Chapter 613: Chapter 613: Father Fang Seeking Death Chapter 613: Chapter 613: Father Fang Seeking Death Father Fang looked at his daughter, who had returned home unexpectedly, in astonishment. He was momentarily stunned, his fingers quietly tightening.
He had thought that at this hour, both his wife and daughter would be out working and wouldn’t be able to return home for a while.
So when he woke up, thinking back to the conversation he had overheard last night, he knew how much pressure the mother and daughter were under, aware they ate only one coarse pancake per meal, all to save a bit of food for the future to seek medical help for him.
Father Fang knew he was a burden, his injuries were becoming more and more severe, and he could distinctly feel his life ebbing away.
Rather than dragging on with such a broken body and being a burden to them, it would be better to die sooner rather than later. After all, he wouldn’t live much longer, so why add to their stress?
Thus, Father Fang had pondered for a very long time, finally mustering the resolve to end it all by attempting to get out of bed.
Who would have thought that his daughter, who usually came back at nightfall, would suddenly appear at the doorstep?
Fang Xiyue helped Father Fang back into bed, then turned to pour him some water.
She didn’t know about her father’s resolve, thinking he had accidentally fallen out of bed. As she was giving him water, she excitingly began to share the events of the day.
“Father, I was so lucky today. I met a girl with the family name Lu. She used to work in the wastelands, but now she hunts in the mountains just like me. She can shoot arrows, and her archery skills are formidable. We just took a walk around the perimeter today, and not only did we catch pheasants and hares, but we also caught a roebuck.”
After drinking the water, Father Fang froze, “You caught a roebuck?”
“Yes, just the two of us. I found the roebuck’s tracks, and Yu shot it with an arrow. So by this hour, we had already completed the day’s hunting quota and took the roebuck to the Manor. The bailiff not only gave us our ration of grain but also a few extra chickens. Father, we’ll have a good meal tonight.”
Father Fang was somewhat dazed. Just the two girls had managed to hunt a roebuck and pheasants and hares by this time?
He didn’t know whether to attribute it to their luck or their formidable hunting skills.
Fang Xiyue continued, “But, what makes me happiest isn’t that. Father, Yu told me her brother is a doctor with great Medical Skill. She agreed to let her brother come and treat your wounds and prescribe medicine. Her brother is currently in the county town but should return tonight. So, Father, just wait a little longer; tonight, a doctor will see you. The fee is half a chicken, that’s what Yu said. I feel like she is getting the short end of the stick, but it’s okay, Yu is younger than me, and I will take extra care of her when we go hunting in the future.”
Father Fang was even more astonished, “A doctor?”
“Yes,” Fang Xiyue nodded happily, “you just rest for now. I’ve just picked a lot of shiitake mushrooms and wood ear fungi with Yu; it’s still quite sunny, so I’ll go dry them. We can have more dishes later. It’s still early, and Yu and I have agreed to make another trip to the foothills after we bring this basket back.”
With that, she had already clattered out, bustling around joyfully.
Father Fang watched her leaving figure, listening to the noises outside, for a long time without snapping out of it.
How long had it been since his daughter had been this spirited?
If he went through with seeking death, could she still smile like she did today? Never mind, he would wait a bit longer. Perhaps the days might indeed improve?
Perhaps the doctor coming tonight could really cure him.