Chapter 6: Treating a Headache

Upon hearing this, Ning Ye knew his opportunity had come. "Sir, I have a family heirloom medicine here, specifically for headaches. Would you like to give it a try?"

Wang Mingyuan asked with interest, "Medicine isn’t something to boast about lightly. If anything goes wrong, your own head might be at risk."

Ning Ye immediately activated his system and exchanged for ibuprofen capsules. For these ancient people with virtually no drug resistance, this was truly a miraculous cure.

Ning Ye declared confidently, "Sir, if this medicine doesn’t work within a short while, you may deal with me as you see fit."

He placed the ibuprofen on his palm and displayed it before everyone.

Seeing Ning Ye’s confidence, although he had never seen such a strange medicine, Wang Mingyuan still took it. "Since you’re so confident, I’ll trust you this once. How should I take it?"

"Just swallow it directly and drink some water afterward," Ning Ye replied.

The woman in the pink dress was quite sensible and immediately brought over a cup of tea. Wang Mingyuan took it in front of everyone.

Lin Qinshu nervously clasped her hands. With her extensive knowledge, she had never seen medicine like this before.

What if something went wrong? What should be done then?

But after just the time it took to finish a cup of tea, Wang Mingyuan felt his headache vanish completely. It’s said that a headache isn’t a disease, but when it strikes, it can be debilitating.

After days of suffering, the sudden relief was simply wonderful.

"This ancestral secret recipe really works. Tell me, how can I reward you for such a great favor?"

"It’s already my honor to be of help to you, sir. As for anything else, I dare not hope for more."

Wang Mingyuan stared at Ning Ye and smiled slightly. "Usually, those who say such things either truly want nothing, or they desire something great. Which kind are you?"

Ning Ye met his gaze without hesitation. "I heard, sir, that your headache is caused by those hateful bandits."

"Indeed, but there are very few people in Qingyuan County. I have no means to dispatch troops after them. Otherwise, I wouldn’t suffer such headaches."

"Sir, I believe to solve this problem, you must subdue them, even wipe them out. Only then will your troubles end."

Wang Mingyuan asked with interest, "If you want Lin Changhe to lead men out, forget it. That won’t happen."

"Of course not. I think you can recruit local militia. With some funds and provisions, people nowadays will fight fervently, sir."

"Are you about to say you’re willing to lead this militia to help me?"

Ning Ye said earnestly, "Although I have never studied military strategy, I detest those ruthless bandits and am willing to do my part for you, sir."

Wang Mingyuan laughed heartily. "As for your reward, I already intended to recruit militia. Who leads them is not my concern. Since a young man is willing, let him try. Maybe there will be a surprise."

After taking the money from Xu Sanguan, Ning Ye and Lin Qinshu and the others found an inn in the county town to stay.

Meanwhile, Wang Mingyuan had returned to his study. The woman in the pink dress had disappeared, leaving only Xu Sanguan with him.

Xu Sanguan said puzzledly, "Sir, he’s just a young lad. Are we really going to do this?"

Wang Mingyuan held a chess manual in one hand and moved a piece with the other. "I intended to recruit anyway. I don’t care who manages it. Since this young man is willing, let him try. There might be a pleasant surprise."

"Should I investigate him first, sir? We should at least know who he is before trusting him."

"If in such a remote place these bandits still won’t leave me alone, no matter how much we guard, it’s useless."

Xu Sanguan nodded in understanding. "Sir, then I’ll take my leave."

Without looking up, Wang Mingyuan focused on the chessboard, where black and white pieces seemed locked in deadly combat.

Having chosen an inn, Ning Ye did not scrimp on food, treating himself to a proper meal.

Though meat dishes were rare, why not enjoy plenty of vegetables?

Several dishes adorned the table, including a plate of cured meat whose aroma had already captivated Lin Qinshu and the others.

No matter how much one had eaten of delicacies before, after such hardships, the craving was overwhelming.

Xiao Yuan’s eyes seemed to whirl in delight, clearly enchanted by the aroma. Xiao Qing was similarly awkward, unsure where to place her hands. Ning Ye did not start eating yet, and naturally, no one else dared to either.

When rice was brought to the table, Ning Ye finally picked up his chopsticks. "Alright, stop staring and start eating. I know you’re all starving."

He carefully placed a piece of cured meat on Lin Qinshu’s plate. "Chew slowly. Otherwise, your stomach won’t handle it."

Lin Qinshu blushed slightly. "Husband, you eat it. There’s not much meat; the three of us can share."

Ning Ye said affectionately, "In the future, if you want meat every meal, that’s possible. So now, just eat this well, or I’ll have to scold you. I can’t have you thin and frail."

Lin Qinshu obediently ate the meat, her heart warmed by his care. From every angle, Ning Ye did not seem crude at all. It looked like life ahead wouldn’t be difficult.

Having been hungry all day, Ning Ye finally began to eat, though his first impression was that the food wasn’t very tasty.

But hunger makes everything delicious. After Lin Qinshu and the others finished, Ning Ye quickly polished off the rest.

Only after finishing did Ning Ye feel his starving body truly satisfied.

To save money, they shared a large dormitory room, so naturally nothing happened at night—at most, Lin Qinshu leaned against Ning Ye as she fell asleep.

At dawn the next day, Ning Ye and the others rose early and returned to Qingyuan Village.

Before reaching the village entrance, they saw Ning Silang looking anxiously along the main road. Spotting Ning Ye, he hurried over. "You’ve been gone all day. I thought something happened to you. Where should I report to Fourth Uncle?"

His heartfelt concern warmed Ning Ye’s heart. Indeed, having someone care felt wonderful.