"You this..."
"Ah, this is from Youyou accidentally falling and scraping herself." As Zhong Li's hand touched Youyou's neck, Youyou quickly dodged, her hand protectively covering her neck, explaining nervously.
Zhong Li remained silent, watching her.
Youyou lowered her gaze and said no more.
Zhong Li was a forensic examiner; what kind of wounds hadn't she seen? Youyou was just a child of six or seven. Did she really think such a clumsy lie could fool her?
"Youyou." Zhong Li took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Since you bumped into it, let big sister take a look. This wound needs tending, doesn't it? Otherwise, it won't heal quickly."
Hearing this, Youyou slowly raised her eyes. After much deliberation, she put down her hand and obediently turned around.
Seeing her lower her guard, Zhong Li reached out and slowly parted her collar.
Little Fishing Island was not cold, and Youyou wasn't dressed thickly. With just a few movements, her outer garment was in Zhong Li's hands.
It didn't seem serious at first glance. But when Zhong Li saw that Youyou not only had clear finger marks on her neck but also had various bruises and old scars on her body, her heart ached.
What had Youyou been through? How could this small body be riddled with wounds like a rag doll?
A surge of pity welled up in Zhong Li. She wanted to ask her where these scars came from, but the words caught in her throat. She was afraid that such a young child was too sensitive, and asking too many questions would make her want to escape.
She sighed and took out a small bottle from her waist, about to apply its contents to Youyou.
"What is this, big sister? It feels so comfortable, cool and soothing." Youyou was a little scared at first, but under Zhong Li's gentle touch, she slowly relaxed. Feeling the swelling on her neck subside slightly, she turned her head and asked.
Zhong Li raised the bottle in her hand and said, "This contains San Qi and safflower, specially used to treat bruises and injuries."
Upon hearing this, Youyou turned and took it. She looked at the intricately carved patterns and said, "It's so beautiful!"
"Like it? It's yours!" Zhong Li's smile widened.
Hearing this, Youyou looked at the woman opposite her in surprise and mumbled, "Can... can I really?"
"Of course, take it if you like it." Zhong Li's voice grew even gentler.
"Mmm... *sob*..." Youyou looked at her and suddenly burst into tears.
"Youyou!" Zhong Li was startled, her eyes filled with confusion.
Youyou wiped the tears streaming down her cheeks with the crumpled cuff of her sleeve, a smile in her eyes, and said, "Sister Li'er, if only Youyou had met you sooner... then mother wouldn't have..."
"What? What happened to your mother?" Zhong Li felt that there was much more to Youyou than met the eye.
Youyou shook her head, turned, and quickly ran into the small grove not far away.
Just as Zhong Li was bewildered, Youyou rushed back to her side, holding a cloth bundle. Before Zhong Li could ask anything, she dropped the bundle and ran off quickly.
Zhong Li stood there, stunned, watching the little girl's figure disappear from sight.
After an unknown amount of time, she came to her senses and looked down at the cloth bundle. It was a worn cloth bag, mended with four or five patches.
Zhong Li crouched down and untied the bundle. Inside was a bag full of fruit, and at the bottom were two dried flatbreads.
She looked in the direction Youyou had gone and said, "Thank you, little sister."
The temperature difference between day and night on Little Fishing Island was not significant, and the cave was sheltered from the wind. Zhong Li decided to stay for two more days to wait for Lu Wu Xie to wake up and recover before leaving.
Zhong Li simmered some fruit juice and caught two fish from the sea for their meal.
Just as she was scaling a fish, preparing to set up a fire to roast it, she heard a series of light coughs from behind her.
Lu Wu Xie was awake.
She reacted, casually placed the fish on the roasting rack, and hurried to his side.
"Awake?" Zhong Li took a piece of broken tile holding some fresh water and slowly helped Lu Wu Xie sit up, intending to give him some water.
Lu Wu Xie's consciousness was still hazy. Hearing the familiar voice beside him, he looked up and saw Zhong Li's exceptionally beautiful face looking at him with a hint of concern.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and his thin lips trembled as he tried to speak, only to find his throat dry and painful.
The clear water slowly flowed down his throat. After a while, he was able to utter a few sounds.
"I... I'm not dead?"
"What nonsense are you saying?" Zhong Li said, putting the broken tile aside and beginning to check his injuries.
Lu Wu Xie gazed at her fixedly, watching her expertly re-bandage his wounds with a serious and gentle expression.
"You're lucky to be alive," Zhong Li said as she applied herbs to him. "Xie Yun Kun's stab missed your vital organs, only grazing the flesh. Otherwise, even the King of Hell himself couldn't save you, especially after soaking in seawater in this desolate place. You wouldn't have survived two days."
As she finished speaking, her movements ceased. Just as she was about to pick up the bandages to wash them and dry them outside, her hand was suddenly grabbed.
"Li'er!" Lu Wu Xie was now fully awake. Despite his weakened body, the grip on her hand was still strong.
Zhong Li thought he was afraid she would leave. She smiled, crouched beside him, and poked his shoulder with her finger, saying, "Are you afraid I'll leave? Don't worry..."
"I'm afraid you'll leave!" Lu Wu Xie interrupted her, his gaze fixed on her clear eyes. He seemed to have made a decision.
Zhong Li didn't understand the double meaning in his words at first, thinking his nightmares had made him a bit sensitive. She chuckled, "In a place this small, where could I go? Don't worry, I'll go out and..."
"Li'er, I have something to say..."
"Ah!"
Lu Wu Xie's grip tightened again. The cave was close to the sea and already slippery. Pulled by him so suddenly, Zhong Li stumbled towards him.
Lu Wu Xie reacted swiftly, catching her with one arm. Thus, their eyes met.
Their gazes intertwined, and they saw their reflections in each other's eyes. The people in the reflections were filled with awkwardness and shyness.
When a bead of sweat from Lu Wu Xie's cheek landed gently on Zhong Li's forehead, she finally reacted, quickly pulled away from his arm, and stood up in a flustered manner, saying, "Sorry, did I press on your wound? Does it hurt? I'll go find you some more herbs."
After speaking, she glanced at the bandage on his abdomen and noticed it was slightly stained with blood. Concerned, she turned to flee.
But who was Lu Wu Xie? He understood people so well, how could he not see her embarrassment?
He not only didn't release Zhong Li's hand but used all his strength to pull back the woman who had already taken two steps.
Pulled by him, Zhong Li bent at the waist beside him, forced to meet his gaze again.
"Lu Wu Xie, you're doing this... Mmph..." Zhong Li's eyes widened as Lu Wu Xie kissed her lips unexpectedly.
She wanted to break free, but he seemed to sense it, cupping the back of her head with his other hand, preventing her from dodging.
Waves crashed on the soft sand, ripples rising and falling, water and sand mingling and separating quickly. A gentle breeze occasionally blew, casting a captivating, enchanting glow that illuminated the entire cave.
Zhong Li managed to break free, her eyes filled with shock and... panic.
"Li'er." Lu Wu Xie panted, his familiar scent of dragon saliva enveloping her breath. "I told you, you'll regret saving me."