Chapter Two: Are You Out of Your Mind?

Although Yang Liuer had only married into the family yesterday, she was already all too familiar with Chu Yun’s reputation. She knew exactly what kind of scoundrel he was—someone utterly incapable of doing any household chores. If desperation hadn’t forced her hand, she would never have agreed to marry Chu Yun, not even in death.

When she arrived yesterday, the house was an utter mess, scarcely a place to set her foot. It had taken her half a day just to clean things up.

Hearing Yang Liuer’s voice, Chu Yun looked over at her. Sensing a slight chill in the air, he wanted to find her something to wear, but after searching the entire room, he came up empty-handed.

He couldn’t help but say, “Liuer, don’t worry. Soon, I’ll buy you new clothes to wear.”

These words astonished Yang Liuer even more. After a moment, she gathered herself, still convinced that Chu Yun was trying to coax her into the Red Blossom Brothel. She replied, “Forget it, Chu Yun. I told you, I’d rather die than set foot in that place.”

Chu Yun glanced at her, wanting to explain, but realized that no matter what he said, she wouldn’t believe him. He could only remain silent.

He turned and walked to the kitchen, intending to prepare something to eat.

But he found not a single grain of food.

“This is outrageous…” he muttered to himself. Discovering that the body’s previous owner had traded away even his last bit of emergency grain for liquor left him speechless.

He left the kitchen and looked at Yang Liuer, still huddled in the corner. “I’ll go out and find something to eat.”

Yang Liuer wanted to ask how he planned to do that, but in the end, said nothing.

Without waiting for her response, Chu Yun stepped out of the house.

He intended to use his medical skills to earn a meal.

Back in the twenty-first century, before he crossed over, he had been steeped in medical texts since childhood. His skills were renowned, earning him the title “Young Miracle Doctor.” As the medic in the Wolf Warriors Special Forces, he had pulled comrades back from death’s door more than once. His captain had even praised his skills as being unrivaled, likening him to Hua Tuo reborn.

“If I eat, I’ll eat the best!” he declared.

With that, Chu Yun headed straight for the Fragrance Inn in Chujia Town, famed within a hundred miles. Its dishes were the pride of the town; even local officials and wealthy merchants flocked there. The inn’s signboard had been inscribed personally by a high-ranking dignitary.

“Just as they say!” Chu Yun exclaimed as he reached the entrance. The savory aroma of food wafting from inside made his mouth water and his hunger intensify.

He was about to step inside and try the inn’s signature dish—braised mutton—a meal the body’s previous owner had never tasted.

But as soon as he entered, an inn attendant barred his way. “Chu the Good-for-Nothing, get lost. This isn’t a place for the likes of you.”

“What kind of place is this, that others can enter but I cannot?” Chu Yun ignored the attendant and strode inside.

“Do you have money to eat here? Get out!” The attendant was tall, burly, and wore a menacing expression.

“And how do you know I can’t afford to eat here?” Chu Yun countered.

“Oh? So you have money?” The attendant’s mocking look said he didn’t believe a word.

“Never mind all that. Just bring me your signature dish and all the other best food you have,” Chu Yun said, choosing an empty table and sitting down.

The attendant was momentarily stunned. Normally, Chu Yun would run off at a single shout if he so much as lingered near the door. Yet today, not only had he come inside, he’d seated himself and demanded the finest fare—a most unusual occurrence.

Soon, the attendant recalled the rumors that Chu Yun intended to sell his newlywed wife to the Red Blossom Brothel.

“That scoundrel! He really must have sold his wife for money. The poor girl—what a pitiful fate,” the attendant thought with a sigh before turning away.

Once the attendant had left, Chu Yun began to wander around the inn.

As the most renowned inn in Chujia Town, those dining here—especially in the private rooms upstairs—were either officials or the wealthy elite.

He was confident in his abilities; with a bit of medical consultation, he could easily earn his meal.

Soon, Chu Yun’s gaze settled on a middle-aged man in the Heaven Suite. The man was dressed in silk and satin, adorned with a fine jade pendant, and had ordered half a roast chicken, a bowl of braised mutton, a serving of radish and lamb soup, and a plate of stir-fried soybeans—all for himself.

To be dressed so well and order so much food in the Heaven Suite—he was clearly a man of means.

“He’ll do,” Chu Yun decided inwardly, approaching as he observed the man and said, “Sir, your complexion is rather sallow—not a good omen. I fear you may be suffering from some toxic affliction.”

The middle-aged man’s face instantly darkened with rage at these words. He shouted, “Where did this imp come from, spouting nonsense in my presence? Do you even know who I am?”

“I don’t care who you are,” Chu Yun replied. “I only know you’re ill.”

The man slammed the table in fury. “You’re the one who’s ill! I’m here on business, and you, you little wretch, not only fail to wish me well, but come to curse me instead. You must have a death wish.”

Chu Yun replied earnestly, “No, I’m serious. You really are ill.”

The man grew even angrier and raised his hand to strike Chu Yun, but Chu Yun, quick as ever, blocked the blow.

He couldn’t help but remark, “I came here out of kindness to warn you: within three days, you’ll break out in a suppurating sore. Look at your finger—see that small yellow blister? If the poison doesn’t drain by tomorrow, a red line will begin crawling up your arm. If it’s still not gone the next day, the line will reach your vital organs, and that will be the end of you.”

The man glared, eyes wide with rage. “You dare block me? I ought to slap that insolent mouth of yours!”

Only then did Chu Yun realize he’d been too blunt, failing to choose his words carefully. Announcing someone’s illness outright was bound to provoke anger—this wasn’t like his days in the military, where everyone trusted his skills.

Chu Yun quickly smiled. “My apologies, sir. I misspoke just now.”

Seeing Chu Yun apologize, the man’s expression eased. “Fine. Say something auspicious and I’ll let you go.”

Chu Yun nodded. “Sir, your face speaks of longevity and blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea.”

The man waved him off with a smile. “Enough, you may leave.”

But Chu Yun, staring at the man’s hand, cried out anxiously, “Wait! Sir, your sore has already appeared—see that small yellow blister on your finger? If the poison isn’t expelled by tomorrow, a red line will start creeping outward. If it’s still there the day after tomorrow, and the red line reaches your organs, your life will be in grave danger.”