qin Banban glanced at Fang Liuyin and, seeing her teacher nod, smiled and said, "Alright then, I’ll put it on your tab. This will cover you for a long time!"

With that, she hurried behind the counter with the silver, weighed it on the small scale, dipped a brush in ink, and began recording the transaction.

Meanwhile, Chen Sanxi straightened his clothes and prepared to leave. Before going, he said to Cui Lanfang, "Auntie, I work as an escort at the He Family Escort Agency on Wuliang Street in the South Market. If you need anything, just come find me."

Cui Lanfang was delighted and said, "We live on Fruit Lane along Riverbank Street. Liu's Eatery on Spring Street is run by your Brother Liu! Come by for a meal sometime! Oh, right—since we’re free today, come over for dinner tonight!"

Chen Sanxi thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

"Okay, thanks for having me, Auntie."

With that, he nodded to Liu Guyu, took one last look at Qin Banban, and turned to leave the clinic.

Cui Lanfang pulled Liu Guyu along with a laugh, saying, "This one's all grown up now. Compared to when he was little, he's actually pretty chatty now!"

Liu Guyu laughed along in agreement.

By evening, Qin Rongshi returned home from school and, as soon as he entered, smelled stewed meat from the kitchen.

Liu Guyu immediately told him about running into Chen Sanxi at Huichun Clinic earlier and inviting him over for dinner that evening.

Qin Rongshi was also surprised for a moment, but only a moment. The next instant, he reached out to feel Liu Guyu’s forehead, but Liu Guyu bent out of reach with a bend of his waist.

"Still checking? The fever’s long gone! I hardly coughed at all today. Just a couple more days of medicine, and I should be fully recovered!"

Qin Rongshi nodded, then pulled out a small, flat round ceramic box from his pocket—the very same box of medicinal herb candies!

Liu Guyu quickly asked, "You bought more? I’m almost better."

He hadn’t bought any at Fang Liuyin’s clinic earlier, thinking that since he was nearly well, there was no need to buy throat candies. Those medicinal candies were just too expensive—half a tael (of silver) for a box, and it only lasted three days.

Qin Rongshi said, "But you’re not fully better yet, are you?"

As he spoke, he turned Liu Guyu’s hand over and placed the candy box into it.

Liu Guyu sighed, thinking, *Well, it’s already bought—what can I do about it now?*

He quickly made peace with it and promptly popped one into his mouth.

A bit later, Chen Sanxi arrived.

He didn’t come empty-handed but brought a pork knuckle weighing over five jin (about 6 pounds), which naturally got him a few chiding remarks from Cui Lanfang.

"Bringing gifts to your aunt’s house! You’ve learned to stand on ceremony, child."

"Next time you come, don’t bring anything."

……

Lucky seemed to remember Chen Sanxi. He only barked a couple of times when the man first entered, then quickly gave a few sniffs and began wagging his tail wildly and jumping up on him.

"Lucky! No jumping! Sit! He’s injured!"

Qin Banban came out to call back the excited dog and invited Chen Sanxi inside to sit.

Chen Sanxi followed her, and as he reached the middle of the yard, he noticed an empty wooden frame.

Qin Banban explained, "It’s a grape trellis. We really liked this grape trellis when we bought the house. We originally planned to buy grapevine seedlings and plant them, hoping to have grapes to eat in a couple of years. Who knew grapevine seedlings would be so hard to find? We searched all over Jiangning Prefecture but didn’t see anyone selling them."

Chen Sanxi glanced at it and said, "I travel to many places for escort jobs. I’ll ask around for you when I get the chance."

Qin Banban said happily, "That’d be wonderful! When we grow grapes, we’ll send some your way!"

With that, she led him further inside.

Just as they reached the main hall’s entrance, Chen Sanxi felt something tug at his pant leg. He looked down but didn't see anything, only a small hole in the wooden wall panel.

Chen Sanxi looked back up and was about to step forward when his pant leg was tugged again.

He looked down once more, and this time he saw it.

A fluffy white paw.

The cat was unlucky—the tip of its claw had caught on a loose thread from his pants and was stuck, unable to free itself. It was meowing anxiously.

Chen Sanxi crouched down and gave the paw a couple of gentle presses. The pink paw pads were soft and pleasant to touch.

...But the cat’s meows grew increasingly distressed, hard on his ears.

It was the timid orange-and-white cat, the one too scared to show itself. Hiding inside, it had reached a paw through a crack in the door to bat at his pant leg. Instead, its claw got hooked on the thread, and now it was being held captive while someone fondled its paw pads. Terrified, it let out a loud, pitiful meow.

Hearing the cat, Qin Banban turned around and saw that Chen Sanxi, who had been following her, had stopped at the doorway. He was crouched by the threshold, gently holding the cat’s paw, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curling at the corner of his lips.

Chen Sanxi rarely smiled.

If her second brother was already considered stern and unsmiling, he still relaxed around family and could often be seen smiling.

But Chen Sanxi... Qin Banban thought for a moment. Hmm, she really couldn’t recall ever seeing him smile.

As if sensing Qin Banban’s gaze, Chen Sanxi quickly freed the cat’s claw from the thread. The orange-and-white kitten snatched its paw back in a flash and, with a terrified meow, fled into the inner room as if its life depended on it, leaving not even a trace of fur behind.

Chen Sanxi stood up, somewhat awkwardly rubbing the tip of his nose. The faint smile at his lips had completely vanished.

He said, "...It ran away."

Qin Banban covered her mouth with a laugh and explained, "It’s very timid."

Then she glanced around and spotted the calico cat sitting properly and primly on a stool by the table, its pretty feline face practically spelling out the words—"Food, food, let food come from all directions!"

"This one’s bold. You can pet this one!"

With that, she picked up the calico and tucked it into Chen Sanxi’s arms. He caught it hastily, quickly supporting it with his uninjured hand.

Chen Sanxi stroked it a couple of times. Its fur was soft and smooth, and he couldn’t help but linger.

But the calico wasn’t having it. It wriggled out of his arms, leaped back onto the stool, and resumed its proper, dignified posture, waiting for food.

It could smell it—there was stewed meat today.

Meat was good.

Humans, don’t even think of sneaking food behind the cat’s back.

Qin Banban laughed even more heartily and urged, "Please, have a seat! Dinner will be ready soon. Make yourself comfortable."

With that, she also went to the kitchen to help serve the dishes.

Chen Sanxi felt too awkward to just sit and wait, so he followed her out. Cui Lanfang chided him lightly when she saw him but didn’t shoo him away. Together, they carried the dishes to the main hall, sat down, and began the meal.

The table was laden with delicious dishes: pork bones stewed with white radish, sword beans with ribs, a few other lightly seasoned dishes, and a plate of stir-fried mushrooms with garlic.

"Eat up! See if your aunt’s cooking has gotten worse? Everything’s light, perfect for you. Have more meat!"

Cui Lanfang served Chen Sanxi a couple of helpings and added,

"Try these wild mushrooms too. Bought them at the market this morning—goodness, they cost almost as much as meat! I tell you, if we were still in the village, the hills would be full of mushrooms. Who’d need to spend money on them?"

The meal was lively and cheerful. Chen Sanxi shared stories from his two years working at the escort agency, while Cui Lanfang and the others recounted village happenings over the same period. They talked about when their family moved to the prefectural city and what had happened since, and mentioned that Qin Rongshi had already passed the imperial examinations at the county level and was now studying at Xiangshan Academy.

The dinner was filled with joy, and the conversation never lagged, the table alive with laughter and cheerful chatter.