Chapter 2 - Shangguan Rouyue
Although Shangguan Rouyue wanted to take more time to decide whether to accept Qin Nan’s goodwill, she couldn’t hold back any longer as the urgency grew.
“Sorry to trouble you,” Shangguan Rouyue said, her cheeks flushed.
“It’s no trouble,” Qin Nan replied, helping her toward the restroom.
Once they arrived, he even followed her inside to continue supporting her as she slowly crouched down.
Though deeply reluctant and thoroughly embarrassed, her severe injuries left her no choice—she couldn’t manage on her own.
After she was done, Qin Nan helped her back to the room and laid her down. However, trying to move on her own earlier had reopened her wounds, causing fresh blood to seep through her clothes, staining them red.
She was now wearing some old clothes Qin Nan had borrowed from a neighbor. Despite their age, they still looked good on her, a flaw does not obscure a beauty. But now, the bloodstains made the scene all the more tragic.
Qin Nan had to treat her wounds again; otherwise, even if she healed, the scars would remain—a devastating prospect for any woman.
“You’ll need to take them off. I’ll treat your injuries,” Qin Nan said.
“…” Shangguan Rouyue hesitated, feeling extremely self-conscious. The last time, she had been unconscious, and while undressing her had been necessary to save her life, she had no memory of it.
But this time, she was fully awake. Even though Qin Nan was just a young boy, the thought was mortifying.
What puzzled her most was how Qin Nan, a mere teenager, could act so composed, without a trace of awkwardness.
“I’m a healer. Everyone in this village comes to me, whether it’s illness or injury. I’ve often handled situations like this,” Qin Nan explained.
“Don’t worry, a healer has the heart of a parent. I won’t overthink about it, and you don’t need to be too concerned,” Qin Nan said.
Hearing his serious tone, Shangguan Rouyue felt that if she continued to dwell on it, she’d seem overly pretentious. Besides, he had already seen her body while saving her earlier.
With that in mind, she finally relented and undressed, her fair skin marred by numerous wounds that evoked more pity than admiration.
Qin Nan deftly removed her bandages. Shangguan Rouyue shut her eyes tightly, her breathing quickening with nervousness.
Qin Nan smirked slightly, amused by her reaction, but quickly reined in the impulse to tease her. She was a powerful cultivator; even injured, she could easily kill ten of him if angered.
He retrieved his homemade ointment and applied it to her wounds. Shangguan Rouyue, who had been frowning in pain, soon felt the cooling relief of the medicine and relaxed.
Qin Nan’s movements were efficient and professional, without a hint of impropriety. Once he finished applying the ointment, he wrapped her in fresh bandages, securing them tightly to stabilize the injuries, making Shangguan Rouyue wince slightly.
“Stay in bed and don’t move around anymore. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me. If it bothers you that I’m a man, you can always ask the neighbor auntie for help,” Qin Nan said.
“Thank you,” Shangguan Rouyue said softly, feeling a pang of guilt.
As Qin Nan turned to leave, Shangguan Rouyue stopped him. She was parched and needed water.
Without feeling bothered, Qin Nan fetched a water jug and poured her a cup.
The water, fresh from a nearby mountain spring, was sweet and refreshing. After one cup, Shangguan Rouyue’s expression brightened.
However, one cup is not enough. She had suffered severe injuries and lost a lot of blood, and had been unconscious for an entire day. She had just relieved herself and now needed to replenish fluids.
Qin Nan caught the hint in her gaze, refilling the cup without waiting for her to ask. She ended up drinking five cups in total before finally setting it down, sneaking a glance at Qin Nan.
“You’ve had so much water. Don’t be surprised if you need to go again soon,” Qin Nan joked.
Shangguan Rouyue’s cheeks burned as she shot him a glare, too embarrassed to respond. Qin Nan, seemingly oblivious, left the room to prepare dinner.
Half an hour later, Qin Nan returned with two portions of food, the rich aroma of wild game filling the air. Since Shangguan Rouyue couldn’t feed herself, Qin Nan needed to help.
He handed her the wooden spoon, and she opened her small mouth, sipping the food.
It was the first time someone had fed her like this, and although she felt a little shy and embarrassed, she didn’t hate it.
Since the food was still hot, Qin Nan occasionally needed to blow on it before feeding her.
Shangguan Rouyue finished all of her dinner, her appetite much better than usual. Normally, she would have only eaten half of her portion.
After feeding her, Qin Nan finally got to eat his own dinner. Starving, he ate quickly, almost swallowing his food in large bites, finishing it in no time.
After finishing his meal and cleaning the dishes, Qin Nan went to the medicine room.
The room was filled with the strong scent of medicinal herbs, pungent and overpowering.
Qin Nan walked up to the medicine counter and began mixing ingredients, working late into the night, with the sound of crickets chirping in the surrounding forest.
He extinguished the stove, waited for a while, and then poured the thick, ink-like medicinal liquid out. It didn’t look pleasant at all.
The smell it gave off was even more intense.
Qin Nan took the bowl of medicine and returned to the room, handing it to Shangguan Rouyue.