Chapter 024: The Bewildered Xu Dalu

This familiar face was not Xu Dalu, but someone else.

Tang Mubai waited for dawn, gauged the time, then rose from bed, yawning as he pushed open the door. His eyes brightened at the sight of a middle-aged woman, graceful and dignified, wearing an apron and carrying breakfast from the kitchen. He exclaimed with delighted surprise, “Aunt Fang, you’re back?”

The woman’s name was Fang Shuixian, the housekeeper of the Tang family.

Tang Mubai had called her “Aunt Fang” since childhood, and their relationship had always been good. Fang Shuixian was not a native of Red Leaf City; her hometown was Zhonghe City, the neighboring municipality, and she had moved to Red Leaf City twenty years prior upon marriage.

Ten years ago, her husband passed away, leaving her to raise her son alone. At that time, the Tang family’s previous housekeeper had fallen ill and could no longer work. Tang Mubai’s father hired Fang Shuixian, and she had served the family ever since—a full decade.

Half a month ago, Fang Shuixian’s elderly mother became seriously ill and was bedridden, so Fang Shuixian requested a month’s leave to return to Zhonghe City and care for her. Tang Mubai hadn’t expected her to come back so soon.

Joyful, he asked with concern, “Aunt Fang, is Grandma Fang recovered?”

“The doctor says there’s no cure—she can only be cared for. My siblings and I discussed it and decided to take turns looking after her, one month each. Next month is my turn,” Fang Shuixian replied with a smile. “Captain Xiaobai, breakfast is ready. Hurry and wash up before you eat.”

“Alright,” Tang Mubai nodded, rubbing his hands together and grinning broadly. “It’s wonderful having you back, Aunt Fang. Now I can sleep in again—I don’t have to get up early every day to take the little girl to school!”

At this, Fang Shuixian was speechless and amused. “If Zhenzhen hears you say that, she’ll never let you off.”

Until now, his little cousin Lin Zhenzhen had been her responsibility to escort to and from school.

“Hehe, Zhenzhen’s still asleep—no worries!” Tang Mubai chuckled triumphantly, turned, and went into the bathroom to wash up.

Moments later, he emerged and entered his cousin’s room, waking the little girl. Amid her groggy complaints, he laughed and dashed out, heading next door to call Xu Dalu for breakfast.

Xu Dalu had just gotten up. Hearing Tang Mubai’s call, he replied sleepily.

Tang Mubai caught the tone, felt a spark of anticipation, and returned to the house humming, sitting at the table and picking up his chopsticks to eat.

After washing up, the little girl came to eat as well, but showed Tang Mubai no kindness—she huffed coldly, lips pouting high.

When Xu Dalu arrived, she immediately complained, “Grandpa Xu, my brother bullied me!”

“Hm? Tastes good, right?” Xu Dalu replied absentmindedly, “Eat more if you like it. The more you eat, the faster you’ll grow, Zhenzhen!”

Lin Zhenzhen was left speechless.

The little girl, spoon in hand, mouth agape, looked bewildered.

Fang Shuixian was also taken aback, unable to make sense of it.

Only Tang Mubai suppressed a laugh, glancing at Xu Dalu’s right leg as he noticed a certain stiffness in his movements, marveling at the power of the system.

“Old Xu, are you alright?” Fang Shuixian recovered and looked at Xu Dalu with concern.

“I’m alright—no, yes, I’m fine!” Xu Dalu snapped out of his daze, sat on the bench, patting his thigh with a bitter smile. “I’m fine, just a bit puzzled.”

“What’s puzzling you?” Tang Mubai asked, struggling to keep a straight face.

“Yes, Grandpa Xu, if there’s something bothering you, tell me—I’ll help you figure it out!” The little girl waved her spoon energetically.

“Careful, Zhenzhen! Come, eat your breakfast,” Fang Shuixian gently took the girl’s hand and placed it back on the table.

“I’m just helping Grandpa Xu find a solution,” the little girl muttered, stuffing her cheeks with food.

“Haha, Zhenzhen, you’re thoughtful. Thank you!” Xu Dalu laughed heartily, then exhaled deeply, suppressing the shock in his heart, and sighed, “Honestly, Xiaofang, Captain, you might not believe it. When I got up just now, my right leg suddenly felt nimble—as if overnight, it had healed!”

“Really?” Tang Mubai exclaimed in surprise.

Fang Shuixian’s face was equally astonished. “Old Xu, are you serious?”

“It’s true. It’s hard for me to believe, but the facts are right in front of me—I can’t deny it.” As he spoke, Xu Dalu stood up and paced back and forth in front of them several times.

“This… it’s really different from before!” Tang Mubai called out in half surprise, half curiosity.

“Yes… yes, Old Xu, did you eat some miracle herb?” Fang Shuixian’s eyes widened, incredulous.

“Hm, what happened to Grandpa Xu?” The little girl asked, mouth full.

“Grandpa Xu’s right leg is healed,” Tang Mubai said with feeling.

Treatment was one thing; seeing the results with his own eyes was another.

Xu Dalu’s leg had been crippled for decades.

Tang Mubai’s memories of Xu Dalu always included a limping gait.

Yet now, though he still walked with a limp, it seemed almost artificial, as if he were deliberately affecting it.

In truth, it was a deeply ingrained habit.

Lin Zhenzhen was too young to notice, unaware of what was happening.

Tang Mubai and Fang Shuixian, however, could see the difference.

Especially Tang Mubai, whose perception attribute of five allowed him to clearly observe the subtle stiffness in Xu Dalu’s walk, the awkwardness brought on by sudden improvement.

“There’s no such thing as miracle herbs—nothing so magical exists in this world,” Xu Dalu said, both excited and apprehensive, sitting back down and sighing. “My right leg suddenly got better. Though it’s not completely healed, it’s definitely improved. I just worry it’s only temporary—what if after a night’s sleep, it goes back to how it was tomorrow?”

“That’s unlikely, isn’t it?” Fang Shuixian hesitated, puzzled. “How could it heal, then revert back again?”

“Exactly, Aunt Fang is right. Grandpa Xu, you’re overthinking it. Your leg probably healed when you unknowingly ate some rare herb—then, without realizing, it was cured. Such good fortune isn’t unheard of; when it happens, it’s a great blessing. Grandpa Xu, you’re really lucky!” Tang Mubai “admiringly” gave a thumbs-up.

“Is… is that so?” Xu Dalu was baffled.

“Do you have any other explanation?” Fang Shuixian rolled her eyes.

“I… I don’t know,” Xu Dalu said, confused.

“Hehe, I know! I know!” The little girl giggled, raising her empty left hand.

“What do you know?” Tang Mubai asked, speechless.

Xu Dalu also stared at Lin Zhenzhen.

“I know Grandpa Xu’s right leg got better!” The little girl proudly lifted her chin.

Xu Dalu was left speechless.

“Ha ha ha, Zhenzhen is so clever. Come, eat your breakfast,” Fang Shuixian laughed, helping the girl with her food.

The little girl, full of pride, stuck her tongue out at Tang Mubai.

Tang Mubai could only sigh.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know. It’s a good thing, Grandpa Xu, don’t overthink it!” Tang Mubai concluded, then shifted the topic, looking at Fang Shuixian with earnestness. “Aunt Fang, are you willing to join the mercenary group?”