Starting with the flesh-based stimulant

The sound of peach leaves being gnawed on was completely unheard by Zhou He.

It's the same old routine again!

Zhou He gritted his teeth. "That damned peddler, that cheap donkey!"

They always say something shocking when you're most relaxed.

Young Master Zhou has gone out.

But isn't Young Master Zhou inside his own body?

Zhou He wanted to speak, but his lips trembled as he managed to squeeze out a dry, hoarse voice:

"What does 'going out' mean?"

The peddler looked at Zhou He with a grin:

"Going out means... opening the door and leaving. Brother Zhou, that's enough. I still have some things to take care of. There are guest rooms in the back; you can choose one to stay in."

After saying this, the peddler picked up the covered bowl of tea, gulped it down in one go, and then stood under the peach tree, looking up at the leaves on the tree.

Zhou He knew that he was seeing the guest off.

He felt a vague sense of displeasure.

It's always like this; they're all riddle solvers.

But I had no other way to do anything.

After adjusting the brim of his hat, Zhou He walked to the back corridor, through which were several side rooms. The doors of the side rooms were all wide open, and there was no one else around.

Strangely, there is no main house here; it's more like an inn than a proper home.

Zhou He chose a room on the left, went inside, sat down, and slowly composed himself.

This is not right; I shouldn't have these negative emotions.

As a psychiatrist, Zhou He's ability to control his emotions is absolutely top-notch. How could he feel annoyed just because of a peddler's words?

Did the other party use another technique on me?

Or is it my own problem?

Zhou He slowly closed his eyes, recalling everything that had happened.

From the moment I came into this world, my state has been very unstable.

Previously, it could be said that they were influenced by Young Master Zhou, or by his techniques.

What now?

Zhou He knew that his thirst for knowledge and curiosity were stronger than that of the average person.

But he can control himself, at least he won't let himself lose his composure like that.

Is it because the world is too oppressive that we amplify our desires?

Zhou He recalled that when he was at Jincheng University, he had thought that if he had bad habits such as smoking and drinking, it could help relieve his negative emotions.

In the original world, he enjoyed exploring the patients' unknown secrets and used it as a means of relaxation.

Since arriving here, I've been under immense pressure every day, so it's not impossible that things have turned out this way.

So, if that's the case, what should we do?

Continue to indulge yourself, pursue secrets, and constantly approach danger, until one day you encounter an unsolvable problem and become meat lying on the chopping block to be eaten.

Zhou He's brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

The sound of music and drumming came from outside the door, as if a theatrical troupe was starting a performance.

But strangely, no human voice could be heard.

Zhou He closed his eyes, neither listening nor looking, and continued to introspect.

In my past life, when I faced patients, my advice to them was always to exercise or socialize.

But how can I exercise like this? Does getting rid of back fat count?

With a light laugh, Zhou He stood up and stretched.

Social interaction is also impractical.

Since that's the case, let's leave it for now.

If curiosity really does kill a cat, then let's hope cats really do have nine lives.

Time passed by in a blur, and Zhou He became increasingly relaxed.

He spends his days lying in bed sleeping, and doesn't need to eat when he wakes up. As a meat lover, he is detached from worldly concerns.

Of course, you can eat it if you really want to, and you can taste it, but that taste won't satisfy a meat lover's hunger.

He needed travel expenses, and something else.

Zhou He didn't know what it was, but he had a vague feeling that there might be something that could arouse his desire.

A few days later, the sounds of music and festivities outside the courtyard gradually subsided. The peddler walked into the backyard, pushed open the door, and swaggered in. Ignoring Zhou He's somewhat disdainful look, he spoke directly:

"Now that things have calmed down, the heinous and deserving-of-death wild meat has been harvested, and it's time for our business to begin."

Wild meat that deserves to die?

Does this refer to Grandpa Jincheng?

Zhou He got up from the bedside; the sun had already set outside the window.

He didn't say much, made sure his items were all in the metal box on his chest, nodded to the peddler, and asked:

"Have you spoken to Boss Liu yet?"

"Don't worry, you just need to focus on carrying the meat."

Following the peddler, the two walked through the twilight and arrived at the meat mine after most of the night.

Tuozi Township, Zhoujiagou.

Old Han returned at some unknown time, and was now standing shakily on the ladder, hanging lanterns on both sides of the gate.

Shuanzi was holding onto the ladder from below, craning his neck to look:

"Uncle Han, I said I'd do it, but you wouldn't let me. I'm really worried about your health."

Old Han's fingers were nimble; he hooked a thin wire and hung a red lantern on the small rafter extending from the left. Then, he slowly climbed down the ladder, supporting himself on both sides, and looked at the bolt:

"This lantern isn't for you to hang, Shuanzi. You're lucky, you don't have to do this kind of work."

Shuanzi chuckled: "Uncle Han, you're just joking. I'm not that lucky."

Old Han smiled, said nothing, picked up another white lantern from the ground, placed his hand on its frame, and turned to look into the distance:

"The Li family doesn't have many days left either—Shuanzi, you're lucky."

Shuanzi was confused and wanted to ask, but when he saw Lao Han climb the ladder again, he quickly went to help him.

Two lanterns, one red and one white, hung on either side of the gate, their lights intertwining, creating an eerie yet somewhat divine atmosphere.

Old Han clapped his hands and walked into the doorway, with Shuanzi following closely behind, asking as he went:

"Uncle Han, what did you just say about the Li family? What happened to Old Master Li's family?"

Old Han didn't answer. He went into the room in the front yard, where a washbasin was hanging on a red wooden shelf by the door.

Old Han picked up the plastic thermos that was placed to the side, poured some water into it, washed his hands, carefully dried them with the white towel next to him, and then shook his hands and said to Shuanzi:

"You don't need to herd the cattle for the next couple of days. Just feed them some hay, and don't go cutting grass."

Seemingly noticing the confusion in Shuanzi's eyes, Old Han paused, then explained:

"Young Master will be back in the next couple of days, so it's more convenient for you to stay home and serve him."

Shuanzi muttered a few words but didn't say anything, and just walked towards the cowshed.

Old Han stood in the courtyard. Tonight, the clouds were thick, and the moon couldn't shine through much, making the courtyard seem rather dark. The eaves and objects in the courtyard were hidden in shadow, and the wind blew by, making a rustling sound.

"Young Master, once the matters at Old Master Li's house are settled, Master should be back soon. You should prepare accordingly."

His voice was low and somber, and it was unclear who he was speaking to.

The wind blew again, and Old Han seemed to have heard something. He nodded, splashed the water from the washbasin into the yard, and turned to go back into the room.

The gate was wide open, and in the barely visible moonlight, the two door gods on the gate had been blown away at some point.