Chen Liejiu halted under the villagers' astonished gazes, spitting out a mouthful of blood and scanning the crowd with wolf-hunter's intensity. "Why's everyone crowding my house?"
Fresh from battle, his aura still carried violent energy—eyes sharp enough to make onlookers retreat half a step.
Xu Huaixian quickly explained, "They're here to repay debts."
Then, noticing the growing crowd of spectators outside the courtyard, added, "And some just came to watch."
Debtors voluntarily repaying? Chen Liejiu found this hard to believe. If people were this conscientious, his debt-collection services wouldn't be needed!
Before he could voice his confusion, Xu Huaixian—having recovered from his spouse's dramatic entrance—noticed the blood and dirt covering Chen Liejiu. "Are you hurt?"
Chen Xiaomei squeezed through the crowd, equally anxious. "Big Brother! Are you wounded anywhere?"
Chen Liejiu spun in a circle before them. "Do I look injured?"
Both shook their heads.
"Exactly." He licked his gum where he'd bitten through during the struggle, handed the wolf-laden sled to the two burly assistants, then wiped his bloodstained dagger on his robe. "Come inside—change clothes, then we'll sell these pelts in town."
"But those are wolves!" Xiaomei fretted. Not one or two, but five or six! How could her brother emerge unscathed from such a fight?
Xu Huaixian shared her concern but remained silent, scrutinizing Chen Liejiu's scratched, blood-smeared face for signs of deception.
"Really, I'm fine," Chen Liejiu waved dismissively, then winced as the motion tugged at hidden injuries.
Xu Huaixian's gaze darkened. His usual amiable demeanor turned intimidating when angered.
"Just some bruises from being thrown against trees during the fight," Chen Liejiu admitted with a grin. "Some medicinal liquor will fix it."
"Let me apply it for you," Xu Huaixian offered instinctively, then hesitated—their marriage remained nominal, and such intimacy might be inappropriate.
Chen Liejiu, lacking such reservations, seized the opportunity. "Perfect! I was just wondering who could help."
Trapped by his own offer, Xu Huaixian could only comply.
After settling the debtors' matters, Xu Huaixian addressed the lingering spectators politely: "As you can see, we're quite busy today. Perhaps another time?"
His courteous dismissal—despite overhearing their "sickly scholar" whispers—left even the most shameless onlookers no choice but to disperse, leaving only a few oblivious children playing outside.
Xu Huaixian then instructed Xiaomei to sprinkle limewater around the courtyard—a precaution against lice and fleas that might have hitched rides with visitors.
Only after thorough handwashing did he enter the bedroom.
Inside, Chen Liejiu sat with hair cascading down his bare back, having washed away the battle's grime. He glanced over his shoulder at Xu Huaixian's entrance before resuming applying medicinal liquor to visible bruises on his front.
"Done with the reachable areas," he said, passing the bottle to Xu Huaixian. "Just need help with the back."
Xu Huaixian's fingers trembled slightly as they lifted the damp strands—cool from washing yet scorching against his palm like ignited kindling.
But beneath the silken hair lay no alluring skin—only a landscape of purpling bruises, crisscrossing like cracked earth after drought.
All nervousness evaporated. Xu Huaixian gently gathered the hair over Chen Liejiu's shoulder, warmed liquor in his palms, and began massaging the injuries. "Does this hurt?"
"...A bit." Chen Liejiu inhaled sharply at initial contact, then exhaled as the warmth seeped in.
"Why hunt wolves?" Xu Huaixian asked, softening his touch.
Chen Liejiu tilted his head back to meet his gaze. "To avenge your parents."
Xu Huaixian's hands stilled momentarily—he'd forgotten the original host's parents died to wolf attacks.
"Though profit played a part too," Chen Liejiu added candidly. "Wolf pelts fetch good prices."
He recounted tracking the pack to their spring hunting grounds, battling the well-fed beasts—how they'd flung him against trees repeatedly before falling to his blade.
His eyes sparkled with pride at the dual victory: vengeance and wealth secured.
"Stop squirming," Xu Huaixian chided as Chen Liejiu animatedly reenacted the fight, accidentally pressing a thumb into the dip of his waist—a perfect fit that sent improper thoughts racing.
He hastily withdrew, steering Chen Liejiu by the shoulders instead. "I'm applying medicine."
"Right, sorry." Chen Liejiu settled obediently.
Once calmer, he recalled the courtyard crowd. "You said they came to repay debts voluntarily?"
Xu Huaixian cleared his throat, explaining his installment payment proposal.
"Brilliant!" Chen Liejiu's eyes lit up as he fastened his robe. "Monthly collections mean steady work—and steady commissions!"
Traditional lump-sum repayments created income fluctuations. This system would smooth cash flow while reducing debtor burdens.
"But you can't implement this alone," Xu Huaixian cautioned. "Consult your backers."
From today's paperwork, he'd gleaned Chen Liejiu worked for wealthy families, banks, even the government—powerful allies whose collective support could solidify this innovation against competitors.
Chen Liejiu grasped the strategy instantly. Instead of risking others copying his method, bundling it with his patrons' interests would create mutual benefits.
Leaning close until Xu Huaixian flushed, he declared, "I really did snatch an exceptional husband."
Between the wolf pelts and this business insight, his fortune was turning.
Husband.
Xu Huaixian's fingers twitched at the term—being called "husband" by his "wife" sent peculiar thrills through him.
"Since we're heading to town to sell the pelts," Chen Liejiu continued obliviously, rummaging through their wardrobe, "we'll pitch this to my backers. Can't let them profit from your idea without compensation."
He pulled out finer attire. "But we should dress properly—your current look screams 'dying soon,' which won't inspire confidence."
Xu Huaixian's hand froze on the doorhandle.
His face...
—Had been seen by so many today!!!