There Was Still Hope
When Dole saw the man, the man saw Dole as well. Both had skin darkened by the sun, black as could be.
The moment the burly man came over, he was surrounded like the moon by a host of stars, with quite a few people clustering around him. When he arrived, he looked somewhat doubtful. "You say you're a doctor. How can you prove it?"
This person didn't look like a doctor at all. That skin, that physique—he was clearly a warrior.
Unhurried, Dole took the small case from his back. It contained all his experimental tools. He opened it and showed the man. "These are my medicine-making tools. There are also some things I left in the city because I didn't have a carriage. I'll have to go back and get them in a few days."
There were also several finished potions in the little case, which he showed to the young man.
The young man's face immediately lit up. "Good, good, good! The village happens to be short on doctors. Come in. What kind of place would you like to live in? I'll make arrangements for you."
Dole raised a brow. That was easy. I had a whole pile of arguments prepared.
"Somewhere quiet and secluded will do. There's no need to worry about my safety. I can take care of myself." He rolled up his sleeve and displayed his sturdy arm.
The men around them were immediately astonished.
The young man nodded, secretly letting out a breath. He had thought this young doctor might make some excessive demands, but this was all he wanted. After giving it some thought, he said, "How about the little bamboo house by the river? The only secluded place we have left is that bamboo house. But don't