Chapter 128: Baldy the Dog Injured

The infrastructure construction in Guyue Village was in full swing, and taking advantage of this momentum, Tang Banxia’s pharmacy was finally built. On the day of its completion, she moved all her pharmaceutical operations there. With a dedicated pharmacy, their home felt much more spacious.

By the time Tang Banxia received a reply from Amon, winter had already arrived. The ground was frozen solid, and Guyue Village had entered its winter hibernation mode.

In the evening, Tang Banxia finished her shift at the clinic. "Hongfen, don't stay too late."

Liu Hongfen was checking the herb cabinets one by one. "I'll head back as soon as I finish checking these. Take care on your way, Banxia."

Tang Banxia nodded, basket slung over her arm, and headed toward Grandma Hu San’s house. On her way, she passed the half-finished school and the pigsties, her footsteps light. In the blink of an eye, she had been in Guyue Village for nearly a year and a half, watching the village improve bit by bit with her own eyes.

"Educated Youth Tang," Xu Sheng greeted her as he walked by.

Tang Banxia paused accordingly. "Educated Youth Xu." They passed each other like ordinary acquaintances.

After arriving at Grandma Hu San’s and handing the prepared medicine to Pandi with instructions on how to decoct it, she returned home. Geng Zhengfei was already waiting for her. Seeing her return, he stood up. "Professor Tang."

Tang Banxia had grown accustomed to the title and nodded. "Secretary Geng."

After the pleasantries, Geng Zhengfei stated his purpose. "Professor Tang, the authorities would like to invite you to the Beijing laboratory."

Tang Banxia paused. "Beijing? Why?"

Geng Zhengfei pressed his tongue against his cheek. "They have discovered a new type of narcotic and would like to invite Professor Tang to assist in overcoming this challenge."

Tang Banxia became interested. "A new type of narcotic?"

Geng Zhengfei nodded solemnly. "I don't know the specifics myself. Director Tang will visit soon; I was just asked to give you a heads-up."

"Alright, I understand." Tang Banxia gave neither a yes nor a no. She was certainly interested in a new narcotic, but she needed to understand the situation before making a decision. She was well aware that because of the "Mengjin Powder" incident, the outside world was in an uproar, and she had no desire to become a target. Reputation was only a good thing when one's absolute safety was guaranteed.

Geng Zhengfei stayed until dark before slipping over the wall into the night. After he left, Wen Mubai spoke up. "Wife, I have to head out tonight as well."

"Go ahead," Tang Banxia waved her hand, not looking up from the herbs she was processing.

Wen Mubai smiled and nuzzled her shoulder. "I'm off."

As he turned away, the smile vanished from his face. Once outside the courtyard, he disappeared into the woods in a few swift leaps. In the darkness, he trekked through the forest with an expressionless face until he reached a hidden cave. He checked his surroundings cautiously before ducking inside.

As soon as he entered, the smell of blood hit him. His expression remained unchanged as he drew a three-sided bayonet and moved forward with caution. The cave opened up after a turn, and when he saw the scene ahead, his eyes dimmed.

"Wolf Cub!" A weak call caught his attention.

He focused his gaze and stiffened. He hurried forward, squatting beside the bald man known as Gouzi. As he stopped the bleeding, he mocked, "I thought you called me here to collect a corpse."

His touch was rough, and Gouzi hissed in pain. "Easy, do you want to kill me?"

Wen Mubai scoffed, "So dramatic," though he lightened his touch.

After a simple dressing of the wounds, he hoisted Gouzi onto his back and glanced at the two people nearby. "What about them?"

Hou Xingyun, or "Gouzi," curled his lips. "Don't worry about them, someone else will handle it."

Wen Mubai didn't linger. He carried the man out of the cave quickly. "Where to?"

"To Xu Nianyi's place in Xujiawan."

Wen Mubai didn't ask questions. He silently delivered the man to his destination and set him down. "Knock on the door yourself." He was no longer part of the organization and had no intention of returning, so he didn't want to interact with their people.

Hou Xingyun sighed. "Get lost, then."

Wen Mubai turned and walked away without hesitation. Hou Xingyun’s voice came from behind. "Hey, Wolf Cub, I didn't tell the higher-ups about seeing you. We're square now."

Wen Mubai didn't stop, just waved his hand. Hou Xingyun cursed him for being heartless, but his eyes turned red. After a long while, he hung his head. Once he composed himself, he stood up, clutching his wound, and knocked on the nearby door. A moment later, the door cracked open, and after exchanging a few words, he went inside.

Hidden in the shadows, Wen Mubai watched him enter before heading back up the mountain. On the way back, memories stirred, and his mood fluctuated, making him less observant of his surroundings. He failed to notice a pair of eyes watching from the dark.

When he returned home, he had regained his composure, reverting to his gentle, harmless persona. Seeing Tang Banxia’s peaceful sleeping face, the last trace of darkness in his eyes faded. He climbed onto the *kang* and pulled her into his arms, nuzzling her fragrant hair before closing his eyes.

A second later, his eyes snapped open, full of helplessness. "Wife?"

Tang Banxia was still sleeping peacefully, but her hand was tracing his firm chest muscles, lingering over his abs...

Wen Mubai clamped down on her wrist. "Wife, you weren't asleep?"

Tang Banxia didn't answer. She broke free of his grip, hooked her leg over his lean waist, and rubbed against him suggestively.

Wen Mubai threw his past troubles to the back of his mind and flipped over. "Then I won't be polite..."

The room was filled with lingering intimacy. The next day, Tang Banxia woke up late, as expected. Feeling the soreness in her body, she shot a condemnatory glare at Wen Mubai.

Facing her, Wen Mubai propped himself up on his elbows. The red marks on his neck were on full display, and his fair chest was covered in goosebumps from the cold. "You were the one who started it."

"You bull—" Tang Banxia couldn't help but curse. "I didn't even know when you got back." She had just been having a dream about spring... At this thought, she stiffened and looked at Wen Mubai in disbelief. No way, right?

Wen Mubai lay down lazily on his side, exposing the red marks on his back. He said in a pitiful tone, "Whatever you say, wife."

Tang Banxia coughed lightly, looking at his back, which was in a sorry state. "Well, I'll go get some medicine." That spring dream last night had certainly been intense...

When she returned with the ointment, she dipped a fingertip into it and gently applied it to the marks. She clicked her tongue as she worked, thinking she had been a bit of a beast—she’d even scratched him.

Wen Mubai lay still, his eyes soft as he felt the cool ointment and her gentle fingertips rubbing his back.

"Wife, are you going to go to Beijing, like Secretary Geng suggested?" Wen Mubai asked suddenly.

"Naturally, I want to go," Tang Banxia replied without hesitation.

Wen Mubai’s voice sounded, devoid of any discernible emotion. "Then what about me?"

"What do you mean, 'what about you'?" Tang Banxia screwed the cap onto the bamboo tube and blew on the ointment to help it dry quickly.

Wen Mubai turned abruptly, staring straight into Tang Banxia’s eyes. "You're going to Beijing; what am I supposed to do?"

Tang Banxia was startled by his sudden movement. She looked at his bare torso and replied blankly, "Follow me, of course."

Wen Mubai was overjoyed. He sat up, and noticing Tang Banxia’s gaze, he slowly picked up the clothes that had been tossed aside, acting coy. "I was wondering why it was so cold; turns out I forgot to get dressed~"

Tang Banxia: ...

As if she’d fall for that! Still, this guy’s charms were indeed enticing. She reached out with her "demonic claws"...

"Banxia! Banxia!"

A knock sounded at the door. Tang Banxia paused, reached out to grab her sweater, and said, "My sister is here."