Ch 25: My Wolf Husband

In the winter month, the village was quiet and silent, even the dogs were curled up and sleeping in their beds. Only one mud house still had a bean lamp burning.

The elderly Zheng couple was not asleep at this time. Their fourth son had come back from the county town overnight to raise some money. His teacher was seriously ill, but due to poverty, they couldn’t afford expensive medicines. They had to rely on the students to pool together whatever they could, hoping for a bit of relief.

However, the elderly couple kept quiet about the lingzhi mushrooms that Lin Shuishi had given them, only packing all the little money they had for their son to take to the teacher. They were determined not to give away Lin Shuishi’s things! First, because they were someone else’s property; second, they feared that such treasures might bring misfortune.

Zheng Cheng’an was anxious. Although it was not ideal to ask home for money, his parents’ finances were not abundant. But with the teacher’s life hanging by a thread, the remedy his senior brother had prescribed was useless without the necessary medicine! They could only make up for the household finances later; after all, human lives were paramount!

Just as he was about to hire a cart and head to the county town with the money, the family heard urgent knocking on the door. At this hour, neighbors usually didn’t visit.

Puzzled, they heard Lin Shuishi’s voice from outside, “Uncle Zheng, Aunt Zheng, open the door, I have an urgent matter!”

Old Man Zheng hurried to unfasten and open the door, while Aunt Zheng said to their fourth son, “It’s Shuishi, whom we mentioned in the letter. Take care of him in the future.”

When the door was opened, Old Man Zheng was startled. How could the child look like this after just one night? His eyes were swollen, and his face was ashen! They quickly welcomed him inside and gave him a cup of hot water.

In the main room were only the elderly couple and Zheng Cheng’an; the other three sons were sleeping in their rooms, as it was not appropriate to let the daughters-in-law know about the money matters. The money had all been given to the younger brother!

Seeing Lin Shuishi in such a state, Aunt Zheng was anxious, “What happened, child? Did you encounter thieves during the night?”

Feeling Aunt Zheng’s warm hand on his cheek, Lin Shuishi’s eyes reddened, and he said the first thing upon entering, “Uncle, Aunt, I need to find a doctor, the best doctor here!” He then placed a basket of animal skins and lingzhi mushrooms on the table.

Zheng Cheng’an saw Lin Shuishi entering the house and first stood respectfully by the table. But seeing that the young man, who had just been saved by his parents, had spilled a pile of valuable furs and, most importantly, three large and excellent lingzhi mushrooms, which were extremely rare and not easily bought with money, he was astonished.

The elderly couple quickly packed the items back up, asking as they did, “What’s wrong? What’s hurting?”

Lin Shuishi thought for a moment and explained that there was someone in the mountains, a hunter who had saved his life. He didn’t reveal the full details to avoid damaging his reputation and only gave a partially true account, blending fact with fiction to make the story coherent.

Sometimes the truth is hard to believe, like surviving among wolves in Dongshan Mountain and being as fierce as a wild beast. But a fabricated story can be instantly convincing. They were puzzled how Lin Shuishi survived in the deep mountains; now hearing he had a benefactor, it all made sense!

The old man immediately wanted to call the village’s barefoot doctor, thinking that the problem was likely just a fall or injury. But Zheng Cheng’an held him back, “Lin Shuishi, I am your fourth brother Cheng’an.”

Lin Shuishi, feeling anxious, didn’t pay much attention and approached Zheng Cheng’an. Unlike the old man, Zheng Cheng’an and the three sons were different, probably due to his education. Though young, he was not impetuous but gentle and refined, wearing a plain long robe and exuding calmness.

“Tell me what illness it is, and then we can decide on the doctor with the parents,” he said, speaking calmly and methodically, not loudly like the villagers.

Lin Shuishi remembered that this fourth brother was from the town’s academy, so he assessed the situation and did not specify the illness. “Fourth brother, do you know of any reputable doctors in the town who are knowledgeable about herbs and can be trusted? I’ll use these items to invite him!” He pointed to the packed basket.

Cheng’an understood and realized that the benefactor’s illness might be related to poison, which could not be publicly discussed. He thought for a moment and looked back at his father, who was still eager to find the barefoot doctor.

“Is this benefactor of yours a hunter from the mountains?” He needed to investigate thoroughly. If he brought about some major trouble through his connections, it would be a problem not just for him, but for the whole family. And the person treating the illness would be wronged as well.

Lin Shuishi thought to himself that scholars are indeed meticulous, but considering Fuli’s daily activities in the deep mountains, what major enemies could he possibly have?

“He’s been hunting in the mountains and rarely interacts with others. This time, he must have been accidentally injured.”

Worried about wasting time, Lin Shuishi narrowed his eyes, “They are just mountain villagers. Fourth Brother, scholars can’t handle bloodshed. Don’t trouble yourself. Just tell me the location, and I will find the doctor myself!”

Cheng’an was surprised by Lin Shuishi’s temper! He hadn’t been like this when he was a child. He was always passive and didn’t resist when teased. It was his brothers who had to drive away bullies to protect him.

He quickly stopped Lin Shuishi and forced a smile, “Fourth Brother is clumsy with words. Don’t mind it. Scholars are just struggling to survive, nothing more.”

Seeing Lin Shuishi’s urgency, he got straight to the point, “As for an expert in medicinal herbs, I have a very reliable candidate.”

Cheng’an glanced at Lin Shuishi’s expression but realized that he was considered family, so he continued, “He is my eldest senior brother. He is the son of the Chief Imperial Physician. His family was implicated due to the imperial power struggles, and he was the only one who escaped. He is now living in this remote county, quietly getting by.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Shuishi was immediately interested. Although this person’s background was tragic, being the son of an imperial physician meant he had a wealth of knowledge! However, he was unsure of the cost and whether he would be willing to get involved. Those who have been through great trials often prioritize their own safety, and Lin Shuishi, with his modern mindset, considered this aspect.

He hesitated and looked troubled as he said to Cheng’an, “Will he be willing to come? Moreover, I have just been rescued from the mountain by my uncle and don’t have much money. What if this basket of goods is not enough?”

Cheng’an thought Lin Shuishi was hesitating over his senior brother’s identity, but was surprised to hear that Lin Shuishi was concerned about the money! The words almost caught in his throat. Looking at the three large and excellent lingzhi mushrooms, he was stunned—money was an issue?

He didn’t realize that, aside from the lingzhi, even those few rare furs could fetch a good sum if sold to a clothing store!

After a moment of thought, he spoke up and even performed a bow directly to Lin Shuishi. In this era, scholars did not bow to common people, especially not to a young man. Lin Shuishi quickly avoided it, “Fourth Brother, what are you doing!”

Cheng’an thought for a moment, and with a troubled and somewhat ashamed expression, said, “Lin Shuishi, I won’t hide it from you. We came home to raise money for the teacher’s life-saving medicine. Now that we see your lingzhi, there’s nothing more suitable! Although the price doesn’t quite match, I would like to ask my senior brother to treat your benefactor. He will surely cure him!”

Lin Shuishi, standing by the table, waited for Cheng’an to continue. Cheng’an, looking extremely troubled, finally spoke, “It’s not about the consultation fee. I only ask for one lingzhi to treat my master’s illness!” The price of lingzhi is high, and it could be used for multiple treatments. Cheng’an himself felt a bit shameless making this request.

Old Man Zheng frowned, “How can this be considered a single matter? Fourth Son, have you read all the wrong books?”

Lin Shuishi was overjoyed, thinking that the lingzhi and furs were secondary; saving Fuli was the most crucial. He immediately smiled and said, “That’s alright, these are all for you. Quickly take me to find your senior brother!” He picked up the basket and tugged at Cheng’an to head outside!

Just then, as if recalling something, he paused and turned back to speak earnestly to Old Zheng, “Uncle, don’t let anyone come up the hill.” Seeing the tearful-eyed young man, Old Zheng nodded seriously. Only then did they leave the house.

So the old couple could only sigh inside their house, but since it was their own son who wanted to save his mentor, they couldn’t stop him and just hoped that Shui Ge’er would be able to fulfill his wishes.

Cheng’an didn’t expect him to be in such a hurry, tugging on an unmarried young man, which wasn’t a good look. “Shui Ge’er! Wait a moment, I’ll call for the Zhao family’s ox cart!”

Lin Shuishi had just seen a glimmer of hope, but as soon as he heard about an ox cart, he shook his head immediately. “An ox cart! When would we ever get back with that?”

“Well, the fastest we could get back would be tonight.”

“What?” Lin Shuishi couldn’t allow that, so he let go of Cheng’an and quickly ran up the slope.

The King of Horses hadn’t left after sending him back! It had been led by the little horse to explore the entire area behind the slope, thoroughly stepping over the small hill. At that moment, it was in Lin Shuishi’s den in their eyes—a little mound of earth that could emit smoke.

Lin Shuishi saw the King of Horses sniffing the soybean meal and fine grass in the little horse’s feeding trough, even taking a bite and seeming quite satisfied, then taking another bite. “Great! You haven’t left yet, can you take me on another trip?”

He glanced at the soybean meal residue at the King of Horses’ mouth. “I’ll give you a few bags to take back and eat at your leisure!”

…

Cheng’an was standing at the bottom of the slope, puzzled as he watched Lin Shuishi suddenly run back. But then he saw a small black horse leisurely making its way down from the courtyard wall. He couldn’t help but marvel, “What a fine horse! It’ll be majestic in the future!”

As he praised it, he saw Lin Shuishi descending the slope alongside another extremely tall and strong horse. Little Shui Ge’er, even when standing up straight, was only as tall as the big black horse’s legs! That sleek, shiny coat and proud stance—he had never seen such a fine horse!

Cheng’an was both surprised and curious. “Where did this horse come from?” This wasn’t a horse that an ordinary person could own.

Lin Shuishi gently tugged at the thick, flowing mane of the King of Horses, and the King, understanding his intent, knelt down. Otherwise, no one could have mounted this king’s back.

He was a child raised in the modern greenhouse, with his parents building barriers around him, severing the steps beneath him. In the end, he hadn’t really experienced the human world. But now, he was truly pulled into the mortal realm, crawling and struggling through it.

The process might be bitter, but this is the taste of being “human.”

Before long, Cheng’an finally emerged from the city gates with a middle-aged man sporting a long beard. The man had an air of ruggedness about him, and his clothes weren’t very tidy, but the medicine chest slung by his side was exceptionally clean! It was made of fine oil wood, polished to a shine.

The two of them zigzagged their way through the forest, ensuring no one was watching, before they finally arrived at Lin Shuishi’s side.

Sun Luqian had been at home pondering medicinal formulas that day, thinking about his master’s illness and how to treat it without using expensive herbs. But then he heard his junior apprentice brother knocking at the door. This younger brother, though born into a farming family, was young yet honest and steady. Sun Luqian wondered if the money for buying the medicine had finally come through, so he went to open the door immediately.

When the two met, there was another story to be told. After they discussed the matter of exchanging spirit medicine, Sun Luqian decisively agreed and immediately went inside to fetch his medicine chest.

He knelt before several ancestral tablets, calmly saying, “Grandmaster and parents above, our Sun family has been famous physicians for generations. We rose through medicine and fell because of it, and now I’m the only one left in the family.” After saying this, he looked at the tablets in the room and took a deep breath.

“I once vowed not to treat poisons again, but after wandering for years, I realized that while fate is beyond our control, filial piety and benevolence remain!”

After speaking, he kowtowed a few times, then, without another word, grabbed the medicine chest that was also placed on the table with the tablets and walked out the door with his junior apprentice brother.

Who would have thought that his brother would be so secretive just to leave the city, taking several twists and turns? Sun Luqian thought it was unnecessary until he saw the majestic sight in the forest! The Sun family was no ordinary household; they once held a place in the imperial city, with a level of insight far beyond the norm. He had even seen the emperor’s horses, with his grandfather once receiving a steed as a reward.

But no imperial horse could compare to the King of Horses before him! This was a breed that grew freely in the deep mountains, of the purest and most robust bloodline, untamable by any man. It was proud, elegant, and seemed to carry a hint of divine spirit.

Seeing his senior’s reaction, Cheng’an feared he might misunderstand, so he quickly explained, “This horse is here to help; it’s not a possession of any noble family. Let’s hurry; it needs to return to the mountains before dark.” He repeated Lin Shuishi’s words to persuade his senior to mount the horse.

The King of Horses was so tall and strong that even with three people riding, there was still ample space. It stood up, feeling the weight, and decided it was manageable—it wasn’t as heavy as that “wolf” it had carried before. So it stretched its legs and dashed back to the village like the wind.

Along the way, they might have encountered the occasional cart or pedestrian, but before anyone could marvel, the black horse had already sped past, vanishing from sight.

Before noon, they had already reached the village.

The majestic horse came up the less-traveled slope, leaping into Lin Shuishi’s courtyard in a single bound. Sun Luqian, with the heart of a healer, immediately dismounted and followed Lin Shuishi into the house, though he stumbled a bit as he hadn’t landed firmly.

He and Lin Shuishi rushed inside to save the patient, while Cheng’an went down the slope to inform his father and reassure the elderly couple.

Inside the house, Lin Shuishi anxiously crouched by the warm kang bed, closely observing Fuli’s pallid face. He couldn’t help but repeatedly place his delicate little finger under Fuli’s nose to feel the faint breath, only then could he feel at ease.

Sun Luqian had already moved past the initial shock of seeing Fuli. He reminded himself that the descendants of the Sun family had nothing to fear! So what if the patient was a bit more imposing and wild? He had seen people from other tribes before.

But he had never seen anything like this. As far as he knew, no other tribe had such a build and physique!

As a healer, he didn’t focus on appearance or skin color, but during the process of treating the wound, he felt the bones…

No one could have such copper skin and iron bones!

The wound on this man’s shoulder and back was clearly inflicted by a barbed heavy arrow, tearing the flesh into shreds, with a massive wound that wouldn’t easily heal. For an ordinary person, the poison on the arrow alone would have been lethal. Just the arrow itself would have pierced them through, leaving them dead beyond a doubt!

But with his incredibly strong muscles and bones, he managed to stop the heavy arrow from penetrating beyond his scapula! The arrow didn’t reach his vital organs at all. Although the torn flesh looked terrifying, it wasn’t as bad as it seemed; he only fell unconscious because of the potent poison.

Sun Luqian took his pulse again and wiped the wound with a cloth strip, bringing it to his nose to smell the lingering traces of the poison.

“How is he? Is he doing alright?” Lin Shuishi couldn’t help but ask every now and then.

The doctor reassured him, “You did well in treating him. You’ve already drained the poisonous blood. Now, we just need to analyze the toxin and find a way to counteract it.”

Lin Shuishi looked at Fuli’s torn shoulder and back. “Shouldn’t we stitch it up? Otherwise, it’ll take forever to heal.”

Sun Luqian dismissed his suggestion as childish nonsense. The human body isn’t like clothes or shoes that you can just stitch up! “You’re being silly, young man.”

Then, Lin Shuishi explained in detail how he had stitched up a wolf’s belly, and he discussed the possibility of suturing to promote wound healing with the doctor, who had once been a famed imperial physician.

In the end, Sun Luqian found the young man’s ideas intriguing, opening up a new perspective on medicine. Though it seemed somewhat playful, if proven true, it could be a valuable method to benefit the poor, sparing them the expense of rare and costly wound medicines!

Lin Shuishi didn’t mind the doctor using Fuli as a test case. After all, modern medicine had already proven the effectiveness of surgical procedures.

Next came the detoxification. Lin Shuishi watched as Sun Luqian respectfully opened his medical chest and took out numerous silver needles of various lengths and thicknesses. It was an eye-opening experience—this was the true heritage and depth of a family of physicians!

Using fire to sterilize the needles, his movements were swift and precise, his fingers working with such dexterity that it left Lin Shuishi in awe!

The acupuncture process was long, extending into the afternoon. The Zheng family didn’t dare disturb them, quietly bringing in food and then leaving.

Sun Luqian was drenched in sweat because the poison in Fuli was not only rare but also extremely potent. Considering Fuli’s strong physique, the fact that he was still unconscious spoke volumes about the poison’s lethality against an ordinary person.

Lin Shuishi kept wiping sweat from the doctor’s forehead and removing the poison from Fuli’s body. As the acupuncture drew out the toxins, dark purple blood continuously oozed from the needle points, dripping down Fuli’s strong body.

It wasn’t until dinner that Sun Luqian finally finished the acupuncture. He let out a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly. The poisonous blood had been fully expelled. He then wrote out a prescription and asked his junior apprentice brother to return to the county to fetch the medicine.

Lin Shuishi felt very sorry for the doctor, who now had a black eye. During the treatment, perhaps due to the acupuncture’s effectiveness, Fuli had reflexively twitched his muscles and slightly raised his hand, and then…

“Mr. Sun, thank you for your benevolence as a healer! You’re truly amazing.” Lin Shuishi stammered, not knowing what else to say. He had never seen such miraculous medical skills, not even in modern times, where a dying person could be treated until their breathing stabilized!

He wanted to express his gratitude by offering money, but the doctor only asked for a single lingzhi mushroom and seemed to feel guilty about it. It was only then that Lin Shuishi realized the true value of such items. His heart tightened as he thought of the gravely injured Fuli inside the house. From that moment on, he decided never to speak of lingzhi mushrooms again—money wasn’t worth more than life.

As he thought about the tranquility of Dongsheng Mountain, he resolved to keep any information that might arouse greed buried deep within him.

No treasures should be sought if it means preserving peace in the mountains.

Uncle Zheng finally made it up the slope and, seeing his fourth son and the doctor preparing to leave, hurriedly said, “Why not stay for a meal before you go? It’s late, and who knows when you’ll get back.”

Sun Luqian quickly declined, “No, no need to trouble you! We need to hurry back, grind the ingredients into powder, and prepare the medicine for our master. His illness is serious!”

With those words, no one dared to insist further, and they quickly hitched the cart to take the doctor back to the county.

Sun Luqian was a cautious and prudent gentleman who had endured hardships. From that day on, he never mentioned the majestic black horse or the fiery lingzhi mushroom again, not even to his master. He simply said that he had modified the prescription and used more affordable medicinal ingredients.

Before leaving, he looked at the darkening evening sky and said to Lin Shuishi in front of everyone, “The patient should take the medicine according to the prescription. After recovery, he may become stronger and more robust. Don’t be alarmed; it’s just the effect of the medicine.”

Lin Shuishi looked at this seemingly ordinary man sitting in the ox cart, stunned for a moment, then respectfully bowed deeply to Sun Luqian, remembering this kindness. Understanding without revealing, knowing without speaking—this was a way to protect both himself and Fuli.

Sun Luqian accepted the gesture, and only then did Lin Shuishi step forward and push a basket filled with sliced lamb into Sun Luqian’s hands. Fearing he might refuse, Lin Shuishi said, “It’s just some lamb, nothing valuable. Take it back and stew it for a meal with some wine.”

The middle-aged scholar with a short beard on the cart looked at the pure-hearted young man in front of him, nodding. This little guy reminded him so much of his younger brother back in the day! But now, his younger brother’s bones lay buried at the frontier.

As the ox cart began to move, he added softly, “Once he recovers, let him return to the mountains to hunt.”

When extraordinary people emerge from the mountains, extraordinary events often follow. Whether good or bad, they easily provoke conflict, ultimately leading to nothing but trouble. It’s safest to live quietly in a secluded mountain or forest, unknown to the world. He hoped this gentle Shui Ge’er could live a peaceful life.

Lin Shuishi understood his meaning. When it came to surviving safely in this era, no one present had more experience than Sun Luqian.

He watched as the ox cart gradually disappeared down the path leading to the village entrance.

Turning back, Old Man Zheng was moving bags of soybean meal. This was good fodder for livestock, not too expensive, and every household planted some every year. This year, the Zheng family had lost a horse, so they had more than they needed and decided to give the rest to Lin Shuishi to feed the little black horse. That little thing was the apple of Old Zheng’s and the eldest Zheng brother’s eye!

Lin Shuishi didn’t refuse. He had already handed over a few poor-quality hides, not too eye-catching, and had asked his fourth brother to take them to town to exchange for some silver. All these things would eventually be paid back to Uncle Zheng, as nothing in a farming family comes for free.

He and Uncle Zheng carried the bags together, but Lin Shuishi couldn’t lift much and had to settle for carrying a small bag.

Walking ahead, Old Man Zheng spoke, “Shui Ge’er, why not let your benefactor stay at my place to recover? It’s easier to take care of someone in a bigger household, and with a man of that size, you can’t even move him easily.”

After thinking for a moment, he added, “And besides, he’s a man. The villagers might gossip.”

Lin Shuishi didn’t see anything particularly scandalous about it. “Marrying” him off was something he couldn’t care less about! It was a joke to think he, a man, would bow down and serve as someone’s bride.

Moreover, if Fuli woke up surrounded by strangers in an unfamiliar environment, and if his ferocity returned, no one would be able to stop him! To avoid any potential disaster, Lin Shuishi knew he had to care for him himself.

After all, it was his responsibility, and he was happy to bear it.

“No need, Uncle. I can take care of him myself. I’m not concerned about reputation—life should follow its natural course.”

Old Man Zheng, having lived many years, understood Lin Shuishi’s thoughts. It seemed the match between him and Brother Lin’s family wasn’t going to happen! But when he thought of the powerful man inside Lin Shuishi’s house, even lying down, he still inspired fear. Surely, he was an excellent hunter, capable of taking good care of Lin Shuishi, ensuring he was well-fed. That way, Old Man Zheng could also have peace of mind.

Finally, the night was quiet. The King of Horses leaped out of the woods on the slope behind the house, carrying a few bags of agreed-upon soybean meal, and returned to the mountains at ease. The little black horse nuzzled its powerful protector, then stubbornly trotted back to the house.

But it no longer dared to stay in the main house, settling instead by the stove in the side room. The sight—or even the scent—of Fuli on the kang bed was enough to make its legs tremble!

The horse hadn’t forgotten how that “beast” had once clamped its neck and dragged it to the treehouse, then furiously loaded it with two heavy baskets. The horse had smelled the overwhelming scent of blood on Fuli back then and hadn’t dared to make a sound—it had forced itself to hold it in!

Lin Shuishi was cooking a hot meat broth, carefully feeding Fuli, who was lying on his side, a little at a time. Fuli’s complexion had finally improved; it was no longer so dark and lifeless, and there was warmth in his body now, with his breathing steady and deep. It didn’t seem like he was unconscious anymore, but rather in a deep sleep.

By the light of the small oil lamp, Lin Shuishi finally gathered the courage to closely observe this man’s face. Fuli’s strong and prominent facial features were the complete opposite of his own, which made him secretly smile—Fuli definitely had more of a manly aura!

Lin Shuishi thought to himself that he, too, should exercise more from now on, so that at least he could look more like a man!

So, there he sat, in the shadows cast by the oil lamp, crouching by the heated brick bed with his hands propping up his cheeks, staring blankly at Fuli for quite a while.

But he wasn’t self-conscious at all, and even started speaking to him, “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you! Even though I’m not very familiar with life here either.”

But then Lin Shuishi thought of how Fuli struggled even to speak properly and narrowed his eyes, “But I’m still a bit better off than you! You’ll have to rely on me!”

That night, he fell asleep beside Fuli. The room had only one more person in it, but it felt full! Lin Shuishi curled up under the blanket, inhaling that familiar scent, and drifted off into a deep sleep.

Lying beside Fuli, he no longer had those unsettling dreams.