CHAPTER 186: CHAPTER 186: THE MEDICAL FEE STILL HASN’T BEEN PAID

Lin Shuo had his breakfast and took his medicine, then went downstairs. After lying in bed for a day or two, he needed to move around.

Lin Shuo walked over to Jiang Youzhi, watching him teach Gu Chuan and Liu Lang how to play chess.

Today is only the seventh day of the New Year, and the inn is occupied by Yun Jiao’s family and Lin Shuo and his servant. At this moment, everyone is gathered in the main hall.

The rooms upstairs are small and stifling.

Ah Hu came down shortly after.

He stood next to Lin Shuo, watching the others play chess.

At this moment, a man and a woman walked in through the door.

The man was in his thirties or forties, with empty eye sockets, no eyeballs. He had a drum slung on his back and held a stand in his hands.

The girl was only eleven or twelve years old, carrying a bundle and holding a small gong.

Both of them were soaked.

They stepped inside and stood by the door. The man set up the drum on the stand, and the girl played the gong. The blind man started singing rhythmically while beating the drum.

Yun Jiao could barely understand the man’s singing, so she put down her book and watched them with interest.

The man sang a few lines before the innkeeper came out from the back.

The innkeeper waved his hands dismissively, like shooing away flies, "Go, go, go, don’t sing here. It’s the New Year, guests are few as it is, where will I have any silver to spare for you?"

The young girl looked at the innkeeper in fear, while the blind man pleaded, "Please, be kind, sir. We haven’t eaten for more than a day; just something small would help."

"Even leftovers would do."

The innkeeper raised his eyebrows, "None."

"You beggars come every day, I don’t have so many leftovers to spare for you!"

"Go, go, go!"

Yun Jiao watched the two, their clothes soaked, truly pitiable. She fished out a few copper coins, about to say something, when she heard Ah Hu speak, "Boss, have the waiter bring some porridge and buns for them; put it on my tab."

The innkeeper smiled obsequiously at Ah Hu, "Alright, coming right up."

The innkeeper went inside to call the waiter.

Ah Hu took out an exquisite silk pouch, opened it, and rummaged through it.

He searched for a long time and eventually pulled out a piece of broken silver.

He was about to toss the silver to the young girl when his hand suddenly paused.

In disbelief, he turned the pouch upside down; it was completely empty.

Ah Hu blinked and looked at Lin Shuo.

Lin Shuo looked at him helplessly.

Yun Jiao then lightly coughed while looking at Ah Hu’s pouch, "By the way, I almost forgot, your medical fees are still unpaid."

Ah Hu, holding the silver piece worth three taels, looked embarrassed and said, "Doctor Gu, you didn’t mention it, so I almost forgot. My apologies. Let me go take the silver from my room, and then I’ll pay the girl."

Yun Jiao said it but didn’t say more, just nodded.

The waiter quickly brought out the porridge and buns for the two.

The two thanked Ah Hu and sat at the table, devouring their food, clearly very hungry.

Mrs. Chen talked casually with the young girl, "It’s raining and it’s New Year, why aren’t you staying at home?"

The blind man sighed, "Isn’t it for the New Year, coming out to play a few beats on the drum, hoping to earn a few copper coins."

"Who knew it would rain for two days straight."

"Yesterday, my daughter and I stayed in a ruined temple for a day, today we had to brave the rain to earn a few coins, or else we’ll starve."

Mrs. Chen looked at the man with sympathy, saying nothing more.

Yun Jiao handed a few coins to the young girl, "You sing well; the lyrics rhyme too."

At this moment, Lin Shuo signaled to Ah Hu, and the two went upstairs.