The person in charge felt a surge of irritation when Ji Xi brought up the medicine again.
But he couldn’t hit or scold him—after all, the life of Commander Yu’s wife depended on him.
So he forced himself to remain patient and said, "We’ve already sent people to look. There’ll be news soon."
"From what we know so far, the Ji Family hasn’t captured anyone."
Ji Xi threw a plush toy from the couch at him, unable to hide his anxiety. "If she’s fine, why hasn’t she contacted me!?"
The person in charge thought, How should I know?
But out loud, he offered a few comforting words, assuring Ji Xi that she would reach out once things settled down.
As he turned away, the polite smile on his face faded into indifference.
Standing outside the door, listening to the muffled sobs inside, he thought coldly, Idiot.
He didn’t even realize he’d been abandoned.
What kind of normal parents would use their child as a pawn, putting them in the line of fire?
Whatever. He had bigger worries—like the medicine. If he failed to deliver this month’s batch, Commander Yu’s wrath would be unbearable.
...
"Madam, the examination is over."
Ji Nian packed up her things and spoke to the visibly exhausted woman on the bed.
Hearing that the checkup was done, Madam Yu didn’t bother asking about her condition.
Ever since she fell ill, Commander Yu had brought in countless specialists, tried every possible treatment, forced her to drink all kinds of medicine, and even consulted mystics.
So far, only two things had worked—the previous medicine and the new one that suddenly allowed her to stay lucid.
Madam Yu could feel it clearly—her body was deteriorating rapidly, nearing its end. The medicines only slowed the process. She was still going to die.
She had accepted it.
The only things she still worried about were her husband and her nephew, who had cut ties with the family after starting college.
"Madam, try to stay positive. You’ll get better."
While examining her, Ji Nian had learned more from the maid who had cared for Madam Yu since the illness began. Now, certain of something, she spoke softly.
Madam Yu spent most of her days drowsy, surrounded by the cautious faces of servants. She was sick of it.
But this sudden appearance of a beautiful young man, full of vitality rare for his age and effortlessly charming in every gesture—even if he couldn’t help her illness, she was happy just talking to him.
"Good child, I appreciate your kind words."
She smiled gently, though a closer listen would reveal no real hope in her tone.
Ji Nian turned toward Ji Tingzhou, who was sitting nearby, reviewing Madam Yu’s medical records, and gave him a look.
Slowly setting the documents aside, Ji Tingzhou stood and walked over, stopping at a polite distance from the bed.
"That’s all for today, Madam. Until next time."
Then he crooked a finger at Ji Nian, signaling for the kid to grab their things and follow him.
The maid watched the odd pair leave with suspicion, muttering, "That was so half-hearted…"
Every other specialist who had come to treat Madam Yu had done more than just draw blood and ask a few basic questions.
And bringing a kid along? She had no idea how Commander Yu had agreed to this…
"That’s all they did?"
That evening, Commander Yu sat in his chair after removing his uniform, frowning as the maid reported.
She nodded respectfully. "Yes."
She hadn’t exaggerated—just stated the facts.
"Commander, should we…?"
The guard’s voice was low and serious.
Commander Yu closed his eyes, rubbing two fingers against his leg. He didn’t answer the question.
Instead, he asked, "How’s Liu He doing?"
"Liu He says Ji Xi has been throwing tantrums over… the matter."
If they had any other choice, they wouldn’t rely on an emotionally unstable kid who kept crying for his mother.
Commander Yu’s frown deepened.
In the short term, he had to make a choice.
Ji Wanting was in that person’s hands, and she was surely interested in Mu Xiu’s experiments. If they just waited a little longer… Little Flower could get a new body.
Sure, the Ji Family’s medicine extended Little Flower’s lucid periods, but giving up Ji Xi for such a small gain would be like picking up a sesame seed while dropping a watermelon.
"Keep Ji Xi stable. Feed him just enough information to get him to make the medicine."
"As for… the Ji Family’s pharmacist, leave them be."
He wasn’t giving up on Ji Xi, but Ji Tingzhou still had that person’s favor. No need to provoke him.
Judging by today’s performance, they probably wouldn’t be much help anyway…
...
Perhaps because the two of them had treated the visit like a joke, the driver assigned to escort them dropped them off on the main road before driving away.
Facing the retreating car, the pharmacist known as "Mr. J" didn’t seem upset. He strolled down the road, leisurely enjoying the scenery with the kid.
By the time they reached a livelier area, the sun was high. Passing an ancient bridge, he even bought a paper parasol from an old man selling handicrafts to shield himself.
Today, his temper was oddly mild—his usual fastidiousness wasn’t acting up, and his words lacked their usual bite. It was as if he’d secretly taken some calming tonic.
Watching him flaunt the little curls he’d insisted on getting styled, Ji Nian poked his waist. "I want one too."
Only when the parasol tilted to cover her as well, casting shade over her, was she satisfied.
"So?"
A brief sun shower had just ended, but vendors eager to capitalize on the weekend crowd had already set up stalls, keeping an eye out for city inspectors.
Ji Nian and Ji Tingzhou walked down the street under the same paper parasol.
Ji Nian stayed on the inside, making sure strangers didn’t brush against him.
At his question, she answered lightly, "About three days."
Ji Tingzhou’s gaze grew heavier as it settled on her.
Looking at her calm, unassuming profile, his lips curved slightly. His emerald-green eyes shimmered with pride.
"She’s really sick—not poisoned."
Chen Mo had said that five years ago, Madam Yu had used a targeted antidote he developed, but it had no effect on her symptoms, which resembled Chen Mo’s own.
"Sick?"
Ji Tingzhou raised an eyebrow in surprise.
He’d assumed it was poison.
"Mm. But I have a solution."
She blinked at him and smiled mysteriously.
The medical standards in this world were far behind her previous one.
For example, cm disease—which had been conquered five years ago by a brilliant researcher in her world—was considered incurable here.
What a coincidence.
That brilliant researcher happened to be Ji Nian’s senior.
A remarkable woman who, even after graduating, often returned to campus to share drinks and skewers with Ji Nian, dreaming of a world free from illness.
[Guess I’m benefiting from my senior’s work this time.]
Of course, even if she succeeded in making the medicine, she wouldn’t take credit for it.
This was her senior’s glory.
She’d never have imagined her research would save lives in another world.
