From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Chapter 515: Chapter 517: What Is the Meaning of This?

Tian Lanfen looked at her niece, now clean and refreshed, and patted her hand. "Don’t worry, your aunt will get justice for you. If you and your mother need anything, just ask. Don’t stand on ceremony with me."

Tian Mi looked down at her ill-fitting clothes—hand-me-downs from her cousin. "Auntie, look, these clothes are too big for me. Could you have someone send some ready-made clothes over first?"

Tian Lanfen said, "Of course. Our dear Mi can have whatever she wants."

Lady Tian watched the touching scene between aunt and niece from the side, saying nothing of her own needs.

Only when Tian Lanfen was about to leave did Lady Tian take out a handkerchief and dab at the corners of her eyes. "I wonder if my husband has clean clothes to wear or a warm meal to eat at this moment."

Tian Lanfen lowered her eyes, her thoughts unreadable. After ensuring the Tian mother and daughter were settled, she departed in a hurry with her attendants.

Once they were alone, Tian Mi’s expression darkened. "Aunt is wholeheartedly on our side, but I’m not so sure about our cousin."

Lady Tian said, "As long as your aunt is willing to get involved, we can disregard your cousin."

"But it’s the Huang Mansion we need something from, after all."

"Heh. Your aunt only needs to invoke filial piety, and your cousin will have to help, whether she wants to or not..."

***

Jin Qianqian looked at the uninvited guest before her with a helpless expression. "Young Master Ouyang, how did you find your way here?"

Given Ouyang Bing’s current state, Jin Qianqian would never have recognized him if it weren’t for Mudou standing right behind him.

"Mr. Gu’s promotion to this post is hardly a secret. I was just traveling through the area with Mudou, and when I heard an old friend was here, I naturally had to pay a visit and impose on you."

Gu Wenheng asked, "I heard you’ve been wrapped up in some trouble. Is all that sorted out?"

Ouyang Bing wasn’t surprised that Gu Wenheng knew. He gave a bitter smile. "You can tell just by looking at the pathetic state I’m in.

I’ve been on the run for months, and I’m exhausted. I was hoping I could rest here for a few days."

Gu Wenheng asked, "And what do you think?"

Ouyang Bing replied, "Of course, I wouldn’t dare bring trouble to your home. I heard you’re currently clearing some wasteland, sir. Mudou and I could go labor there for a while."

Gu Wenheng asked, "Can you really not get away from it?"

"It’s not that I can’t escape, but that I *mustn’t*," Ouyang Bing said, looking dejected. "I thought that if I kept giving ground, she would eventually cool off."

"But I never expected that after all this time, she would only become more relentless."

He was mentally and physically exhausted from facing constant threats. If he didn’t find a place to properly rest and recover for a few days, he feared he would lose his life to her sword in their next encounter.

’Although I’ve made mistakes, I’m willing to accept the consequences I deserve. But I’m not willing to pay with my life. If she keeps up this relentless pursuit, I won’t be able to stop myself from fighting back.’

Jin Qianqian felt no pity for him. ’He wasted so many of that young woman’s best years. It’s only right and proper that he’s paying a little interest now.’

"It’s not that I’m unwilling to help you, but those men are all serious convicts. It’s not a suitable place for you," Gu Wenheng said. He didn’t feel their shallow acquaintance warranted him taking such a risk.

Ouyang Bing insisted, "We’ll just be there to work, not to cause trouble."

Jin Qianqian cut in, "That’s not for you to decide. Miss Zhong won’t be reasoned with."

Ouyang Bing asked, "You’ve met her?"

Jin Qianqian rolled her eyes at him. "What do you think? The monk can run, but the temple can’t. I was the one who took over the ’temple,’ and I nearly had to take the fall for you."

"In that case, I’ve imposed on you enough," Ouyang Bing said.

As he spoke, he immediately stood up to leave. ’Since Zhong Tian knows we’re acquainted, she’s sure to come looking for me here.’

Neither Jin Qianqian nor Gu Wenheng tried to stop him. They had no desire to invite trouble into their peaceful lives.

They thought that was the end of it, but to their surprise, Ouyang Bing and Mudou appeared at their residence again the next day.

"What is the meaning of this?" Gu Wenheng’s expression grew stern. The man had not only shown up uninvited but had also snuck into their rear courtyard without a sound.

If it hadn’t been for the vigilance of his guards, Qi and Ba, they might not have been discovered at all.

Ouyang Bing pleaded with a pained expression, "Please, Mr. Gu, take pity and help me through this crisis. I will be sure to reward you generously."

Gu Wenheng scoffed. "You can barely protect yourself. What talk is there of a generous reward?"

Ouyang Bing said, "Mudou and I will voluntarily serve as your guards for three years. All we ask for is a place to take shelter."

Gu Wenheng retorted, "And in return, I’ll have endless trouble on my hands?

I don’t know what feud you have with this Miss Zhong, but I have no intention of getting entangled in the disputes of the Jianghu. Young Master Ouyang, you should find help elsewhere."

At that, Ouyang Bing pulled a small porcelain vial from his robes. "What if I offer this medicine in exchange?"

"What medicine is it?" Gu Wenheng asked.

Both he and Jin Qianqian were secretly thrilled, but they didn’t let a trace of it show on their faces.

"I gave a dose to your wife once before. Surely Mr. Gu hasn’t forgotten?"

Gu Wenheng replied, "But we are perfectly healthy right now, so we have no need for it."

"Mr. Gu should know this medicine is incredibly rare. This is my last dose of this life-saving remedy, and I’m offering it just for a safe place to stay."

Jin Qianqian asked curiously, "To offer such a precious gift, this matter must not be as simple as you say. What makes you think we would take such a risk for this?"

Ouyang Bing confessed, "To be frank with you both, I received word today that the Zhong family elders and my own parents are coming to deal with this. I need to find a place to lay low until they arrive."

Gu Wenheng said, "As much as I desire this medicine, I will not put my family in danger for you.

You should go find help elsewhere!"

’There’s no such thing as a free lunch.’ Gu Wenheng didn’t believe for a second that Ouyang Bing would part with such a treasure simply for a place to hide. After all, it was his own life-saving remedy.

Seeing that the couple was still refusing, Ouyang Bing reluctantly pulled out another porcelain vial. "Just for one month."

Jin Qianqian was speechless. ’I’m so tempted to just rob him.’

Gu Wenheng was also silent. ’This damn temptation.’

But they both resisted the urge and shook their heads.

At this, Ouyang Bing looked directly at Jin Qianqian. "Mrs. Gu, I hear you have a ship about to undergo a trial voyage. I wonder if I could serve as a crewman?"

Jin Qianqian finally understood his real plan. "No."

She refused without a second thought. ’Putting such a dangerous person on board? I’d be afraid of all my hard work going to waste.’

"Madam, please don’t be so quick to refuse," Ouyang Bing said, placing both vials on the table. "Mudou and I are both excellent swimmers. We can sneak aboard under the cover of night without anyone else knowing."

Jin Qianqian asked, "And why should I take that risk for you?"

’Even if I did take his life-saving medicine once,’ she thought, ’the debt was more or less settled. I provided him with fresh produce at rock-bottom prices for years, not to mention everything else that happened.’

Ouyang Bing hesitated. "...This will only benefit you, Madam. There’s no harm in it for you."