Chapter 53 Feigning Indifference

Chapter 53: Playing Hard to Get

After hearing Yu Yuan's words, Wu Qiu had expected to feel nothing but satisfaction, for Xue Hu had deeply hurt him, plaguing him for years. But now, truly learning that Xue Hu had fallen to the state of losing both parents and being forced into servitude, he merely sat frowning. In his heart, there was a flicker of gratification, but more than that, a deeper hatred. Xue Hu had loving parents and silver to rely on—everything Wu Qiu had once been willing to risk his life for—yet he had been so careless, so easily discarding parental love and his very security.

Wu Qiu didn't know whether to lament fate's unfairness or to rage against Xue Hu's actions. Remembering they were currently discussing serious matters, he quickly suppressed his displeasure, lifted his head, and continued listening. Just then, he heard Sun Xun follow Lei Ding's words and ask, "A plan to sow discord? That might be difficult, right? Xue Hu has survived to this day only because the Liu family keeps him fed. Wu Peng is also highly valued by Liu Yu. Would Xue Hu really oppose him?"

Before Lei Ding could speak, Wu Qiu spoke up first: "I think it can work."

He pondered for a moment before continuing, "Xue Hu and I are from the same hometown; we had dealings for several years. I know this man is not only someone who forgets honor for profit but also a bully who picks on the weak and cowers before the strong."

The group usually interacted frequently and were all well-acquainted. For convenience, they generally addressed Wu Qiu directly as "Qiu Geer." Now, Yu Yuan's sudden, half-teasing address of "brother-in-law" made Wu Qiu blush with shyness again. Lei Ding quickly waved his hand: "Alright, alright, let's talk business. Don't bully him."

Yu Yuan promptly agreed and continued, "Since Qiu Geer says so, it seems we truly have a vulnerability to exploit in this man. Wu Peng lives in seclusion, rarely showing his face nowadays. It might be better to turn Xue Hu first."

Lei Ding shook his head: "Flipping him isn't necessarily the goal. After all, with such a person, it's hard for us to trust him implicitly; we can't guarantee he won't have ulterior motives. The treatment of servants in the Liu family is far better than that of ordinary commoners. Plus, he bears a grudge against us. I don't believe a few threats or bribes would make him abandon all that to help us wholeheartedly."

Sun Xun closed the folding fan in his hand and tapped it on the edge of the table: "So, we just need to borrow his mouth, have him set the stage for us."

Wu Qiu didn't quite understand and asked, "Set the stage?"

Lei Ding nodded: "Exactly. If we merely defend against Wu Peng's moves, we'd be too passive. He could act tomorrow, next month, or even—if he has patience—wait several years. As the saying goes, 'A gentleman takes ten years to exact revenge.' Though he's no gentleman, his mind is already consumed. If he truly waits for years, we can't just stop living our lives properly, constantly watching his every move. So, we must strike first. This is called 'the best defense is a good offense.'"

Wu Qiu understood, nodding deeply, but then grew worried about Lei Ding: "But we're just an ordinary medical family. What can we possibly do?"

He knew Lei Ding had martial skills himself and recalled that day on the mountain when Lei Ding charged at Xue Hu with his sword. He thought of how someone as sinister and cunning as Wu Peng, backed by the Liu family, might leave a hidden trap. Wouldn't that risk ruining Lei Ding's future at best, or at worst, land him in prison or endanger his life?

Lei Ding, still holding Wu Qiu's hand with one hand, lightly tapped the table with the other: "This time, if we strike, we must finish them off in one go, capturing them all. If we don't eradicate them completely, there will be endless future troubles. If we spare them, they won't feel gratitude; they'll only seek even more desperate revenge."

Yu Yuan sighed: "Speaking truly, we aren't exactly in an advantageous position. They are desperate men with nothing to lose, people who would walk a path of no return for their own selfish desires. To put it bluntly, if pushed to the brink one day, whether it's Wu Peng or Xue Hu, in a fit of rage or blinded by madness, they might not engage in any civilized confrontation. They could simply come at you with a knife to harm you. That's not entirely impossible. At worst, they die, perhaps even wanting to take someone with them, thinking their death worthwhile. But you, Liang Ye, have parents, siblings, a husband, and now Ai Geer. You must consider things carefully, seeking thoroughness, and cannot just indulge in momentary satisfaction without leaving room for the future."

Lei Ding smiled: "After enduring those beatings, I've learned his method of getting someone else to do your dirty work. Now let's use it ourselves. What do you all think?"

Sun Xun also laughed: "That method is good; it avoids dirtying our own hands. But there's one thing: this way, we must lure the enemy in deep, forcing them to act according to the trap we set. How to set this trap still requires careful consideration."

Yu Yuan and Sun Xun stayed to discuss for a long time, even sharing a simple meal together. They didn't disperse until the beginning of the *shen* hour (around 3 PM), each going to procure items and arrange personnel. Lei Ding led Wu Qiu back to their room to rest. Having sat for half a day, Wu Qiu felt weary. As Lei Ding massaged his waist, he asked, "What do you think of today's decision, Qiu Er? They were here earlier; I was afraid you couldn't speak freely. Now it's just the two of us. If you have anything else you want to say, just tell me."

Wu Qiu shook his head but turned and threw himself into Lei Ding's embrace: "I don't have any specific suggestions. But... will you be in danger this time?"

He pursed his lips and said softly, "Last time... I'm still haunted by it. If it were up to me to handle this without you, I might flee far away to avoid disaster. I know there's no other way now, and you're not someone who just avoids things, but I'm still a little worried... The method everyone discussed just now sounds good, but what if they don't fall for the trap? What if they have some other vicious scheme?"

He pressed his body closer to Lei Ding: "I'm so afraid you'll be in such peril again. I... I can't..."

He wanted to say he couldn't be without Lei Ding but felt it was inauspicious to say so. So he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue, just nuzzling against Lei Ding's ear. Lei Ding held him tight. Seeing him so concerned for himself, Lei Ding felt both heartache and an untimely flicker of joy. He couldn't help but chuckle softly. Seeing Wu Qiu's worried expression, his slightly furrowed brow, Lei Ding thought if the Moon Goddess Chang'e were a *ge'er*, she probably wouldn't surpass this. His heart itched, and he planted several kisses on Wu Qiu's face and lips.

Wu Qiu pushed weakly against his shoulder: "I'm talking seriously with you, and you're trying to muddle through like this again?"

Lei Ding laughed: "I'm not trying to brush you off. I just think Qiu Er is very beautiful. To say there's absolutely no danger this time would truly be arrogant, lying to you. But we must try, to avoid complications. Besides, if we strike first and something unexpected happens, there's still room for maneuver. We won't reach the point of 'burning the boats' or 'fighting with our backs to the river.' So, Qiu Er, don't worry too much. Just remember, these next few days, don't go out alone. If you want anything or want to go somewhere, you must tell me. I'll do the shopping or accompany you. Remember?"

Wu Qiu nodded: "I remember. You still owe me many things. You promised to take me to the temple for a spring outing. Last year you also said you'd take me to the mountains to taste wild game. After finishing this matter, you must fulfill them one by one."

Not a single sentence mentioned the risks of this endeavor, yet every sentence was filled with concern, like a mix of wheedling and a threat, telling Lei Ding he still had to accompany him to see many places and do many things, so he must not have any mishaps because of Wu Peng and Xue Hu. Lei Ding naturally understood his sentiments. Recalling Wu Qiu's expression when Xue Hu was mentioned during the earlier conversation with Yu Yuan and Sun Xun, he knew even more how precious he was to Wu Qiu. He dared not be careless in his heart. Holding Wu Qiu, he rocked him gently: "Good Qiu Er, don't be afraid. I will definitely not break my promise."

In the following days, Lei Ding no longer stayed in the east courtyard every day as he had these past two months. Instead, he returned to the front as usual. When patients came seeking medical treatment, he diagnosed and treated them as in the past. If house calls were needed, he no longer refused, picking up his medicine chest and going. Except for not allowing Lei Tan or Lei Li to follow him out anymore, everything seemed to have returned to the way it was several months ago.

His reappearance caused quite a stir among the neighbors. Since his sentencing to caning at the prefectural yamen, most common folk hadn't seen him again. There were many rumors: some said he had already died, but to avoid distressing Wu Qiu and the child, the funeral wasn't held; others said he had fled far away to escape this disaster. Now, seeing him appear safe and sound before everyone's eyes naturally sparked much discussion. The Lei family had always been on good terms with their neighbors. Most people congratulated him, and Lei Ding merely smiled and thanked them, not boasting excessively about how he had narrowly escaped death. Thus, within three to five days, this commotion gradually faded, and everything returned to normal, as if the medical hall had never suffered this calamity.

Xue Hu worked as Liu Yu's sedan chair carrier, but Liu Yu didn't travel out much daily. Firstly, as a *ge'er* from a wealthy family and still unmarried, it wasn't proper for him to show his face everywhere. Secondly, his leg had been left disabled, and the family elders forbade him from going out again. Therefore, Xue Hu enjoyed his leisure. Although he was on duty at the residence every day, he could leave early, using his monthly wages to drink and gamble with other servants. He often roamed the streets, quite carefree.

One day, he was drunk again outside. Although it wasn't yet curfew, the sky was already dark, and there were far fewer idlers on the streets. Staggering along, humming a tuneless song while leaning against the walls of shops by the street, he was feeling his way back to the Liu residence. Suddenly, he saw someone emerge from a household ahead. Squinting for a closer look, he instantly felt half-sober.

Although he couldn't see the face clearly, that stature and build—there was no mistake. It was Lei Ding, the man who had nearly taken his life on the mountain that day!

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--- Author's Note: Isn't this supposed to be a slice-of-life story about commoners... an ordinary love story between a physician and a *ge'er*... How did it manage to create a bit of tense atmosphere hahahahahahahaha