Chapter 22: Farewell

Chapter 22 Farewell

The next morning, everyone saw Lisa slumped over the table, utterly drained of strength. “Are you alright?” Radon asked. “What do you think?” Lisa didn’t even have the energy to lift her head.

“Uh…” Radon was at a loss for words. “Honestly, you went a bit too far,” Lasse said angrily to Ye Tian, who was carrying breakfast, when he saw Lisa’s feeble state.

“You don’t understand,” Ye Tian chuckled, putting down his tray and pushing a bowl of congee with preserved egg and lean pork in front of Lisa. “She ate so much, and girls should be more restrained with their food. Here—have some.”

“So, you gave me a laxative!” Lisa, suddenly filled with indignation, found the strength to sit up and glare at Ye Tian.

“Oh? Looks like you’re not completely powerless. Want to try it again?” Ye Tian grinned.

Lisa shuddered. “Never again, even if it kills me!” she muttered.

“Even if you wanted more, I wouldn’t give it to you. You think that stuff’s as common as street goods?” Ye Tian pouted in mock disapproval.

“Hmph!” Unable to argue with him, Lisa sat down and drank her porridge furiously.

“What are your plans for today, Tian?” Grey asked.

“Oh, just a few errands. I want to check on yesterday’s patient,” Ye Tian replied, sipping his porridge. The rice here wasn’t as fine as what he was used to—more like millet, a bit coarse, but with its own unique flavor.

“Tian, what’s this?” Gehr picked up a piece of pickled vegetable, always surprised by Ye Tian’s culinary feats.

“Pickled vegetable, though not the best. You can put it in your bread,” Ye Tian replied.

Gehr tried it. “Delicious!”

“These noodles are so odd!” Radon said, picking up a slice of knife-cut noodle.

“Try it, they’re great,” Ye Tian encouraged.

Radon took a bite, and a delightful chewiness filled his mouth. Without a word, he just kept shoveling them in.

“Tian, you’re like a treasure chest. Who knows what you’ll pull out next?” Grey speared a fried dumpling, eating with relish.

“Yes, we almost can’t bear to let you leave,” Jin agreed.

“As long as you’re happy eating, that’s enough for me,” Ye Tian replied with a cheerful smile.

Looking at the scene before him, Ye Tian was reminded of the happiest days of his life, spent with the old man. But now, everything had changed. “Old man, where are you? Do you have enough to eat?” A faint melancholy flickered in Ye Tian’s eyes.

“This is so good!” Gehr said, eating heartily. “Tian, don’t dwell on it. Eat something yourself.” Ye Tian grinned at the big man, grateful for the comfort offered in his own way. “Eat up, everyone. There’s plenty.”

After breakfast, Ye Tian made a quick announcement and headed out. Passing a fruit vendor on the way, he realized he was empty-handed and stopped to ask about the price. It wasn’t expensive—a large pile for just one silver coin. But as he went to pay, Ye Tian remembered he had no money usable in this world.

“Can I use this?” Ye Tian offered a small silver ingot. The vendor stared in amazement but dared not accept it.

“Sorry, I didn’t bring money,” Ye Tian said with a wry smile.

“I’ll pay,” a soft, fair hand appeared with a silver coin.

“Thank you,” Ye Tian said, turning to Lasse. She blushed. “We should be apologizing. We forgot you don’t have money here.”

Ye Tian smiled. Lasse quickly averted her gaze.

“Since you’re here, would you come with me to the apothecary later? I need to repay my debt,” Ye Tian said, scratching his head.

“Sure,” Lasse nodded gently, picking up the fruit Ye Tian had bought. “Let’s go.”

The two arrived at Mara’s door and knocked for some time before a weary Mara opened it. Upon seeing Ye Tian, excitement lit up his face. “Benefactor! Please, come in!”

“How is she?” Ye Tian asked.

“Much better,” Mara replied excitedly. After so long, his sister could finally get a good night’s sleep. In the past, her pain in the night would make her want to bite her own flesh, which had been agony for Mara to witness.

“Go rest. I’ll call you at noon. Don’t worry, she’s out of danger now,” Ye Tian assured him after checking on the girl.

“Thank you,” Mara said, his posture sinking with exhaustion—he had spent the whole night at his sister’s side.

“I really envy her,” Lasse whispered, looking at the sleeping girl, reflecting on her own good fortune to have a brother so concerned for her.

“Indeed,” Ye Tian replied, sitting beside the girl, lost in thought. Fortunately, he had been here; otherwise, the siblings’ lives might have been ruined. Still, Ye Tian frowned slightly—even if the girl recovered, he couldn’t guarantee her face would be restored. Perhaps that was a misfortune within her good fortune.

“Whatever happens, please live on with strength,” Ye Tian said tenderly, brushing the girl’s cheek.

“Lasse, you should rest too. You must not have slept well last night,” he smiled.

“So you noticed!” Lasse pouted.

“Hehe, it’s not my fault,” Ye Tian protested, then got up and headed to the kitchen, where he’d left the herbs he’d bought yesterday. He picked out a few, found a clay pot, and began to prepare a medicinal decoction.

Illness strikes like a mountain, but leaves like silk. The girl had been sick for a long time and was weak, so Ye Tian selected gentle tonics to restore her strength. Fortunately, rare herbs were plentiful here. After careful selection, he began to simmer them over a low flame.

Preparing medicine required care and patience. Ye Tian watched the pot, and when the three bowls of water had reduced to one, he poured it into a small bowl. He brought it to the girl’s side, drew a bamboo tube, and slowly fed her the decoction.

After the medicine, he checked her pulse again, reassured that she was stable, then sat beside her and began to peel an apple with his knife. Lasse had already fallen asleep at the table, so Ye Tian quietly covered her with a blanket from the girl’s room before heading back to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Mara’s kitchen was small and cluttered—proof of all the hardships the man had endured for his sister. Ye Tian carefully washed the remaining dishes and checked the ingredients, doing his best to make a nutritious meal for Mara.

In fact, it was the aroma of the food that woke Mara. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had a proper meal.

“Oh, you’re up. Come eat,” Ye Tian called.

Mara could hardly believe his eyes—a table full of dishes, most of them vegetables, but the enticing scent made his mouth water.

“Come and eat, don’t mind that you haven’t seen these before. I guarantee the taste!” Lasse encouraged.

“There’s congee simmering in the pot. Feed it to your sister later; it will help her recovery,” Ye Tian instructed.

Mara nodded vigorously, his mouth stuffed with food, tears streaming down his face.

“What are you crying for?” Lasse said, rolling her eyes as she ate.

“Don’t worry, it’s all behind you now,” Ye Tian said reassuringly.

“Yes,” Mara replied, swallowing his tears as he ate. It was finally over.

After the meal, Lasse took the initiative to clean up, while Mara and Ye Tian sat by the girl, slowly feeding her congee.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” Ye Tian began, scratching his head.

“What is it, benefactor?” Mara asked.

“Even if your sister recovers, her face may never return to how it was. I’m not sure if she’ll be able to bear such a blow,” Ye Tian said hesitantly.

“It’s alright, benefactor. My sister is strong,” Mara replied gently, feeding the girl another spoonful and softly wiping the rice from her lips.

“Then I’m relieved,” Ye Tian said with a smile. “In a few days, I’ll be leaving. Your sister still needs careful nursing—do you have any plans?”

“You’re leaving?” Mara asked.

“Yes, I plan to go to Fipley Academy in the Principality of Leidun,” Ye Tian replied.

“I know it. It’s a famous magic academy. Are you going to become a great mage?” Mara asked, excited.

“Heh, I just have some things I want to ask about,” Ye Tian replied with a smile.

That afternoon, Ye Tian taught Mara how to prepare the decoction. It was simple enough; after two tries, Mara had mastered it. As long as he didn’t burn the herbs, there would be no problem. He also recognized all the ingredients, which were affordable for him.

After explaining everything, Ye Tian had Lasse secretly leave behind some gold coins. It wasn’t much, but enough to support Mara for a while. The man had endured so much, but once his sister recovered, he wouldn’t have to keep struggling. Ye Tian wasn’t worried—Mara was not as fragile as he seemed.

After visiting the apothecary, Ye Tian…