97. Chapter 97: Three Years!!

“If even you, Old Master Fu, cannot break this poison, then must Ling Xiao die for sure?”

Zhang Xiaolan had thought Old Master Fu’s medical skill was unrivaled, and that perhaps once they found him, the deadly poison in Ling Xiao’s body could at last be lifted. She had not expected even Old Master Fu to say he could not cure it. Her heart sank at once, and the others all looked equally regretful.

“I only said that I cannot cure it at present.”

Seeing their faces all fall, Old Master Fu then made himself clear. In truth, they had simply failed to catch the meaning of his words just now: he had only said he could not resolve it now.

“Please, Old Master Fu, you must save him. Ling Xiao is a child burdened by fate. He is still so young, and I do not want to see him die like this.”

As though she had seen the first light of dawn again, Zhang Xiaolan hurriedly knelt in sudden agitation, startling Ling Xiao, who was moved beyond words. Xiao Lian saw her mistress kneel and followed at once.

Haizi supported Ling Xiao as he watched him, and seeing Ling Xiao looking at Zhang Xiaolan with such complicated emotion, Old Master Fu had not realized their bond was so close.

Old Master Fu hurried over to help Zhang Xiaolan up, but before he could finish speaking, she was already anxiously bowing in thanks from her knees.

“Miss, please rise. There is no need for this. Since fate has brought you and me together, I will help you if I can. But I must still say the same thing: I cannot yet completely dispel the poison in him. I can only ensure that his life will be safe for three more years.”

“Three years?”

Hearing this outcome, Zhang Xiaolan could not help feeling somewhat disappointed. She did not know whether this news should be counted as good or bad, and she turned to look at Ling Xiao with worry in her eyes.

“Sister Lan, there is no need to worry about me. Three years is already more than enough for Ling Xiao.”

Ling Xiao’s heart was broad, and he was easy to satisfy. In truth, he had long since accepted his fate.

Had he never met Zhang Xiaolan, he would have had only ten years left to live, and even then he would have had to bend to other people’s will and do things he hated.

Now that he had gained three more years, and could live properly by Zhang Xiaolan’s side, it was already more than he had dared hope for. Compared with the life he had once known, such a future had been unimaginable.

“Miss Zhang need not grieve. You used the Purging Elixir to suppress the poison earlier. Without the help of that medicine, he would not have survived three months.” Old Master Fu spoke to her in this way, then went on to instruct her. “In a few days I will prepare the herbs for this young brother. Come back then with him, and I will help ease part of the poison and lessen its harm within his body. As for the days after that, I will also study whether it can be cured at the root.”

Old Master Fu, too, was moved by Zhang Xiaolan’s actions. He did not know what relation she bore to Ling Xiao, whether siblings or friends, but the way she cared for and cherished him, even kneeling for his sake, moved everyone present, not only Ling Xiao.

“Zhang Xiaolan thanks Old Master Fu.”

Zhang Xiaolan quickly accepted the truth. Three years was far better than three months. She still refused to give up hope.

“These next few days, I have important matters to attend to. When those days have passed, Miss Zhang may bring this young brother to find me again. I shall await you at my residence.”

Old Master Fu had no time in the coming days, and he also needed to prepare the medicines, which would take some time. That was why he asked Zhang Xiaolan to return after a few days. Besides, she already had the Purging Elixir with her, which could temporarily suppress the poison.

“Thank you, Old Master Fu. Whatever preparations are needed, please speak plainly, and I, Zhang Xiaolan, will make sure everything is ready.”

Zhang Xiaolan kept thanking him over and over. She knew this was only a brief acquaintance, and yet Old Master Fu was willing to help them so much. It was no small kindness, and if there was anything she could do to assist, she would spare no effort in preparing it.