Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?
Chapter 447: Opportunity

Chapter 447: Chapter 447: Opportunity

Old Mu entered the house, Huang Ju was inside, and immediately greeted him with a smile.

Old Mu’s expression appeared slightly complex upon seeing her, but he quickly concealed it.

"Old Mu, how come you’ve been discharged so soon? Why not stay a few more days at the hospital?" Huang Ju asked with concern.

"The doctor said there’s nothing major wrong with me, just need more rest." Old Mu replied.

Huang Ju was Old Mu’s wife, Zhou Cuiping’s best friend. They grew up together and got married in Qingxi Town, naturally becoming close.

Because of them, Old Mu and Zhou Maoshu also became friends, and the two families formed a close relationship.

Never imagined...

Huang Ju took the items from Zhou Maoshu’s hands, smiled, and said, "You two sit down first, I’ll go to the kitchen and whip up a few more dishes. You can have a good drink tonight."

"Xiaoju, no need to trouble yourself, the doctor advised me not to drink during this time." Old Mu quickly replied.

"That doesn’t matter, you can eat more dishes..."

As she spoke, Huang Ju headed to the kitchen, reminding Zhou Maoshu, "Keep an eye on Xiaofeng."

Xiaofeng was the child playing at the door.

Zhou Maoshu took out a cigarette and handed it to Old Mu, and the two puffed away while chatting idly.

"Later, let Xiaoju prepare a room for you, you can temporarily stay at my place for the time being."

"Won’t it be too much of a bother?"

"Saying that is just being distant; it’s merely adding a set of cutlery."

"Alright then, I’ll also try to find something to do soon."

"What are you planning to do? Any thoughts?"

"Still thinking of working as a veterinarian. I’ll go out and explore these days." Old Mu responded.

When Old Mu was young, he was a veterinarian, traveling from town to village treating livestock. Later, because of his daughter’s incident, he focused all his energy on capturing the daughter’s killer and let his skills waste away.

"After all these years, you haven’t forgotten your skills?" Zhou Maoshu asked in surprise.

"How could I forget the tools that feed me?" Old Mu replied nonchalantly.

His face was hidden behind the smoke, faintly visible.

"That’s good, though nowadays there aren’t many people raising livestock, perhaps..."

Zhou Maoshu spoke euphemistically. Now everything is mechanized, there are very few cattle farmers, and when it comes to raising chickens and sheep, with just one or two having issues, they wouldn’t hire a veterinarian. Large-scale operations usually solve things themselves, with no need for an average veterinarian like Old Mu.

As for those with dogs, there are special pet hospitals; why go to a veterinarian?

In summary, now is not like the past. In Southern lands, among small-scale rural economies, veterinarians really don’t have much space to survive unless in Northern areas with large grasslands, where veterinarians might be more in demand.

"No problem, I just want to find something to do, I’ll make plans afterward." Old Mu said.

"That works too." Zhou Maoshu didn’t continue the topic after hearing that.

"You all start eating first."

Huang Ju brought out the braised and cold dishes Zhou Maoshu had bought earlier, served them on the plates.

The Zhou Guicheng couple didn’t live with their parents but stayed in the same town, residing in an apartment building newly constructed a few years back. However, they return to reunite with their parents on Saturdays and Sundays, and Old Mu was very familiar with the Zhou family.

In the days that followed, Old Mu left early and returned late, being busy with his wife’s funeral arrangements, but where he went during other times was unknown to outsiders.

Zhou Maoshu casually asked a few times, and each time Old Mu said he went to shop for supplies.

To restart his veterinary work, some common medications and tools needed to be prepared.

And indeed, he gradually brought back quite a few items.

"After a few days, once I find a place, I’ll move out."

"Why are you in such a hurry to move out?"

"I need to have a home, right? Although my house burned down, some things were left behind, I need to find a place to store them."

"That makes sense."

With Old Mu saying this, the Zhou Maoshu couple didn’t persuade him further. Besides, Old Mu couldn’t possibly stay at their house indefinitely; that wouldn’t be appropriate.

Several more days passed; by Saturday, Zhou Guicheng and his wife came by carrying a bunch of things.

"Uncle Mu, I intended not to return due to many things this week, but I was worried about you, so I came to see you. These things are for you."

Zhou Guicheng handed the items to Old Mu.

Old Mu said with a hearty laugh, "You are really considerate, but the doctor said I shouldn’t drink recently."

"That’s just for now; you won’t be forbidden from drinking forever, right?"

"That’s true, then I’ll accept them first, you’ve been too generous." Old Mu said.

"Uncle Mu, why are you being so polite with me?" Zhou Guicheng said with a hearty laugh.

Old Mu stared into his eyes and saw sincerity in them.

It was this sincerity that had made him suppress all doubts in his heart over the years, believing it impossible, merely his own overthinking.

But now—

Zhou Guicheng was smiling, and Old Mu was smiling too.

Zhou Maoshu came over inviting everyone to sit down for a chat, while Zhou Guicheng’s wife hugged and kissed their son, who hadn’t been seen in a week.

The couple worked in logistics, usually very busy, frequently commuting between Coconut City and Bin Hai.

"Xiaoju, let me cook the chicken later." Old Mu shouted toward the kitchen.

"Alright." Huang Ju responded from the kitchen.

Zhou Maoshu smiled and told his son and daughter-in-law, "You’re in for a treat. Your Uncle Mu’s roast chicken is exceptional; I haven’t had it in many years."

Zhou Guicheng laughed and chimed in, "I remember when I was little, Uncle Mu always saved the chicken legs for Fei Yan and me, one for each of us."

Hearing this, Zhou Maoshu secretly hit his son, scolding him for mentioning it at such a time.

Realizing the slip, Zhou Guicheng promptly apologized to Old Mu.

"Uncle Mu, I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have brought it up."

Looking at his sincerely remorseful face, Old Mu forced a smile.

"It’s... it’s fine..."

However, his clenched hands betrayed him, suggesting that in the past, he might have genuinely considered it an unintended comment. Now it seems it was a form of provocation, a wicked enjoyment of manipulating others.

"After so many years, I’ve already let go. Today, there are two chicken legs; one will be yours, and the other will be Xiaofeng’s." Old Mu said, squinting as he smiled.

"I want to eat a big chicken leg."

Nearby, Zhou Xiaofeng immediately shouted, wanting it now.

"Alright, then Grandpa will roast it for you now." Old Mu laughed, getting up to head to the kitchen.

Huang Ju was busy in the kitchen, and Old Mu walked in, saying, "Xiaofeng wants my roast chicken now, so I’ll go ahead and cook it. You can take a break."

"Do you need my help?" Huang Ju asked.

"No need; I’ll handle it from here. I’ve eaten a few free meals at your place; it’s time to make some contributions."

"Haha, you’re being really polite."

Though Huang Ju said so, she took off her apron and handed over the rest of the work to Old Mu, then left the kitchen.

Seeing Huang Ju leave the kitchen, Old Mu reached into his pocket and felt around.