Soon, the Elder and Aryan went to perform surgery on the still-unconscious girl.
They probably had to stop the bleeding, disinfect, and suture the wound again, and then inject some Blood Birch Tree sap into her body.
Apparently, the latter possessed some of the functions of real blood and wouldn’t cause any rejection.
It was because they used this stuff that the treatment was so expensive.
’The high cost doesn’t matter, she just has to be saved...’
Sitting on the steps outside the small clinic, Lu Wei looked back worriedly and happened to see Aryan rushing out.
She had light brown braided pigtails and a long gray linen skirt. Her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows for work, revealing fair but not delicate forearms—a clear sign she was used to hard work.
Recalling her calling him "brother" just now, Lu Wei’s gaze couldn’t help but linger on her for a moment longer.
She, in turn, noticed his gaze.
Aryan paused for a second, then gave him a reassuring smile, indicating that the patient was doing well.
Then she stood on her tiptoes to grab a few jars of ointment from a wooden shelf before turning and quickly running back into the operating room.
’Looks like I was overthinking things.’
Lu Wei silently retracted his gaze, feeling a little disappointed.
Heitai Town wasn’t large. With only a few hundred residents registered at the Town Hall, most people knew each other.
Because of this, Lu Wei had a basic understanding of Aryan’s situation.
Fifteen years old, her parents had died young, and she lived with her paternal uncle’s family. She had already been an apprentice at the small clinic for two years.
In short, she was an energetic, hardworking, and well-liked girl.
For that very reason, despite her ordinary looks, Aryan had still become the object of affection for many of the town’s young men.
However, Aryan herself seemed to be in no hurry to marry.
It was said this was because she had higher aspirations for her career and wanted to become a real [Doctor].
Quite ambitious of her.
’But that "brother" was really sweet.’
’It felt like being in my past life, lying in bed watching a livestream.’
Looking up at the star-filled night sky, Lu Wei’s expression grew wistful.
By now, he had to accept a certain fact—
he had completely bid farewell to "modern civilization" and would most likely never again see those cutesy, borderline-suggestive livestreamers.
But considering he had already died in his previous life, there was probably nothing to be sad about.
Still, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of loss.
"Brother Lu Wei, what are you thinking about?"
Suddenly, just as Lu Wei was wallowing in his baseless melancholy, Aryan’s voice came from behind him.
"Ah, nothing... Is the surgery over?"
Lu Wei quickly stood up and asked nervously, "How is she? She’s not going to die, is she?"
"Of course not. Her life is no longer in danger."
Aryan’s smile was as vibrant as the morning sun. "But she probably won’t wake up until tomorrow. It’s best if she stays here at the clinic for observation tonight."
"I see. In that case, I’ll come back tomorrow."
"Um... so, are you an Adventurer now too, Brother?"
"Hm? Why do you say that?"
"Because of the injured woman."
Aryan blinked, a little confused. "Isn’t she your companion, Brother?"
"Oh, no. I just happened to run into her in the forest."
Lu Wei shook his head and briefly explained what had happened.
After listening attentively, a hint of admiration appeared in Aryan’s eyes. She praised him in a quiet voice:
"That’s amazing of you, Brother."
"It was nothing, really. I believe anyone would have done the same."
Being praised like that by a girl several years younger than him, Lu Wei felt a bit embarrassed and scratched his head.
"It’s getting late, so I’ll be heading back now."
"Okay, see you tomorrow~"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
’That look just now... Was she captivated by my noble character?’
After politely saying his goodbyes and glancing at Aryan one more time, Lu Wei left the small clinic with this question in mind, his figure quickly disappearing into the night.
But he had only walked about ten meters when another set of hurried footsteps sounded from behind him.
Looking back, he saw Aryan chasing after him, carrying a small kerosene lamp.
"I almost forgot! The road is too dark. You can borrow the lamp~"
"Ah, thanks..."
"You’re welcome. Be careful on your way."
...
...
Half an hour later, Lu Wei returned to his residence in this world—
a small wooden cabin on the south side of Heitai Town that could be described as "minimalist."
It had only three rooms in total: a small living room with a fireplace, a large bedroom, and a small bedroom converted from a storage room.
The body’s previous owner had originally lived in the small bedroom.
But after his father passed away, Lu Wei took over and moved into the large bedroom.
In truth, it was only slightly larger than the storage room, with the only addition being a wardrobe.
It didn’t even have a table; he had no idea how the father and son had gotten by all these years.
Especially the previous owner’s father, the man the townspeople called a "kind and honest good person."
Born ordinary, lived meekly, and died suddenly. In the end, it seemed he had left nothing behind but a good reputation.
’Tough life.’
Recalling the townspeople’s surprisingly unanimous evaluation of the previous owner’s father, Lu Wei shook his head. ’Good people really aren’t cut out to be merchants,’ he thought.
With such a start, even with his cheat ability, it would have taken him a very long time to accumulate his initial capital.
But unexpectedly, his luck was quite good.
Perhaps it was the magical effect of "sacrificing one’s parents for boundless power," or maybe a luck bonus from the "transmigrator’s newbie protection period," but on his very first day as an official Crafty Merchant, he had actually obtained a precious "Rare"-grade accessory.
Without a doubt, it was the one he had plucked from the neck of the girl whose name he still didn’t know.
[Soul Pendant]
[Species: Accessory]
[Level: Rare]
[Value: 37 Gold Coins]
[Introduction:
1. Wearer (must be in contact with skin): Agility +2, Intelligence +2, Perception +2.
2. Can store up to 3 (1/3) non-humanoid Wandering Souls. Prerequisite: Must have mastered the "Spirit Communication" Skill.
3. Depending on the Wandering Soul’s Level, consume a corresponding amount of Magic Power to release it for combat.]
[Note: If a Necromancer is too far away and you want your own Undead Legion as soon as possible, then buy this!]
’Soul Pendant...’
’As expected of a Rare accessory, it actually has three attributes...’
Lying in bed and looking at the light gray, teardrop-shaped pendant dangling before his eyes, Lu Wei was amazed.
The Pendant’s Value went without saying; the price of 37 Gold Coins alone said it all.
There was only one thing he cared about now.
And that was whether he could claim this Pendant for himself.
Frankly, it didn’t seem like a very difficult decision.
After all, from the perspective that "a life is priceless," he had saved the girl’s life, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable to ask her to pay any price.
Even if that meant secretly taking her treasure.
What’s more, based on Lu Wei’s analysis, she most likely didn’t know the true Value of this Pendant.
Otherwise, it was hard to believe that an expert capable of summoning the Undead to fight would have nearly died in a "starter zone" like Gelan Forest.
So, the only explanation was that this Soul Pendant was a family heirloom.
Something like an inheritance from her parents.
And since she didn’t have the money to get it appraised, she just wore it as an ordinary, sentimental necklace.
And in the end, he was the one who’d lucked out.
’That must be it.’
’Since you don’t understand its value, you can’t blame me.’
Carefully placing the Pendant into the inner pocket of his shirt, Lu Wei let out a long, satisfied sigh.
Outside the window, the silhouette of Gelan Forest was silent in the dark. The cold, white moonlight was stingy, barely managing to outline the messy shadows of the weeds beneath the window lattice.
He rolled over, reached out to extinguish the kerosene lamp by his bedside, and quickly fell asleep without a guilty conscience.
On How to Become a Qualified Crafty Merchant
2: A Crafty Merchant has no obligation to inform a customer of a product’s true value! Taking advantage of the latter’s ignorance to make a profit is reasonable and lawful!