Chapter Fourteen: Come If You Dare

Although his physical condition was somewhat lacking, Chu Yun retained the excellent habits of a special forces soldier from his previous life. He awoke at dawn, as was his routine. Seeing that Yang Liu'er was still sleeping, he did not disturb her. He headed straight to the kitchen, intending to prepare breakfast.

However, upon discovering not a single grain of rice left in the jar, he remembered that in the midst of yesterday’s flurry, he had forgotten to buy provisions. He couldn't help but let out a self-deprecating chuckle. He decided to go into town to buy breakfast, and pick up some grain as well.

To his surprise, after walking all through the few streets of Chu Family Town, he found hardly any shops open, let alone a breakfast stall. Clearly, in this world, people typically ate only one or two meals a day, rose late, and had no habit of eating breakfast—or, at the earliest, their first meal was near midday.

Helpless, Chu Yun ran a few more laps around the town’s streets, treating it as exercise. When the grain shop finally opened, he bought what he needed and returned home to start cooking. Though it was later than usual, he refused to abandon his breakfast routine.

As a doctor, he knew that skipping breakfast would slow down the body’s metabolism, decreasing overall function, impeding cell regeneration, leading to weakness and unhealthy weight gain, and increasing the risk of various illnesses and accelerated aging.

Chu Yun had just lit the fire and smoke began curling from the kitchen chimney when Yang Liu'er, stirred by the scent of smoke, awoke. Seeing Chu Yun busily preparing breakfast, she hurried over and said, “Husband, you’re up so early, already making breakfast?”

Chu Yun waved his hand dismissively. “It’s not early anymore; we’re about to miss the optimal time for breakfast. Any later, and it will affect lunch.”

Hearing this, Yang Liu'er recalled what Chu Yun had said the previous night about eating three meals a day, and couldn’t help but ask, “Husband, are we truly going to eat three meals a day?”

“Of course!” Chu Yun replied, looking at her and smiling. “Don’t worry about the grain. I’ll make sure you live a good life.”

Yang Liu'er gave a gentle smile and came over. “Husband, let me cook. You should take a rest.”

“Let’s do it together,” Chu Yun said.

So the two of them busied themselves in the kitchen.

Smoke from their chimney drifted in all directions, soon rousing the neighbors from their sleep.

“Whose family is up so early, already cooking?” someone wondered.

“It hasn’t been long since last night’s meal; they’re eating again so soon. Do they even have enough grain for that?” another mused.

Curious, neighbors stepped outside and quickly saw that the smoke was coming from Chu Yun’s house.

Aunt Wang couldn’t help but wander over and ask, “Liu'er, why are you up so early making food? Even with two meals a day, there’s no need to start this early. Who eats before doing any work?”

Yang Liu'er replied, “Aunt Wang, my husband says we should eat three meals a day, so we need to rise early for breakfast.”

What?

Three meals a day?

Aunt Wang was stunned. Having often eaten only one meal a day herself, she had never even considered what three meals in a day would be like.

She turned away, and soon everyone learned from her that the reason Chu Yun’s household was cooking so early was because they were eating three meals a day—prompting a wave of envy.

“It seems that rascal Chu really did make money treating patients. Otherwise, how could they afford enough grain for three meals a day?”

“That fellow’s luck is unbelievable—he dreamt of a deity teaching him medicine! If I’d known, I’d have married my daughter to him; we’d be enjoying life now…”

Many people couldn’t help but regret not marrying their daughters to Chu Yun, or not befriending him.

Chu Yun hadn’t expected that simply eating three meals a day would make such a stir, but he was unconcerned and did not intend to change his ways.

Not long after breakfast, the sound of horse hooves echoed outside the door. Hearing them stop at his gate, Chu Yun guessed that Jiang Lin and Luo Feng had arrived, and went out to greet them.

Sure enough, the two had come by carriage, and were just getting down as Chu Yun stepped outside.

Jiang Lin smiled slightly. “Doctor Chu, is the qi-boosting decoction for my condition ready?”

Chu Yun shook his head apologetically. “Forgive me, Lord Jiang. There’s still one ingredient I couldn’t find at the pharmacy yesterday, so the qi-boosting and blood-invigorating soup isn’t ready. I plan to go up the mountain to gather herbs and see if I can find it.”

Jiang Lin frowned, a hint of doubt flickering in his eyes—was he being deceived? But recalling how accurately Chu Yun had diagnosed his illness, he chose to trust him again. With a slight smile, he said, “That’s fine, as long as my treatment isn’t delayed.”

“Rest assured, Lord Jiang. You are my first patient—I would never allow any error,” replied Chu Yun.

Jiang Lin nodded in acknowledgment.

Luo Feng, however, eyed Chu Yun coldly, suspecting that this rascal was cheating Jiang Lin. His tone was unfriendly as he said, “Doctor Chu, my medicine is ready, isn’t it? You took two taels of silver from me yesterday.”

Chu Yun replied graciously, with a calm smile, “Lord Luo, while some ingredients for the wound medicine were indeed hard to find, the pharmacy had them. I’ve already prepared your medicine and can treat you at any time.”

At this, Luo Feng was momentarily taken aback and, after a pause, felt a little embarrassed. At last, he managed, “Then let’s begin.”

Chu Yun asked, “Lord Luo, are you sure you want the martial method of treatment? I did warn you yesterday—this is not something just anyone can endure.”

Luo Feng snorted, “Am I just anyone? A true man can endure anything. Go ahead!”

Chu Yun smiled, extending a hand. “Very well, Lord Luo—please follow me.”

With that, he led Luo Feng to the kitchen.

Having heard Chu Yun’s explanation the day before, Jiang Lin was filled with curiosity and followed them into the kitchen as well.