"What did you call me?"
Feng Shihao's eyes flickered rapidly, staring intently at her, the bloodshot intensity deepening.
"Zhongliang, Zhongliang!"
The sound of voices was now close. She heard someone call out "Doctor Qu," and couldn't help but loop her arms around Feng Shihao's neck, pulling him back onto her and covering herself.
The commotion outside somehow ceased. Through Feng Shihao's shoulder, Qu Linglong saw an arm clad in black reach in and close the door of the thatched hut.
It was Thirteen.
As Qu Linglong breathed a sigh of relief, she felt a powerful suction grip her chest.
The force was so strong it felt like it would pull her very soul away.
She screamed, grabbing the head on her body, not even understanding what was happening.
Years ago, the chaotic encounter with Feng Shihao in the palace had been her first time. Besides pain and prolonged torment, the only thing that brought her joy was the alluring passion in his eyes then, even though it was beyond his control.
She had no experience in this matter.
Feng Shihao was the same.
Both were awkward novices.
He was frantic, losing his senses, gnawing wildly without method, relying solely on instinct.
Qu Linglong's eyes were wide with bewilderment, unsure of her location, her mind a blank slate.
Until, a familiar yet previously experienced pain struck, and her eyes widened round.
The person on top of her seemed to realize it too, his body suddenly stiffening.
"I, I am..." Feng Shihao couldn't believe it and moved again.
Qu Linglong frowned, groaning in discomfort, her fingers digging into the back of his half-undressed shirt.
"I'm okay, Linglong, I... I... Do you feel it?"
Feng Shihao kissed her face excitedly, continuing from tentative to unrestrained.
Yes, she felt it.
She liked it so much, she should be happy for him.
He was like a spirited general, invincible.
If she were to die in his arms like this, it would truly be her best end.
But no, absolutely not. He would be startled, it would leave indelible scars. She couldn't be so selfish.
She wanted him to be well, the one she loved most...
"Zhongliang, Zhongliang..."
She moaned his name, leaving streaks of fingernail marks on his back.
The wind and rain gradually subsided. The person on the bed was like a broken doll, silent.
Feng Shihao, flushed with passion, his joyful gaze frozen, brushed the sweat-soaked strands of hair from her face. "Linglong?"
Qu Linglong stirred with effort, her eyes trembling open. Her pale lips pulled into a slight smile. "I want some water."
Oh, she was thirsty. He had been so scared.
It was truly dark in this thatched hut; he couldn't see clearly.
Feng Shihao got up, put on his clothes, searched around, found the water kettle, and poured a cup of water.
"It's a bit cool. Wet your throat first. I'll boil some hot water for you later."
He held the cup, looking at Linglong's weak appearance, the marks he had left on her, his heart filled with both joy and pain.
"Are you still talking nonsense? You're so stubborn. This place is truly simple. I've wronged you just now."
He had regained his composure, his words filled with tenderness.
He helped her up, the faint scent of dragon's saliva lingering in his nose.
He was so noble; she was the one who was wronged.
Qu Linglong thought with a pang of sadness and gently took a sip of water.
"Can you leave for a moment? I want to get dressed," she said in a low, difficult voice, enduring the itch in her throat.
"We've already been like this, what are you still shy about?"
Feng Shihao picked up the clothes that had just been torn, frowning as he looked at them.
How could these be worn? They were already coarse and worn, and now they were torn, they were completely unwearable.
"Is there anything else? Wear this for now, and we'll head back to the city immediately."
"Linglong?"
Feng Shihao looked at Qu Linglong, who had lowered her head and fallen silent, with a strange expression. "What's wrong? Is it that I just now..."
"Pfft—" She coughed up a mouthful of blood!
Her fair skin was splattered with spots.
"Linglong!"
Feng Shihao caught her as she leaned back, panicked and at a loss. "What's wrong? What happened? Is it, is it me, just now..."
"No, no," Qu Linglong stopped his wild thoughts, forcing her eyes open. "It's not that. My lungs and internal organs are injured..."
She wouldn't live long.
She couldn't hide it anymore.
He just wouldn't leave!
Fine, fine. She would love him with her last moments.
It was such a shame. She had finally found this man, only to be on the verge of death.
Feng Shihao murmured, "Lungs and internal organs... What can be done? I, I'll take you to see a doctor."
He fumbled for a cloth from the water basin to wipe the blood from her body, then found a set of old clothes for her to wear, his lips pressed into a straight line.
"On the table, the white porcelain bottle, there's medicine."
Seeing a doctor was useless. She knew her body best.
Feng Shihao brought the medicine over again, opened it, and watched her pick up a pill and swallow it. Obvious panic flickered in his phoenix eyes.
"Will this medicine cure it?"
Qu Linglong didn't want to lie to him, because in a few days, he would know slowly.
She looked at him, remaining silent, her eyes filled with longing and reluctance for him.
He knew now, he understood.
So she wasn't driving him away because of disfigurement, but because she was dying.
No!
He had just found her, he wouldn't let her leave!
He couldn't live without her!
"It will get better. I'll find you a doctor, the most skilled doctor in the world. You'll be fine, Linglong, you'll be my wife, my only one!"
"I'm going to find one right now!"
"Thirteen!"
He ran out of the thatched hut.
Qu Linglong lay back, tears streaming from her eyes again.
Such a good man, she couldn't bear to give him to anyone else. She wanted to live, to live...
Her lower body felt uncomfortable. He was so unfamiliar, he hadn't even cleaned her before dressing her. It was fine not to clean her, it was like he was always there.
Qu Linglong drifted into a drowsy sleep.
During this time, Feng Shihao had invited all the doctors in Xinyu City. Faced with an incurable illness, they could only sigh.
In the evening, when Qu Linglong woke up, the thatched hut was lit by bright candlelight.
Under the candlelight, Nan Xing was held in Feng Shihao's arms, holding a medical book, explaining it to him in a soft, childish voice.
"Iris, also known as blue butterfly, mountain dog, frog seven. The names are different in many places. You need to take the root, slice it, and dry it. It dispels wind and dampness, activates blood, and breaks stagnation."
Such a small child, he wondered how he remembered these obscure things.
Feng Shihao thought: Did Linglong learn like this when she was young? Old stubborn Qu Yuanpan must have been very strict with her, perhaps even spanking her.
Qu Linglong couldn't bear to break this warm scene.
It wasn't until Feng Shihao turned to check that he saw her eyes open, listening intently.
He didn't know when she had woken up.