Chapter 58: Wild Delicacies in the Mountains for Company

“Stay away from me. I don’t want to talk to you.” Jiang Muyun didn’t even spare Zhang Shen a glance as she spoke with obvious irritation.

At that moment, Zhang Shen realized that Jiang Muyun was in one of her tempers. If he dared take another step forward, she might just twist his head off. He quickly thought of a solution and got up, heading toward the thickets. Jiang Muyun found it strange that Zhang Shen stopped teasing her, but since that big oaf had walked away, she could finally enjoy a bit of peace.

A moment later, Zhang Shen emerged from the foliage, carrying a large handful of bright red fruits. He walked over to Chen Rong and Mu Qiao, handing each of them a fruit, while keeping the rest in his palm to eat slowly himself.

Jiang Muyun watched all this unfold. Zhang Shen ate the red fruit with exaggerated relish, smacking his lips and declaring repeatedly, “This is truly the finest delicacy in the world.”

Jiang Muyun was about ready to wring his neck. Wasn’t this just a ploy to taunt her? Yet, if Zhang Shen was lying, surely Chen Rong and Sister Mu wouldn’t go along with him. But now, even they were praising the taste!

This thoroughly enticed Jiang Muyun. In Yuehu City, everyone could easily enjoy seasonal vegetables at their daily meals, but the fruit Zhang Shen had just picked seemed entirely unfamiliar, and by the looks of it, absolutely delicious. At that moment, her cravings grew unbearable.

She walked over to Mu Qiao and asked, “Sister Mu, is that red fruit really as tasty as they say?”

Mu Qiao immediately understood that Zhang Shen hadn’t given any of the fruit to her young mistress. “What’s wrong, miss? He didn’t give you any?”

“No,” Jiang Muyun shook her head.

Sometimes, the more unattainable something is, the more you desire it. Now, Jiang Muyun was desperate to know what the red fruit tasted like. She watched Zhang Shen, who sat on a rock savoring the fruit, and walked up to him. “Is it really that good?”

“Of course! Why don’t you ask them?” Zhang Shen replied with absolute certainty.

Jiang Muyun realized that if it wasn’t truly delicious, Zhang Shen wouldn’t have gone out of his way to pick the fruit—much less refuse to share it with her. This was clearly a calculated move.

The closer she looked, the more enticing the fruit appeared—translucent red, plump, and every time Zhang Shen bit into one, red juice stained his lips.

Seeing this, Jiang Muyun made a swift about-face, pouting sweetly. “Let me try a couple, please?”

“No,” Zhang Shen’s refusal was unequivocal.

“Why not?” Jiang Muyun pouted indignantly.

“Who was it just now who told me to stay away? And now you want a taste?” Zhang Shen’s words were clearly meant to tease her, but she couldn’t deny he’d started it all by provoking her first.

“Uh…”

“Can’t explain it, can you? Well, now it’s your turn to stay away from me. Don’t interrupt my enjoyment of the scenery,” Zhang Shen said, spreading out his hands as if to say, “No way.”

But in that instant, Jiang Muyun seized the opportunity, snatching a few of the red fruits from Zhang Shen’s hand. Without a second thought, she bit into them and swallowed them down.

“Wow! Delicious!” she exclaimed.

Zhang Shen had no chance to stop her, her movements so swift and fluid. But within three seconds, Jiang Muyun’s mouth dropped open and saliva began to dribble out uncontrollably. The sight was so comical, she resembled a befuddled child.

Zhang Shen couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “Little glutton, that’s what you get for gobbling them up. This fruit is called the Sweet-Sour Berry—it’s sweet at first, then sour. You’re only supposed to eat one at a time, and wait at least a minute between each. The way you wolfed them down, now you’re getting the full brunt of the sourness!”

“Uh… uh…” Jiang Muyun could only yowl, unable to bear the intense sourness.

Zhang Shen, seeing her expression, checked his phone and said, “Hang in there! It’ll pass in about half an hour.”

Jiang Muyun nearly jumped three feet in the air. She couldn’t speak, but her glare could have killed Zhang Shen ten times over.

At that moment, Mu Qiao walked over and, seeing Jiang Muyun’s frantic state, said, “Divine Doctor, please help my lady.”

It had all been in good fun, but now that someone was asking for mercy, Zhang Shen decided to let it go, giving both himself and Jiang Muyun a way out.

“Your assistant is pleading for you—don’t forget to thank Miss Mu later,” Zhang Shen said, taking out a silver needle and swiftly pricking Jiang Muyun’s cheek. In no time, the pain subsided.

Jiang Muyun spat several times, then, throwing caution to the wind, wiped the drool from her lips with her hand. As she turned to leave, Zhang Shen called out behind her.

“Hey! I spared you some suffering—shouldn’t you thank me?”

“Thank you? In your dreams! I’m never speaking to you again,” she retorted, and stormed back to her tent.

Watching her retreat, Mu Qiao turned to Zhang Shen. “Thank you, Divine Doctor,” she said, then returned to the tent as well.

Under the vast canopy of stars, only Chen Rong and Zhang Shen remained, pondering life together.

“Hey, old man, do you think we’ll find the Dragon-Tongue Herb tomorrow?”

“No idea,” Chen Rong replied.

Zhang Shen had hoped for something more encouraging, but the old man’s blunt answer left him utterly exasperated.

“If we don’t find it, will Jiang Muyun’s illness still be treatable?”

“The poison she suffers from is no ordinary toxin. I do have one suspicion, though it’s not a pleasant one.”

“What suspicion?” Zhang Shen was suddenly anxious.

“I’ve read in ancient texts of those who, from childhood, are raised on a regimen of medicines—either because they’re frail and sickly, or, in rare cases, because their bodies are unique and used in alchemical experiments. There’s a fine line: if it goes well, they gain longevity; if not, they become plagued by countless poisons.”

“That serious?” Zhang Shen wasn’t sure whether to believe it, but surely the odds of such a fate befalling Jiang Muyun were slim. After all, what parents would use their own daughter for alchemical experiments?