265 Farewell

“It’s getting late, why don’t you stay at the county office for the night? I’ll get the secretary to arrange a room for you.”

“Thank you for your concern, but I’m worried that my wife won’t be able to sleep at home alone. If I can leave, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Since that’s the case, I won’t hold you back any longer. I’ll get the secretary to bring you out from the back door.”

Zhao Zhan nodded in agreement.

The secretary escorted Zhao Zhan to the back door and said gently, “Sir, there’s someone waiting for you outside.”

The secretary opened the door and stood aside.

“Zhao Zhan!” Sun Jiyan stood at the back door, stomping his feet and shivering. “Thank God you’re out. Are you going to jail? If you’re in prison, I think I can take good care of Jiaojiao for you.”

“You won’t have the chance,” Zhao Zhan retorted coldly before his tone softened. “But no matter what, I still have to thank you for running around for me today. It’s cold and yet you’re here waiting for me.”

“Master told me to come. Now it seems that I’m not needed, we can be on our merry way.” Sun Jiyan stepped forward to lead the way. “I came in Fang Tianliu’s carriage. You can drive on the way back. My ears are freezing.”

The tension between the two of them had eased a little because of what had happened today. Zhao Zhan walked quickly to walk side by side with Sun Jiyan. He could not help but ask, “Was Jiaojiao doing alright before you came?”

“She should be fine. Dashan’s wife went to accompany her.”

“Thank you.” Zhao Zhan’s tone was sincere. He thought for a moment and then asked, “What did you want to tell me at the door today?”

“Oh, I almost forgot about this if you didn’t mention it,” Sun Jiyan said as he handed his medicine box to Zhao Zhan for him to carry.

“I’m leaving Willow Village tomorrow.

“I have been practicing medicine with my master since I was young and have always stayed by his side. When I was under him, it felt like I had no end goal I wanted to achieve. But recently, I have realized that in this remote village, there are so many patients who can not seek medical treatment because of poverty.

“I’m going to take this opportunity to travel around. I’ll go to other villages, mountains, or even more remote places to gain more experience.”

Although Zhao Zhan had always been wary of Sun Jiyan, he was still Doctor Sun’s apprentice and had taken care of Jiaojiao since young. Zhao Zhan had never expected him to leave.

It was a little shocking now that the other party suddenly said that he wanted to leave.

“Sun Jiyan, isn’t it too sudden to leave tomorrow? Do the rest of them know?”

“My master already knows.” Sun Jiyan smiled in relief and elbowed Zhao Zhan.

“As for Jiaojiao, if she asks after I leave, you can just tell her the truth. Besides, it’s not like I won’t come back after I leave.” Sun Jiyan looked up at the full moon. His voice was as light as a sigh. “I should go and find my own path in life.”

Zhao Zhan was speechless. He wasn’t good at dealing with this kind of situation.

He could only hold Sun Jiyan’s shoulder and press it hard.

“Sun Jiyan, you can come back at any time.”

“Take good care of my master. He looks strong but old age is catching up to him. He’s usually very greedy and often has a harsh tone. Please bear with him.”

“Don’t worry, I will treat him like family.”

The two of them looked at each other and then looked away, the expressions on their faces tacitly becoming gentler.

Sun Jiyan punched Zhao Zhan’s back. “Although I’ve handed my master over to you, I still want you to drive the carriage.”

“I’ll do it, as long as you can sit tight.”

Zhao Zhan’s heart was stone cold.

When he passed by Huai Jing Inn, he knocked on the door and asked for a torch.

It was difficult to travel at night. Even if he wanted to get home as soon as possible, he was much slower than when he came. By the time the two of them reached Willow Village, the chickens were already cawing.

Sun Jiyan got down from the carriage and walked towards the courtyard with a tired face. “Zhao Zhan, you don’t have to wake me up for breakfast. I really can’t take it anymore. I need to rest.”

Zhao Zhan gave a low grunt and tied the reins to the door. He rubbed his hands and face under the eaves. When he felt that his face was no longer numb, he went into the courtyard and went to the kitchen to get hot water to wash his face and dispel the cold air on his body.

After doing all this, Zhao Zhan practiced a set of combat moves in the kitchen. When he felt that his body had warmed up, he went to the bedroom quietly.

Chengfeng, who was lying by the door, heard the commotion and stood up. His vigilant tiger senses instantly became silly when he saw Zhao Zhan. He stood at the door and excitedly slapped his tail on the ground.

Zhao Zhan rubbed its head and then stepped into the room. A small flame was still burning in the brazier in front of him.

“Zhao Zhan, is that you?” Yue Jiaojiao, who was sitting in the study, spoke softly. When she got up, she realized that her legs were so numb that she couldn’t move. She sniffed and sat back down.

“Hey,” Zhao Zhan had already stepped into the study when he heard the commotion. When he was two steps away from Yue Jiaojiao, he stopped in his tracks and looked at her in a daze. There was an indescribable feeling of gratitude in his chest.

Yue Jiaojiao had been sitting in the study for a long time, and had long gotten used to the darkness. She could clearly see Zhao Zhan’s face.

“Why aren’t you coming in? Zhao Zhan, come here and give me a hug.” The woman said in a coy voice.

Zhao Zhan immediately took two steps forward and stood in front of Yue Jiaojiao.

“I’m dirty.”

Before the vulgarities came out of his mouth, Yue Jiaojiao had already hugged him and buried her head in his waist. Her voice was filled with a grievance as she said, “You took so long that my legs are numb from sitting here.”

“I’m sorry.” Zhao Zhan’s hand smoothed out the woman’s long hair, and his fingers gently rubbed the back of her head for a moment. “Let me help you massage your legs, okay?”

“Don’t move,” Yue Jiaojiao hugged him even tighter, “I’ve been helping you keep an eye on the brazier, and you haven’t crossed over to the brazier to bring bad luck. Don’t get taken away ever again.”

“Alright.” Zhao Zhan’s heart was only filled with Yue Jiaojiao, who was lying in his arms. His voice was as gentle as the spring wind. “I’ll carry you over.”

As he spoke, he did not wait for her agreement and bent down to pull her into his arms. He lowered his eyes and looked deeply at Yue Jiaojiao. “This way, you won’t have to wait the entire night like today.”

Yue Jiaojiao was tickled by his serious expression. She leaned on his shoulder and nodded slightly.

Chengfeng circled around the brazier as if he was urging them to play with him.

Zhao Zhan strode over, and the flame in the brazier flickered a few times. It looked like it was about to go out, but then it flickered and brightened up a little, refusing to die out.

“I’ll give you a massage.” Zhao Zhan placed the woman on the edge of the bed and reached out to grab her ankle. “It must be numb and uncomfortable.”

Yue Jiaojiao let out an oh and could not help but bite her lower lip. She looked at Zhao Zhan with an uncomfortable gaze.

Zhao Zhan’s movements stopped, and his hand movements subconsciously became lighter and more lingering at each touch.

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