For six or seven days, Xue Niang stayed at Qu Linglong's clinic. By the time her period ended, Xue Niang had recovered considerably. Xiao Shan decided to take her back to the village, arranging for Qu Linglong to administer acupuncture every three days.
After paying twenty taels of silver, Xiao Shan once again told Qu Linglong as they were leaving, "If you ever face any difficulties, don't hesitate to find me."
"I understand, Brother Xiao. You can keep the money; the clinic is already bringing in income."
"Take it!"
Xiao Shan, carrying his pack, naturally took Xue Niang's hand. She tugged slightly, but couldn't break free, so she let him be.
Qu Linglong watched them, feeling happy for them.
She recalled what she had asked Xue Niang the previous night while administering acupuncture.
"If you regain your memories in the future, will you still remember me as a friend?"
She asked this not for herself, but for Xiao Shan. During this time, she had come to understand that Brother Xiao was completely smitten, revolving his world around Xue Niang. Who would have thought the formidable God of War would become so soft?
However, she couldn't gauge Xue Niang's attitude. It seemed she hadn't accepted Brother Xiao yet. Every time Xiao Shan emerged from her room, he wore a frown.
Having known Xiao Shan for two years, she felt closer to him and thus wanted to probe a little.
"How could I forget? For me, every memory is essential. What meaning is there in regaining one memory if it means losing another?"
Qu Linglong didn't quite understand and asked again, "If that memory is painful, would you still want to find it?"
"If I don't seek it, it will remain painful forever. Escaping isn't a solution; one must face reality. Both the good and the bad are precious to me. With them, I am whole."
Qu Linglong didn't need to ask further.
Xue Niang possessed her own thoughts. Even with amnesia, she lived according to her heart.
She once again realized Xue Niang's strength, which wasn't superficial. She had a delicate appearance but an unyielding will that no one could break.
She was far stronger than herself.
She only knew how to cower and evade.
"The two of them are truly well-matched."
Su Mian asked curiously, "How are they well-matched? One is like a fierce bandit, the other like a lady from a prominent family."
"What do you know!"
Su Mian pouted. "I think you're the one who knows nothing. You almost refused that silver just now. Do you know how little money they earn for treating a patient in this poor place? They can't save up 20 taels in two months! I think 20 taels is even too little for saving his woman!"
"Silence!" Qu Linglong reprimanded.
Su Mian was startled. Since fleeing their home, the mistress and servant had relied on each other. Her mistress had never spoken to her so sternly before.
"Miss..."
Qu Linglong's expression remained cold as she continued, "If you find this life too difficult, then leave!"
"Miss!" Su Mian cried, "I was wrong, Miss. Please don't be angry. I won't say such things again."
"Su Mian, you just need to remember that saving her was an act of repaying a debt of gratitude. Xiao Shan is my savior!"
"I understand, Miss."
Qu Linglong sighed. "I know our current situation is difficult, but it's not yet desperate. One cannot only look at the present. If you are sincere with people, they will be sincere with you. You see Xiao Shan as a fierce bandit now, but do you know his true identity? There isn't another man like him in the entire Jing Kingdom. Who knows, perhaps he will emerge again in the future, turn the tide, and rise above the heavens."
She had a feeling that the key lay with Xue Niang. If Xiao Shan were to reappear one day, it would absolutely be because of Xue Niang.
Su Mian didn't understand, but at this moment, she knew Xiao Shan was no ordinary man and dared not harbor any calculating thoughts.
Xiao Shan and Xue Niang rode on Lai Cai's ox cart. Xue Niang sat on a soft cushion, with thick straw spread beneath it. Xiao Shan sat boldly on the cart's frame, his arm resting behind her to prevent her from hitting the cart wall if the road was bumpy.
Today, he wore a long robe she hadn't seen before, and the fabric looked new. His beard was cleanly shaven, making him appear dashing and neat.
Xue Niang sat upright, trying to keep her body steady. She could feel his gaze occasionally sweeping over her, making it difficult to relax.
Consequently, after a short while, she began to feel stiff.
"If you're tired, lean back. My arm is behind you, it won't hurt if you bump into it."
The man's voice conveyed concern; he had already noticed everything.
It was precisely because his arm was behind her that she dared not lean back! The cart wall was hard, but bearable. Yet, he had to be solicitous and place his arm there.
The road was less than halfway done, and Xue Niang knew she couldn't endure it. Reluctantly, she leaned back slightly. With the cart's jolts, her back swayed against his arm.
Lai Cai, driving the cart, chuckled upon hearing their conversation.
He hadn't expected Brother Xiao, a rough-looking man, to be so thoughtful.
Xue Niang surveyed the road leading into the village. Crops were planted on both sides, and scattered figures were busy in the fields. This scene was unfamiliar to her.
Children played at the edge of the fields, some people rested, while others bent over in the middle of the fields, working with hoes, a cloth draped around their necks, occasionally wiping sweat from their faces.
"What are they doing?"
Xue Niang asked curiously, looking at the people in the fields.
"Weeding the crops," Xiao Shan replied. Seeing Xue Niang's still puzzled expression, the corners of his mouth curved upwards.
"Too many weeds will affect the harvest, consuming the nutrients meant for the crops."
"Oh, like a gardener weeding flowers," Xue Niang understood.
Xiao Shan's eyes flickered, and he nodded in agreement.
"What are they planting?" Xue Niang pointed to the lush green crops and asked.
"They are 'Longevity Fruits,' the snacks you ate. They'll be harvested around September."
"I don't see any fruit."
Xue Niang stretched forward, her eyes wide, but she couldn't spot a single fruit.
Xiao Shan chuckled, causing Xue Niang to turn and glare at him, thinking he was mocking her.
"Longevity Fruits grow underground. It's true they haven't grown yet. After the yellow flowers fall, the fruits will start to develop in the ground."
Xue Niang suddenly understood. Was it that magical?
"Aren't you a hunter? Do you also plant crops?"
Who said hunters don't plant crops? What kind of logic was that? Xiao Shan found it even more amusing, feeling that the young woman, stripped of her sharp edges, was as pure as a blank piece of paper.
Before he was ten, his parents were still alive, and his family owned land. Naturally, he knew how to farm, and he was quite skilled.
"I planted crops when I was young."
As they talked, Xue Niang relaxed considerably. When she grew tired of sitting, she simply leaned against the strong, iron-like arm behind her.
The curve of Xiao Shan's lips widened.
"Look at that butterfly, it's like it's drunk!"
Xue Niang discovered something new again, pointing at a large, colorful butterfly among the wildflowers by the roadside and exclaiming in surprise.