Chapter 2809 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 14

Gu Fanghe's wound was deeper than expected, with the flesh turned outwards and the blood appearing dark in the candlelight.

The old doctor's forehead was sweating, but his hands were steady as he applied a special wound medicine and then wrapped it with layers of clean white cloth.

The medicinal powder irritated the wound, and it was not something an ordinary person could bear. It was all good medicine brought from the former army, which made the wound even more painful. However, Gu Fanghe did not even frown. He just stared at Jin Chen, who was drinking tea beside him, and there was even a smile on his lips.

As the bleeding gradually stopped, Yan Qi's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down. He recalled the report he had heard on his way here.

“Brother, before I came here, I heard from the brothers who were patrolling the mountain that someone on horseback was approaching from the foot of the mountain. The commotion was quite loud and it startled the tigers in the mountain, which also alerted our brothers.”

He looked at Gu Fanghe, his expression slightly grim, "Brother, do you think... it might be one of Song Ji'an's subordinates who has returned to fight?"

Gu Fanghe's eyes darkened, as if he had thought of something, and he looked at Jin Chen again.

Jin Chen sipped his tea with a relaxed demeanor. He only looked up when he noticed Gu Fanghe's gaze. His expression was open and honest, showing no sign of anything amiss.

Gu Fanghe stared at him for two seconds before speaking, “The mountains have been rather unsafe lately. If you feel bored and want to go down the mountain to the city for a stroll, or go for a walk nearby, just call me and I’ll go with you. Don’t… wander off on your own.”

The last few words were spoken slowly, carrying a hint of helpless admonition.

Jin Chen put down her teacup, a smile curving her lips. Her gaze swept over Gu Fanghe's bandaged right shoulder. "Oh?"

He drawled out his words, his eyes mocking, "I was just taking a walk and enjoying the moonlight."

"It's nothing like you, Chief, who's always surrounded by swords and shadows. You promised to come to my courtyard for tea and a game of chess tonight, but you ended up coming back covered in injuries."

His tone was light and casual, like a complaint or a joke, revealing little concern but rather a hint of mockery.

Upon hearing this, the old doctor next to him trembled, almost knocking over the medicine bottle. He quickly glanced at Jin Chen, his heart pounding with anxiety.

This young master... he's incredibly audacious! How dare he speak to the head of the gang like that!

Gu Fanghe chuckled, tilted his head slightly, and propped his cheek with his still-intact left hand. His gaze was fixed on Jin Chen, devoid of his usual coldness and gloom, only filled with doting affection.

He called to him, his voice low and gentle, the last syllable rising slightly, his tone tender, "Xiao Chen."

"Xiao Langjun."

"Young master."

The three terms of address were all more affectionate and intimate than the last.

"You... feel sorry for me."

Yan Qi: “???”

He stood to the side like a wooden stake, winking and looking bewildered when he heard the sarcastic remark.

This is just making fun of the older brother! If it were him normally, he would have been beaten up!

How did the older brother manage to sense the heartache in his voice?

Jin Chen's smile deepened, his eyes sparkling. He rested his chin on his hand and looked at Gu Fanghe with a leisurely air. "Don't misunderstand, Chief."

"I just feel that you can't fall so easily, otherwise who will protect me in such a big Black Mountain stronghold?"

Every word and sentence avoids mentioning heartache, focusing only on the consequences.

But Gu Fanghe heard it in a completely different way.

He didn't think about the intricacies; he only listened to the most basic meaning.

What does this mean?

This shows that Jin Chen was willing to stay in Black Mountain Village.

I'm not staying here because I'm forced to, but because he's here.

Gu Fanghe felt that the wound, which had been throbbing slightly just moments before, was no longer so painful.

A smile bloomed on his handsome face, the candlelight illuminating his eyebrows and eyes, even the red mark seemed much softer, and his voice softened as he looked at Jin Chen.

"Yes, I'll protect you."

[The villain's heart rate is detected +10, totaling 40! 】

As was customary, the old doctor instructed the head of the household to take his medicine on time and to rest, among other things.

He hesitated for a moment, glanced at Gu Fanghe, but the words that were on the tip of his tongue remained unspoken.

The head of the gang has always been the most impatient with these things.

It's already a miracle that he'd obediently get his wound bandaged; expecting him to drink those bitter medicinal soups on time? That's just wishful thinking.

In the past, I always just toughed it out and relied on my strong physique to get through it.

Yan Qi has learned her lesson this time.

He glanced at Gu Fanghe's expression, then at Jin Chen, and suddenly had a flash of inspiration. Before Gu Fanghe could tell him and the doctor to leave, he cupped his hands to Jin Chen and forced an extremely sincere expression.

"Young Master Jin... no, Brother Jin!" he changed his address, his tone becoming familiar, "There's something I need to ask of you!"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow at him.

Ignoring the warning look Gu Fanghe gave him, Yan Qi spoke quickly, "Big Brother is a good person in every other way, but he never treats his injuries properly! He avoids taking medicine if he can avoid it, and he avoids sleeping if he can avoid it, insisting on enduring the pain!"

"He was like this before in the army, and he ended up with a lot of old injuries! This time the injury is quite serious, so you have to keep an eye on him! Make sure he takes his medicine on time and gets enough rest, otherwise the injury will heal slowly, and he'll be the one suffering!"

Gu Fanghe: "..."

A vein throbbed on his forehead as he glared at Yan Qi.

But Yan Qi was determined this time, pretending not to see anything, and just staring longingly at Jin Chen.

After listening, Jin Chen frowned and said to the doctor, "Just tell me what I should pay attention to and what medicine I should use."

The old doctor was overjoyed to hear this. He took out several paper packets from his medicine box. "These are for external application, to be used when changing the dressing daily. These two are for internal use, one dose each morning and evening, decocted in three bowls of water down to one bowl..."

He spoke very carefully, but Gu Fanghe listened absentmindedly, his gaze fixed on Jin Chen, as if glued to her, unable to look away.