TSWPF -Chapter 388 Awakening

Li Qingling saw that Mr. Luo and the others had also brought back half a basket of wild grapes. She popped one into her mouth—it was pleasantly sweet and sour, quite delicious.

She asked Mr. Luo if there were more. If there were, they could pick some to make wine.

Mr. Luo and Old Man Xue exchanged a glance and both nodded, confirming that there were more.

Li Qingling gave them a half-smile, then turned to Ling Yi and told him that when he had time in a few days, he should take people to Ninghua Mountain to pick the wild grapes.

Ling Yi, under the resentful glares of Mr. Luo and Old Man Xue, nodded.

Old Man Xue immediately spoke up, “Young lady, such heavy work shouldn’t be left to Ling Yi and the others. We can do it ourselves.”

“Yes, yes. Ling Yi and the others are clumsy. They’ll ruin the grapes. It’s better if we go since we’re more careful,” Mr. Luo added.

Ling Yi: “…”

Li Qingling gave both of them a cold look and firmly said no.

She already regretted sending them up the mountain today—there was no way she was going to agree to their suggestion.

“Girl…”

“If you keep nagging, I won’t make you grape wine,” Li Qingling interrupted Old Man Xue, threatening them.

Instantly, Old Man Xue and Mr. Luo fell silent, afraid that not only would they not be allowed up the mountain, but they wouldn’t get to drink the grape wine either.

They had tasted Li Qingling’s wine before—it was delicious, and they had wanted more. Unfortunately, she had only made it once and never again.

Now that Li Qingling had personally said she would make them wine, how could they let this opportunity pass?

Finally quiet, Li Qingling nodded in satisfaction. She set aside part of what Mr. Luo and the others had brought back and asked Nian Xia to deliver it to the Ma family.

The rest was sent to the kitchen to be processed or dried as needed.

Satisfied that nothing was missing, Li Qingling stood up, took a deep breath, and looked at Old Man Xue and Mr. Luo.

“Grandpa, Master, you must be tired. Go back to your rooms and rest.”

Mr. Luo and Old Man Xue were indeed getting on in years and a bit weak. They nodded, gave Li Qingling a few words of advice, and slowly made their way back to their rooms.

Li Qingling then sent the children back to their rooms to rest before returning to the courtyard with Liu Zhimou and Diandian.

Liu Zhimou had two buckets of hot water brought over and personally picked rose petals to bathe Diandian.

Diandian excitedly followed Liu Zhimou around, leaving him momentarily speechless.

This little one only fawned over him at times like this; otherwise, it clung to Li Qingling and refused to let go.

“All right, Diandian, jump in!” Liu Zhimou adjusted the water temperature, found it suitable, and called out.

Diandian let out a loud “Owwooo” and jumped in with a splash, sending water everywhere.

Liu Zhimou helplessly tapped its little head and squatted down, resigned, to help it bathe.

After finishing the bath and drying its fur, Diandian returned to clinging to Li Qingling. While Liu Zhimou wasn’t looking, it bit onto Li Qingling’s finger and began sucking.

Finally, it got the spiritual water it had been longing for.

Li Qingling took the opportunity to instruct it: it could only drink spiritual water when no one else was around, otherwise it might be discovered and lose the chance.

Diandian made two small grunts, signaling that it understood.

Such a delicious drink—if it couldn’t have it, where would it cry? To make sure it could drink it every day, it would listen to its mistress.

Li Qingling laughed, scratched its chin, and praised it a little.

Perhaps drinking so much spiritual water had made this little creature extremely spirited.

Diandian looked up at Li Qingling and clicked its tongue, clearly delighted.

Li Qingling shook her head, smiling at how mischievous it was.

…

Days passed like flowing water, and half a month went by in a blink.

One day, after Dahe finished acupuncture on Liu Shi, he slowly opened his eyes.

“Liu Shi, you’re awake?” Xichun exclaimed in surprise.

But then Liu Shi closed his eyes again, which startled Xichun.

Wait… what’s going on? Didn’t he just open his eyes? Why did he close them again?

“Young Master Dahe, quickly check on Liu Shi. What’s wrong with him?”

“No need to rush. I’ll take a look.”

Before Dahe could check Liu Shi’s pulse, Liu Shi grabbed his hand.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch…” Dahe’s face went pale as Liu Shi’s grip nearly broke his hand.

Xichun hurried forward, prying Liu Shi’s hand off Dahe’s wrist.

Liu Shi blinked a few times, adjusted to the light, and looked at Xichun. “Xichun… Miss…” His voice was hoarse.

“It’s me,” Xichun said with relief upon seeing him recognize her. “Can you let go of Young Master Dahe’s hand first?”

Liu Shi looked at Dahe, who was sweating from the pain, and slowly released his hand.

Dahe stepped aside, massaging his wrist, and after a moment asked Liu Shi if he felt any discomfort.

Xichun poured a cup of hot water and handed it over. “Here, drink first.”

Liu Shi propped himself up and drank three cups in a row, finally quenching his thirst.

He rubbed his head, saying it felt a bit swollen and painful.

Dahe checked his pulse, smiling as he reassured him, “The blood congestion in your brain has just started to clear. Feeling pain is normal. After a few more days of acupuncture, it will be gone. No need to worry.”

He had regained consciousness after only half a month of acupuncture—much faster than expected—showing his strong will to survive. “Since your brain is still recovering, it’s best not to get out of bed yet. Rest in bed for a few more days.”

Liu Shi pressed on his temples and lay back down, asking Xichun, “How is Master? Did he return safely?”

Xichun nodded. “Except for his leg injury, he’s fine.”

Relieved, Liu Shi said, “Good, as long as Master is okay.”

Xichun’s heart felt a bit complicated. After a moment, she said she’d fetch some food for him. He hadn’t eaten in so long and couldn’t handle solid food yet, so she would bring porridge first.

“Thank you, Miss Xichun.”

She shook her head and quickly left the room, only to meet Li Qingling and the others hurrying over.

She greeted them, and Li Qingling asked if Liu Shi had awakened.

“Yes, he’s been awake for a while,” Xichun replied with a smile. “I’m going to the kitchen to get some porridge for him.”

“All right, go ahead.”

Li Qingling and the others quickly made their way to Liu Shi’s room. Upon seeing them, Liu Shi tried to prop himself up and salute.

Liu Zhimou stepped forward, gently pressing Liu Shi’s shoulder, telling him to stay lying down.

He assessed Liu Shi’s condition and, seeing that his spirits were good, asked how he felt and if anything hurt.

“Except for a slight headache, nothing serious,” Liu Shi said, thinking he was surely doomed before, but fate had granted him another chance.

Hearing this, Liu Zhimou made space for Old Man Xue to examine him.

After consulting Dahe, Old Man Xue checked Liu Shi and confirmed the results matched Dahe’s. Smiling, he lightly patted Liu Shi’s shoulder, saying, “Surviving great misfortune brings future blessings.”

Liu Shi smiled sincerely at Old Man Xue, thanking him.

He knew that without Old Man Xue, the Grim Reaper would have claimed his life long ago.

Old Man Xue waved off the thanks, saying that Liu Shi’s strong will to live was what allowed him to awaken so quickly. No matter how skilled a doctor is, without the patient’s desire to survive, healing is impossible.

Liu Shi asked when he could get out of bed.

Old Man Xue advised lying in bed a few more days until the headache subsides.

Liu Shi agreed, then looked at Liu Zhimou and asked if he had identified the culprit behind the attack.

Liu Zhimou shook his head. The traces had been erased thoroughly, leaving no leads.

“Master, have you heard of a martial world assassin organization called Youming?”

Youming?

“No, you mean the killers pursuing me are from Youming?” He had never followed martial world news and hadn’t heard of this organization.

Liu Shi nodded. If it wasn’t the Youming assassins, how could he have been seriously injured?

“Master, can we investigate from this angle to see if we can uncover anything?” He paused, then added, “I suspect this matter may be related to the He, Zhao, Wang, and Lin families. Should we investigate them as well? They likely see you as an obstacle and might want to get rid of you.”

Liu Zhimou sighed. He had already investigated those four families but found nothing. However, he had them under surveillance, and any move they made would expose them.

Hearing this, Liu Shi frowned. In that case, the only lead left was the Youming assassins.

Those who could hire Youming assassins would likely be wealthy.

He suspected the four families, but without evidence, he could do nothing.

Liu Zhimou told Liu Shi not to worry and to focus on resting. He would delegate the investigation.

No matter what, Liu Zhimou would ensure the hunt for the culprit continued until they were found.

Liu Shi agreed, then asked Liu Zhimou who had saved him.

Liu Zhimou didn’t hide it. He explained that a farming family had rescued him and carefully cared for him for over a month before they located him.

“When I recover, I will personally go to thank them.”

“All right. For now, focus on your health first.”

Liu Shi nodded. He knew how to prioritize. Poor health meant he could do nothing; restoring his body was paramount.

Liu Zhimou repeatedly reminded him to rest, then left the room with Li Qingling and the others.

Seeing Liu Shi awake and unharmed, the heavy weight on their hearts was finally lifted.

They could now fully relax and focus on their own recovery.