Male Lead, Please Don’t Covet the Mob Character Cannon Fodder (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 4

Once Qingshi regained his composure, he answered Gu Jiuli’s question. “Just wash the honeysuckle we brought back and leave it to dry.”

With that, Qingshi rose from his chair, preparing to handle the herbs himself.

Seeing him limping with the support of his bamboo cane, Gu Jiuli could not help but frown. “Master Qingshi, perhaps you should rest. I can handle it.”

“That will not do,” Qingshi declined the offer. Feeling his tone was perhaps too sharp, he added, “I am not that delicate. Besides, I will only be sitting while I wash them. How about we wash them together?”

“Very well.”

Qingshi sat in the courtyard while Gu Jiuli fetched cold water and emptied the honeysuckle from the baskets into a wooden basin.

Qingshi reached into the water, picked up a flower, and ran his fingers from the tip to the stem to remove any tiny leaves. He rinsed it again before placing it into a nearby bamboo sieve. “It is quite simple to process them this way, though it is rather time-consuming.”

Gu Jiuli sat beside Qingshi, watching his every move intently. “I understand, Master Qingshi. I have learned how.”

The two spent the entire afternoon processing the honeysuckle.

As Gu Jiuli placed the last flower into the sieve, he said, “That is all of them, Master Qingshi.”

“Are they finished? Hiss!” Qingshi supported his waist as he stood up. Hunching over all afternoon had made his back incredibly sore.

“Master, what is wrong?” Gu Jiuli asked with concern.

“I am fine,” Qingshi waved him off. “Da Hei, please take this sieve to the drying racks near the kitchen.”

Gu Jiuli complied. “Alright. I will prepare dinner while I am at it.”

“Brother, I am home!” The front gate swung open, and Song Qingyu’s voice rang out. “Brother, that insect-repellent sachet you made is wonderful! My classmates all said they wanted one. Hehe, but I did not give them any!”

Qingshi chuckled. “Then I will make a few more for you tomorrow. You can take them to school and share them with your friends.”

“Hehe,” Song Qingyu grinned foolishly. “You are the best, Brother. But will it be too tiring for you? Perhaps just a few will suffice.”

Qingshi replied, “It is nothing. Do not underestimate your brother.”

“No, no, Brother is the greatest!” Song Qingyu bobbed his head and went to put his book box back in his room.

“Dinner is ready.”

At Gu Jiuli’s call, Song Qingyu dashed out of his room. “Let me see what we are having tonight!”

Qingshi also made his way over with his cane. Halfway there, a hand reached out to lift his slightly bent elbow, providing support. Qingshi smiled toward his side. “Thank you.”

Gu Jiuli stared at the smile on the youth’s lips for a long moment before finally responding with a soft, “Mhm.”

“Brother, what happened to your foot?!” Song Qingyu finally noticed Qingshi’s swollen right foot.

Qingshi sat down at the dining table. “It is nothing. I twisted it slightly on the mountain today. It is not serious.”

Song Qingyu breathed a sigh of relief but muttered, “Brother, you must be careful on the mountain. Do not end up like Father. I do not want to come home one day and find you gone.”

“Do not worry,” Qingshi reached out to pat the boy’s hair. “I had Da Hei with me.”

“That is better.”

Qingshi said helplessly, “Now, eat.”

The dinner spread was much richer than breakfast. The staple was steamed rice, accompanied by stir-fried cured meat, sautéed vegetables, steamed egg custard, and the remaining pickles. The taste was excellent as usual; Gu Jiuli’s cooking earned high praise from both siblings.

After the meal, Qingshi went to the kitchen to boil water for a bath. Gu Jiuli, who was clearing the dishes, entered and saw him tending the fire. “Does Master Qingshi wish to boil water? Let me do it.”

Qingshi replied, “It is alright. You are busy. I just want to take a bath.”

Hearing this, Gu Jiuli frowned. “Is your foot no longer painful?”

“I will not use the tub; a quick rinse will do,” Qingshi said, feeling a bit self-conscious. “I am used to bathing every day; otherwise, I cannot sleep. Besides, after climbing the mountain and falling today, I feel quite dirty.”

“Sigh.” Gu Jiuli let out a soft sigh and took the firewood from Qingshi’s hand. “I will boil it for you.”

The water heated quickly. Gu Jiuli carried the bucket into the bathroom and handed Qingshi his clean clothes. “I will stay outside. Call me if you need anything.”

Qingshi nodded in response.

Everything went smoothly until Qingshi finished dressing. As he prepared to leave, his foot slipped. He fell backward, his back hitting the edge of the wooden tub with a sharp thud. He let out a cry of pain.

“Master, what happened?!” The bathroom door burst open. Gu Jiuli rushed in to find Qingshi gripping the edge of the tub, his face contorted in pain. The man looked panicked.

“Hiss, I am fine,” Qingshi stood up, supporting his waist. “I just bumped it.”

“Where?” Gu Jiuli stepped close to him. Seeing him holding his waist, he reached out to touch the area. “Your waist?”

“Hiss! Ah! Do not touch it; it hurts!” The heat from Gu Jiuli’s palm stimulated the injury, causing Qingshi’s waist to arch instinctively.

Gu Jiuli’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He pulled his hand away. “Can you walk, Master?”

“I, I need a moment. Oh!” Before Qingshi could recover from the pain, he was swept up into someone’s arms. He let out a startled cry. “Da Hei! You!”

Gu Jiuli carried him back to the room and placed him on the bed before going to fetch medicinal oil. “Master Qingshi, let me apply the medicine for you.”

“It is too much trouble, Da Hei. I can do it myself.” Qingshi found it difficult to handle a male lead who had fully committed to the role of a servant.

“How can serving Master be considered a trouble?” Gu Jiuli spoke calmly. “Unless I am not actually Master’s servant?”

Qingshi’s heart skipped a beat. Has he remembered something? “How, how could that be? Since you are willing, then I shall leave it to you.”

“Very well, Master.” A faint smile played on the corners of Gu Jiuli’s lips.

Another agonizing session of medicine application followed.

“By the way, Da Hei,” Qingshi called out as Gu Jiuli was about to leave. “How is your own injury? It has not reopened, has it? It is time for your dressing to be changed.”

“It is fine,” Gu Jiuli said, lying through his teeth despite his bleeding wound. “Where is the medicine? I will change it myself.”

“In the first row of the medicine cabinet behind the desk, the drawer on the far right. It is in a white porcelain bottle,” Qingshi said.

“Alright.”

Qingshi heard the clink of the porcelain bottle followed by the rustle of clothing. “Do you need help?”

“No,” Gu Jiuli paused for a moment before asking, “Previously, while I was unconscious, was it also Master Qingshi who changed my dressings?”

Qingshi laughed. “No, Qingyu helped you with that. You had too many wounds; I was afraid I would miss some.”

“I see.” Gu Jiuli looked at his wounds, which were clearly caused by sharp weapons rather than a fall from a cliff as the youth had claimed. He asked, “Master Qingshi, from where did I fall off the cliff?”

“Huh? Why do you ask so suddenly?” Qingshi froze. “It was just, I slipped while gathering herbs.”

“While gathering herbs,” Gu Jiuli watched the youth’s involuntary display of distress. He was certain Qingshi was lying, but he could not understand why. Could it be that the youth admired him and wanted an excuse to spend more time together? Otherwise, what benefit would there be in such a deception?

Admiration, huh? Believing he had found the truth, Gu Jiuli’s lips curled upward. Seeing Qingshi still racked with thought trying to find an excuse, he stood up and blew out the lamp. “Master Qingshi, let us sleep.”

“Huh? Oh, alright.” Qingshi was left dazed by the sudden shift in topic, but he felt relieved he did not have to continue his story.

It took two days for Qingshi’s foot to heal, during which he stayed home.

“Da Hei, accompany me to town. I need to buy paper and ink for Qingyu, and I want to buy a set of clothes for you.” After hearing Song Qingyu mention that the male lead had walked out shirtless after a bath, Qingshi realized he had only given Gu Jiuli one set of clothes. It was unfair to make him wear the same thing for so many days.

Even if Gu Jiuli was his servant, he could not be a cruel master.

Gu Jiuli did not seem particularly happy. “Is Master Qingshi’s foot well enough to walk?”

“It is mostly better. That medicinal oil is my father’s secret recipe; the effect is excellent.” Qingshi stomped his feet twice to prove he was fine.

Two hours later, they arrived in Qingshi Town. The roar of the crowds made Qingshi uncomfortable; it was too crowded, and it had been over a year since his last visit.

A hand reached out to take his. “Master Qingshi, there are many people. Keep close to me.”

“Alright,” Qingshi gripped back, leaning closer to Gu Jiuli. “We will buy your clothes first, then go to the bookstore.”

“Mhm.” Gu Jiuli led him through the busy streets, seemingly unbothered by the sight of two grown men holding hands in public.

“Welcome! Looking for clothes? We have ready-made garments or can customize from our fabrics.” A shop assistant greeted them warmly as they entered.

Qingshi tugged on Gu Jiuli’s arm. “Go and choose. Master will pay today.”

Hearing Qingshi’s whispered words, Gu Jiuli smiled and replied, “Then I thank Master.”

Qingshi intended to wait at the door, but Gu Jiuli led him inside and seated him on a chair. “Master Qingshi, please wait here. It will only take a moment.”

Gu Jiuli looked around the shop, thinking he would just pick something wearable. However, his attention was drawn to a silver-white wide-sleeved robe hanging on the wall. The fabric was exquisite, embroidered with subtle cloud patterns that looked very noble.

The reason Gu Jiuli liked it was because he thought it would suit Qingshi perfectly. He could not help but imagine the youth wearing it.

Seeing him staring at the shop’s centerpiece, the assistant hurried over. “You have an excellent eye, sir! This is top-quality Yunjin silk. I am not boasting when I say you will not find another piece like it in all of Qingshi Town.”

“Mhm,” Gu Jiuli touched it; the texture was smooth, reminding him of the youth’s skin. “How much is it?”

“Forty taels.”

Gu Jiuli turned and walked away immediately. One tael of silver was worth a hundred copper coins, and one copper coin could buy a meat bun. He currently had nowhere near that much money.

“Wait, sir! If you are serious, I can do thirty-eight taels!” the assistant called out, chasing after him.

“No need.” Gu Jiuli picked up a simple set of black coarse linen clothes.

“That will be thirty-five copper coins,” the assistant said coldly, handing over the clothes.

Qingshi found the assistant’s sudden change in attitude strange but took thirty-five coins from his pouch and paid. The assistant rolled his eyes and muttered “poor ghost” under his breath. He then saw the tall man suddenly look back at him with a dark, cold gaze that made him shiver.

Qingshi then took Gu Jiuli to the only bookstore in town to buy paper and high-quality ink for Song Qingyu. As they left, Qingshi, who was walking ahead, almost collided with someone entering. Fortunately, Gu Jiuli pulled him back in time.

“Master Qingshi, watch out.”

“My apologies,” Qingshi said, stepping back and to the side to let the newcomer pass.

This was why he disliked crowded places; it was unfriendly for a blind person. Not being able to see was one thing, but the noise also drowned out his sensitive hearing. Qingshi sighed inwardly.

The person who entered was a foppish young gentleman dressed in a dark green robe that shimmered as he moved. He held a folding fan, and his narrow eyes gave off a snake-like impression.

Seeing the man staring intently at the oblivious Qingshi, Gu Jiuli frowned and stepped forward to shield the youth behind him. Noticing the man seemed to want to approach them, Gu Jiuli quickly led Qingshi out of the bookstore.

“Second Young Master Zhu, what brings you to my humble shop?” The shopkeeper recognized the man and hurried to greet him.

Zhu Xiao toyed with his fan, his eyes still fixed on the direction where Qingshi and Gu Jiuli had disappeared. “Shopkeeper, do you know that blindfolded gentleman who just left?”

The shopkeeper thought for a moment. “I do. That is Physician Song from Sajia Village. He has a younger brother at the private school and has been here a few times for ink.”

“Oh?” Zhu Xiao let out an evil grin. “A physician, is he?”

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