Era: Rise from the Wilderness

"Let's go, it's on me."

Li Yunjing said, patting his pocket, "We haven't touched the fifty yuan yet. This time, let's find a quiet place and have a good meal to calm our nerves."

"Yes! We need to calm our nerves!"

Fu Chao immediately perked up.

Li Wanting glanced at Li Yunjing's still bleeding leg and frowned, saying, "Before we eat, let's go to the clinic to get the wound treated! What if it gets infected?"

"Yes, let's go see the leg first."

Ding Dong echoed this sentiment.

"It's nothing, it's alright!"

Li Yunjing couldn't refuse them, so he had no choice but to agree.

Led by Li Wanting, the group headed towards the town's health center, which was not far away.

The town health center is an old two-story building with peeling paint and faded cross-shaped markings at the entrance.

The air was filled with a peculiar smell, a mixture of disinfectant and some kind of herbal medicine.

After registering and queuing, the doctor in the white coat examined the wound on Li Yunjing's leg, and deftly cleaned away the sand and blood with a cotton ball soaked in iodine using tweezers.

"Young man, you've been playing ball, haven't you?"

"The cement floor is hard; we'll have to be careful next time."

As the doctor applied the ointment, he said that the iodine stung the wound, and Li Yunjing couldn't help but hiss.

Fu Chao grinned from the side, "Doctor, please be gentle! My brother was injured fighting off some thugs!"

"Alright, the wound isn't deep, it's just a scrape. Don't get it wet for the next few days, it'll heal on its own in a couple of days."

The doctor glanced at him, ignored him, and bandaged the wound with gauze and tape: "Two yuan and fifty cents."

Li Yunjing paid the bill and limped out of the clinic.

The wound was wrapped in gauze, which felt tight, but the pain was indeed reduced a lot.

"Can we go eat now?"

"I'm so hungry my stomach is practically sticking to my back!"

Fu Chao clutched his stomach and wailed.

"Go on, go on, I know you're a hungry ghost reincarnated."

Li Wanting smiled.

After leaving the clinic, the group strolled around the streets looking for a restaurant.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, which is not a regular mealtime, many small shops were deserted.

Finally, they settled on a small restaurant on the street corner that had a fairly clean storefront and a sign that read "Welcome Hotel".

The glass windows were clean and shiny, and you could see four or five square tables covered with plastic sheets inside. A middle-aged woman wearing a floral shirt was knitting a sweater behind the counter.

Pushing open the door, the bell on the door jingled.

"Hey everyone, wanna eat?"

The proprietress looked up and saw several teenagers come in, one of whom had a bandage wrapped around his leg. She paused for a moment, then greeted them warmly, "What would you like to eat?"

There weren't many people in the shop, so they chose a table by the window to sit down.

Li Yunjing pushed the menu to the middle: "Everyone, please order whatever you like. You've all worked hard today, so it's on me. Don't be shy."

"Then I won't be polite!"

Fu Chao's eyes lit up, and he grabbed the menu without hesitation: "I'm starving! First, some sweet and sour pork! And some braised pork slices! And some stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers! Then some shredded pork with eggs! Hmm... and some soup, tomato and egg soup! Five bowls of rice!"

He ordered five dishes in one go, all of them main dishes.

"Isn't that too much?"

Ding Dong glanced at the price and whispered, "There are only five of us."

"What do you mean, 'a lot'!"

"Today was filled with fighting and a trip to the police station; I'm completely exhausted!"

"We must make up for it!"

Fu Chao was perfectly justified.

"Let's order what Fu Chao suggested, I'm hungry too."

Li Wanting said with a smile, "But the sweet and sour pork has to be tomato-based, boss lady!"

"Alright! Please wait a moment, it'll be ready soon!"

The proprietress wrote down the menu, then turned and went into the kitchen with a happy smile.

Soon, the sizzling sound of stir-frying and a rich aroma filled the air.

While waiting, the group drank the plain water brought by the proprietress, and the atmosphere relaxed.

Fu Chao then began to recount his experience of giving a statement at the branch office with great enthusiasm, imitating the serious tone of the veteran police officer and perfectly mimicking Ding Dong's nervous demeanor, making everyone laugh.

Li Yunjing listened to their banter with a smile, his gaze inadvertently sweeping out the window.

"Hey, Old Li,"

Fu Chao suddenly lowered his voice and leaned closer, "Tell me, how long do you think that bastard Ma Youcai will get this time?"

"He was armed, committed attempted assault, and the evidence is conclusive. He also has a prior criminal record, so he'll likely face severe consequences."

Li Yunjing's smile faded, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "She'll probably have to stay in there for at least a year and a half. Plus, there's Li Wanting's brother's situation..."

He glanced at Li Wanting.

"My brother said that this kind of person is a tough nut to crack. If we don't teach him a lesson, he'll keep hurting people when he gets out."

Li Wanting nodded calmly: "Don't worry, he can't escape."

"Li Wanting is really amazing. She got everything sorted out with just one phone call."

Ding Dong sighed, "We almost..."

"Alright, let's not dwell on the past."

Li Yunjing interrupted him, raised his water glass, and said, "Thank you all so much for today."

"Brother Chao is loyal, Dongzi is a true brother, and Wanting..."

He looked at Li Wanting and said sincerely, "I will never forget your life-saving grace. Let me raise a glass to everyone with water instead of wine!"

"Why say all this! We're all brothers!"

Fu Chao raised his cup and clinked it against his.

"Yeah, you helped me yesterday too."

Li Wanting also raised her glass with a smile.

You're too kind.

Ding Dong clinked glasses with someone, feeling a little embarrassed.

The cups of the boys clinked together, splashing a little water, but it was filled with sincere friendship.

Soon, the dishes were served one after another.

The sweet and sour pork is golden and crispy, coated with a glistening sweet and sour sauce; the braised pork slices are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, savory and delicious; the stir-fried eggplant, potatoes, and green peppers are glistening with oil, stewed until soft and flavorful; the shredded pork with egg and egg is tender and smooth, with fresh and fragrant pork slices; the tomato and egg soup is steaming hot, with scallions floating on top.

The rice grains were distinct and emitted an enticing aroma.

Having been starving for most of the day, the group forgot all about talking and devoured the food like a whirlwind.

Fu Chao ate with gusto, his mouth greasy, and mumbled praise between bites: "Delicious! This sweet and sour pork is really good!"

The meal was thoroughly enjoyable.

Five dishes and five bowls of rice were swept clean.

"That feels so good!"

Fu Chao let out a satisfied burp, rubbing his stomach: "Now that's what I call a meal!"

The proprietress came over to settle the bill and calculated: "It's forty-two dollars and fifty cents in total."

Li Yunjing took out the fifty-yuan note and handed it over.

The proprietress gave me back seven yuan and fifty cents, a few crumpled bills, and some coins.

"Li Yunjing, you've really gone to a lot of trouble."

Ding Dong was a little embarrassed.

In his opinion, this meal was definitely a "feast".

"Of course."

Li Yunjing put the money away, stood up, and said, "Let's go, it's time to go back to school. Afternoon classes... I guess school will be over soon."

As the group walked out of the restaurant, the setting sun painted the sky a warm orange-red.

The streets are bustling with people—those getting off work or school, those buying groceries or cooking—creating a vibrant, everyday atmosphere.

"What I learned in school today..."

Fu Chao stretched and yawned. "It's even more exciting than a holiday."

"That's too much of a shock."

Li Wanting smiled, glanced at Li Yunjing's legs, and asked, "Can you still walk?"

"No problem."

Li Yunjing tried to take a few steps. Although it still hurt a little, it no longer affected her ability to walk.