Reaching the Pinnacle of Life by Following the Experts

Banxia awoke to a cacophony of voices. The moment she opened her eyes, a plump face loomed before her, making her shrink back in fright. The woman, realizing she had startled her, took a step back and offered a nervous laugh. “You’re awake, Mrs. Su.”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Mrs. Gan, your neighbor. It was I who first found you and your husband poisoned by carbon monoxide last night.”

What? Husband? Is this some kind of joke? I’ve been single for twenty-two years, pure as jade, and now you’re telling me I have a husband?

“I think I’m still dreaming. I’ll go back to sleep,” Banxia muttered, closing her eyes again.

“I think Mrs. Su is acting a bit strange,” came another woman’s voice nearby.

“Keep your voice down,” someone whispered. “I heard the doctor say last night that carbon monoxide poisoning can damage the brain.”

Banxia rolled her eyes. Auntie, you’re not exactly whispering.

“Oh dear, that’s terrible. Mrs. Su is still all right, but Scholar Gan—he can’t carry a thing or do any hard work—if his mind is gone too… tsk, tsk, how pitiful.”

“What are you all gossiping about? Go home and make lunch before your men come back and beat you black and blue!” a brash male voice interrupted.

The women scattered at once, clearly intimidated by the man.

Banxia opened her eyes to see a slouching young man standing at her bedside. He wasn’t bad-looking, but his careless posture and attitude gave him a roguish air.

“Hey, little sister, you’re awake.”

Great, this must be her brother.

He made himself at home