Chapter 5: Buns, White and Plump

As soon as he touched the second ancient book, “Xuan Tian Medical Canon,” Li Chao’s consciousness was swept up by a surge of powerful energy. Unlike the “Star Body Tempering Technique,” this time he felt an immense, profound wisdom—an intelligence that seemed to transcend thousands of years, connecting directly with his soul.

The contents of both tomes were imprinted upon his mind, indelible as a brand, ready to be recalled at any moment. Li Chao was filled with awe and delight. One book granted him the ability to temper his body with the power of the stars; the other bestowed upon him unfathomable medical skills. This was nothing short of destiny’s gift, and he felt incredibly fortunate.

Standing in the courtyard, he drew a deep breath, trying to steady the excitement surging in his heart. Closing his eyes, he began to recall the details of the “Star Body Tempering Technique.” As his thoughts moved, the air around him seemed to grow heavier; the stars above shone with newfound brilliance. The force of countless stars fell upon him like fine rain, seeping into his body and coating his skin with a faint, luminous sheen.

Li Chao immersed himself in this wondrous cultivation. An hour passed, and he felt his body brimming with strength. Opening his eyes, he clenched his fists—an intense surge of energy coursed through him, making him feel stronger than ever before.

He turned his mind to “Xuan Tian Medical Canon,” marveling at the techniques recorded within: acupuncture methods, ancient prescriptions, all brimming with mystery and wonder, as if a door to another world had opened before him.

Unable to contain his joy, Li Chao laughed aloud. He felt as though he stood at the pinnacle of life. The saying “Great misfortune brings great fortune” fit him perfectly now. He was certain that from this day forward, prosperity awaited him.

The next morning, just as Li Chao finished washing up, he heard a knock at the door. He opened it to find Yu Xin carrying a large ceramic bowl filled with steaming buns.

“You’ve just recovered—shouldn’t you rest a bit longer?” she said, handing him a bun. “Freshly steamed. Try your sister-in-law’s cooking!”

Li Chao accepted the bun, his heart warmed. He knew that in this household, he was no longer alone. Surrounded by family and friends, he was certain of a brighter future.

He took a bite, chewing slowly. The savory flavor filled his mouth, and he couldn’t help but praise, “Sister-in-law’s buns are so white and plump!”

“Not only are they beautiful, but the taste is superb—truly delicious!” he exclaimed. Hearing his compliments, Yu Xin blushed, her cheeks tinged with a rosy hue. She lowered her head, speaking softly and shyly, “You rascal, what nonsense are you saying?”

Yet a secret joy welled up inside her.

Li Chao continued eating, savoring each bite. Seeing his satisfied expression, Yu Xin felt deeply gratified.

“If you like them, I’ll make more for you next time—eat as much as you want!” she said gently.

Taking advantage of a pause, Yu Xin quickly continued, “Yesterday was so sudden, we left in a hurry, and I forgot to thank you. If you hadn’t appeared in time, that scoundrel Li Mazi would have ruined me. I truly owe you a great debt!”

Li Chao waved his hand, smiling, “Sister-in-law, don’t be so formal! These past six months, without your careful care, I can’t imagine what would have become of me. If anyone should be grateful, it’s me to you! From now on, just treat me as your own younger brother. If you need anything, just ask!”

Younger brother? Use?

Yu Xin heard those words and suddenly found her mind drifting to some shy, intimate scenes. Her body trembled involuntarily, her legs drawing closer together. Her beautiful eyes grew hazy, her gaze filled with a complex, unspeakable emotion.

What could she do? After all, she was a woman, with her own hidden needs, though she’d always suppressed them. If she really could make use of this younger brother… wouldn’t that be…

No, no! Yu Xin quickly rebuked herself inwardly. It was just a casual remark—how could she let her thoughts wander so wildly? She shook her head forcefully, trying to expel those fanciful notions.

She spoke again, “Li Mazi is not to be underestimated. You ruined his plans, so you must be extra careful these days!”

Li Chao, however, looked utterly unconcerned. “Hmph, I stopped taking him seriously long ago. He’d better not mess with me—or I’ll beat him so badly even his parents won’t recognize him!”

He spoke with absolute confidence. What a joke! He now possessed extraordinary skills—how could he fear someone like Li Mazi? Dealing with him would be a trivial matter.

Ah! What on earth had Li Chao taken—some miraculous elixir, or had he received guidance from an immortal? Suddenly, his aura was powerful and commanding, overflowing with confidence. Yu Xin’s heart was tossed about like a ship in a storm, completely bewildered!

After some casual conversation about household matters, Li Chao handed the ceramic bowl back to Yu Xin and smiled, “Sister-in-law, you go on with your day. I’m going to check on the clinic.”

That clinic was the precious legacy left by his parents. When they were alive, they had opened it at the entrance of the village. Later, Li Chao took over, and it became a veritable money tree for his family. Unfortunately, over the past year, Li Chao’s health had deteriorated, confining him to bed and forcing the clinic to close temporarily.

Now, finally restored to health, he was determined to revive the clinic. With his newly acquired medical skills, he was confident the business would flourish.

However, just as Li Chao was about to head out, Yu Xin suddenly blocked his path, her face filled with hesitation and guilt. She spoke softly, “Xiao Chao, there’s something I must tell you. I hope you won’t be angry…”

Li Chao was stunned, his brows rising in surprise. “What’s happened? Tell me!”

Yu Xin lowered her head, seeming reluctant to speak. At last, she gathered her courage. “Your clinic… has been taken over by Liu Hongju.”

Li Chao was dumbfounded. His eyes widened in disbelief, his voice rising, “What?! How could this happen?”

His expression darkened, his brows furrowed in anger and confusion. He took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm, but could not help demanding, “What’s going on? Why didn’t I hear anything about this?”

Yu Xin sighed softly, her eyes filled with helplessness and concern as she replied, “You know your health has been poor this past year. I was afraid the news would be too much for you to bear, so I kept it from you…”