“Whew—”
The wind suddenly picked up, causing the lantern outside the tent to sway and casting shadows that danced around the dim light.
“Lie down.”
“I’m lying down.”
“Won’t that press on your wound?”
“It doesn’t hurt.”
Little Li had just endured a strike strong enough to make him nearly break, and one look at the way he was curled up on his side proved it.
What do you do when you get hurt?
Of course, you drink some medicine.
Strange, though. This medicine wasn’t bitter at all! Li Mo drank it down without flinching, and he could probably chug another three bowls if he wanted to!
So, it had to be said that the military doctor at Green Wood Camp knew a thing or two.
Even though the doctor came from the Central Plains, his medical skills were clearly on point. He’d thoroughly studied various herbs and had even localized some of the nourishing ingredients. For instance, where they didn’t have premium lotus seeds, he’d cleverly swapped them out for a much better type of mushroom.
What was it called… probiotics?
Just hearing that name makes you know it’s good for your health.
Even the mighty Little Li couldn’t help but praise that Green Wood Camp had such a military doctor—no worries about the soldiers’ health with him around. He suggested the doctor partner up with Hulzi’s grandpa for a strategic collaboration, and then his medicine would have zero flaws…
“Grrr…”
Li Mo finished the last sip of medicine and gave Ying Bing a glance.
“Thanks.”
“Hmm, I should have you drink it anyway. After all…”
“I’m saying it’s a gift.”
“What gift?”
Ying Bing pursed her lips and looked away, clearly lost in thought about something else. After setting down the bowl, she tucked her sleeves away.
That ice chunk was confusing.
“……”
Li Mo glanced at her lips.
They glistened in the faint light like dew on a flower.
Couldn’t she just wipe them a little?
He previously thought of her as an aloof, stunning cat, but now she looked like that dashing cat had sneaked a treat and was now trying to act all innocent like nothing had happened.
“Ice chunk, that’s weird.”
“What’s weird?”
“Isn’t there something that looks hard but doesn’t feel that way when you eat it?”
The gentlemanly Little Li asked a serious question.
“Don’t know.”
Turns out that even the Cold Fairy, who seemed to know everything, was sometimes clueless.
You had to drink this medicine three times a day.
She grabbed the medicine jar and moved closer to the fire, adding more herbs and propping her chin on her hand while watching the flames dance.
Ying Bing was silent.
So, Li Mo just watched her and licked his lips, still tasting the sweetness of the medicine.
This ice chunk really was behaving badly.
Just a moment ago, she had pinched her nose. Didn’t that mean she had to breathe through her mouth?
Now, she was pretending to be clueless.
But to be fair…
Little Li thought it was fantastic! If not for the sweet flavor still lingering in his mouth, he’d have thought the whole thing was a dream.
He recalled the time he and Ying Bing were by the lake in Yunzhou; his mind teemed with thoughts.
So when he bumped his head at the Floating Temple, he’d replayed the scene in his head, contemplating how he’d make a comeback.
But he never imagined it would be like this.
That wicked ice chunk was taking advantage of his injury to shove sweets down his throat and call him her little brother!
Little Li would never live down to anyone! He would definitely make a comeback next time!
“Feel any better?”
“Slightly itchy.”
Li Mo awkwardly moved around, rubbing his back against the wooden board. The medicine must’ve kicked in, loosening the strain in his body.
That meant he was recovering.
Crackle—
They placed a copper kettle on the charcoal fire for hot water.
“Is it here?”
“Move up a bit… ow…”
“Does it hurt?”
“Nope, just… here, it itches.”
Cough! This wasn’t just scratching an itch. Ying Bing was channeling her qi to help him circulate the medicinal effects through his body.
Time flowed peacefully, and soon the hot water was ready.
“For the Winter Solstice, we probably won’t make it home in time. Should we whip up some dumplings?”
Li Mo was just turning over when he noticed some pearl-white lotus silk socks neatly stacked aside.
Ying Bing dipped her petite toes into the copper basin after testing the water’s temperature.
Her delicate feet lightly stepped on each other, and after soaking for a bit, she brought them out with veils of sparkling water clinging to them.
“Can you make dumplings, too?”
Ying Bing untwisted her big doll’s head, then pulled out a pair of socks but frowned, thinking the style was off, so she switched to another pair.
All because of a certain gentleman.
Inside that doll, there were a bunch of styles from South Border…
And they were all stacked together so tightly that you couldn’t tell what they were from the outside.
“My dumplings are super delicious! Just thinking about them makes my mouth water.”
“Hmm… What filling?”
“Lotus… diced filling sounds great.”
Li Mo snapped back to reality.
“What about cabbage or beef?”
Ying Bing casually chimed in, remembering how her uncle and aunt would make mushrooms and pork and celery and beef during Winter Solstice.
“Cold chunk, don’t change it. Just go with that.”
“Making a few kinds isn’t hard…”
Ying Bing’s long legs crossed over each other.
“No, I mean the socks.”
“?”
Ying Bing sighed, choosing not to wear the silk socks anymore and simply slipped her feet into her boots.
“Let’s rest here for a bit. You need to recuperate and avoid any strain or going out.”
“I’m not straining anything.”
Li Mo was feeling so weak he had no backbone left; he had to sound tough even while saying that.
Ying Bing’s gaze was deep:
“But you have high bl**d pressure from old habits.”
“……”
Li Mo frowned. Why was he suddenly feeling hot-headed?
Could it be he overdosed on supplements?
Ying Bing walked to the big tent’s entrance, lifted the curtain, and instantly the cold wind blew in, sending a few mischievous snowflakes dancing through her black hair.
She suddenly turned her head back and softly said:
“Childish ghost.”
“?”
Little Li wasn’t feeling too compliant.
“That candy was a reward for growing up.”
Hearing this, Li Mo stared as she walked into the snowy winds, lost in thought, and licked his lips, where a hint of sweetness seemed to linger.
A reward for growing up?
What if he grew up even more?
Also, ice chunk, could you… not be so cool? Just chilling as you casually say that and then walk away…
Little Li was left bewildered.
In a moment, he returned to the bustling tavern, where Ying Bing sat, brewing a cup of tea. Yet, she couldn’t bring herself to drink it, staring blankly at the cup with her crimson lips glistening.
Even her fingers curled up tightly, sending shivers of electricity up her spine; she wanted to stretch them out but couldn’t.
At the same time, she felt a sense of relief.
Thank goodness, thank goodness he wasn’t all healed up.
At that moment, she could see how he looked at her. If he even had a tiny bit of strength, his arms would definitely wrap around her waist. He was so strong…
That would be too much.
Thank goodness that it wasn’t possible right now…
【Host, you have a top reward awaiting collection!】
【Host!】
【You have a top reward to collect!!!】
Ying Bing came back to her senses after being called several times.
…
P.S.: There’s another update coming, a bit late, so those who have school shouldn’t wait; just go to sleep.
