Cao Wen cautiously stretched his neck forward to confirm that there really was someone caught in the tree’s hollow down below.
Afterward, he grabbed the rope and climbed back up several steps.
“Shh.”
“What’s wrong?”
Xu Duoyan looked surprised to see Cao Wen return empty-handed so quickly.
“There seems to be someone who fell ahead.”
Having said that, he took the rope and headed toward the cliff where the person had been spotted.
Xu Duoyan furrowed her brow at the news.
Finding a person who had fallen in such a remote mountain area was likely a grim situation.
Although death and carnage were commonplace during the years of war, the recent peace had made such accidents all the more tragic.
She hurried after Cao Wen’s direction.
By the time she caught up, Cao Wen had already tied one end of the rope to a tree and secured the other end around his waist.
Xu Duoyan leaned forward to look down the cliffside.
Though she couldn’t see the person Cao Wen mentioned, there was a clear sliding mark on the grass and shrubs below, with the surrounding plants crushed flat.
“Be very careful.”
Cao Wen nodded in response, gripping the rope tightly as he swiftly descended along the slide mark.
Only when he reached the bottom did he spot the person caught in the tree hollow—a dark-skinned old man.
At that moment, the man was crouched, trapped by the winding tree trunk.
If not for his luck in landing in the tree hollow, he might have fallen much further down the cliff.
Even though his fall had been arrested by the tree, the sheer drop below was a deadly abyss.
His luck had spared him from being pierced by the sharp rocks and thorns that could have easily ripped him apart, but falling to the cliff’s base would have meant certain death without a whole corpse remaining.
Cao Wen frowned and exhaled lightly—not because he was afraid upon seeing the injured man, but because he suddenly realized how dangerous this risky way of making a living was, and that it could hardly last long.
He withdrew his gaze and tested stepping into the tree hollow, tapping several times to ensure the trunk could bear the weight of two people.
Once confirmed, he leapt over to the old man.
The old man’s face was covered in some scrapes and bruises, but Cao Wen gently steadied him and checked his breathing.
Thankfully, the man was still alive.
“He’s still breathing.”
Cao Wen quickly informed Xu Duoyan above before using the rope to secure the old man to his back.
Grasping the cliff rocks and all sturdy vines he could find, Cao Wen climbed back up step by step.
Xu Duoyan clutched the rope tightly, pulling it back up bit by bit.
Seeing Cao Wen carrying a person on his back, her heart pounded with worry, fearing the rope might not withstand the weight or wear and tear.
Fortunately, with their teamwork, they successfully rescued the man.
Xu Duoyan hurried forward to help untie the rope and gently laid the old man down.
Her gaze fell on Cao Wen’s hands, which were scratched and bleeding from climbing the cliff’s rough stones and brushing against wild grasses.
Though minor wounds, the small cuts oozed blood, stained all over his hands.
If he sweated, it would sting painfully—fortunately, the injuries were superficial.
She pressed her lips tightly, feeling uneasy, and took a clean fangjin from her sleeve.
Seeing it handed over, Cao Wen gratefully accepted it.
“I don’t know the extent of this old man’s injuries, but from what I see, it’s just some bruises and scrapes.”
He quickly used the fangjin to wipe the old man’s face.
Xu Duoyan muttered: “What does she care about this rough and tough fool?”
“Do you think he’s a farmer who came here to gather mountain herbs?”
Xu Duoyan squatted and leaned closer to sniff delicately.
“Maybe he’s a doctor. There’s a strong scent of medicinal herbs on him. Someone who spends years soaking in herbs wouldn’t have this smell.”
She carefully felt the old man’s limbs, checking for broken bones.
Recalling how someone nearly broke Cao Wen’s arm when he was unconscious earlier, Xu Duoyan kept her distance and cautiously examined him.
“No signs of broken bones.”
But since the man was still unconscious, it was hard to tell who he was or where he came from.
She pinched the philtrum twice but saw no reaction.
“Maybe we should leave him like this for today and get him down the mountain first?”
Seeing this, Cao Wen suggested.
Just as he spoke, the old man’s brow twitched slightly.
Xu Duoyan applied more pressure, and the old man finally opened his eyes.
“Grandpa, you’re awake!”
The old man looked at Cao Wen in a daze, still somewhat confused about where he was.
After a moment, it seemed he finally recalled how he had fallen there.
He shifted slightly and hurriedly thanked Cao Wen: “Thank you for saving me, young man.”
“It’s nothing. But how did you end up alone in this wild mountain area, falling off the cliff? If you hadn’t landed in the tree hollow, it would have been fatal.”
Liu Qingteng shuddered at the memory.
He only felt the world spinning as he fell and didn’t know what had hit him afterward before passing out.
Hearing Cao Wen repeatedly call him “Grandpa,” he awkwardly introduced himself: “I am Liu Qingteng, a traveling langzhong. I was passing through and was momentarily greedy for some herbs, which led to my fall.”
After a pause, he added, “Though I haven’t yet reached forty, traveling so much has made me seem older.”
Both Cao Wen and Xu Duoyan frowned.
Being a traveling langzhong was a tough life indeed.
Cao Wen then smiled at Xu Duoyan and said, “Once again, your foresight was uncanny.”
Liu Qingteng followed Cao Wen’s gaze toward Xu Duoyan, dressed as a woman.
He was slightly taken aback but, seeing her respond to Cao Wen in sign language, looked her over with curiosity.
Xu Duoyan noticed the langzhong’s stare, and their eyes met briefly.
She suddenly felt a pang in her heart, as if he could see right through her.
She shyly averted her gaze and moved slightly behind Cao Wen.
“Doctor Liu, what is your specialty? My family often suffers from cough and weakness; could I trouble you to take a pulse?”
Cao Wen was more interested when he learned Liu Qingteng was a traveling doctor.
In these times, one who roamed from place to place was likely truly skilled.
Not tied to one place and always seeking better knowledge indicated his medical prowess was no small matter.
He immediately thought of Lu Lingbi.
“That’s natural. Young man, you saved my life—I would do my utmost to help your family.”
“That’s wonderful!”
Cao Wen helped Liu Qingteng up.
“Let’s go, Ayan.”
Xu Duoyan’s brow twitched with unease but forced a faint smile.
The three set off down the mountain together.
Lu Lingbi had just returned from the city with new fan materials, having smooth negotiations with the Fan Workshop owner.
She was in good spirits when Cao Wen and Xu Duoyan arrived early, accompanied by an unfamiliar man.
Before she could ask, Cao Wen explained what had happened.
Lu Lingbi and Xu Duoyan exchanged a glance, seeing the man’s pale complexion, and she mentally prepared herself.
“Thank you for still thinking of me,” Lu Lingbi said softly.
“Doctor Liu needed to come down the mountain anyway. We just guided him and took the chance to have you checked.”
Lu Lingbi smiled gently.
“Good.”
Liu Qingteng’s fall hadn’t caused serious harm, but the narrow escape and fatigue from coming down the mountain were exhausting.
Cao Wen didn’t rush Liu Qingteng to take Lu Lingbi’s pulse immediately.
Instead, he fetched water for him to wash up and asked Lu Lingbi to prepare a bowl of medicinal broth.
While Liu Qingteng rested in the main room, Xu Duoyan returned to carefully avoid meeting him, staying busy processing the freshly picked Jiangzi in the Zhufang.
Only after Liu Qingteng had eaten and drunk enough did he suggest taking Lu Lingbi’s pulse, remembering her mother’s health, and entered the Tangwu.
“Too much thinking and worry—root cause is deficiency.”
After Liu Qingteng felt her pulse, Cao Wen asked anxiously, “What exactly is my aunt’s condition?”
“This lady has no major illnesses, just too much worrying and fatigue that has weakened her body. For now, she shows signs of deficiency. If she can open her heart, think less, and take the prescription I’ll give, she should improve with time.”
Lu Lingbi felt reassured hearing this.
“Thank you, doctor.”
“No need for thanks.”
Cao Wen was impressed by the accuracy and glanced at Xu Duoyan, who also looked relieved.
“Doctor Liu, do you know anything about Xuniao? Could you examine Ayan as well?”
At these words, the room suddenly fell silent.
Liu Qingteng instinctively glanced at Xu Duoyan, then turned back to Cao Wen, replying frankly, “Young man, you saved my life. If you ask, I will help.”
Cao Wen’s face brightened, but Xu Duoyan’s back stiffened, confused and unsettled.
“Awen, maybe it’s better not to. You’ve been like this for years; no need to trouble Doctor Liu.”
Lu Lingbi quickly interjected, “Ayan no longer expects much.”
“Just a pulse check, it won’t hurt.”
Cao Wen understood Lu Lingbi’s concern, but since the chance was here, he wasn’t going to let it slip.
He turned to Xu Duoyan.
“It’s okay. Don’t be afraid.”
He gently pushed her to sit in front of Liu Qingteng.
Liu Qingteng rolled up his sleeves and said kindly, “Excuse me.”
Xu Duoyan tried to shrink back but felt her legs weighed down like lead—she couldn’t move.
Only when Liu Qingteng’s fingertips pressed her pulse did she come to her senses, realizing the situation was irreversible.
In that quiet moment of diagnosis, perhaps because it was all too sudden, she didn’t even think about how to hide things or what to do next.
Her mind went blank.
Only when Liu Qingteng withdrew his hand did the three sit in mutual contemplation.
He slowly shook his head.
Xu Duoyan frowned deeply, suspicious not of the pulse-taking itself but of Liu Qingteng’s medical skill.
How could he find nothing?
Then Liu Qingteng said:
“Heart disease requires heart medicine. Forgive my ignorance, but this Xuniao is beyond my ability.”
Lu Lingbi exhaled deeply, while Cao Wen frowned.
“Isn’t Chinese medicine supposed to look, listen, ask, and take the pulse? You didn’t even ask about symptoms—how can you know just from the pulse that it’s hopeless?”
Seeing Cao Wen’s impatience, Liu Qingteng patiently replied,
“Young man, you saved my life, so I won’t deceive you. This Xuniao is a heart ailment; if treated recklessly with medicine, it will do more harm than good. When the time is right, the problem will resolve itself.”
“You care so much for little Xu, so surely he has his own considerations. I believe little Xu won’t let this ailment trap him forever, so you needn’t worry.”
These words were directed at Xu Duoyan.
Cao Wen thought the doctor’s words were vague and evasive, but on reflection, the idea of it being a heart disease made some sense.
However, Xu Duoyan was stunned by this statement.
Her chest heaved deeply, and when she looked at Cao Wen again, she felt ashamed to meet his pure, straightforward gaze.
Her eyes slowly lost focus, and her strength seemed to drain away.
Cao Wen noticed Xu Duoyan’s obvious despondency and the absence of any expression in her face.
He understood why Lu Lingbi had tried to stop him.
Repeated disappointments wear down hope.
He felt guilty for his recklessness and wanted to comfort her.
Just then, Liu Qingteng wrote out Lu Lingbi’s prescription and prepared to leave:
“Young man Cao Wen, we met by chance, yet you saved my life. It’s a pity the mountains and rivers keep us apart. If fate allows, we shall meet again and drink three hearty cups.”
Though Cao Wen was dissatisfied with the outcome, he knew better than to trouble the langzhong.
He stood and sent the man toward the village road, pointing the way to the Market.
Watching them walk away, Lu Lingbi turned back to the house, noticing Xu Duoyan still carrying the same expression and posture as before.
“Ayan, it’s alright now.”
Though it had been a false alarm, Xu Duoyan felt no relief at all.
Liu Qingteng saw through everything—he was a clever man, aware of her core issues but maintained dignity by not getting involved in the matter.
Xu Duoyan’s emotions were tangled and complex, filled with a panic unlike anything before.
Perhaps it was Liu Qingteng’s few words that pierced her heart.
The thin veneer of pretense she wore was torn apart in an instant, letting all her suppressed feelings spill out.
“Mother, if one day Cao Wen learns the truth, he will hate me, won’t he?”
Xu Duoyan murmured, unwilling to think beyond that question, which swirled endlessly in her mind.
Lu Lingbi patted Xu Duoyan’s back with sympathy.
“Mother knows you’re hurting. Now that I have some income, after a while, we’ll leave and find a place where no one knows us to start fresh. We won’t disturb Cao Wen’s life anymore. He’s a good boy and will have a good future.”
Xu Duoyan didn’t respond to Lu Lingbi’s words.
She felt as if a pair of hands was squeezing her heart.
The lies and concealments weighed on her chest with pain, and the thought of fleeing only made her heart ache more.
Under the blazing sun, a familiar figure slowly returned.
Xu Duoyan suddenly realized those hands tightly clutching her heart were actually Cao Wen’s.
She lowered her head and gave a bitter laugh.
No matter how much she tried to hide or ignore it, no matter how she avoided facing those inexplicable feelings, at this moment, she had to sadly admit it:
She seemed to have fallen for Cao Wen……
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