Young Master Huo came from a distinguished family and possessed exceptional martial arts skills, making him a sought-after bachelor among the daughters of prominent families in the city.
However, he had always maintained a distant demeanor towards women, leading outsiders to believe he was averse to female company. Even he himself hadn't expected to be smitten with Gu Qingcheng.
Gu Qingcheng, in a bad mood and unwilling to engage with him, offered a few perfunctory remarks before stating that she and Mi Guo were returning home.
The brown bear had been killed by Young Master Huo, so she certainly couldn't claim his prize.
Could she tell Young Master Huo that if he hadn't intervened, she would have had a ten-tenths certainty of killing the bear with a single blow?
Forget it, why get into a verbal spat?
It would only make Young Master Huo think she was greedy for a bear.
Gu Qingcheng didn't even glance at the bear on the ground, turning to leave with Mi Guo.
But Young Master Huo quickly stopped her, saying:
"Miss Gu, there's still a considerable distance to your home. Did you walk here?"
"Yes."
The Gu family didn't keep horses; she hadn't walked here, did he expect her to fly?
"Why don't we escort you back? It's on our way, as we're heading back too."
Young Master Huo said enthusiastically yet with propriety.
Gu Qingcheng waved her hand, refusing:
"Thank you for your kind offer, Young Master Huo. We were just out for some exercise. Staying cooped up in the mountains made us restless. Walking back, we might even find some game along the way."
Upon hearing this, Young Master Huo didn't take it as a rejection. He assumed the Gu family had limited provisions, which was why the two of them were out hunting.
Of course, he wouldn't directly say, "I'll give you a ton of grain," as that would be an insult.
Although the Divine Physician Gu's medical skills were extraordinary, the natural disaster had struck suddenly. It was unlikely for ordinary families to have stored much food.
And now, food was even scarcer, not only expensive but also difficult to obtain even with money.
Thus, Young Master Huo, harboring affection for her, quietly made up his mind. He said:
"Miss Gu, since that's the case, I will visit Divine Physician Gu at your residence another day. I haven't properly thanked you for saving my life after we parted that day!"
"Alright, see you later!"
Gu Qingcheng offered a few perfunctory replies and then quickly left with Mi Guo.
Regarding Young Master Huo's expression of gratitude, Gu Qingcheng genuinely wished she could say: You're welcome, no need to come.
Their family did not want outsiders constantly disturbing them.
But she certainly couldn't say that, as it would be incredibly rude.
Mi Guo observed Young Master Huo's words and actions, feeling that this fellow was acting rather strangely and looking at his sister with an impure gaze.
However, being young and inexperienced, he couldn't pinpoint what was wrong. After walking halfway in silence, Mi Guo finally blurted out:
"Sis, I don't think that Young Master Huo is a good person!"
"What does it matter to us? As long as he's not doing anything detrimental to us," Gu Qingcheng said dismissively, not wanting to overthink it.
The two returned home safely.
Gu Qingcheng told Gu Chaobei about her encounter with Young Master Huo and mentioned that he had expressed his intention to visit and thank him.
Gu Chaobei, not having been present at the scene and thus unable to sense the strange atmosphere, nonchalantly replied:
"Let him come. He'll be polite when he arrives and won't wander around aimlessly. We'll just lock what needs to be locked and tidy up what needs tidying, and everything will be fine."
Steward Zheng would occasionally send things over, so the Gu family was accustomed to locking their gate. This way, when someone came to the door, they would have time to prepare.
Therefore, Gu Chaobei saw Young Master Huo's impending visit as normal, not realizing that Young Master Huo intended to "nibble on a cabbage."
Otherwise, he would have tried every means to prevent Young Master Huo from getting close to his daughter.
Regardless of how wealthy Young Master Huo's family was, his daughter was only thirteen years old, still too young.
Aunt Qian was strolling outside with Xue Sheng. This child, perhaps born during the extreme cold, seemed quite adaptable to the current chilly weather.
Aunt Qian had dressed him in fluffy, warm attire. Holding him in her arms, he looked like a fluffy little rabbit.
Seeing Xue Sheng, Gu Qingcheng's childlike nature surfaced. She pinched his little cheeks and kissed his chubby hands, making Xue Sheng giggle with delight.
After playing for a while, Gu Qingcheng retrieved the leopard and the pheasant from the storage cabinet.
Hu Lanfang gasped in surprise, saying, "You even encountered a leopard?"
"Yes, Mother. This leopard pelt is beautiful. Shall I make you a leopard-print coat? Mi Guo said she'd give it to you."
Gu Qingcheng gestured, considering whether a long or short coat would be better.
"Oh, forget the leopard print. Make a cushion for your father!"
Hu Lanfang's mind was solely on her husband.
"You two decide, but let Father handle the leopard pelt first. Don't ruin it. We'll have a craftsman deal with it later."
Gu Qingcheng entrusted the task of processing the leopard pelt to her father, as he was skilled with surgical knives.
As for the pheasant, Mi Guo stir-fried it with chili peppers that evening as a side dish.
Hu Lanfang, with a sense of nostalgia, ate a few pieces of pheasant meat but found it dry and unappetizing, eventually giving up.
Indeed, people are like this: it's easy to go from frugality to luxury, but difficult to go from luxury back to frugality!
After dinner, Mi Guo fed Cola cat treats.
Like all cats, Cola absolutely loved cat treats and always had a look of enjoyment when eating them.
Whoever gave it cat treats became its favorite, so everyone quickly learned how to please Cola. As long as it was given cat treats, it would trot happily after them.
Today was the day for Cola and Wangcai to receive their second rabies vaccination. Gu Chaobei held a syringe and, seeing Wangcai gnawing on a bone, administered the injection to him first.
Wangcai hadn't even reacted before the shot was over.
Only after it was done did Wangcai belatedly let out a "woof" and flee.
Seeing Wangcai's reaction, Cola immediately became alert, leaping onto the head of the bed and preventing Gu Chaobei from approaching.
Gu Qingcheng produced another new cat treat. Cola, unable to resist the temptation, finally succumbed, its ears flattened in enjoyment.
Gu Qingcheng seized the skin on its neck, and Gu Chaobei, accurately spotting the spot, injected the needle under Cola's skin with the speed of lightning.
Cola continued to eat the cat treat, completely oblivious. Truly a glutton, it forgot everything when food was involved.
"Bang bang," someone knocked on the door outside.
"Is Divine Physician Gu home? It's Huo Yu!"
Hearing the voice, it was indeed the eldest young master Huo.
Gu Chaobei frowned and said, "Young Master Huo is quite courteous, arriving without prior notice. You should go tidy up quickly!"
Gu Qingcheng understood her father's meaning and quickly ran back inside, stowing away her mobile phone, iPad, and other items. Xue Sheng's infant formula and bottles also needed to be hidden.
Anything that didn't belong to this era had to be put away.
Gu Chaobei went to attend to the guest.
Upon seeing Gu Chaobei open the door, Young Master Huo bowed even more respectfully than usual.
Young Master Huo had spoken to his father about this matter yesterday, expressing his desire to marry Divine Physician Gu's daughter.
Deputy Commander Huo hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
Under normal circumstances, Deputy Commander Huo might not have been so quick to consent.
However, with the recent disasters and calamities, and having both himself and his son been saved by Divine Physician Gu, he felt that having a divine physician in the family was extremely important. Marrying Divine Physician Gu's daughter was also a good way to secure Divine Physician Gu's loyalty, so he readily agreed.
Gu Chaobei noticed that besides Young Master Huo, there was also a middle-aged man he didn't recognize, exuding an air of nobility, clearly not an ordinary person.
Young Master Huo quickly introduced him, "Divine Physician Gu, this is the newly appointed Prefect of Jinsha City, Huang Ming, Lord Huang."
The previous Prefect of Jinsha City had been beheaded by Prince Xia for involvement in the Gu family's geomancy affair. This man had clearly been newly promoted, and Gu Chaobei had never met him.
Gu Chaobei quickly and politely said, "So, our esteemed official has graced my humble abode. It is a great honor."
Prefect Huang quickly helped Gu Chaobei up and said:
"Divine Physician Gu, I have long admired your name. Let us interact as peers; there is no need for such formality."
The three engaged in pleasantries.
Young Master Huo had come under the guise of offering thanks, so naturally, he brought many gifts, which were piled high in the living room.