He knew he was being a bit shameless, trying to cling to Anzhi, but… he really didn't know what else to do.
He had no home. A good-looking man without support could only survive by becoming a servant. But with his looks… even in the Chu residence, he knew how things worked. If that man hadn't disliked him so much—afraid he might climb the ranks and threaten them—he would've likely been given to some rich person as a concubine.
Otherwise, with his appearance, he could still marry and be a proper husband.
But he didn't want any of that. He'd rather be a beggar.
When Anzhi heard him say this, she froze for a second while picking up firewood, then couldn't help but laugh.
Was he suggesting the two of them become a beggar team? One man, one woman—begging in pairs makes the work lighter?
"Pfft—hahaha! Hahaha!" This was the first time since she came to this world that someone made her laugh so hard. It was hilarious.
"Don't laugh!" Yan felt so embarrassed his face was about to drip blood.
"That's not going to happen." After laughing, Anzhi refused him immediately.
Seeing his disappointed expression, she quickly explained, "I'm not planning to keep begging. I've got hands and feet, and I know some medicine. I want to open a clinic."
"A clinic?" Yan was surprised. Even though he couldn't tell her exact age, she didn't look old. He remembered the doctors who treated him before were never this young.
Also, if she knew medicine, why was she a beggar now?
"You don't believe me? The illness you had—I treated it. From diagnosing you to giving you medicine—it was all me."
And he really had recovered.
Because of that, Yan was half convinced. After all, when he was sick in the Chu residence, those doctors didn't help him recover this fast.
He studied Anzhi, but still couldn't see any doctor-like aura. He decided to just trust her for now.
Then he frowned again.
Opening a clinic needed money.
He had none, and she didn't seem like she had any either.
Anzhi saw him nodding one moment and sighing the next. His little face all scrunched up while thinking hard looked really cute. She guessed what was on his mind.
"Don't worry about money. I have a way. We'll go down the mountain tomorrow. Once the clinic opens, you can help with accounts and sit in the big chair behind me."
"Really? You'd let me?" Yan's eyes lit up immediately. "I'll make sure I manage the money well. I learned from our steward at home." He nodded excitedly, already imagining their future.
Anzhi nodded. "It's like getting a younger brother for free. Why wouldn't I be happy?"
At first, she thought once he recovered, he could choose to stay or leave. She wouldn't stop him either way.
But now that he didn't want to leave, she wouldn't push him away.
In this strange world with no attachments, having one more bond wasn't a bad thing.
"You're really a good person. Can I call you Sister Anzhi?" Yan asked sincerely. "No one's ever been this kind to me—not even my parents…"
Anzhi softened her expression and was about to comfort him, when he continued.
"Sister Anzhi, you're so much older than me. One day I'll take care of you until the end. Even if you're paralyzed, I won't leave you." He was still so sincere, even tearing up a little.
Take care of her until the end?
Paralyzed?
She was so moved she could cry.
What a sweet little guy.
"That won't be necessary." Anzhi replied with a straight face.
"I'm only twenty-two. I'm just six years older than you."
"You're only twenty-two!" Yan looked shocked, glancing her up and down, a bit unsure. "Sister Anzhi… you kind of look mature for your age."
"You couldn't tell?"
"Mm-hmm! Mm-hmm…" Yan first nodded, then shook his head, still looking surprised.
In truth, Anzhi's face had always been dirty, her hair a mess, and her clothes filthy. He couldn't really see what she looked like. But just from her aura, she gave off a calm and mature vibe.
Anzhi was amused by this little flatterer. If she knew what Yan was really thinking, she would've raised an eyebrow proudly.
Back in the modern world, every doctor learned to appear mature to earn their patient's trust. Working in a hospital and facing life and death every day made people naturally calm and steady.
"Young master Yan, don't judge by my current state. Back in my world, plenty of men chased after me with flowers."
"Sister Anzhi, you…" Yan looked doubtful. Men chasing a woman with flowers? A bunch of them? Was she the reincarnated version of a legendary beauty?
Forget it. She was his sister now.
He would be patient with his overly confident sister.
"But Sister Anzhi, stop calling me 'young master.' Just call me… Yan."
People used to call him "Yan'er" to act close, but he didn't need that anymore. Just "Yan" was good.
Anzhi smiled. "Alright, Yan."
The moon that night was especially bright, casting a soft silver glow.
It was cold and quiet, but somehow felt warm in their hearts.
—
Early the next morning, after eating some wild vegetables, Anzhi took her new little brother down the mountain.
They carried all their belongings with them. She even took their broken bowl, planning to place it on display once they settled down. It had brought her luck, after all—like a small charm for safety.
This was a trip with no return—unless something unexpected happened.
They moved slowly, since one of them was still recovering.
"Sister, how much farther?" Yan wiped his face with his sleeve, smearing dirt across it and making himself look like a little clown. He even tried to wipe Anzhi's face too.
Seeing his dirty sleeve stretched toward her, Anzhi politely declined.
No thanks.
Even though she wasn't clean right now, that didn't mean she was okay with others being dirty around her.
Honestly, she was impressed with herself. In her previous life, she'd been clean and precise. Now she was used to this filth, even numb to it.
Humans really are a lot like cockroaches.
Anzhi squinted. She could already see the outline of the town ahead.
Dry-throated, she said, "Almost there."
She could've carried the boy to move faster, but even with the new "sibling" bond, she figured he wouldn't agree, so she never brought it up.
Yan saw it too. Their destination was right in front of them. He clenched his teeth and followed her.
The sound of a busy street gradually reached their ears.
Anzhi and Yan were both happy. They'd finally arrived.
Once they got into town, they could start selling medicine.
Since they were heading for a temple, the location needed to be good.
It wasn't hard to find. The biggest, tallest building in town was clearly it.
The temple clearly had powerful backers. Instead of the usual pair of stone lions at the entrance, there was a full line of stone carvings—cranes, qilins, even pairs of pixiu and golden toads.
The pillars and carvings were luxurious and impressive.
To Anzhi, all of this meant just one thing:
Money.
In short, go all in. For a temple like this, it was nothing.
Yan followed behind Anzhi, wide-eyed and curious.
He rarely walked around town like this. Usually, he sat in a sedan with his father—no, his master—going to temples to donate incense money.
He had never clearly seen the liveliness of the street like now.
Though he wouldn't live the same life of luxury again, this warm, noisy world felt comforting.