"Yang Ming, how is it? What did the doctor say?" Xiaoxiao asked immediately as she saw Yang Ming and the others come out.
"Let’s go home first, it’s not something I can explain in a word or two."
"..." Can’t explain it? It seems this illness isn’t easy to cure, just going home? Could that work? It truly is a hot potato, "Let’s stop by Xiangxiang Cloth Shop first, I need to say something to them."
The three of them went to Xiangxiang Cloth Shop, took care of some business, and then quickly hired an ox cart to rush home.
Aside from seeking Xiaotian, Li Fugui didn’t utter a single word at other times, staying very quiet, which made Xiaoxiao and Yang Ming feel somewhat relieved.
"Yang Ming, just tell me already, I’m dying of anxiety." Xiaoxiao couldn’t wait until they got home to talk, she was eager to know the result of the doctor’s visit.
"His head is fine, it’s a heartache."
"..." She had guessed as much; Li Fugui’s behavior wasn’t at all that of a fool. This meant his mind was fine, he just shut himself off in his own world, possibly recognizing no one but the person he mentioned, ignoring everything else as if it didn’t exist.
If that heartache could be resolved, he should recover, but who is this person he constantly talks about? Who has he been pondering so deeply about, forgetting everyone else and remembering only her?
"The doctor said his heartache is related to the person he talks about. That person must have done something he can’t let go of. Finding that person might just resolve the heartache, and he could get better without further treatment."
"Then we should hurry and find out who that person is."
"No need to look further; if I’m not mistaken, that person is likely the Little Maid he’s been fond of for many years."
"..." Xiaoxiao suddenly understood. She thought it made sense; could someone’s mind really take such a long and winding path? He didn’t go mad when hit with such blows before, so why would he later? Could it be something had happened with the Little Maid?
Could it be that he was abandoned by the Little Maid? If so, years of unrequited love followed by betrayal would drive anyone mad.
"Yang Ming, but to be honest, I’m afraid this is beyond our control. We’re just farmers, with no connections; it’ll be hard to find people." After thinking it over, Xiaoxiao realized that this place was not like the modern world, if someone actually left, it would really be difficult to find them.
"Yeah, so we can only take him home first."
"..." Does my inexpensive husband need to be so kind-hearted? Although she felt sorry for Li Fugui, their relationship didn’t seem to have reached such a level.
"Yang Ming, have you considered that if we can’t find that person, his illness might never heal? Who will care for him if we bring him back? Will the family agree to it? Even if the family agrees, how long can we take care of him?"
"But if we don’t take him home, he might end up without anyone to care for him."
"..." Li Fugui, oh, Li Fugui, how poor must your fate be for no one but your less-than-friendly relation, Yang Ming, to be willing to take care of you.
"Alright then, let’s take him home, and I will take care of him. However, you must go to the academy tomorrow. You cannot neglect your studies." Xiaoxiao’s heart softened in the end; to save a life is more meritorious than building a seven-tier pagoda.
Moreover, Li Fugui wasn’t an exceptionally bad person. Initially, if they hadn’t gone to the authorities, he might not have fallen to such a state so fast. Although it wasn’t their direct cause, there was an indirect connection.
"Okay," Yang Ming nodded and agreed. His wife would have to take on the burden. He knew she would take in Li Fugui; his wife was tender-hearted and kind, unable to bear seeing others in distress.