Chapter 66 Healing Your Wounds Properly Comes First

"Xiangyang!"

Not long after the group started heading back, Li Xiaoyun hurried over, her voice carrying a trace of sobs.

She was running at the very front, followed closely by Mother Li and Li Xiaohua.

Seeing the bloodstains on Li Xiangyang, the expressions of the three women turned pale in an instant.

"I'm fine, just superficial scratches," Li Xiangyang forced a grin, wanting to put his family's minds at ease.

"You're still smiling!" Xiaoyun approached with reddened eyes, her voice choking as she looked at his wounds. "You've lost so much blood..."

Mother Li stepped forward quickly, her hands trembling as she pulled back his padded winter jacket to check his injuries. "Are you badly hurt? We need to go find Dr. Qian right away..."

"I'm really fine, Mom," Li Xiangyang comforted. "Just a few scrapes, nothing to worry about. But what about these fish..."

"What fish?!" Li Xiaohua interrupted him angrily, her cheeks puffed out. "Brother, you always just try to act tough!"

Looking at his sister's reddened eyes, Li Xiangyang felt a warmth spread through his chest.

He rubbed his sister's hair. "Alright, alright, my mistake. Didn't we have so many people helping out? It's no big deal."

"Xiangyang is right," Li Daqiang spoke up at the right moment. "Let's head home first and let Dr. Qian take a look. Didn't Xiaoyun say she was going to show off her cooking skills?"

Xiaoyun wiped away her tears and nodded firmly. "Yes, let's go home first. I'll cook something good for everyone to show my appreciation."

With that, she proactively took the wooden bucket from Li Daqiang's hands.

Mother Li watched the interaction between her son and Xiaoyun, a trace of relief flashing in her eyes.

This prospective daughter-in-law was not only virtuous and capable, but she also knew how to keep the big picture in mind during crucial moments.

Upon returning home, the family fell into a flurry of activity.

Mother Li and Xiaoyun deftly set to work on the fish. Amidst the flashing arc of the kitchen knife, fish scales fluttered down like snow.

Mother Li was in charge of scaling, while Xiaoyun stood beside her, gutting them and removing the internal organs.

"Xiaoyun, stop for a moment and go check on Xiangyang," Mother Li said, casting a heart-ached glance at her son in the main room.

"It's fine, Auntie," Xiaoyun replied, her hands not missing a beat. "I'm almost done, and I'll make pickled cabbage fish for everyone shortly. With so many people helping, we can't let him lose face."

Just as she spoke, Dr. Qian arrived with his medical box.

The old man strode quickly into the main room, frowning deeply the moment he saw the blood on Li Xiangyang. "Quick, take off your clothes so I can take a look."

Li Xiangyang forced a smile. "Dr. Qian, it really isn't that serious..."

Despite his words, when Li Xiangyang peeled off his padded jacket, he couldn't help but wince.

The blood had begun to dry, gluing the fabric to his wounds and pulling sharply at the flesh.

"Auntie, boil some water," Dr. Qian instructed Mother Li, taking out rubbing alcohol and gauze from his case.

Mother Li hurried off to boil water, and from the kitchen came the sounds of Xiaoyun bustling about.

"Young man, high-proof liquor is needed for disinfection," Dr. Qian said, pouring the clear spirit onto the gauze. "This is going to sting quite a bit, so bear with it."

"It's fine, go ahead..."

Before Li Xiangyang could finish, Dr. Qian pressed the alcohol-soaked gauze directly against his raw flesh.

A burning, fiery pain struck instantly, causing Li Xiangyang's back to stiffen involuntarily.

"Relax," Dr. Qian said as he cleaned the wound. "Your cuts aren't deep, but it'll be troublesome if they get infected."

The potent alcohol irritated the injury, drawing beads of sweat across Li Xiangyang's forehead.

Li Daqiang watched from the side with a deep frown. "That must hurt terribly..."

"Pain is a good thing," Dr. Qian continued working without pause. "It means the nerves are intact."

At that moment, Mother Li entered with a basin of hot water. Seeing her son's pale face from the agony, tears welled up in her eyes. "My poor boy..."

"Mom, I'm fine," Li Xiangyang forced out a smile. "Just a few scrapes."

After finishing the cleaning, Dr. Qian inspected the wounds carefully once more. "Alright, consider yourself lucky this time—you didn't hit anything vital, but you still need to prevent any infection..."

He reached into his medical box, retrieved a small porcelain jar, mixed some powdered medicine into a paste, and carefully applied it to the cuts.

"This is an old family remedy, specially formulated for external injuries," Dr. Qian explained while applying the ointment. "Later on, I'll prescribe a few herbal packages for you to decoct and drink to help reduce inflammation."

Li Xiangyang nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "Dr. Qian, how long until these heal? I still need to head into the mountains to hunt."

"You boy! All you can think about is hunting!" Dr. Qian's white beard twitched with annoyance. "Let me tell you, don't even dream about it. You need to rest these for at least half a month. No water near the wounds, and definitely no setting foot in the mountains!"

"But..."

"No buts!" Dr. Qian stated decisively. "If these wounds split open and get infected, you'll be spending a month flat on your back!"

Just then, Xiaoyun walked in carrying a steaming bowl of fish soup. "Dr. Qian, I just brewed this fish soup. Have a taste."

Catching the rich aroma, the doctor's expression softened slightly. "Good, just in time to sample your cooking."

He turned and glared at Li Xiangyang once more. "Remember what I said—behave and recover properly during this time!"

Meeting Xiaoyun's worried gaze, Li Xiangyang finally gave in and nodded. "Alright, I'll listen to the doctor."

Dr. Qian packed up his medicine chest and gave parting instructions as he headed for the door. "I'll go back and fill your prescription right now, and I'll have someone bring it over shortly..."

"Dr. Qian, don't leave just yet," Li Xiangyang called out to stop him. "My injuries are already tended to, why rush to fill the prescription? We're not pressed for a single meal. On such a cold day, Xiaoyun made this pickled cabbage fish specially, you simply must try it."

"Indeed, Dr. Qian," Mother Li stepped forward to persuade him as well. "You've worked hard for quite a while, you should at least eat before you go."

Dr. Qian hesitated. The fragrance drifting from the kitchen made him swallow hard despite himself. "Well, then..."

"Dr. Qian," Xiaoyun emerged from the kitchen carrying a large basin of steaming pickled cabbage fish, "if you don't stay for a taste, I'll feel terrible about it."

The steaming soup released an appetizing aroma, and Dr. Qian's eyes were instantly drawn to the snow-white fish meat within the basin.

"Well then, I'll accept your hospitality." He stroked his beard and sat back down.

Looking around the room full of people, Li Xiangyang felt a slight pang of guilt.

So many people had delayed their own affairs just to help him.

"Come, come, everyone make yourselves at home," Mother Li said as she set out bowls and chopsticks, greeting the guests.

"Dr. Qian, please have a taste first."

Xiaoyun picked out a plump, tender piece of the fish belly and placed it in Dr. Qian's bowl.

The old man took a bite, and his eyes lit up instantly. "Delicios! This cooking skill puts my old woman to shame."

Realizing what he said, he added with a hint of regret, "Don't you dare let her hear me say that."

Everyone burst into laughter, and the atmosphere instantly became much warmer and livelier.

Looking at the villagers filling his home, Li Xiangyang felt a warm glow in his heart.

Yet, thinking of Dr. Qian's strict order barring him from the mountains for half a month, a shadow of worry crossed his mind.

Xiaoyun's parents were due to visit at an unknown time, and being injured right now was truly unfortunate timing.

Still, there was nothing he could do about it.

"What are you thinking about?" Xiaoyun noticed his preoccupation and asked softly.

"Nothing, just..."

"Alright," Xiaoyun interrupted gently. "I know what's on your mind, so put your worries to rest. Healing your injuries properly is what matters most."

With that, she picked up another piece of fish and placed it in his bowl. "Eat more, build your blood back up."