Chapter 305
That was an arrow lodged in the heart!
Li Ming had always struggled to understand how there could be such breathtaking beauty in the world, capable of toppling cities and nations. The so-called "red-haired disaster" was merely a way to shift the blame onto women.
Now, he wanted to say, "Zhou Wang, I get you."
So this was the gift that Bing Tuozi had spoken of...
"I ate it."
"Uh-huh..."
The upright Li Mo leaned in closer, only to find that the candy had slipped away a bit.
He leaned in again...
And it moved further away.
"?"
As he raised his gaze, he noticed the color in her eyes gently quivering.
The candy between her lips had begun to melt, a thin layer of syrup glistening.
"Bing Tuozi, you..."
Li Mo spoke with a serious expression.
But just as he opened his mouth, a delicate hand pinched his nose.
The wind and snow outside seemed to grow fiercer.
So, Grandpa Huzi was right; their candy really could sweeten the heart. No wonder there's a saying that goes, "sweet as honey"...
---
Chapter 331: The Gift of Growing Up
Whoosh—
The wind suddenly picked up, and the lanterns outside swayed, making the light filtering through the tent even more hazy.
"Lie down properly."
"I'm lying down."
"Won't that press on your wound?"
"It doesn't hurt."
Li Ming had just endured a blow strong enough to break his defenses, evident from the way he lay on his side, still curled up.
What to do when you're injured?
Of course, you drink medicine.
It's strange; the medicine tasted completely different now. Li Mo could down it without flinching, even thinking he could take three more bowls.
One had to admit, the military doctor at Qingmu Camp was quite skilled.
Though the doctor hailed from the Central Plains, his medical skills were evidently top-notch. He had a deep understanding of various herbs and had localized some nourishing ingredients. For instance, the local substitute for the rare Qiong Lian Zi (a type of lotus seed) was a more effective fungus.
What was it called... probiotics?
Just hearing the name made it clear it was good for the body.
Even the invincible Li Ming couldn't help but comment that with such a military doctor at Qingmu Camp, there was no need to worry about the soldiers' health. He suggested the doctor collaborate with Grandpa Huzi, and then his prescriptions would have no flaws...
"Glug, glug..."
Li Mo finished the last sip of medicine and looked at Bing Tuozi.
"Thank you."
"Uh-huh, it's only right to feed you medicine, after all..."
"I meant the gift."
"What gift?"
Ying Bing pursed her lips, her gaze drifting elsewhere, seemingly lost in thought. After placing the soup bowl down, she tucked her hands into her sleeves.
Bing Tuozi's confusion.
"......"
Li Mo glanced at her lips.
They were glistening, shimmering under the flickering light.
Could you at least wipe them?
He had always thought of Bing Tuozi as a cold, stunning cat, but now this aloof feline had just secretly indulged in something delicious, pretending as if nothing had happened.
"Bing Tuozi, that's strange."
"What's strange?"
"Is there something that looks hard but isn't?"
The upright Li Ming asked earnestly.
"I don't know."
So even the cold and calculating Han Xianzi had things she didn't understand.
This medicine needed to be taken three times a day.
She took the medicine jar and sat by the fire, adding herbs while resting her chin on her hand, watching the flickering flames.
Ying Bing remained silent.
Li Mo watched her, licking his still-sweetened lips.
Bing Tuozi had really gone bad.
Just a moment ago, she had pinched his nose, and pinching his nose meant he could only breathe through his mouth, right?
Now she was pretending to be clueless.
But to be fair...
Li Ming felt like he was in a dream. If it weren't for the candy still in his mouth, he would have thought everything that just happened was a figment of his imagination.
He recalled the time he and Ying Bing spent by the Qiao Qiao Lake in Yunzhou, where his mind had wandered endlessly.
So when he bumped his head at the Xuankong Temple, he had replayed the moment, thinking about how he would turn the tables.
He never expected it would turn out like this.
Bad Bing Tuozi took advantage of my weakness, fed me candy, and called me "stinky little brother."
Li Ming, who had never been weaker than anyone, vowed to reclaim his dignity next time!
"Feeling better?"
"A bit itchy."
Li Mo moved slightly, rubbing his back against the bed board. This must be the medicine working, spreading its effects throughout his body.
That meant he was recovering.
Crackle—
A copper kettle was placed on the charcoal fire, filled with hot water.
"Is it here?"
"Move it up a bit... ow..."
"Hurt?"
"No, just here, it's really itchy."
Cough, this wasn't just scratching; Ying Bing was also using her true essence to help clear his meridians, promoting the medicine's effects.
Time flowed quietly, and soon the hot water was ready.
"We probably won't make it home for the Winter Solstice. Should we make some dumplings?"
Li Mo had just turned over.
He saw the pearl-white lotus root socks neatly folded, and the delicate toes dipped into the water to test the temperature before gently submerging.
Her petite feet, giving an impression of elegance, lightly stepped against each other.
After soaking for a while, she lifted them, droplets of water sparkling.
"Can you make dumplings too?"
Ying Bing twisted open a big-headed doll and pulled out another pair of socks, then frowned, feeling the style was off, and switched to another pair.
All because of that upright gentleman.
The big-headed doll was filled with local styles from the southern regions...
And they were all stacked together; without taking them out, one wouldn't know what they looked like.
"My dumplings are delicious; just thinking about them makes my mouth water."
"Uh-huh... what filling do you make?"
"Lotus root... diced filling is pretty good."
Li Mo snapped back to reality.
"What about cabbage or beef?"
Ying Bing casually asked, recalling how in the past, her uncle and aunt would make mushroom pork and celery beef for the Winter Solstice.
"Bing Tuozi, don't change them; let's stick with this one."
"Making a few varieties isn't hard..."
Ying Bing's long legs were crossed elegantly.
"No, I meant the socks."
"?"
Ying Bing closed the big-headed doll, deciding not to wear the socks, and quietly slipped her small feet into her boots.
"Let's just rest here for a bit. You need to recuperate; you can't stir your blood flow, and it's not suitable to go outside."
"I'm not stirring my blood flow."
Li Mo felt so weak he couldn't even muster a proper response, so his words came out rather forcefully.
Ying Bing's gaze was deep:
"But you have a history of high blood pressure."
"......"
Li Mo frowned. Why was this medicine making him feel hot?
Could it be too much nourishment?
Ying Bing walked to the tent entrance, lifted the curtain, and immediately the cold wind rushed in, a few playful snowflakes landing in her dark hair.
She suddenly turned back, softly saying:
"Childish."
"?"
Li Ming felt a bit indignant.
"That piece of candy is a reward for growing up."
Upon hearing this, Li Mo watched her step into the snowstorm, lost in thought, licking his lips where the sweetness still lingered.
A reward for growing up?
What if he grew up a bit more?
And Bing Tuozi, do you have to be so cool? You say that in such a cold tone and just walk away...
Li Ming had no idea.
In an instant, he found himself back at the Jiawei Tavern, where Ying Bing brewed a cup of tea but held it in her hands without drinking. She stared blankly at the teacup, her own lips a deep crimson.
Even though her fingers curled tightly together, a tingling sensation shot through her fingertips, making it impossible to straighten them.
At the same time, she felt a bit relieved.
Thank goodness, thank goodness he wasn't fully healed yet.
At that moment, she could clearly see the way he looked at her. If he had even a little strength, his arms would surely wrap around her waist; he was so strong...
That would be too much.
At least not now...
【Host, you have a top reward waiting to be claimed!】
【Host!】
【You have a reward to claim!! Top reward!!!】
Ying Bing was called several times before she snapped back to reality.
...
P.S.: There’s one more update coming, but it’ll be a bit late. Those of you who have school tomorrow should just go to bed, sleep tight.
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