Pampered by the Toughest Man After Divorce
Chapter 1283 - 1105: Xiao’ai, Dabao, Xiaobei

Chapter 1283: Chapter 1105: Xiao’ai, Dabao, Xiaobei

Xia Dabao paused for a moment and then thought better of it to ask her, "Do you know of a Medical Hall in the city? The owner’s last name is Tian."

"Doctor Tian? How could I not know? Just last year, he treated a relative of the Yamen commander, and because someone died under his treatment, the Medical Hall was closed down. It only reopened recently; I even took a relative there for treatment a while ago. Doctor Tian’s medical skill is indeed marvelous. Now, there’s even a signboard at his place titled ’Reincarnated Hua Tuo.’ Everyone locally recognizes it," the woman said with a laugh.

"Then do you happen to know how to get to his Medical Hall?" Xia Dabao asked again.

"Their Medical Hall is on the west side of the city, and we are in the east side; it’s quite far. Now that it has gotten dark, it’s very dangerous for a girl like you to walk there alone. I would suggest if you have any relatives nearby, you should stay with them for the night and go search tomorrow," the woman still seemed very enthusiastic, even stepping forward to put an arm around Xia Dabao’s shoulder.

Xia Dabao quickly stepped back, still wary, "I’ll go over tonight, just tell me how to get there."

"It seems you have no relatives nearby in that case. Well, I know a shortcut," the woman pointed at an alley ahead: "You go through that alley, keep going until the alley turns right, then walk a bit more, and you’ll get there. If you’re unsure, you can always ask other passersby along the way."

"Thank you," Xia Dabao thought for a moment, then took out two copper coins from her pocket and gave them to the woman: "This is for you, for giving directions."

"Oh, you’re giving money for directions? No need, no need, it was merely a helping hand," the woman demurred.

"It’s appropriate. I don’t like owing people favors," Xia Dabao said as she stuffed the copper coins into the woman’s waistband, then turned around and left.

After a few steps, she looked back to see if the woman was following her. Seeing the woman go in another direction, Xia Dabao thought, if the woman had followed her, she might have been a swindler. Since she hadn’t, she might really be kind-hearted after all.

Xia Dabao reached the alley as the woman had instructed, but she still paused.

Mother had said that when asking for directions on a trip, one should not rely on just one person; instead, ask several people, and only proceed if the responses are consistent.

Thus, she stopped to ask two more people. The first did not know of Doctor Tian, while the second knew him but did not know his location.

It wasn’t until the third person, who gave directions similar to the first passerby, that Xia Dabao felt reassured enough to walk into the alley.

In the distance, the woman stood watching Xia Dabao disappear into the alleyway, smiling slyly, then muttered to herself, "No matter how cautious you are, you can’t escape the palm of my hand; the old ginger is still spicy!"

...

Xia Dabao walked deep into the alley, and the further she went, the more she felt something was not right.

Although there were a few lanterns hanging sparsely along the alley, it was very dim inside, almost like walking in the dark, and the alley twisted and turned.

The deeper she went, the more panicked she felt.

In Peach Blossom Village, she often walked at night and knew the village well, and her parents were there; even walking the mountain roads didn’t scare her. But this place was not like the village; being unfamiliar and with each wrongdoer having their own schemes, it wasn’t something she could simply guard against.

Forget it, better to go back out, her mother had said. If you’re doing something and don’t feel confident about it, then don’t do it, especially when it involves personal safety. Once danger struck, one might not see tomorrow’s sun.