Sang Sang thought they were about to head back, but unexpectedly, as they passed by a medical clinic, Shen Yan turned and walked straight in.
Sang Sang’s heart tightened immediately. Was he sick?
But soon, Sang Sang understood Shen Yan’s purpose for coming here.
He wasn’t sick; he had come to get a prescription for scar removal medicine.
All along the way, Sang Sang’s heart had been wrapped in a warm current.
At this moment, she felt that warm current surge even more fiercely, stirring her emotions up and down, making it hard to calm down. Her nose even began to ache slightly.
“Why are you crying again?” Shen Yan looked at her in astonishment.
“The doctor is just examining your injury. If you don’t want to, we can skip it. Why cry?”
Shen Yan felt both annoyed and amused. Was this woman really made of water? She cried so easily, as if he had done something to her.
Only then did Sang Sang realize she was crying.
She quickly wiped away her tears, sniffled hard, and said in a muffled voice, “I, I don’t mind. I, I just… I just couldn’t help it… No one has ever been this good to me before.”
She stumbled over her words, clumsy and unsure how to express her gratitude and emotion.
But Shen Yan understood.
He looked at her, his gaze steady. “You’re mine. What’s wrong with me treating you well?”
His tone was casual, almost indifferent, but Sang Sang couldn’t help but feel her ears grow slightly warm, and her heart trembled in response.
She removed her veil, allowing the old doctor prescribing the medicine to examine her face carefully.
Shen Yan’s gaze also fell on her face.
Her left cheek bore scars, but her right cheek was smooth and flawless, with skin as delicate as porcelain, as if it could be broken with a touch.
If she hadn’t been injured, she would have been exceptionally beautiful.
Who could have been so cruel as to do this to her?
A hint of coldness crept into Shen Yan’s eyes.
After a careful examination, the old doctor said, “These scars are numerous and deep. Restoring them won’t be easy.”
Upon hearing this, Sang Sang’s expression immediately darkened, and Shen Yan’s gaze also turned somber.
But then, the old doctor changed his tone. “However, fortunately, the injury wasn’t too long ago. With proper care now, although it won’t fully recover, it can still be restored to about seventy or eighty percent.”
Sang Sang’s eyes lit up again.
Restoring seventy or eighty percent was already excellent!
The old doctor changed his tone once more. “However…”
Shen Yan held back and finally couldn’t resist. “Could you finish your sentence all at once?”
The old doctor maintained his unhurried tone. “However, restoring seventy or eighty percent will take quite some time and will undoubtedly cost a considerable amount.”
The light in Sang Sang’s eyes instantly faded away.
She had nothing to her name and had already spent a lot of her benefactor’s money. How could she become a burden to him again?
Just as she was thinking this, Shen Yan spoke up. “Just prescribe the medicine.”
Sang Sang hurriedly tried to stop him. “Let’s just forget it…”
Shen Yan glanced at her, his expression seemingly calm yet carrying a hint of pride.
“I’ve got plenty of money.”
He had money and was willing to spend it on her. Sang Sang felt her heart uncontrollably racing again, while an indescribable sweetness spread through her heart.
The old physician prescribed her several doses of medicine and a jar of ointment. The herbs needed to be boiled daily for hot compresses, followed by the application of the ointment. This routine had to be maintained every day without interruption.
Leaving the clinic, they had spent another two taels of silver in one go.
In just this short half-day, they had already spent several taels. Shen Yan, the one footing the bill, remained unfazed, but Sang Sang was already feeling both heartache and self-reproach.
Most of this silver had been spent on her. In the future, she must find a way to earn it back!
She thought they would surely head back now, but Shen Yan walked toward the butcher shop and directly bought three catties of pork belly.
Finally, he asked Sang Sang, “Is there anything else you need to buy?”
Sang Sang hesitated.
She wanted to buy some seasonings for cooking, but that would mean spending more silver.
Even though it wasn’t her silver being spent, she still felt the pinch!
Shen Yan’s tone grew impatient. “If you want to buy something, just say it. What’s with the dawdling?”
Spurred by his impatience, Sang Sang no longer hesitated and listed all the seasonings she wanted to buy.
By the time everything was purchased, the sun was already high in the sky. Sang Sang was exhausted and panting, her stomach growling with hunger.
Thinking about the long journey back, she could only muster her strength, determined to endure the hunger.
But Shen Yan was not one to suffer needlessly. He led Sang Sang directly to a noodle shop and ordered three large bowls of noodles.
One bowl was for Sang Sang, and two were for himself.
Well, another thirty copper coins were spent.
With her stomach full, Sang Sang felt as if she had been revived. Though the journey still seemed long, she believed she could make it back with perseverance.
However, Sang Sang soon realized her worries were unnecessary again. Shen Yan hired a donkey cart, sparing both of them the walk.
Sang Sang breathed a sigh of relief at not having to trek the long distance, but once again, her heart ached over the few copper coins spent.
Her benefactor really knew how to spend money!
The donkey cart swayed and jolted its way toward Xitiancun. After about half an hour, they finally arrived home.
Shen Yan effortlessly carried the purchases into the house, while Sang Sang went into the kitchen to organize the seasonings she had just bought, sorting them one by one.
These were bought with real silver and were precious indeed.
Shen Yan said, “I’m going out for a while. Lock the door and don’t open it for anyone.”
Sang Sang nodded repeatedly in haste.
The events of the previous day still lingered in her mind with fear. Aside from Shen Yan, she dared not open the door for any stranger.
After tidying up the seasonings, she began planning the dishes for the evening.
Shen Yan had bought three catties of pork belly, so she decided to make a bowl of braised pork.
There was a bunch of fresh bamboo shoots in the kitchen. Last night’s ginger-braised fish with bamboo shoots hadn’t been finished, so stir-fried bamboo shoots with pork would be perfect today.
Both dishes were hearty, and she planned to make generous portions, which she thought should be enough for him.
Given the hot weather, how could a meal be complete without soup?
In the corner of the kitchen was a large pumpkin. She cut a piece of it, planning to make a refreshing pumpkin soup.
The other two dishes weren’t urgent, but the braised pork required some time. Estimating the timing, she began preparing it.
To make braised pork belly that is fatty but not greasy, not only must the cooking time be precise, but there is also a crucial step: the meat must first be deep-fried in hot oil. Frying it tightens the texture of the meat and helps dissolve the greasy taste.
Most farming families would never be willing to use oil for frying, and Sang Sang hesitated briefly as well. But in the end, she boldly heated a pot of oil.
A thought popped into her mind: only good food should not be let down.
In other matters, she could make do, but when it came to cooking, absolutely not.
Either don’t do it, or do it to the best of her ability.
Moreover, she was absolutely certain that Shen Yan would never begrudge the oil used for this pot.
After frying the pork pieces until they turned slightly golden brown, she caramelized rock sugar for color, then added yellow wine and spices to simmer and infuse flavor.
In the corner of the kitchen was a red clay pot, with a pile of charcoal beside it. Simmering the pork belly slowly over charcoal in the red clay pot would yield the best results.
Once the charcoal stove was lit and the pork belly was transferred to the clay pot, all that was left was to let time do its work.
After finishing these tasks, Sang Sang began to process the pile of bamboo shoots.
This season wasn’t the best time for bamboo shoots, but these shoots were still tender and tasted quite good.
While Sang Sang was busy in the kitchen, Shen Yan went out to return the borrowed clothes.