The Treatment

After seeing Di Yao off, Lin Shao slumped into his chair as if all his strength had been drained. He truly hadn’t expected someone to come charging in so early in the morning. Fortunately, he remained calm enough to handle the situation, and the outcome was positive. He had successfully held onto the “wool” he’d plucked from the sheep, preventing the sheep from taking it back.

One point, however, was worth noting: he wasn’t entirely sure why the two sisters had suddenly become so friendly. If they really viewed him as some rare “resurrected animal,” he had to be careful they didn’t catch him one day to turn him into a specimen. Then again, the sisters didn’t seem like the type to act so crazily; surely they wouldn’t do something as perverse as turning a person into a specimen? But one could never be sure—appearances could be deceiving.

Noticing that the sky outside was now fully bright, Lin Shao pressed his hands against the armrests and pushed himself up to go buy breakfast. He looked at the fat parrot huddled under the table and, seeing it fast asleep again, he rushed over and kicked it awake, though not with too much force.

“Just a few minutes ago you were trembling like the sky was falling, but as soon as they’re gone, you’re snoring like a pig! Can’t you show a bit of tension, you dead fat bird!” Facing the parrot’s resentful gaze, he grinned. “I’m going to buy food. You go wake Mu Li up.”

The fat parrot grumbled and cursed, flapping its wings toward the second floor. Lin Shao nodded at the sight, turned, and ran out of Guyue Residence toward another street to buy breakfast.

He bought some millet porridge and steamed buns, and specifically got a bowl of Jianlian Red Date Soup for Mu Li. It was stewed from high-quality lotus seeds and red dates, making it sweet, fresh, and light. Fearing they might not have enough, he also bought a freshly baked, steaming sesame flatbread. The white flour was soft, filled with walnuts, and the oil-brushed sesame seeds had fully popped in the oven, releasing a mouth-watering aroma.

Packing the food into a double-layered insulated lunch box, Lin Shao quickly made his way back to the antique street. Just as he arrived at the entrance of Guyue Residence, Mu Li came out to meet him.

Due to the heat and being at home, Mu Li’s attire was light enough to be considered bold. She wore a loose white camisole dress, the top barely covering her chest, pushed up by her surging curves. The hem was high, revealing her rounded and slender legs. She had likely just washed her face, as she wasn’t wearing her thick gauze wrap. Small tufts of wet hair clung to her cheeks, with water droplets sliding down, looking both pure and enticing.

Lin Shao stared, dazed. Snapping back to reality, he stepped into the shop and grabbed Mu Li’s wrist, pulling her back inside. He was terrified that someone might pass by the street and witness this stunning scene.

He wasn’t about to share such eye candy with anyone else!

Mu Li let Lin Shao pull her by the wrist to the innermost part of the shop, hidden from outside view. She twitched her nose and said softly: “Millet porridge, buns, flatbread, and Jianlian Red Date Soup. Truly a grand breakfast, though I thought you might buy some chicken soup or fish.”

Lin Shao pulled over a table and arranged the food from the box one by one, replying: “I didn’t buy any because I know you don’t like meat.”

Mu Li was silent for a moment before saying: “You don’t need to cater to my habits.”

Lin Shao laughed. “I’m not catering to your habits. I’ll eat meat when I want to, I just don’t feel like it so early in the morning.”

He led Mu Li to a seat and helped her with the utensils, asking: “Do you need me to feed you? I don’t mind doing it bite by bite.”

“I don’t mind either, but I don’t want to trouble you.” Even with her eyes closed, Mu Li’s movements with the chopsticks and bowl were smooth and identical to a sighted person’s.

Lin Shao sat down nearby and said while eating: “I’m not afraid of trouble.”

After eating for a while, he shared the day’s plan with her. “After we finish eating, we’re going to see Doctor Hai. He’s the best doctor in the capital; even the nobles in the palace seek him out. I’ve already made an appointment to see if he can cure your eyes.”

Mu Li asked: “When did you make the appointment?”

“Yesterday, before I went to the auction. Luck was on my side—there was no one there at the time, so they told me to come this morning.”

Mu Li took a sip of the red date soup, feeling the sweet and fragrant taste spread through her mouth. After savoring it, she swallowed and advised: “You shouldn’t waste so much energy on my eyes. It isn’t worth it.” “Besides, even without my sight, I can live perfectly well with my other four senses. You’ve seen that yourself these past few days.”

Lin Shao nodded. Mu Li truly hadn’t been significantly affected by her loss of vision; her daily life remained almost unchanged.

But was “not being significantly affected” a reason not to seek treatment? Could a person who once saw green grass, red flowers, blue skies, and white clouds truly endure a world of silent darkness forever? After experiencing such a drastic contrast, no matter how strong one’s mind was, could there really be no ripple of longing in one’s heart?

Therefore, Lin Shao wanted to help her recover her sight so she could see this beautiful world again.

“The appointment is already made, we might as well try.” Lin Shao shoveled some porridge into his mouth, his tone sounding a bit like he was acting spoiled.

“Disgusting.” The fat parrot not far away made a gagging motion.

Mu Li knew she couldn’t persuade Lin Shao, so she ate in silence and didn’t say anything more.

After the meal, Lin Shao cleared the dishes to wash them. During the process, a thought occurred to him: Mu Li could calculate destiny, so what if Doctor Hai really couldn’t cure her? If the best doctor in the capital couldn’t do it, he would have to look for the legendary Divine Physician in Green. Or perhaps he wouldn’t need the Divine Physician; maybe Doctor Hai could recommend some secluded experts.

‘Hmm, maybe I should hire a servant to buy food, wash dishes, do laundry, and clean…’ ‘We’ll see. If we need to stay in the capital for a while, I’ll go hire one.’

After washing the dishes, Mu Li had changed her clothes. She wore a cyan top and trousers with a Daoist robe over them. Her eyes were covered with gauze, and combined with her flowing silver hair, she truly looked like a perfected master traveling the world.

Lin Shao also got ready. As he was locking the door, he poked his head back in and threatened the fat parrot, who was eyeing the red jade pendant on the shelf: “You stay here and guard the house properly. If you dare break anything else, I’ll pluck the feathers off your butt one by one!”

The fat parrot shivered at the words and flew away with a look of extreme displeasure. Meanwhile, the red jade pendant emitted a faint glow, and a faint dragon roar echoed, sounding as if it were laughing.

Lin Shao didn’t hear the dragon roar. He locked the door and took Mu Li’s hand as they headed toward Doctor Hai’s place. In truth, he didn’t need to hold her hand; with her keen hearing, she wouldn’t wander off.

Mu Li didn’t resist. Her face showed no blush of shyness; she remained calm and composed, truly like a fairy untouched by the mortal world.

Doctor Hai’s pharmacy was two streets away. Upon arrival, thanks to the appointment, Lin Shao entered without any obstacles. Guided by a clerk to the third floor, they reached a room at the far end where a thin old man with white hair and wrinkled cheeks was reading a book.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Doctor Hai led Mu Li inside while Lin Shao waited outside.

Soon, after about the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn, the door opened. Mu Li walked out expressionless. Seeing this, Lin Shao asked nervously:

“How was it?”