1,061,600 credited to the account

Lin Shan bid farewell to the four men and walked out of Dongguo Village. Finding a secluded spot, he returned to his house in the main world. Without pause, he hurried downstairs to the pharmacy and purchased a box of fever-reducing medicine.

Then, sprinting at full speed, he returned to his house and descended into the other world.

Because time flows differently between the two worlds, the ten or so minutes he spent here felt like agonizing hours for the child.

Despite moving as fast as he could, upon his return, the sky indicated that two to three hours had passed.

From afar, Lin Shan saw three men standing solemnly at the entrance of Dongguo Village.

Zheng Yue and the others were anxious, unsure if Lin Shan, whom they had met only once, would truly come back.

Zheng Tong’s sharp eyes caught sight of Lin Shan approaching rapidly, and he exclaimed excitedly, “Big brother, Brother Lin has returned!”

Zheng Yue’s spirits lifted, a smile brightening his face. Lin Shan reached them, waved, and said, “No time to waste, Brother Zheng, let’s go home!”

The four dashed back to Zheng Yue’s house. Under the watchful eyes of the others, Lin Shan administered the fever medicine into Zheng Yue’s son, Zheng Tu’s mouth.

Five people, ten eyes fixed on Zheng Tu. The room fell into silence. After about half an hour, Zheng Tu’s condition visibly improved—no longer delirious, he had slipped into a deep sleep.

Zheng Tu’s wife, Zheng Hongying, cautiously stepped forward, touched his forehead, and said with joy, “Husband, it seems the fever isn’t as high as before.”

Lin Shan said, “Sister-in-law, this medicine is only an aid. Whether he recovers depends on Zheng Tu himself.”

Tears welled in Zheng Hongying’s eyes. She nodded lightly and bent down to caress her son’s face.

Zheng Yue pulled Lin Shan outside and said, “Benefactor, thank you for making the arduous journey. Please have something to eat first.”

Lin Shan did not refuse. As for Zheng Tong and Zheng Mu, they planned to return home to report their safety, but they left the tiger bones behind.

Zheng Yue then offered Lin Shan his own room. Lin Shan wished to observe the effect of the fever medicine on Zheng Tu, so he stayed the night.

The next day, when Lin Shan stepped outside, he saw Zheng Yue’s entire family kneeling on the ground. Zheng Tu, who had been on the brink of death the day before, had awakened but still looked pale and weak.

“Brother Zheng, there’s no need for this. Please rise,” Lin Shan said.

Zheng Yue shook his head resolutely and told Zheng Tu, “Son, bow to our benefactor.”

Zheng Tu nodded and kowtowed three times to Lin Shan, who sighed softly and accepted it calmly.

Only then did Zheng Yue rise and say, “Benefactor, on behalf of my family, I thank you for your great kindness. I’m a man of few words, skilled only in hunting. If you ever need my help, please don’t hesitate to call on me.”

“Brother Zheng, you are too polite. Now that Zheng Tu has awakened, I must leave for a while. Please keep the tiger bones safe for me. Once I have the payment, we will complete the trade.”

Zheng Yue hurriedly responded, “Benefactor, I wouldn’t dare accept your money again...”

He was thinking of giving the tiger bones to Lin Shan for free and covering the cost himself for Zheng Tong and Zheng Mu.

Lin Shan waved him off and interrupted, “But these tiger bones weren’t hunted by you alone. What about Zheng Mu and Zheng Tong? If you truly want to repay me, I will pay fifteen taels of silver—seven and a half taels each for Zheng Mu and Zheng Tong. The rest can be used to buy some food to nourish the child.”

With a smile, Lin Shan patted Zheng Tu’s head. Zheng Tu’s eyes shone with gratitude, curiosity, and a hint of shyness.

Hearing this, Zheng Hongying’s heart overflowed with gratitude toward Lin Shan.

In this era, a family of three typically spent about ten taels of silver annually on living expenses. Most families toiled all year just to break even, with little to no surplus.

Though Zheng Yue was loyal and honorable, this one statement would soon plunge his family into great hardship over the coming years.

Zheng Yue was about to speak when Lin Shan’s tone turned serious: “If you truly regard me as your benefactor, then do as I say!”

Zheng Yue was left speechless but inwardly marveled at his luck in meeting such a good person as Lin Shan.

Having settled matters for Zheng Yue’s family, Lin Shan did not linger. He left the village and returned home to the main world via a secluded spot.

After Lin Shan’s departure, Zheng Yue’s family gathered closely. Zheng Hongying sighed, “Our benefactor is truly kind-hearted.”

Zheng Yue looked toward the direction Lin Shan had gone and said thoughtfully, “I believe our benefactor is no ordinary man. This time, our family has been blessed to meet such a noble patron. Son, remember this: he saved your life. In the future, you must follow his instructions.”

Zheng Tu nodded firmly in agreement.

...

Back in the main world, Lin Shan searched for the nearest jewelry store. After calling to inquire, he learned they sold silver, so he hurried there and purchased four small silver bars, each weighing five grams.

It was now afternoon. As Lin Shan was about to return home to descend into the other world again, his phone rang. The caller ID showed Zhang Zhi.

Lin Shan quickly answered. On the other end, Zhang Zhi’s voice was slightly excited.

“A Shan, there’s a buyer willing to pay 1.6 million for those two tiger penises. What do you think? Sell it now or hold out? If we wait a bit longer, the price might rise once word gets out.”

Lin Shan replied immediately, “No, Old Zhang, 1.6 million it is!”

Zhang Zhi was unsurprised. “Alright, I’ll start the transaction now. The money will be transferred to your bank account shortly.”

Lin Shan said, “Old Zhang, I’m not officially divorced yet. Take 300,000 out of the 1.6 million—200,000 is to pay you back, and 100,000 is your commission. Don’t refuse; it’s what you deserve. Deposit the money into my father’s account, just in case.”

Zhang Zhi sighed helplessly, shaking his head, “Oh, you... alright.”

They had known each other for over twenty years.

Over the years, friends came and went, but only these two remained close. Zhang Zhi had experienced much and considered Lin Shan a true friend. One key reason was that Lin Shan was remarkably clear-headed and decisive.

For example, with Zhang Wan’s matter, he cut ties immediately upon sensing trouble and was now preparing for divorce.

Zhang Zhi wouldn’t mind if Lin Shan didn’t give him that 300,000, but since he would have to help Lin Shan with many things in the future, it was better not to cause resentment.

Such is human nature, no matter how close the bond.

Soon, a message arrived. Lin Shan checked his bank balance: 1,308,000.

This card belonged to Lin Jiabao, but Lin Shan was the primary user.

Money is the courage of a man. At this moment, Lin Shan suddenly felt much lighter.