[Doctor Zhen Jian]
Beneath the canopy of apple trees, their branches heavy with the crimson and gold of ripe fruit, I felt a rare tranquility. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a dappled pattern on the ground. Each apple was a symbol of health and vitality, something that both Mrs. Patient and I cherished deeply.
"This is the apple orchard where we get the apples we eat," I said cheerfully, breathing in the sweet scent of the fruit. "Both you and I love apples, so let's come by the farm more often to pick them."
It's been about a month since Mrs. Patient first grabbed my hand. Though her physical recovery is slow, I can see subtle changes in her expressions. Her body is still in the healing process, and rushing it would be detrimental. However, I sense a growing restlessness in her, a desire to move and engage with the world around her.
Today, we're at my family farm. I carry her on my back, securing her with soft sheets. Her delicate frame rests lightly against me, and I can feel the faintest of smiles on her lips.
"After we finish collecting all the apples, would you like to see the house I grew up in?" I ask, my voice filled with nostalgia. The house stands at the edge of the orchard, a humble structure of weathered wood and fond memories. I don't need to check her pulse to know her answer; I can clearly feel her interest.
[Huo Lian]
It has been both hell and heaven in the past month. Realizing my feelings for Jian has been overwhelming. I want to shout them to the world, but my body still betrays me, refusing to obey my commands. My cultivation is slowly recovering; in my dantian, I can feel two broken cores slowly rotating and mending themselves. But the progress is painfully slow. I do not know if it is related to my awakening, but I sure hope it is so.
Despite this hellish slowness, moments with Jian are my heaven. He initiates more contact now, feeding me finger foods and transitioning me from crushed to soft foods. The intimacy of his touch, his gentle care, is the only medicine I need. He carries me on his broad back, and the spring breeze caresses my face as we walk through the orchard. Today, he brought me to his family home and farm, a place I've longed to see, to understand more about him.
I want to meet his parents at their gravesites, but I doubt he'll take me to them yet. The last time he shared his story, I couldn't stop crying, I was overwhelmed by a happiness I hadn't expected. It wasn't my fault. But once I can walk on my own, I will insist on meeting them. I want to make a good impression, to show them that I am worthy of their son.
[Doctor Zhen Jian]
Pointing to a patch of land, I say, "That over there is where we grow pumpkins. I loved the smell of pumpkin spice," I laugh, the memory warm and fragrant in my mind. "This is a bit of a secret, so please don't tell anyone, but the biggest reason I practice swinging the sword is because a strange aroma drifts from my sword whenever I do. I don't know why, but I feel different when I have a sword in my hand."
"Can you believe I love fighting?" I chuckle, the absurdity of it not lost on me. "A doctor who likes to fight."
I hope she doesn't misunderstand. "I like to fight, but I don't want to attack people unless they threaten me or mine. Are you okay, Mrs. Patient?"
[Huo Lian]
His words shattered my calm mind: "me and mine." I don't know if he has killed before, but the only time I saw him with killing intent was during the attack. He didn't look happy then, just determined. He said, "I was worried it might bite you, so I squashed it."
When he says "me and mine," does that include me already? The thought makes my heart skip a beat. Ahh, he notices, of course. He's become adept at reading my heart.
But I know what he means. I am part of his people, his patient. Soon, very soon he will not be my doctor and I will not be his patient.
[Doctor Zhen Jian]
"Would you like to come and take a look inside? I haven't been home in a while, but it shouldn't be too dusty. I asked the neighbor to come clean a few times," I said, hoping it was clean. If not, I can't bring Mrs. Patient in. It would be too bad for her health to be in a dusty environment.
[Huo Lian]
Oh Gods in heaven, please let it be clean. No way this health freak will let me in otherwise. My anxiety builds more and more, but it doesn't dampen the excitement of seeing his house. A place where Jian spent his childhood. I use my perception ability to its fullest now, able to sense everything within five feet.
As we approach, the scent of blooming flowers from the nearby garden mingles with the crisp, sweet aroma of the apple orchard. The path leading to the front door is lined with smooth, rounded stones, each one placed with precision and flanked by rows of vibrant marigolds and peonies. The garden is a riot of color, butterflies flitting from blossom to blossom, adding a touch of liveliness to the tranquil setting. The front porch is spacious, adorned with a pair of rocking chairs and a small wooden table where a porcelain teapot and two cups sit, ready for a moment of respite and conversation. The door, made of solid oak, bears the marks of time yet remains sturdy and welcoming, its brass handle polished to a shine.
The outside looks well-kept and clean. Now let's just hope the inside is just as clean.
The wooden floors are spotless, gleaming with a rich, honey-colored finish. Sunlight streams through large, clean windows, illuminating the simple yet elegant furnishings. A large hearth dominates the main room, its mantle adorned with family photographs and small keepsakes, each telling a story of the lives lived within these walls.
Thank goodness.
[Doctor Zhen Jian]
"Thank goodness, hahaha. I was really worried about showing Mrs. Patient such a dirty place as my family home."
[Huo Lian]
Doofus, it would have been my job to clean. Why would you be worried? "This is the farmhouse where I grew up," he says with a goofy grin. His grin looks the same as ten years ago. Haahaa, I think I tried to hold a laugh in at that time too.
Inside, the farmhouse radiates warmth and homeliness. The wooden floors are spotless, glowing with a honey-colored finish. Sunlight streams through large, clean windows, illuminating the simple yet elegant furnishings. A large hearth dominates the main room, its mantle adorned with family photographs and small keepsakes. Each item tells a story, a glimpse into the lives lived within these walls.
"This is the main room," Jian explains, his voice soft. "We spent most of the days outside on the farm, but evenings here."
I sense the wooden floors and the rug in front of the fireplace and couches around it. I can almost see Jian as a child and his parents sitting on the couch watching over him as he played around. Haaha.
[Zhen Jian]
As I was about to introduce the kitchen connected to the main room, I sensed something and looked back at Mrs. Patient. She has a gentle smile spread across her face. Her head is slightly turned toward the fireplace. I am lost in her sweet smile for a moment. My smile grows twice the size it was originally. It's a truly enchanting smile, one that girl, Huo Lian has probably grown up with.