TSWPF -Chapter 90 Testing

Li Qingling woke up shortly after her fever broke. The first thing she saw was Liu Zhimou, and she softly called his name.

Hearing her voice, Liu Zhimou turned toward her with delight and leaned closer. “Awake?” The old man’s medicine worked really well—just one dose, and her fever had subsided.

If he had found the old man earlier, Xiao Ling wouldn’t have suffered so much.

Li Qingling hummed in acknowledgment and tried to sit up, only to find her entire body weak—she couldn’t even lift herself.

“You just got over your fever; your body hasn’t fully recovered yet!” Seeing her attempt to sit, Liu Zhimou quickly spoke.

Hearing this, Li Qingling pouted. “Tired… lying down feels uncomfortable.” After days of fever and resting, her body felt completely drained.

Seeing her look so pitiful, Liu Zhimou had no choice but to sit behind her and let her lean against him.

As soon as she sat up, she noticed the sour smell of sweat on herself and instantly felt embarrassed.

She smelled so bad—didn’t he notice?

“I want to take a bath.” If she didn’t, she felt like she’d start falling apart.

As soon as she said this, Liu Zhimou refused. “No, your illness isn’t fully gone yet. If you bathe and catch a chill, it could worsen your condition.” He really didn’t want to see her weak again.

She had scared him once last time, and now again—enough was enough.

His heart wasn’t strong enough to endure being scared by her.

Perhaps also due to still feeling weak from the illness, Li Qingling felt unusually fragile inside. His refusal made her eyes redden.

She quietly looked at him, without a word.

She had always been strong and clever in front of him, but now, with her reddened eyes, she struck directly at Liu Zhimou’s heart, softening it completely.

“Wait two more days. Once you’ve improved, then take a bath, alright?” he coaxed softly.

Li Qingling refused. If she waited two more days, she would be unbearably smelly. “I want to bathe now. Boil some hot water; I’m not afraid.” Even though he was trying to protect her, she still wanted to bathe.

“No!” He was resolute about her health, refusing to comply.

Seeing that he wouldn’t yield, Li Qingling felt even more wronged, and tears welled up in her eyes.

As soon as he saw her about to cry, panic struck him. He held her gently and rocked her, coaxing her like he would a little sister.

The old man shook his head, seeing Liu Zhimou act like this—another boy completely under his fiancée’s control, utterly wrapped around her finger.

“Don’t you see me here?” The old man spoke helplessly. “Little girl, extend your hand and let me take your pulse. If your body is fine, then you may bathe.”

Upon hearing this, Li Qingling noticed him for the first time. She glanced at him, then at Liu Zhimou. “Who is he…?” How did an old man appear here?

“The elder is a doctor. It was after taking his medicine that your fever broke,” Liu Zhimou explained, feeling even more grateful to the old man now that Li Qingling was awake.

“I see…”

Li Qingling thanked the old man quietly, though internally she remained wary.

In a remote mountain area like this, she couldn’t immediately drop her guard with someone she just met.

The old man had seen much of life and was clever; he immediately noticed Li Qingling’s caution. He said nothing, simply had her extend her hand, and took her pulse to assess her condition.

Li Qingling complied obediently.

“How is it? Can I bathe now?” she asked eagerly once the old man finished. She had never gone this long without bathing, and it was unbearable.

The old man stroked his beard, glanced at Li Qingling, and nodded—she could bathe.

Hearing this, Li Qingling looked triumphantly at Liu Zhimou. “Did you hear that? I can bathe.” If he dared stop her again, she’d teach him a lesson.

“Girl, your body is weak. If you don’t rest well now, you’ll regret it later,” the old man wagged his head.

Liu Zhimou, anxious, quickly asked, “Elder, could you prescribe some medicine to help her recuperate?” Usually lively and healthy, this illness had revealed vulnerabilities; he didn’t want future problems to arise.

“Since you took me in, I’ll help for free!” the old man said magnanimously. “Back in the day, people would beg me to see them, but they couldn’t. You’re lucky, little girl.”

Li Qingling studied him and teased, “Are you sure that person you mentioned was you?”

The old man’s eyes narrowed. “Why would I lie? If not for…” He stopped himself, waved his hand, and said, “Why tell you all this? You wouldn’t understand.”

His past would only cause unnecessary worry; why share it?

“I see you have no reply!” Li Qingling huffed, “If you were such a big shot, how did you end up like this?” Ragged clothes, looking like a beggar.

“So what? This is called ‘immortal elegance,’ understand?” The old man thumped his thigh, grinning, then squinted at Li Qingling with mock disdain.

Li Qingling chuckled, returning the mock disdain.

Liu Zhimou watched the old man and Li Qingling bicker, silently smiling. He loved seeing her lively self, not weak and lifeless.

“What are you laughing at, you brat?” The old man’s heart ached seeing her scolding Liu Zhimou. “You don’t control your fiancée; you’ll pay for this later.”

He couldn’t even maintain authority—he’d have to teach the boy later.

“You won’t even get a fierce wife,” Li Qingling retorted with a sly glance.

The old man pointed at her teasingly, but she ignored him.

Li Qingning toddled over, giggling and imitating the old man.

The old man looked down at her, and most of his irritation melted away. “Little one, what are you laughing at?”

Li Qingning stretched out her small hand, tugged on his beard hard, causing him to gasp in pain.

“Qingning, let go,” Li Qingling called out.

She had been testing the old man’s personality through their banter, and it was clear he was amusing and straightforward, not cunning or sinister.

Knowing this, her caution eased.

Li Qingning blinked at Li Qingling and slowly released her grip.

Seeing her comply, Li Qingling said, “Apologize to grandpa. You hurt him.” She believed children should be taught early to own their mistakes.

The old man looked at Li Qingling, then at Li Qingning, curious if the little one would obey.

Li Qingning turned back, patted his thigh, and said, “No pain,” blowing gently on him.

The old man laughed heartily, wanting to hug her, but seeing his dirty clothes, he only ruffled her hair and said, “Grandpa isn’t hurting anymore.”

Li Qingning laughed, then lunged toward Li Qingling, only to be caught by Liu Zhimou. “Sister isn’t well yet; don’t tire her.” He had been keeping the kids from getting too close to let Li Qingling rest.

Li Qingning obediently held Li Qingling’s hand and called softly, “Sister.”

Li Qingling felt her heart soften and smiled. “Be good, Qingning. Sister’s not fully recovered; wait a couple of days to play, alright?” She pinched her small nose. “Go play with Rourou.” She worried about her younger sibling catching the illness.

“Mm…” Qingning nodded, slid from Liu Zhimou’s arms, and toddled off to play.

The old man clicked his tongue in amazement; he had never seen someone manage children so well.

“Where are your parents?” He was curious about the family, asking innocently.

Li Qingling exchanged a glance with Liu Zhimou, then said, “They’re gone.” Time had passed, and they could face it calmly now. “We’re honest with you because we trust you. Don’t let us down!”

Hearing this, the old man fell silent, unexpectedly feeling pity for the children.