Chapter 146

Xie Jin said, "Go tell Uncle Gao and Aunt Gao we're leaving."

"All right." Shen Lantang left the room.

Only after she was gone did an indescribable look cross Xie Jin's pale face.

Xie Jin had grown up in the army. He had always cared little for worldly pleasures, including relations between men and women, and had kept himself strictly in check. To his mind, intimacy between husband and wife belonged in private. He could hardly believe that while she was applying the medicine, he had actually...

He looked at the new flesh growing around the edge of the wound on his abdomen.

Yes. The new skin must be too sensitive.

Shen Lantang went into the courtyard and told Uncle Gao and Aunt Gao that they planned to go into town and report the crime. At first, the couple urged them to stay a few more days. When they saw the decision was made, they said:

"Then I'll speak to A Niu's family at the village entrance and ask them to take you along tomorrow."

"Thank you both."

"Oh, you're leaving so soon. We'll miss you."

Shen Lantang smiled. "We've been missing for days. Our families must be worried."

"That's true. They must be beside themselves with worry, not having heard from you. Well, we won't try to keep you."

"Thank you for looking after us these past few days."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Shen Lantang returned to the room. Xie Jin had finished applying the medicine and was leaning against the bed, cold sweat beading on his face.

"Did you tell them?"

"Yes."

With that, they said no more about it.

When the Gao siblings learned the two were leaving, they were reluctant to say goodbye. But theirs had been a chance meeting, and parting was inevitable.