In the evening, Qu Linglong came to give Xue Niang acupuncture. Although it wasn't the first time she had exposed herself in front of Qu Linglong, Xue Niang still kept a bodice on, just like last time.
The pink bodice with twin fish playing in water was personally chosen by Xiao Shan. Not only this one, but everything she wore and used had passed through his hands, and he even did her laundry.
In his eyes, there was no such thing as privacy. Who could blame her for her frail body?
"Linglong, I, who took care of my body?"
After regaining consciousness, she had already noticed something was wrong. Her menstrual cycle, absent for months, had arrived, and a sanitary pad had already been placed. Normally, a grown man wouldn't understand such matters, but given Xiao Shan's meticulous attention to detail, Xue Niang couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Qu Linglong smiled knowingly and winked mischievously, deliberately remaining silent.
Xue Niang's face flushed with embarrassment.
Could it really be him?
It was one thing to apply medicine and change clothes, but to eagerly take on such a task!
She was so angry!
Qu Linglong burst into laughter, finding the couple truly amusing.
Her laughter made Xue Niang realize she had been teased. A blush of shame and indignation spread across her face, and she glared at Qu Linglong with displeasure.
"Alright, alright, don't be angry. To be honest, Brother Xiao wanted to help, but I chased him out. He was so scared by the blood that his face turned pale. Haha, I finally saw something new. Brother Xiao, who is always unflustered even when Mount Tai collapses, was actually frightened by your menstrual flow. It's just too funny!"
Xue Niang: "..."
Qu Linglong found it amusing but also envied her. How rare it was for a woman to meet such a doting man in her life!
"Seriously, Xue Niang, what have you been through to become so cold? You need to take good care of yourself from now on, or you'll have difficulty conceiving."
Conceiving?
Her and Xiao Shan?
"I'm a doctor, you need to tell me the truth so I can be more informed when prescribing medication."
Xue Niang's eyes lost focus. Although it had only been four or five months, from the chill of early spring to the cusp of summer, for others, it was fleeting. But for her, it felt like a lifetime.
It was too painful.
She lived in torment every day, praying for release before sleep each night.
Day after day.
Each day felt like a year.
"It wasn't long after I was captured by the human traffickers that my period arrived. That day, I displeased him, and he threw me into the river. My period stopped that day."
These few words conveyed immense hardship.
She didn't want to recall it. In early spring, she wore thin cotton clothes. Once soaked, they became incredibly heavy, and the water was bone-chilling. The weather was beautiful that day, with a strong sun, but she felt it was the coldest day, colder than the deepest winter with heavy snow.
That cold had seeped into her bones and was etched into her memory.
Xue Niang's body trembled slightly, not out of will, but as an instinct of her body.
"I understand, Xue Niang."
Qu Linglong, with red eyes, hugged her frail body. It was too heartbreaking; even hearing it sent shivers down her spine.
How had such a delicate person endured it?
"Xue Niang, you are the strongest girl I've ever met. Those hardships are all in the past and will not return."
"Yes, it's all in the past."
Xue Niang smiled slightly, speaking to Qu Linglong and also to herself.
Xiao Shan returned to the village, tidied up the house, fed the chickens, and took a few changes of clothes for Xue Niang. By the time he returned, it was past the hour of Xu (9-11 PM).
Xue Niang was already asleep, her complexion looking much better. The medicine she drank had been mixed with a sedative. Her small, palm-sized face was half-hidden in the quilt, appearing very serene.
Xiao Shan couldn't help but pinch her hand.
Her hand was delicate and boneless, smooth as condensed fat, and no longer as cold as it had been a few days ago.
He leaned down, no longer restraining himself as he had during the day, and gazed at the oblivious Xue Niang without restraint.
Only when Xue Niang moved her lips, as if chewing, and then turned slightly, did Xiao Shan straighten up and let out a sigh of relief.
She had finally regained her vitality.
"You delicate flower, you really don't suffer any losses. I only fed you some coarse rice, and you scared half my life away."
"Alas, I dare not provoke you again."
Xiao Shan tucked the quilt around her and went to find Qu Linglong.
He heard what sounded like an argument from inside the room. Xiao Shan deliberately made his footsteps heavier until it quieted down inside. Then he knocked on the door and said, "Linglong?"
Qu Linglong opened the door, her expression not looking good. As she stepped out and closed the door, Xiao Shan saw a maid standing in the center of the room, holding a bowl.
Xiao Shan was not one to pry, especially when it came to matters between women; he avoided them as much as possible.
But Qu Linglong had saved Xue Niang twice.
Xiao Shan hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "Are you having any difficulties? Do you need any help?"
"No, no," Qu Linglong seemed a little nervous, her gaze evasive.
"Brother Xiao, there's something I need to tell you, about Xue Niang's cold condition..."
Since it concerned Xue Niang, Xiao Shan immediately became cautious. He had come to inquire about her condition, but seeing Qu Linglong's expression, he feared something was amiss.
"It's like this..."
Qu Linglong recounted the events exactly as Xue Niang had told her. It was a matter of a few sentences, but it allowed for much speculation.
For someone he cared about, how could he ignore the cruelty hidden behind those few words?
He wanted to kill.
He should have killed that scoundrel!
If he ever saw him again...
Xiao Shan didn't know how he got back to his room. After the surge of bloodthirsty impulse passed, there was only boundless pain.
Heartache.
He once again felt angry at himself. Why hadn't he been more lenient? Her ferocity, wariness, distrust, and cold words were all due to repeated harm, and he had mistaken it for a spoiled young lady's temper.
"Xue Niang, a crying child gets candy. If you had softened even once, you wouldn't have ended up so bruised and battered. You... you just want to break my heart, don't you?"
"Qinghe..." Xue Niang's delicate eyebrows furrowed. Her originally serene and peaceful face gradually became uneasy. "Don't go, don't go. I only have you, only you—"
She reached out her hand as if trying to grasp something. Xiao Shan tightly held her hand. The moment he held it, Xue Niang's expression immediately showed relief. She hugged both hands to her chest, her lips curving upwards.
Who exactly was this Qinghe? To be so unforgettable even in her amnesiac state.
Was it a man or a woman?
What was their relationship?
What was certain was that person held significant importance in her heart, occupying a large space within it.
"Xue Niang, you don't only have him. You have me too. I am your man, the man who will walk through life with you, understand?"
"Mm..." Xue Niang tightened her grip on the hand she held and responded softly.
Xiao Shan's expression darkened. Hmph! Who did she take him for?