Seeing Lin Xiyue's worried expression, Luo Xiu couldn't help but feel a touch of warmth in his heart. At the same time, an idea formed in his mind—an idea that would allow him to escape his predicament tonight.

He clutched his chest, his face contorted in pain as he trembled and squatted down.

"I... I've suffered some serious injuries."

Lin Xiyue's face instantly lost its color. Clearly frightened, she rushed to help Luo Xiu to the sofa. It was no wonder she was scared; his clothes were almost completely dyed red with blood. Pure cotton clothing spread the stain the moment it came into contact with blood, and anyone would be startled to see someone covered in so much of it. Of course, what mattered more was that Luo Xiu's acting was superb—his expression, movements, and demeanor were all perfectly on point.

"What... what should we do now?" she stammered. "Right, the first-aid kit! Where's the first-aid kit?! Luo Xiu, don't panic, I'm calling an ambulance right now! We'll go to the hospital!"

In the business world, she was a distinguished young woman of the new generation, calm and decisive in all matters, yet at this moment, she was completely at a loss.

Luo Xiu spoke weakly, "No need... I'm a doctor myself. Xi Yue, go run some hot water in the bathroom for me. I need to wash this blood off."

"Okay, okay! Just lie down and don't move, I'll go right now!" Lin Xiyue hurried to the bathroom.

「A few minutes later.」

With his eyes narrowed in comfort, Luo Xiu stood by the bathtub. Lin Xiyue, frowning with a solemn expression, was gently and carefully helping him out of his blood-soaked clothes.

Luo Xiu peeked at her, chuckling inwardly. If only it could be like this every day. Coming home, no matter how late, to my beautiful wife waiting for me, having prepared a hot bath, ready to help me wash and change...

As he was musing, a sharp pang shot through his heart, instantly pulling him back to reality. This kind of life doesn't belong to me, he knew. It can only exist in my imagination… because I don't have much time left.

Just as he was lost in melancholy, Lin Xiyue spoke. "You're undressed. Get in quickly."

Only then did Luo Xiu realize that Lin Xiyue had stripped him completely bare. He hastily jumped into the bathtub, shrinking down into the water.

With a faint blush on her cheeks, Lin Xiyue tossed his briefs aside with a look of disdain and said coquettishly, "What are you hiding for? It's not like I haven't seen it before."

Luo Xiu gave an awkward laugh. "Um... why don't you step out for a bit?"

Lin Xiyue's cheeks grew redder as she whispered, "You're in this state... do you want me... to help you wash..." Her voice trailed off until it was inaudible.

Hearing this, Luo Xiu's eyes gleamed. What a great opportunity! he thought, immediately putting on an even weaker facade.

"How embarrassing... to have you help me. Well then, I'll have to trouble you."

Lin Xiyue rolled her eyes. He really didn't need to say that first part. She sat down sideways on the edge of the tub, slowly leaning over and reaching for him. The moment her slender, jade-like hands touched him, Luo Xiu closed his eyes in comfort.

Being served by Sea City's number one beauty is a privilege not just anyone can enjoy. Looks like I should pretend to be injured more often.

"By the way, where exactly are you injured?"

While Luo Xiu was savoring the moment, Lin Xiyue's cool voice sounded in his ear. In truth, while helping him undress, she had been wondering why she couldn't see any wounds on his body.

"Um... they're internal injuries," Luo Xiu quickly explained. "If they were external, it wouldn't be this troublesome."

He snuck a glance at Lin Xiyue and saw that she seemed to believe him, causing him to inwardly praise his own quick thinking.

Lin Xiyue asked, "So where were you tonight?"

"It's a long story."

"That's fine. I'm listening."

Luo Xiu thought for a moment before saying, "I went out tonight and saw a young girl being harassed by a group of gangsters, and then..."

Lin Xiyue slapped him lightly, unamused. "Be serious!"

"Alright, alright. It was nothing, really. I just got into a fight."

"Who did you fight with to get so bloody?"

"I was... getting medicine for you."

Lin Xiyue looked puzzled. "What does getting medicine have to do with fighting?"

Luo Xiu shrugged. "They wouldn't give it to me, so I had to snatch it. And to snatch it, you have to fight."

"Couldn't we have just bought it?"

Luo Xiu replied, "It was Tao Laosi from the Western District and Xiang Laoer from the South District. They probably don't need the money."

Hearing this, Lin Xiyue's beautiful eyes widened. "Are you crazy?"

Luo Xiu simply smiled. "I won."

Lin Xiyue looked at him as if he were a monster. "What on earth were you thinking, provoking people like them?"

"I wasn't the one who provoked them; they were the ones who kidnapped you first," Luo Xiu said, then asked, "Are you afraid of them?"

"Yes," Lin Xiyue nodded honestly.

"Afraid my ass. You're not going to live much longer anyway, so what's the point of being afraid of this or that? If anyone messes with you, just take them down and be done with it!"

Though his words were aimed at Lin Xiyue, he was really speaking to himself.

Lin Xiyue sighed softly and asked, "So you went and provoked those people just to find medicine for me?"

Luo Xiu teased, "So? Are you moved? If so, you can show your gratitude by scrubbing my back a little cleaner."

"Moved my ass! You're just a fool who doesn't think before he acts." Lin Xiyue shot him an annoyed glare.

"Why bother thinking when you can solve the problem with your fists?" Luo Xiu retorted.

"I can't be bothered with you. Wash yourself!"

"..."

「A moment later.」

Wrapped in a bath towel, Luo Xiu staggered out of the bathroom and collapsed onto the sofa.

Lin Xiyue asked, "Aren't you going to sleep in the bed?"

"Forget it... I'll just sleep on the sofa. Are you really planning to share a room with me? There are so many rooms here, why don't you just pick one for yourself?"

Lin Xiyue's cheeks puffed out slightly as she nodded stubbornly. "I'm going to live with you."

It was only after arriving that she'd learned Luo Xiu had so many beautiful female tenants. For some reason, it made her extremely uncomfortable. She had to defend her sovereignty!

"Sigh, suit yourself." Luo Xiu waved his hand, paying her no more attention.

Lin Xiyue was quiet for a while before suddenly asking, "Can you still... function like this?"

Luo Xiu knew exactly what she meant and rolled his eyes. "Do I look like I'm in any state to 'function'?"

Lin Xiyue said no more and fell right to sleep.

Seeing this, Luo Xiu breathed a long, internal sigh of relief. Looks like I've escaped my ordeal for tonight.

…

「The next day.」

Luo Xiu woke up naturally and, with nothing better to do, went to the courtyard to stretch while waiting for Xu Qianqing to prepare breakfast.

Su Shanyue suddenly ran over to find him.

"Luo Xiu, my grandfather wants to invite you to our home for lunch today. Do you have time?"

Luo Xiu smiled. "I can go, but you know my appetite, right?"

At his words, Su Shanyue laughed happily. "You don't need to worry about that. Although my family isn't as rich as Xiao Li's, we can definitely afford to feed you."

Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, it was noon.

Su Shanyue drove Luo Xiu to her home. It wasn't a grand estate like Sun Li's but an ancient-style quadrangle courtyard. Even so, such a property was nearly impossible to buy in Sea City. If one were to put a price on it, it would be at least a billion.

At the dining table, Su Guobang brought out a fine wine he had treasured for years and filled Luo Xiu's cup.

"Come, come, Doctor Luo, allow me to offer you a toast. I am incredibly grateful for your help last time."

After three rounds of drinks, Su Guobang grew bolder. "You see, Doctor Luo, I invited you over today because... I have a favor to ask."

"Please speak, Elder."

Su Guobang slapped the table. "Alright then, I won't beat around the bush. I'm a straightforward man! Doctor Luo, I would like to invite you to join the Martial Association and represent our Sea City Martial Association at the Warrior's Conclave!"

Hearing this, Luo Xiu furrowed his brow. "Then I'll be direct as well... Elder, I'm not interested in such things."

"Sigh." Su Guobang sighed. This was within his expectations. A master like Doctor Luo surely wouldn't care for fame and fortune. But the old man still didn't want to give up.

"I understand that for a master like yourself, Doctor Luo, this Warrior's Conclave doesn't hold much interest," he said. "But to be honest, with your strength, winning the championship would be effortless. Ah, it's such a pity... The prize for the champion this time is the 'Scorching Sun Profound Purity Fruit,' a treasure seen only once a century. For a wonder like that to fall into someone else's hands... it would be a real waste. I've heard that martial artists from abroad will be participating this year. Their strength is not to be underestimated; they are the prodigies of their generation. As such, there's a high chance one of them could win the championship."

Hearing this, Luo Xiu's gaze darkened as he fell into thought. He'd never expected that the Warrior's Conclave would offer the very medicinal herb that two Divine Doctors couldn't find as a prize.

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