Chapter Forty-Two: The Chen Family

Page 1 of 3

Despite his many doubts, Cui Xiu ultimately did not let go of this rare opportunity.

Of course, he maintained a certain level of caution.

He and Guan Yuan were not particularly close; such an unexpected offer inevitably felt somewhat hollow. Anyone with sense would harbor suspicion.

So he deliberately sought out Wu Yu.

It did not matter much to tell Wu Yu about this, and the benefit was that through Wu Yu’s channels, he could gather some information, rather than relying solely on Guan Yuan’s explanation.

Wu Yu was clearly surprised when he heard Cui Xiu’s words.

He had not heard this news before, but now that he understood what the Department of the Sun was, he realized how rare it was to enter such an institution.

“This is no small matter indeed. I can help you make some inquiries, Dongshan,” Wu Yu said, understanding Cui Xiu’s concerns.

He understood Cui Xiu’s worries.

Upon hearing his reply, Cui Xiu sighed softly. “This matter is somewhat pressing, so I’ll have to trouble you, Zixing.”

After that, the two discussed the possible aftermath of Cui Xiu joining the Department of the Sun. Though nothing was confirmed, at least some preparations were made.

...

Cui Xiu considered himself rather fortunate to have befriended Wu Yu.

If not for Wu Yu, even as a transmigrator with special abilities, Cui Xiu would have struggled to enjoy his current circumstances.

After all, whether it was Wu Yu helping him collect martial arts manuals or passing him information through family connections, these were things Cui Xiu could hardly have accomplished alone in such a short time.

More importantly, Wu Yu had a fine character, an upright gentleman who was always ready to help once he considered you a friend.

Even without the Wu family’s connections, Cui Xiu believed Wu Yu would be a good friend.

Fortune and misfortune are intertwined—Cui Xiu saw truth in this. If not for the incident at Liu Village, he would not have crossed paths with Wu Yu or enjoyed the benefits that followed...

Thinking of Wu Yu, Cui Xiu felt a moment of sentimentality, but soon composed himself as he arrived at the pharmacy.

As Wu Yu had not yet brought back any news, Cui Xiu did not intend to seek out Guan Yuan for the time being. After all, Guan Yuan hadn’t said the matter was urgent, so there was no need to rush his reply.

A delayed response would also allow him more time to prepare.

There was no harm in that.

Page 2 of 3

Since things had to be put on hold, Cui Xiu decided to first arrange affairs at the pharmacy. That way, even if he did join the Department of the Sun, the transition would be smooth.

But as soon as he returned, he was met with an unexpected visitor.

He wondered what was with today—Guan Yuan had come by in the morning, and now another person in the afternoon.

He recognized the visitor.

“Auntie, what brings you here? Please, have a seat.”

The woman was a middle-aged matron whom Cui Xiu had met once before.

The key point was her connection to Cui Xiu.

When Cui Xiu first arrived in this world, the original host had just recovered from a serious illness, thanks to the care of several fellow villagers.

Upon his return, a classmate had even given him an old horse for travel. Though the horse had vanished after the Liu Village incident, Cui Xiu still remembered the favor.

And in the host’s memories, this classmate had a fine temperament, was always attentive, and was even more learned than the host himself.

Such a person made a fine friend.

Cui Xiu would not mind repaying this kindness if the chance arose.

The woman before him was the mother of that classmate.

Her surname was Chen, an ordinary rural woman, and Cui Xiu’s classmate was named Li Luo.

Mother and son hailed from Qingxi Village, not far from Gaoyun Township.

After handling the Liu Village incident, Cui Xiu had deliberately visited Qingxi Village to deliver a message for Li Luo, informing Madam Chen that her son was visiting friends in the prefectural city, thereby putting her mind at ease.

Li Luo’s father had long since passed; Madam Chen had only her son left, so she naturally worried.

Since that day, however, Cui Xiu had not visited Qingxi Village again—not because he was unwilling to help, but because, after Li Luo passed the provincial exam, the Li family’s standing in the village rose. With so many neighbors eager to help, there was little for Cui Xiu to do.

But this made him wonder why Madam Chen would come all the way to Anyuan to seek him out when the Li family was thriving.

Could it be that Li Luo had returned?

But that didn’t make sense. If Li Luo had returned and wished to see him, he would come himself, not trouble Madam Chen.

Cui Xiu knew Li Luo was very filial.

Moreover, Madam Chen looked exhausted and worried when she arrived. Only upon seeing Cui Xiu did her expression soften somewhat, though anxiety soon returned.

Page 3 of 3

She was clearly ill at ease.

While pondering, Cui Xiu invited her to sit.

But Madam Chen could not sit still. Her eyes reddened and she choked out, “Ah Xiu, please help me!”

“Auntie, don’t worry. What has happened?” Cui Xiu, having noticed her troubled expression, suspected something was wrong but did not expect her to be so distraught.

He dropped all formalities and asked directly. After all, he did have ties with Li Luo, and if Madam Chen was in trouble, he ought to help.

Despite her agitation, Madam Chen managed to compose herself enough to recount her troubles before Cui Xiu.

Hearing her out, Cui Xiu was deeply shocked.

It was difficult to summarize in a few words, but Madam Chen’s main point was that Li Luo had returned home—and something had happened.

By rights, her son’s return should have been a joyous event, especially as he had earned the title of provincial scholar, bringing honor to the family and making her proud.

But after Li Luo came home, Madam Chen, who knew her son well, noticed something amiss.

At first, things seemed fine—though Li Luo’s behavior was a bit unusual, she assumed he was merely tired from his journey, and felt sorry for him.

She even urged him to rest now that he was home.

But this thought did not last.

Within two days, she realized her once cheerful and confident son was growing increasingly abnormal.

Some of his actions even struck her, his mother, as eerie.