Chapter 7 Outburst

Chapter 7: Onset

Like a whirlwind, it took him completely by surprise, leaving no time to react.

"Watch out, young master!" the attendant beside him shouted in alarm, lunging forward to kick the person away.

Lin Nanshu was jolted back by the sudden impact, stumbling a couple of steps before barely steadying himself.

He instinctively tried to push the person in front of him away, but before he could act,

the man grabbed his robes and crumpled to the ground, his crooked white veiled hat falling off as well.

Cheng Ge, seeing he was about to hit the ground, quickly reached out and clung tightly to the other's waist, determined not to fall flat on his face.

Lin Nanshu looked at the young man before him and, for some reason, inexplicably reached out and caught him.

"Sir, what are you—"

But before he could finish, the man in his arms suddenly opened his mouth, "Ugh..."

A mouthful of blood splattered all over his chest, staining the moon-white front of his robe bright red, with a few stray drops landing on his cheek.

This sudden turn of events made Lin Nanshu's heart jump.

Cheng Ge's vision went pitch black, a dull ache in his chest as his forehead pressed against the other man's chest.

"My silver, my silver was stolen, help me..." Before he could finish his words, he blacked out.

When Cheng Ge woke again, he felt completely devastated, staring blankly at the bed canopy with tears welling up in his eyes.

His money was gone—all his savings, earned fair and square—just stolen like that.

Stupid thief, no morals at all, hope you die a horrible death.

Cheng Ge cursed under his breath, his heart aching, when a hand gently pushed aside the bed curtains.

He turned his head to look and saw a man with a strikingly clear and gentle face come into view.

"Why are you crying? Are you still feeling bad?" His voice was calm, like a mountain spring, soothing enough to calm you down just by hearing it.

He felt a bit uneasy, but Cheng Ge still shook his head, faking it. "I'm fine."

Lin Nanshu, seeing how miserable he looked, didn't push it.

He took a bowl of medicine from a maid beside him, then said, "Then drink this first."

Cheng Ge glanced at the bowl, gulped, and struggled to sit up in bed.

The maid stepped in to carefully support his back, putting a pillow behind him.

"Thank you," Cheng Ge said, looking up at her.

The maid met his gaze, a hint of shyness in her eyes, before she quickly lowered her head and stepped back.

Cheng Ge took the bowl, stared at the dark liquid, and his brow instantly scrunched up like a caterpillar.

To be honest, he'd always been healthy in his past life and hardly ever drank Chinese medicine.

Now, just smelling it, he knew it wouldn't taste good.

Whatever, a real man just chugs it! Down the hatch!

Cheng Ge gritted his teeth and chugged it, the bitter taste flooding his mouth, twisting his face.

"Ugh..." He suddenly leaned over the bed and started puking, damn, it was more bitter than life itself, not fit for human consumption.

Now he'd emptied all the acid from his stomach, dry-heaving nonstop, drenched in cold sweat, about to pass out.

Just then, a hand gently rubbed his back, and a cup of water appeared in front of him.

"Drink some water to calm your stomach." Cheng Ge took the cup and chugged it, finally feeling the bitterness ease up a bit.

He took a moment to catch his breath, then flopped onto the bed like a dead dog.

Seeing him like this, Lin Nanshu sighed to himself but didn't blame him.

He'd heard some people throw up after taking medicine, so it wasn't the guy's fault.

He told the servants to clean up the room, then looked at the completely defeated Cheng Ge.

"Can you get up? Let's go eat something first, and later I'll have the physician come check on you again."

Eat? That perked Cheng Ge right up. Even if he were truly paralyzed, he'd crawl to the table.

He nodded frantically at Lin Nanshu. "Eat."

Lin Nanshu had someone bring warm water for Cheng Ge to wash up, and considering his illness, had the meals brought to the room.

Since Cheng Ge was still sick, they avoided too much greasy or heavy food, opting instead for light and refreshing small dishes.

Lin Nanshu ladled a bowl of congee and placed it before him. Cheng Ge picked up a spoon and took a sip; maybe because he was so hungry, it tasted pretty good.

He reached for a bite of stir-fried lotus root tips, crisp and perfect with the congee.

There was also a steamed sea bass, along with a green vegetable and a bowl of pork rib soup.

Cheng Ge stuffed his mouth full, only remembering Lin Nanshu halfway through his meal. He mumbled, "Have you eaten? Want some too?"

Lin Nanshu watched Cheng Ge's antics and couldn't help but smile. "I've already eaten. Go ahead, no need to rush."

Hearing this, Cheng Ge didn't hold back. He devoured the food like a whirlwind, his chopsticks flying.

After finishing the last spoonful of congee in his bowl, he got up and scooped out the last bit from the ceramic pot.

He picked up the last bits of scallion from the bottom of the steamed fish plate and ate it with the last of his congee.

Lin Nanshu looked on in shock. Normally, this amount of food would be enough for three people, yet Cheng Ge had polished it off alone.

His gaze fell on the man's still-flat stomach, and he asked uncertainly, "Should I have the kitchen make you another serving?"

Cheng Ge put down his bowl and shook his head with great restraint. "No need, I'll eat again at dinner."

Lin Nanshu nodded, not wanting him to overeat and upset his stomach.

Just then, the physician entered, carrying his medicine box.

Lin Nanshu had the physician examine Cheng Ge thoroughly, but the physician's expression was grim.

"This gentleman's poison is truly too potent. My abilities are limited; I can only do my best to suppress it."

Cheng Ge wasn't too surprised; it was pretty much what that old man had said before.

"This gentleman can't take herbal medicine. Doctor Liu, could you possibly swap it for something else?"

As soon as he said that, Cheng Ge's eyes shot to Doctor Liu, full of hope.

He really didn't want to drink that damn herbal medicine—he'd rather take some tasteless, colorless poison.

Doctor Liu stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and said, "I could turn the herbal medicine into pills, but the efficacy would be slightly weaker. However, combined with acupuncture, it should still work."

Cheng Ge's eyes lit up, and he nodded eagerly. "Yeah, yeah, pills work! As long as I don't have to drink that bitter crap."

Lin Nanshu looked at him like that, feeling both helpless and amused.

"Oh, by the way, some old guy made me pills before. They were in my..."

He patted his clothes, only to realize they'd been changed. "Where are my pills?"

"Earlier, when you were in bad shape, I saw you had pills on you, so I took the liberty of giving them to Doctor Liu to check if they were safe to take."

"Oh, I see. Thanks for saving my sorry ass."

Cheng Ge sneakily reached out, grabbed a piece of pastry from the plate, and started nibbling on it.