Chapter 234: Mutual Fondness
Chapter 234: Chapter 234: Mutual Fondness
Because it was the trustworthy Li Jianjun, Li Qiong wasn’t afraid, even though her leg hurt.
"Okay," Li Qiong said, lying on Li Jianjun’s back. Since it was autumn, their clothes weren’t thick, so she could feel his firm back and sturdy build.
Perhaps because the mountain path was rough, Li Qiong had no choice but to hold on tightly to Li Jianjun. Her warm breath brushed against his neck and ear.
Li Jianjun’s ears grew hot, his heart quickening. He kept his hands, which were supporting her legs, perfectly still, afraid of overstepping his bounds with Li Qiong.
The sweet scent of a woman unconsciously wafted to his nose, making his mind wander. But his strong willpower warned him. ’Li Qiong is hurt. I can’t have any improper thoughts. That would be wrong.’
Li Qiong felt a little embarrassed too. On this vast mountain, she suddenly felt that the man carrying her was strong, powerful, and dependable—as solid as the mountain itself. ’It might actually be nice to be able to rely on someone like him.’
But Li Qiong immediately shook her head. ’No. If I find a partner in Nianqiao Village, I’ll never be able to go back to the city.’
Yet, another voice spoke in Li Qiong’s heart.
’You can’t go back to the city anyway, and your parents and brother don’t have the energy to look after you. Just don’t go back. Finding a good man here and getting married would be nice too.’
The two voices drifted back and forth in her mind.
A nascent affection began to spread between them.
But there were many barriers between them. Furthering their relationship would require immense courage.
After Zhao Nuanyue, Zhao Nuan Yang, and Little Red Carp returned to the Dragon King Temple, they noticed Li Qiong hadn’t come back yet. They didn’t think much of it, assuming she was working with the others. So they started making dinner. But even after the meal was ready, Li Qiong still hadn’t returned.
Even Yang Guanghui had arrived, but Li Qiong was still nowhere to be seen.
Zhao Nuanyue started to get nervous. "Yang, Li Qiong isn’t back yet," she said urgently. "Do you think something happened? Let’s go look for her."
Yang Guanghui, who had been about to eat, put his food aside. "Let’s go. We’ll check on her and eat when we get back. It’s getting dark. If she’s still on the mountain, it could be dangerous."
"Nuanyang, you stay here with Little Red Carp. I’m going to find Li Qiong," Zhao Nuanyue instructed. Grabbing a torch and a lantern, she followed Yang Guanghui toward the village and the back mountain to search for her.
Just then, at the foot of the mountain, they saw Li Jianjun. Zhao Nuanyue asked, "Second Brother Li, did you see Li Qiong on the mountain?"
Li Qiong, who had been dozing off on Li Jianjun’s back, heard Zhao Nuanyue’s voice and immediately called out, "Nuanyue, I fell into a trap! Li Jianjun saved me."
Hearing Li Qiong’s voice, Zhao Nuanyue and Yang Guanghui finally felt relieved.
Yang Guanghui quickened his pace and came forward. "Jianjun, you must be tired from carrying Li Qiong all this way. Let me take over."
Li Jianjun smiled. "No need, I’m not tired. It’s just that Li Qiong’s leg is broken, so it’s best not to move her around too much. I’ll keep carrying her. Yang, could you go get the doctor? Have him come over and set Li Qiong’s bone."
Hearing this, Yang Guanghui nodded. "Since you’re not tired, I’ll go get the doctor. You take her back to the Dragon King Temple first."
In the light of the torch, Li Qiong saw that Li Jianjun’s forehead was covered in sweat. She took a handkerchief from her pocket and very carefully wiped his brow.
Zhao Nuanyue glanced at Li Jianjun, then back at Li Qiong.
’Heh heh, looks like something’s going on here!’
’But this is between Li Qiong and Li Jianjun,’ she thought. ’I won’t meddle. I’ll just pretend I didn’t see anything.’
Sometimes, fate works in such mysterious ways!
When they arrived at the Dragon King Temple, Zhao Nuanyue helped Li Qiong wash up, then invited Li Jianjun to stay for dinner. But he refused, saying, "I have some anti-inflammatory medicine at home. I’ll go get it. It might be useful!"
With that, he hurried home.
Zhao Nuanyue brought Li Qiong some food and told her to eat first.
Just as she finished eating, Yang Guanghui arrived with the doctor, and Li Jianjun came along with them.
Li Jianjun, having changed his clothes and washed up, looked much fresher. The doctor set Li Qiong’s bone. It was just a simple fracture, so after putting on a splint and taking some anti-inflammatory medicine, she would be fine.
"Li Qiong, you get some rest. Tomorrow I’ll go up the mountain and bring back the wild produce you gathered today, so don’t worry. Just focus on recovering," Li Jianjun said with a smile, comforting her.
Li Qiong was grateful. "Thank you, Li Jianjun," she said. "When I’m better, I’ll come to your home to thank you personally."
"No need to thank me." After saying his goodbyes a few times, Li Jianjun finally left.
After Li Jianjun was gone, Zhao Nuanyue noticed a basket with over thirty eggs had been left by Li Qiong’s door.
"Oh, Li Jianjun must have left these," Zhao Nuanyue said confidently. Besides the doctor, he was the only other one who had come over.
Hearing this, Li Qiong’s face felt a little hot and turned a bit red.
"He’s too kind," Li Qiong said. "I don’t even know how I can repay him."
Zhao Nuanyue wriggled her eyebrows suggestively. "If you don’t know how to repay him, you could always offer yourself in marriage! Heh heh!"
"Huh?" Li Qiong froze, her face blushing. "You silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about! I... there’s nothing between us!"
"Haha, I didn’t say there was anything between you two. I was just kidding," Zhao Nuanyue laughed. "Besides, Li Jianjun is known as a great young man in Nianqiao Village. I often see people trying to set him up with someone, but for some reason, he’s never agreed."
Hearing this, Li Qiong felt a pang of discomfort.
"Sigh, it all comes down to fate anyway," Li Qiong said softly, feeling that taking the first step was very difficult.
"That’s right. Don’t force it, just let things happen naturally," Zhao Nuanyue comforted her. "Alright, I’ll sleep here tonight. If you need to get up during the night, just let me know. It’s getting late, let’s get to sleep."
"Thank you, Nuanyue," Li Qiong said gratefully.
"Don’t thank me. If I were the one who got hurt, you’d take care of me too," Zhao Nuanyue smiled. "Don’t worry about it. That’s what good friends are for!"
Soon, the sound of Zhao Nuanyue’s long, steady breaths filled the room.
But Li Qiong couldn’t sleep. Her thoughts were a tangled mess that couldn’t be sorted out.
The next day at noon, Li Jianjun arrived. He had brought down the wicker basket with the wild produce Li Qiong had gathered the day before. He also brought a pheasant and a rabbit, both of which were already cleaned and ready to be stir-fried or stewed.
"Zhao Nuanyue, can you help cook this to help Li Qiong recover her strength?" After saying this, Li Jianjun put the things down and went into the room to check on Li Qiong. "Rest well. I’ll bring you more tomorrow!"
And with that, Li Jianjun left.
Zhao Nuanyue looked at the pheasant and rabbit, then at Li Qiong, and couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.
Embarrassed by Zhao Nuanyue’s gaze, Li Qiong shot her a glare.