Chapter 42
"Henry!"
The old man frowned. While scolding, he couldn't help but shift his gaze, covertly sizing up Garrett.
Garrett's hand paused while undoing the wallet strap. It seemed the old man was suspicious of him...
It wasn't surprising, considering his attireneither noble nor servant-like, not quite fitting any known role. It seemed like he was spending his own money for himself. The mismatch between his status and income would naturally raise eyebrows anywhere.
Though he could withstand scrutiny, there was no need to invite unnecessary trouble.
Garrett stayed silent, continuing to dig coins from his wallet. One gold coin, two gold coins... The old man's eyes widened, immediately trying to dissuade him:
"Sir, you're joking. A small business like mine, selling so cheap might mean running at a loss... If it's inconvenient for you, how about buying two small bottles first?"
He picked up a gold coin, inspecting it left and right, blowing on it and even biting it. Garrett was surprised: Even at this age, still biting coins! Aren't you afraid of damaging your teeth?
Moreover, these coins were buried in a box underground for so many years. After touching them, I wouldn't dare handle food without washing my hands, and here you are putting it straight into your mouth!
Intestinal infections, diarrhea, vomiting, fever...
Garrett's mind raced, staring at the coins with increasing incredulity. The old man's expression also turned peculiar, body leaning forward, arms spread out, unconsciously assuming a defensive stance.
In the midst of this tension, with a sudden exertion, and inexplicably gasping for air, the entire coin went down his throat!
The old man's face contorted instantly. He gasped, grabbing his throat, his eyes bulging like a frog.
Stuck?
The coin got stuck?
Choking?!Updated from novelbIn.(c)om
Garrett was shocked. The young assistant beside him froze, flustered, rushing to pat the old man's back:
"Sir! Mr. Hogan!"
The patting was ineffective. The plump old man rocked back and forth, bent forward, coughed a few times, quickly turning purple. The young assistant held onto him, attempting to open his mouth, clearing his throat. Meanwhile, he shouted outside:
"Quick! Get the apothecary!"
"Understood!" Outside the shop door, the boy replied, darting off. Normally, when someone fell ill or got hurt, they should summon a priest, but... wasn't the apothecary next door?
When unable to afford a priest or when the priest was too busy, they'd manage by calling the apothecary. The treatment might be slower, involving administering medicine or something similar...
The young assistant yelled and continued trying to save the old man. Unexpectedly, Garrett leapt over the counter!
"What are you doing?" The young assistant shouted. He wanted to help the old man but also wanted to drive Garrett away, causing chaos. He couldn't free up his hands, only shouting loudly:
"What are you doing! Get out! Get out!"
Ignoring him, Garrett rushed forward, shoving the young assistant aside, enveloping the old man from behind.
At least he was a first-level warrior. Compared to knights, picking on shop staff was his strong suit. Thrown by him, the young assistant slammed into the cabinet behind, curled up, shouting:
"Thief! Someone's stealing!"
"Who?!"
"Who?!"
Garrett quickly stopped teaching to assist. The old man followed his lead, rising with his support, hand on his waist, loudly commanding the young shop assistant:
"Roger! Bring what the healer needs! Frank! Get a dozen of the finest paper, no, make it two! And fetch ten quill pens, two large bottles of ink! Hurry!"
A doorkeeper and a shop assistant, shouted by him, rushed back and forth, not touching the ground. This time, the one causing chaos by blocking was Garrett:
"No need... I can't afford these..."
"How can I let you pay!" The old man laughed heartily, thumping his chest, making a "bang bang" sound. "Respected healer, you're my savior, how can I not pay for your treatment fees?"
"But..." For applying the Heimlich maneuver, the treatment fee... Well, in such cases, it doesn't take much, maybe a few dozen coins at most for such a simple operation?
"No buts! This shop is mine. If I owe this old man's life, isn't it worth a few pieces of paper?"
"At least exchange it for normal paper... Magic paper is too expensive..."
"Then add two more batches of normal paper! Roger! Pack everything and deliver it to the healer's home!"
One doorkeeper and one shop assistant, directed by him, ran back and forth, as Garrett sighed:
"Please don't trouble yourself... It's just a simple technique..."
Damn it! I pressed the diaphragm, who told you to hug the chest! This isn't clear, it's harmful!
Finally, the pain in his shoulder subsided. Garrett freed up his hand, starting to explain to the apothecary. Under the lamp, he watched as the middle-aged apothecary nodded repeatedly, bending from a five-degree lean to ten degrees, then gradually to fifteen.
The plump old man opened his mouth. Sweat beaded on his chubby forehead.
He doubted the other's money earlier? Why suspect the origin of that coin? Now, he had offended a legitimate healer! Even the neighboring apothecary would listen respectfully to their lessons!
Now, the other party, not even sparing a glance at him, was busy chatting with the apothecary...
The old man reacted quickly. As Garrett paused in his explanation, he immediately bowed deeply, showing respect. The fat on his belly creased deeply:
"Respected healer! Thank you for saving my life, and please forgive the rudeness of my little shop..."
Garrett quickly stopped teaching to assist. The old man followed his lead, rising with his support, hand on his waist, loudly commanding the young shop assistant:
"Roger! Bring what the healer needs! Frank! Get a dozen of the finest paper, no, make it two! And fetch ten quill pens, two large bottles of ink! Hurry!"
A doorkeeper and a shop assistant, shouted by him, rushed back and forth, not touching the ground. This time, the one causing chaos by blocking was Garrett:
"No need... I can't afford these..."
"How can I let you pay!" The old man laughed heartily, thumping his chest, making a "bang bang" sound. "Respected healer, you're my savior, how can I not pay for your treatment fees?"
"But..." For applying the Heimlich maneuver, the treatment fee... Well, in such cases, it doesn't take much, maybe a few dozen coins at most for such a simple operation?
"No buts! This shop is mine. If I owe this old man's life, isn't it worth a few pieces of paper?"
"At least exchange it for normal paper... Magic paper is too expensive..."
"Then add two more batches of normal paper! Roger! Pack everything and deliver it to the healer's home!"
One doorkeeper and one shop assistant, directed by him, ran back and forth, as Garrett sighed:
"Please don't trouble yourself... It's just a simple technique..."
---------------
Your invaluable feedback and ratings mean the world to me. Please take a moment to rate this novel at Novelupdate.If you come across any mistakes within this chapter, kindly notify me in the comments below, so that I can make the necessary corrections.
RECENTLY UPDATES
