After Su Jin left, Elder Zhao worriedly said to Zhao Dazhuang, "Son, this is not sustainable. What will we do if we really get sued?"
Zhao Dazhuang looked at his own father and indifferently huffed, "Father, you are just timid and afraid of things. What can he do to us?"
Elder Zhao shook his head helplessly and sighed.
Why is it such a big deal just for him to move some manure?
Su Jin felt incredibly unlucky today. Even though he stepped on a muddy road outside, he had been struggling to reach the town when suddenly he was drenched in feces.
Along with the books, they had also suffered. Thinking that they could get some compensation to offset their own losses, they did not expect money to be obtained but instead received a severe beating.
Now he only felt pain all over his body, and he couldn't help but touch his pig-like face, "Aiyo..."
The pain made him grind his teeth and let out a loud cry.
He kept thinking and getting angrier, realizing that he couldn't just let it go. He was preparing to go to the magistrate's office to file a complaint against the official.
Hmph, he not only wants the father and son to compensate him for the money for the books, but also for the medical expenses.
He hobbled towards the Gulu Town, not noticing whether it was because he didn't pay attention or because he was too preoccupied thinking about how to file a complaint at the magistrate's office.
As he passed by an arched bridge, he stumbled and fell straight down.
Su Jin felt a blank darkness before his eyes, his body spiraling out of control and plunging into the river.
The cold water rushed by, splashing up countless spray.
His foot accidentally hit a rock, and he heard a faint "crack".
In an instant, the pain made his face go pale.
He had already had a premonition that his leg might be broken, but at this moment, he couldn't think about anything else.
The water quickly swallowed him, and he could only grit his teeth and fight to swim upstream, enduring the agonizing pain in his leg.
But unfortunately, his injured leg couldn't bear weight, and he was being swept away by the current, gradually moving further from shore and growing heavier.
His mouth, nose, and ears were all filled with water, and he began to feel dizzy. Even his breathing became difficult.
He began to struggle wildly.
"Help... Is anyone here?"
Su Jin choked on several mouthfuls of water, struggling to lift his head above the surface and calling for help loudly.
The cry for help echoed on the river surface but sounded so weak, as if it could be blown away by the wind at any moment.
The dense forest surrounding was startled, and the birds flew up.
Yuyao watched from the shadows, her eyes cold, and she had the intention of letting Su Jin drown.
But then he thought, if Su Jin just died like this, it would be too easy for him.
She wants Su Jin to taste the pain of being betrayed and hurt by his beloved.
It can also be considered as repaying all the harm caused by Su Jin in his previous life to the original owner.
Thinking in this way, she revealed her figure. Her once cold face turned instantly into a state of extreme anxiety.
Looking at the struggling Su Jin in the water, she feigned a look of surprise and exclaimed, "Oh my, it's Master Su? Don't worry, I'll come save you right away."
As soon as she finished speaking, she leaped into the water without hesitation, swimming towards Su Jin with all her might.
Su Jin's heart relaxed, secretly relieved that he wouldn't be drowned to death.
Yuyao swam as hard as she could to Su Jin's side and said, "Master, don't be afraid. I'll take you to the shore."
She said that, and then she pulled on Su Jin's collar, struggling to drag him onto the shore.
"You saved my life, Miss Yuyao. Thank you so much."
After being rescued and brought to shore, Su Jin was breathing heavily, filled with gratitude towards her.
He had never expected that this seemingly weak woman had such courage and strength.
Yuyao smiled slightly, as if she could dispel all the gloom in the world, "No problem, it's just a matter of lifting a hand. Master Su, why did you fall off the bridge? Can you still walk?"
Su Jin smiled bitterly, shook his head, and tried to stand up, but found that his right leg was in unbearable pain, as if it was weighted with a ton of bricks.
"Probably a broken leg," he said helplessly.
Yuyao saw his condition and didn't hesitate for a moment. She stepped forward and gently supported Su Jin, saying, "Master Su, don't worry. I will take you home right away."
"Thank you so much, Miss Yuyao."
Su Jin didn't delay either, for he truly couldn't walk at the moment.
The mountain road was rugged, and Yuyao supported Su Jin all the way. Her forehead was drenched in sweat, but she never uttered a complaint.
Su Jin felt grateful, but more confused. Who was this Yuyao girl? Why was she so concerned about him?
Also, he remembered that in the morning when he left, the road was muddy and almost impassable; how had it become so flat and dry now?
Maybe it was the sun that dried it up?
He shook his head and looked up at the sky. The sun was shining brightly, and it was almost noon.
Could it really be the sun? How could it dry up so quickly?
Although Su Jin was filled with doubts, he didn't dwell on it.
She quickly returned with Su Jin to the Su village, but instead of entering from the village, she circled around to Su Jin's home through the back mountain.
In ancient times, it was improper for men and women to have close contact, and being so close to Su Jin would not be good for her reputation.
She helped Su Jin into the house and called on the village doctor.
The doctor came quickly with his medicine box on his back.
After a thorough examination, the doctor said with a serious expression, "Master Su's leg is broken. It needs to be properly rested for at least three months. I'll set your bones first and then prescribe some medicine."
"Thank you, Doctor Zhou."
Su Jin had already prepared himself for this, and when he heard his leg was broken, he didn't have much of a reaction. He merely weakly expressed his gratitude.
The pain of the bone setting was so severe that it nearly made him faint. After a struggle, the doctor finally set his leg and secured it in place.
The doctor wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "I'll prescribe you a few more doses of medicine to aid in recovery. The total cost is ten taels of silver."
Su Jin showed a look of difficulty and said awkwardly, "Doctor Zhou, I don't have that much silver on me. Is it possible to owe it to you?"
Yuyao listened and without hesitation pulled out ten taels of silver from her bosom and handed it to the doctor, saying, "Here is ten taels of silver. I'll cover for him first."
The doctor looked at her for a moment, but didn't ask any further questions. He took the silver and left with his medicine box.
After the doctor left, Su Jin lay in bed, his gaze turning to Yuyao, and he said with a look of guilt, "Miss Yuyao, I truly owe you a great debt for this. I will surely repay you the silver in the future."
Yuyao smiled gently, "Master Su, just focus on recovering. Don't worry about this matter."
She gradually became a regular visitor to Su Jin's home.
She not only delivered medicine and food every day for him, but also took careful care of his daily needs, just like the previous life owner had cared for Su Jin.
Su Jin was grateful, but also confused as to why this girl treated him so well.
Is it that she likes him? Or is she attracted to his talent?
One day, Su Jin finally gathered the courage to ask Yuyao, "Miss Yuyao, why do you treat me so well?"
Yuyao smiled faintly in her heart: Of course, I want you to experience the pain that tears you apart.
She lowered her head, blushing, and said in a low voice, "Master Su is handsome and talented. When I first saw you, I was smitten. That's why I've been so attentive."
Su Jin was slightly stunned, and he understood the reason in his heart.
He smiled, and his smile was like the warm sunshine of spring, dispelling the gloom in his heart: "Miss Yuyao, I understand your feelings, and I feel happy too. However, I am a poor scholar with nothing of value to my name. Will you find me unsuitable?"
This girl, though her background is unknown, is extremely beautiful, strong-willed, and has considerable insight. She is not an ignorant village maiden.
Most importantly, she saved his life, and just now she paid for his medical expenses with ten taels of silver. He really likes her for that.
Such a good girl is really hard to find.
Upon hearing this, Yuyao's heart was filled with sarcasm.
However, her face bloomed into a smile, and her voice was as gentle as a spring breeze, "Master Su, what kind of words are these? In my heart, your character is precious and your talents are exceptional. I wish to spend the ups and downs of life with you, never leaving or abandoning you."
Su Jin felt a warm current surge through his heart, gently pulling Yuyao's hand and softly saying, "Yao'er, you are so good. You can rest assured that if I ever pass the imperial examination in the future, I will marry you in an eight-lift palanquin."
Hearing his words, Yuyao's heart was filled with even more sarcasm.
Imperial examination? You will never have the chance to pass it in this lifetime.
She gently withdrew her hand and pouted, saying playfully, "I believe in you, Master Su."
But in her heart, she coldly laughed repeatedly.
While recovering, Su Jin worked hard to read and study.
Yuyao not only helped him repay the costs of the bookshop, but also took meticulous care of his meals and daily life.
Su Jin grew to like her more and more, not the insincere affection for the original owner, but a genuine fondness. This was evident from Su Jin's eyes when he looked at her.
Yuyao pretended to be wholeheartedly supportive, but in secret, she was constantly making little moves.
Although Su Jin was taken care of well, he became a cripple for no apparent reason.
Having a physical disability means one cannot take the imperial examinations or become an official.
Su Jin becoming a cripple means that his political career is ruined.
