Chapter 195: Big Brother Sends Them Away
“Brother, you really reminded me. I’m planning to study antidotes that reduce the potency of the poisons by half.”
Ning Xiyue took the medicine from her brother, stepped from behind him to stand in front of Comrade Ji, handed the medicine back, and smiled up at him:
“Comrade Ji, can you help me get some medicinal herbs? I’ll make you a list later, and in a few days I’ll give you a few more kinds. The medicine for my big brother’s eyes should also show results soon, and I’ll research more poisons too. Using the right medicine in the right situation is very effective, like for interrogation purposes.”
This method was even more psychologically torturous than the Ten Great Tortures of the Qing Dynasty, as it targeted both body and mind simultaneously.
Ji Yanming nodded in agreement. “Good. Make the list; I’ll wait. Tell me what herbs you need. Keep these two medicines with you at all times. If you encounter bad people like today, act decisively. Your safety is most important.”
He had no objection to her making poisons and wasn’t scared — whatever Ning Xiyue did, he supported and even approved of her methods.
Seeing these unusual medicines in her hands, he felt reassured. With these, Xiyue wouldn’t be bullied easily. “The more poisons you make, the better!”
“My sister, I really admire you. The poisons you make are so unique. I completely agree with Comrade Ji — always carry the medicines. It’d be best to study some that take immediate effect and disable the enemy’s abilities, so they can’t advance.”
Ning Qingyuan added his advice. The medicines might be unconventional, but they gave him peace of mind.
Seeing his sister make these poisons, he no longer worried about her encountering bad people. Anyone who provoked her would face serious consequences.
“With all your support, I feel at ease. My family and friends all want the best for me, and I won’t let you down,” Ning Xiyue said, moved. She sniffed and raised her hand to swear:
“I’ve decided to start researching new poisons tomorrow. You should carry them with you too. Male comrades need to stay safe. The sedatives we made before can be carried at all times; that medicine works best. As long as the bad people don’t notice, they’ll collapse instantly.”
“Mm,” Ji Yanming nodded. Seeing the time outside, he said his goodbyes: “It’s getting late. You two should rest. I’ll have time to visit the hospital tomorrow afternoon. You can make me a list of the herbs you need then.”
“Okay, Comrade Ji, goodbye.”
Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingyuan followed him out, watching as Ji and his team left the guesthouse.
Yawning, she headed toward the next room to sleep. It was already two in the morning, and dawn would come in just a few hours.
“Sister, you sleep in this room. We’ll switch,” Ning Qingyuan called out, concerned that the other room might be unsafe after the intruders.
“I’m fine. I locked the doors and windows. Brother, don’t forget I have my medicines. Go get some rest — it’s late, and I’m exhausted,” Ning Xiyue waved and went inside, securing the doors and windows.
Nothing to be afraid of.
She pulled a quilt from her storage space, placed the guesthouse bedding aside, and finally settled down to sleep.
System, waving all four little paws, lay by her pillow to guard her, letting his host sleep peacefully.
The next morning, Ning Xiyue woke up early. The siblings didn’t oversleep, quickly getting ready and bringing the breakfast they bought at the hospital cafeteria to see their big brother.
When they arrived, big brother was already awake, staring at the ceiling without blinking.
Ning Xiyue entered and jokingly said, “Brother, are you contemplating life?”
“No, I’m just zoning out,” Ning Qingzhi said, smiling when he saw his younger siblings, tilting his head at them.
Ning Xiyue routinely checked: “Big brother, do your wounds still hurt today? Are your eyes in pain?”
“No, your medicine works very well. The pain in my wounds has lessened, my eyes feel fine, and I slept quickly last night — a rare good sleep,” Ning Qingzhi said with a refreshed smile.
“That’s good. Let’s have breakfast.”
Ning Qingyuan helped their brother wash up, while Ning Xiyue set up the small breakfast table.
After finishing breakfast, Ning Xiyue replaced the medicine from yesterday with the perfected batch she had prepared — the best eye-clearing pills and drops, ensuring full recovery within a week and improved vision.
After taking the medicine, Ning Qingzhi looked at Ning Qingyuan, who held a notebook, and asked: “Second brother, is your article ready? If so, submit it and take your sister out for a walk.”
“I’ve revised it. I’ll go now,” Ning Qingyuan said, putting the completed article into an envelope with anticipation on his face.
“Good. Let’s do it early. If it doesn’t work out, we’ll continue.”
Ning Qingzhi pulled a wallet from under his pillow, took out a stack of wrapped tickets and money, and handed them to Ning Xiyue.
“These are my recent bonuses. You two take them and use them. You can go shopping at the department store — buy whatever you want, don’t worry about money. I earn it for you. If it’s not enough, ask me for more.”
“Big brother, no need. I have money. You’re about to marry Sister Jiayin; there’ll be many expenses.”
Ning Xiyue was touched, looking at the stack of money, realizing her brother probably gave her most of what he had.
“I have money too,” Ning Qingyuan said, pulling a roll from a hidden pocket inside his waistband. “I earned it from work this year.”
“Take it. Don’t worry about wedding expenses. I’ve already saved up. You two must take the money I give you,” Ning Qingzhi said mock-angrily, blocking Ning Xiyue’s hand and sending them out: “Go now. Don’t disturb my rest. I need to sleep to recover.”
And with that, the siblings were clearly sent out by big brother.
Well, since it came to this, Ning Xiyue and Ning Qingyuan decided to obey.
Ning Xiyue put the money and tickets away, recording it in the ledger she maintained for her big brother. Each time he saw her, he sent both money and tickets — she guessed he sent them immediately upon receiving them. She had to keep track to later repay his “investments” in another form.
The siblings greeted the nurses before leaving the hospital to go shopping.
Having earned five check-in opportunities last night and three today, Ning Xiyue planned to use several outside — eight in total. In a metropolis like S City, the rewards would likely be valuable.
At the hospital entrance, the siblings paused, unsure of the way.
“Brother, let’s check the newspaper office first. Handle your big matter there, then we can go shopping. Aunt Zhou gave you the contact address yesterday — let’s use it to ask for directions.”
“Right, I have the address,” Ning Qingyuan said, quickly taking out his notebook.
They frowned, flipping through the addresses they had written yesterday, puzzled. All characters were recognizable individually, but together, the addresses made no sense. They were completely unfamiliar with the area.
“Xiyue, Qingyuan, why are you here? Going out?” Comrade Ji Yanming appeared, carrying a bag of peach crisps.
Ning Xiyue looked up, pleasantly surprised. “Ah, Comrade Ji, weren’t you supposed to come this afternoon?”
Ji Yanming approached with a faint smile. “Thanks to you, the two tasks were completed ahead of time. That’s why I have the time to see you.”
“That’s great. Happy to help,” Ning Xiyue said, glad her poisons had been useful. She silently decided to make more — they were very effective. “Comrade Ji, you should go upstairs. My brother and I are going to the newspaper office.”
Ji Yanming’s eyes lit up — perfect timing.
“I’m free today. I can guide you. I have friends at the newspaper and know it well. Didn’t we say we’d go out together? Let’s do it today.”
The siblings exchanged a glance. A familiar guide was much better than asking strangers for directions — they couldn’t pass up the offer.
“Then thank you, Comrade Ji,” they said in unison, both smiling the same way.
