TSWPF -Chapter 389 Source of Trouble

With both his body and mind relaxed, and with Old Man Xue treating him, Liu Zhimou’s injuries healed remarkably fast. In less than ten days, he was walking briskly as if nothing had happened.

Once his wounds had healed, he was constantly thinking about going back to the county office.

He hadn’t been there for some time—how were things running without him?

Was Deputy Ma managing everything properly?

Even though Deputy Ma would come to him whenever something got out of hand, Liu Zhimou still couldn’t fully put his mind at ease.

Moreover, the county office had a lot of affairs. Leaving everything on Deputy Ma’s shoulders alone would be exhausting. If he went back sooner, he could share some of the burden earlier.

Li Qingling understood his thoughts and didn’t stop him, only reminding him to take care of his health and not overexert himself.

Liu Zhimou nodded repeatedly, assuring her that he wouldn’t joke with his own health and to not worry.

Li Qingling gave a soft hum and personally sent him out of the courtyard.

“No need to see me off—go back and sleep in a bit more, alright…” Liu Zhimou stroked her head gently, coaxing her in a soft voice.

He didn’t want her to get up so early, but she insisted on seeing him off.

He really didn’t know what to do with her—it left him helpless yet touched.

Li Qingling lifted her head and kissed the corner of his mouth, then gently pushed him, letting him go first. She would go back and sleep afterward.

Liu Zhimou sighed, kissed her forehead, and turned to leave briskly.

Halfway there, he couldn’t help but look back and saw her standing at the gate, waving at him with a smile. He pursed his lips into a small smile and called out loudly, “Go back!”

She responded and slowly turned back to her room to continue sleeping.

Liu Zhimou stood there a moment longer before continuing on his way.

When he arrived at the county office, Deputy Ma’s eyes widened in disbelief. He rubbed his eyes, thinking he must be seeing things. “Sir? You really… came?”

Liu Zhimou gave a faint smile and nodded slightly, asking how things had been at the office.

“Sir, is it really you? Are you well now?” Deputy Ma stepped forward with bright eyes, thrilled.

After learning of Sir’s injury, he had been feeling guilty for not accompanying him to the mountain.

If he had gone along, maybe he could have helped block some danger and prevented this guilt and anxiety.

Thankfully, Sir was found and out of life-threatening danger. Otherwise, he would have felt he owed his life.

“Is there a second Liu Zhimou somewhere? Hmm?” Liu Zhimou teased Deputy Ma. “Deputy Ma, did your wife know you missed me this much?”

“….” Deputy Ma felt a strange relief—Sir hadn’t been switched; he was still the same Sir. Smiling, he scratched his head. “Sir, you’re joking. I’m fine, really. I just worried about your wounds, nothing else.”

Liu Zhimou glanced at him again with a smile, then walked toward his desk. Running his hand across it, he noticed not a speck of dust and realized Deputy Ma had helped clean it.

He gently patted Deputy Ma on the shoulder and said thank you.

Deputy Ma waved his hand hurriedly. “It’s my duty. Just wiping the desk every day—hardly a big deal. How could I accept your thanks?”

Yet Sir’s attitude still moved him deeply. Having such a good leader gave him a sense of security.

Liu Zhimou sat down in his chair and asked Deputy Ma to report everything that had happened at the office during his absence.

Deputy Ma straightened his expression and recounted every detail.

After listening, Liu Zhimou looked at him with a serious expression. “You’ve worked hard these past days, Deputy Ma.” If Deputy Ma hadn’t been managing the office, he couldn’t have rested to heal properly.

Deputy Ma had done him a huge favor. Seeing Liu Zhimou so serious, he initially thought he hadn’t done well enough. But…

He let out a quiet breath and smiled. “It’s my duty, Sir. It wasn’t hard work. Gaining the County Magistrate’s praise makes any effort worthwhile.”

Liu Zhimou didn’t say more. Everything Deputy Ma had done would be remembered and not wasted.

Deputy Ma fiddled with his fingers and glanced at Liu Zhimou, hesitating.

“What is it? Speak directly; don’t beat around the bush.”

Taking a deep breath, Deputy Ma asked briskly if Sir knew who had harmed him.

This question had been weighing on his heart for a long time. Now he could finally ask.

Was it the four families? If so… he would find a way to make them pay.

Liu Zhimou glanced at him. “I don’t know. No clue.”

“Sir… do you think it could be the four families…”

“Deputy Ma…” Liu Zhimou interrupted, lowering his voice. “Don’t concern yourself with this. I know the situation. Focus on handling the office’s affairs—that’s helping me enough.” He couldn’t put Deputy Ma in danger.

Liu Zhimou had protection; Deputy Ma didn’t. If anything happened, no one could help him.

Both professionally and personally, he didn’t want to see Deputy Ma harmed.

Deputy Ma nodded silently, understanding the warning in Liu Zhimou’s eyes and dared not ask further. The Magistrate surely had a plan.

Liu Zhimou’s expression softened, and he asked why Zhishu Dali hadn’t visited lately.

Deputy Ma chuckled. His four little monkeys had been too mischievous, so he had kept them home studying to not disturb Liu Zhimou’s rest.

“Martial arts training requires consistency. Tonight, tell them to come tomorrow morning for practice.”

“Yes, yes, thank you, Sir.” The four little monkeys had long wanted to visit Sir’s house and play with the young masters, but Deputy Ma had been strict.

Liu Zhimou waved his hand and went back to his work.

Deputy Ma walked away tactfully, returning to his own desk. With Sir back, he could finally relax and not remain constantly tense.

He rubbed his stiff shoulders, smiling quietly. He hadn’t expected that a teenager could become his pillar of strength. While Sir was gone, he felt a constant emptiness. But today, with Sir here, he felt anchored—ready for anything.

He glanced at Liu Zhimou working diligently and murmured to himself in admiration before focusing on his tasks again.

Near noon, a clerk hurried over and whispered that Wu Mei from Wutong Village had something to report to Sir.

Wu Mei?

Liu Zhimou gestured for the clerk to bring her in quickly. He felt a flicker of anticipation—was it good news?

Wu Mei had wrapped herself tightly, only her eyes visible. She looked up at Liu Zhimou timidly and asked if they could go somewhere private; she had something to tell him.

Since learning of the Magistrate’s injury, she had struggled with this decision. Only today did she gather the courage to come.

She didn’t know if coming was right or wrong. She didn’t even know if she would leave the county office alive.

Everything hinged on this moment.

Liu Zhimou asked her to uncover part of her face, wanting to confirm her identity.

Wu Mei looked around nervously, requesting the clerk to step back.

Once the clerk retreated, Wu Mei carefully removed half the cloth covering her face.

Liu Zhimou scrutinized her and confirmed that it really was Wu Mei.

He called Deputy Ma, and the two of them escorted Wu Mei to the back office.

Upon entering, Wu Mei knelt with a thud, begging Liu Zhimou to save her entire family.

Liu Zhimou frowned. “Stand up. Tell me clearly what happened.”

He glanced at Deputy Ma, signaling him to record her statement.

Deputy Ma nodded slightly, acknowledging.

Wu Mei slowly stood and tearfully recounted everything.

If her father-in-law hadn’t urged her on, she would never have dared take such a risk to come to Liu Zhimou and tell the truth.

By revealing this, her family’s fate now rested entirely on Liu Zhimou. She hoped he wouldn’t let her down.

After hearing this, Liu Zhimou clenched his fist and asked if everything she said was true.

“Sir, if I speak falsely, may lightning strike me!” Wu Mei raised three fingers, swearing to heaven.

She wasn’t bold enough to lie to the County Magistrate.

Liu Zhimou looked her in the eyes and, seeing she was truthful, nodded gravely. He assured her he would investigate thoroughly.

“Sir, I… risked everything to come to you. I hope… you can help my family.” She knelt again, kowtowing several times, unable to imagine what would happen if those people discovered her actions.

“Rise quickly. Rest assured, I will secretly protect your family. You won’t be placed in danger.”

Hearing this, Wu Mei relaxed slightly and gained more confidence in Liu Zhimou, trusting him to take down the villains.

“Thank you, Sir.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Sir, I can’t stay out too long. I need to return home.”

Liu Zhimou told her to go back safely, acting as usual and not drawing attention.

“Yes, Sir,” Wu Mei nodded. “I take my leave.”

After Wu Mei left, Liu Zhimou called out to Datu and Xiaotou. In Deputy Ma’s confused expression, the two, dressed in black, appeared respectfully before Liu Zhimou.

“Yes, Sir?”

Liu Zhimou instructed them to secretly protect Wu Mei’s family and ensure nothing happened to them.