TSWPF – Chapter 16 Bold

Liu Zhimou felt deeply guilty. Not only had he failed to help, but he’d also ended up dragging her down.

“I’m sorry…”

The sudden apology caught Li Qingling off guard. After a moment, she realized what he meant.

She tugged at his worried face and said with a smile, “You’re not some immortal. Everyone gets sick sometimes. What’s there to apologize for? Honestly…”

He’d simply been too exhausted yesterday and hadn’t rested well. No wonder his body couldn’t take it and developed a fever.

If anyone was at fault, it was her too — she’d been too focused on hunting to think about his condition.

Seeing her still smiling so cheerfully, Liu Zhimou couldn’t help but smile as well. He liked this about her — her optimism. Even in the face of hardship, she didn’t despair but faced things head-on.

“Close your eyes and rest for a bit. I’ll call you once the medicine is ready.” She helped him lie down, then felt the damp ground beneath him. That wouldn’t do. She helped him sit back up again. “Wait here.”

With that, she hurried out of the cave, leaving behind a confused Liu Zhimou.

Li Qingling didn’t dare stay away long — she didn’t want the medicine to boil dry. She gathered a pile of large leaves from nearby and laid them carefully on the ground before helping Liu Zhimou lie down again.

He was truly exhausted. The moment he lay down, he fell asleep. Li Qingling listened to his steady breathing and smiled softly before turning back to tend the medicine.

After half an hour, the herbal brew was finally ready. She carried it down carefully and, when no one was looking, added two drops of her blood, hoping it might help him recover faster.

She lifted the clay pot’s lid to let the medicine cool, then went to wake him.

As she approached, she saw him curled up, shivering and muttering that he was cold. The sight made her heart skip a beat.

“Brother Zhimou, wake up…”

She called him several times before he barely managed to open his eyes. “Xiao… Ling…” His teeth chattered as he spoke.

She quickly helped him sit up against the cave wall. The medicine was still hot, but she didn’t care. She brought the pot over and fed him the bitter brew.

After drinking, he lay down again. Frowning, Li Qingling moved the fire closer so he could feel its warmth.

But even after a while, he was still trembling. She started to panic. There were no blankets out here in the wilderness — how could she keep him warm?

She spun in circles anxiously until a thought suddenly struck her — body heat.

Li Qingling looked at Liu Zhimou, bit her lip, and decided to risk it.

She rushed over and began tugging at his clothes. Startled awake, Liu Zhimou’s hoarse voice asked what she was doing. His hands clutched his clothes tightly, eyes full of alarm, as if she were some bandit about to rob him of his virtue.

Her cheeks flushed. Clearing her throat, she said she was helping him warm up.

Before he could react, she pried his hands loose and stripped off his clothes in a few swift motions — so fast that he couldn’t even stop her.

Once he was undressed, she began taking off her own clothes. That completely terrified him.

Already flushed from his fever, his face turned crimson. He turned his back to her in embarrassment. “Li Qingling…” he said through gritted teeth, “Put your clothes on.”

What was she thinking? Yes, they were engaged, but still… this wasn’t proper!

Li Qingling ignored him and lay down beside him, wrapping her arms around him from behind and covering them both with their clothes.

Her warm body pressed against his icy skin, and he tensed, struggling fiercely, demanding that she let go.

But she was stronger than him — and he was weak and feverish, his limbs without strength. No matter how much he struggled, he couldn’t break free.

“Stop moving!” Li Qingling barked. She felt like she was hugging a block of ice and shivered herself. “You’ll marry me someday, right?”

“Of course…” he stammered.

“Then that’s fine.” She patted his chest. “Now sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up.”

In her previous life, kids their age in the village would still run naked into the river to bathe together. There wasn’t anything shameful about it.

But in this era, such behavior was practically scandalous — no wonder he was terrified.

At first, Liu Zhimou lay stiff as a board, trying to stay awake. But the medicine’s effects were strong, and eventually his eyelids drooped shut.

When she felt his body relax, Li Qingling knew he’d fallen asleep.

If he hadn’t… he probably would’ve passed out from sheer embarrassment.

She soon dozed off too.

When she woke again, she realized she was nestled in Liu Zhimou’s arms, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

Her face reddened instantly. To be honest, she’d never been this close to a man before.

She tilted her head, studying his handsome face — not a flaw in sight. She couldn’t help swallowing a little. If this man went to the modern world, he’d be a celebrity in no time.

After a moment of silly thoughts, she remembered his illness and quickly touched his forehead — then her own. His fever was gone.

Relief washed over her.

Then came another dilemma: should she get up or stay in his arms?

If she moved, would she wake him?

She hesitated so long that he eventually opened his eyes. They stared at each other — and then both looked away, perfectly in sync.

She hadn’t felt awkward before, but his reaction made it impossible not to.

After a moment, she cleared her throat. “How are you feeling? Any better?”

Liu Zhimou nodded. “Much better.”

“That’s good…” She tapped his arm. “You can let go of me now.”

Only then did he realize he was still holding her tightly. Startled, he jerked his hands away as if burned, face turning red again.

Seeing him flustered, her embarrassment vanished. She smiled, got up, quickly dressed, and glanced outside. Judging by the sun, it was already midday — time to eat.

“I’ll go make something.” She grabbed the clay pot and a pheasant and hurried out of the cave.

Once she left, Liu Zhimou let out a long breath and patted his face, hastily dressing.

His illness had delayed their hunting. Thinking of that, he sighed quietly.

Soon after, Li Qingling returned, carrying the clay pot and some herbs, her smile bright. “Let’s eat first, then I’ll brew another dose for you.”

After all, she wouldn’t rest easy until he’d taken one more round of medicine.

Liu Zhimou rekindled the fire, hesitated, then asked, “It’s already noon… do we still have time to hunt today?”

Li Qingling put the chicken in to stew. “No. You just recovered — you shouldn’t overexert yourself. Let’s rest here another night and head back tomorrow.”

If they ventured deeper into the forest and ran into dangerous beasts, she’d be in trouble trying to protect him.

He nodded, though guilt tugged at his heart.

She sat beside him, patting his shoulder. “Don’t overthink. Kids who worry too much won’t grow tall.”

Her tone was so serious he couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re younger than me!” If he was a kid, she was an even smaller one.

Li Qingling raised her chin proudly. “I’m not overthinking. I’ll definitely grow tall.” Her current body was still small and thin, but she was determined — she’d earn enough to buy meat and grow strong.

He smiled and patted her head. “You will.” Though secretly, he vowed he’d still be taller.

She pouted. Why did his tone sound like he was talking to a child? She wasn’t a child!

Resting his chin on his knees, Liu Zhimou glanced sideways at her — deeply. She felt his gaze, touched her face, and asked, “Is there something on my face?”

He shook his head. “Xiao Ling, thank you.” Thank you for taking care of me.

Li Qingling didn’t blush at all. She nodded boldly. “You’re welcome. Just remember to treat me well in the future, alright?”

Then, pausing, she added seriously, “Liu Zhimou, I’m telling you now — I’m a clean freak. I don’t share my husband. Got it?”

In this world where three wives and four concubines were normal, she absolutely couldn’t accept it. If he ever took a concubine, she’d dump him on the spot.

He didn’t really understand what “clean freak” meant, but he understood her meaning well enough.

Her words might have been a little bold — even improper — but he actually found them pleasing.

“Mm. In this lifetime, there’s only you.” He had no desire for a harem. He just wanted a love like his parents’: one man, one woman, for life.

Satisfied, Li Qingling nodded. “Alright then — I’ll believe you for now.” Life was long; who knew if he’d change his mind someday? Promises were the most unreliable things, after all.

Liu Zhimou stayed quiet. Actions spoke louder than words — he’d prove it to her.

After lunch and another dose of medicine, she told him to rest while she went to look around.

He knew he couldn’t stop her and only reminded her to stay close and be careful.

She nodded and left. Half an hour later, just as Liu Zhimou was getting uneasy and about to go look for her, she returned — holding a roe deer and two rabbits.

“Look! Not bad, huh?” she said with a grin.

He smiled and nodded. Seeing the sun setting, he went to prepare dinner. She wanted to help, but he insisted she rest.

Unable to argue, she agreed.

After dinner, they spent another night in the cave. At dawn, they packed up and started back.

This time, Li Qingling kept her eyes peeled. Whenever she saw wild fruits, she climbed up to pick them.

They also checked the traps they’d set before — and sure enough, some had caught prey.

Li Qingling grinned from ear to ear. This trip had been a huge success — both her and Liu Zhimou’s baskets were full. They’d make a tidy profit from this haul.