TSWPF -Chapter 99 Departure

Liu Zhihao was inquiring about Liu Zhimou’s situation, and likewise, Liu Zhimou was curious to know more about Liu Zhihao.

“Where are you from, General?”

“From the capital…” Liu Zhihao answered without hesitation. He also wanted Liu Zhimou to have a mental preparation—if one day he had to return to his ancestral home, he wouldn’t resist too strongly. “You can call me Brother Ziheng. Don’t call me ‘General’ to remind me of my duty—I want to take this chance to relax for a few days.”

Liu Zhimou nodded. “May I know your full name, Brother Ziheng?”

Hearing this, Liu Zhihao’s eyes gleamed with a sharp light. He smiled and said, “Funny enough, it seems we are somewhat fated—I’m also surnamed Liu.” Liu Zhimou was even sharper than he imagined, truly the son of his Fourth Uncle.

“Oh? That is quite a coincidence,” Liu Zhimou raised an eyebrow, his suspicion growing. He pressed his lips together and quickly finished applying the medicine for Liu Zhihao. “All done.” He returned the medicine to Liu Zhihao and went to wash his hands.

What he learned from Liu Zhihao was enough for now. Before he matured, he didn’t want to dig deeper; as the old man said, the more you know, the more dangerous it becomes.

He didn’t want his growth to be stifled prematurely, so he suppressed his doubts deep in his heart.

One day, he would uncover everything. For now, he was in no rush.

Liu Zhihao glanced at Liu Zhimou’s back, tugged at the corner of his mouth, and didn’t ask anything further. Asking too much could ruin things.

Moreover, he had already sent An Dian to investigate; soon, everything would be known.

At that moment, An Dian suddenly appeared, whispering a few words into his ear. Liu Zhihao’s expression immediately turned serious.

He quickly stood up. “Zhimou, I have urgent matters and must leave. Please inform Old Xue and the others for me.”

“All right…” Seeing the solemn look on Liu Zhihao’s face, Liu Zhimou understood the urgency. “Take care.”

Liu Zhihao nodded, giving Liu Zhimou a long, deep glance before vanishing with An Dian.

Liu Zhimou stood in place for a moment before stepping out of the cave. He walked over to the pool, seeing several children bathing, with Li Qingling watching nearby. The old man had gone somewhere unknown.

Hearing footsteps, Li Qingling turned and saw Liu Zhimou approaching slowly. Smiling, she asked, “You’re here? Weren’t you helping the General with medicine?”

He stopped beside her, eyes on the children playing happily in the pool. He spoke calmly, “General Liu has left.”

“Left? I thought he would stay a few more days to recuperate.” His injuries were serious; leaving so soon wasn’t good for his recovery.

“Must be urgent.”

Li Qingling glanced at him and nodded. Remembering he referred to General Liu, she asked again, “The General’s surname is Liu? Same as you? Could you two really be related?”

In her memory, Liu Zhimou’s parents did come from a prominent family. It was possible that he was connected to this General Liu.

Thinking of Liu Zhihao, who bore some resemblance, Liu Zhimou’s eyes darkened slightly. “I asked him—he said we share the same surname.” Such a coincidence seemed unusual.

Li Qingling smiled knowingly, saying openly, “Maybe he really is some relative of yours?” Knowing the old man was acquainted with Liu Zhihao, she added, “The old man probably knows his elders. If you want to know, you could ask him.” Since learning of the old man’s connection to Liu Zhihao, she had realized he was no ordinary physician.

The old man had his own stories, but they were his private matters; she wouldn’t pry too much.

As long as he had no ill intentions, that was enough.

“No,” Liu Zhimou shook his head, voicing his thoughts. “My parents settled in Niutou Village over a decade ago and never told me about their past. There must be a reason. I don’t want to investigate too much—sometimes, digging too deep is not good for us.” A sense of unease lingered in him; he felt that meeting Liu Zhihao might disturb their peaceful life.

Li Qingling agreed. In modern times, she had read many novels about scheming households—life in such families was never simple.

One careless step could cost one’s life.

Judging from Liu Zhihao’s identity, the Liu family held a high status.

Perhaps this time, the person who injured him was even from his own family.

For such a household, she genuinely didn’t want Liu Zhimou and his siblings to return there—they were too young to survive amidst so many plots.

If Liu Zhihao knew her thoughts, he would have to admit: this girl was not simple.

“True. Even if you want to know your parents’ identity, now is not the right time.” She patted his shoulder, encouraging him. “Only when you are strong enough that no one can touch you can you act freely.”

Until then, he could only endure silently.

Liu Zhimou held her hand briefly, then let go. In front of the children, he restrained himself, avoiding any intimate gestures.

Li Qingling smiled and turned her attention back to the children, clapping her hands. “Alright, you’ve bathed long enough. Get out.” If the weather weren’t so hot and the children hadn’t begged her, she wouldn’t have allowed it.

Especially the little ones, Liu Zhirou and Li Qingning—they were having more fun than their older brothers, giggling non-stop.

Li Qingfeng and Liu Zhiyan exchanged glances and decided to ignore her, continuing to play in the water.

Seeing no one listening, Liu Zhirou and the other little one refused to get out.

Li Qingling’s eyes narrowed; she opened her mouth to scold again, but Liu Zhimou spoke first.

“Get up. I won’t say it twice.”

Hearing his calm tone and expressionless face, the children shivered.

Big brother getting angry was terrifying—they didn’t dare provoke him.

In an instant, the kids scrambled up so fast that Li Qingling had to bite back a laugh.

When she called them, they didn’t respond, but when he spoke once, they immediately obeyed.

His words had the final authority.

Liu Zhimou glanced at the children. “Go change your clothes.” Truly, a day without discipline, and they already wanted to cause chaos.

“Yes…” the children replied, running off.

Li Qingning, being short-legged, lagged behind and stumbled, crying loudly as she watched her siblings run ahead.

Liu Zhiyan and the others noticed and ran back; Liu Zhiyan picked her up and sprinted off again.

Li Qingling chuckled. “You scared them.” The kids ran as if being chased by something.

Liu Zhimou was speechless at their reaction, a slight frown forming on his forehead.

He looked at her, expression softening. “Let’s go home.” His tone and demeanor, she knew, would make the children think it was unfair—so gentle with her, so strict with them.

“Mm…”

The two of them walked back leisurely, meeting the old man returning with a basket on his back before they reached the cave.

Liu Zhimou stepped forward, took the basket off his back, and carried it instead. “General had urgent matters and left. He asked me to tell you.”

The old man rubbed his shoulders and murmured “Oh,” showing little concern for Liu Zhihao’s departure. Given his identity, his stay was never meant to be long—just a couple of days.

“Old man, what herbs did you pick? So many?” Li Qingling raised her eyebrow at the full basket.

Mentioning herbs made the old man smile brightly; he said he had gathered many valuable herbs from deeper mountains.

He rattled off the names to Li Qingling, who was overwhelmed. The only thing she caught clearly was that the herbs came from deep in the mountains.

Frowning, she glared at him, cutting off his endless chatter. “Old man, are you out of your mind? Risking your life for these herbs? Not to mention wild beasts, what if the troops of King Nanyan appear there?”

The old man felt guilty. He had wandered too far, forgetting everything in his excitement over the herbs.

Indeed, it was a reckless move.

Li Qingling’s scolding came from concern, which he accepted.

“Next time… I won’t go so far,” he promised quickly after her tirade.

“Next time? Do you even get a next time?” Li Qingling snorted. “For your safety, stay home and watch the children!”

The old man, clearly restless, looked at Liu Zhimou for help.

Liu Zhimou smiled faintly. “Xiaoling is right. For your safety, Grandpa, stay home and play with the children.” Without giving him a chance to protest, he took Li Qingling’s hand and led her to the cave.

The old man sighed, following behind.

He had brought this upon himself. If he had known how angry the children would be, he wouldn’t have been so loose-lipped.

Excitement had made him careless, he reminded himself quietly.

Back in the cave, Li Qingling saw Xiaoxi preparing a meal and told Liu Zhimou she wanted to return to that cave tomorrow to move more food.

She feared the cave might be discovered by enemies and the stored food taken. Moving more food back now would ensure future safety.

Liu Zhimou nodded in agreement, planning to go first thing in the morning.

But before they could act, a major event occurred.