Chapter 5

"From now on, be smarter about your work. Don't be foolish and rush to do everything."

Murán carefully applied ointment to his wound. Afraid of hurting him, she deliberately lightened her touch, but her chattering never stopped.Injury

"It's one thing to always send you to see difficult patients, but having you gather herbs late at night and decoct medicine too? You're busier than an old workhorse."

"I've long thought you shouldn't work at Doctor Hu's clinic anymore. You don't even know how to slack off a little. Whatever task he assigns, you truly exhaust yourself doing it, and the one who suffers is you."

"Wait, that's not right." Murán thought of something and looked up at him. "I suffer too. Seeing you hurt, my heart aches."

The corners of Cangshu Bai's eyes curved slightly. "It was an accident. There won't be a next time."

Murán was still unhappy. She held his large hand, examining it carefully.Anatomy

His fingers were distinct but not sharp, with faint calluses at the knuckles from years of holding a brush or working, which added a sense of dependable solidity.

On the back of his hand, even the faint paths of veins beneath the skin seemed delicately traced, making those hands look both strong and indescribably gentle.

Murán muttered, "Jinzhi's hands are so beautiful. It would be a shame if they scarred."

His hand moved. His palm was wide, easily enveloping hers, his fingers sliding between hers, interlocking them.Anatomy

Cangshu Bai leaned down, his face close to hers, his dark eyes almost entirely filled with her reflection.

"They won't scar. I promise you."

Murán inexplicably felt that these words sounded like he was promising not to let anything she liked be damaged.

She tilted her head up and leaned forward, closing the last bit of distance between them.

Their noses touched, and they could feel each other's breath.

Murán whispered, "Until your wound heals, you're not allowed to overwork."Injury

He said, "Okay."

"If Doctor Hu tries to give you a hard time again, and you feel awkward saying no, I'll go talk to him myself about quitting."

He said again, "Okay."

"I'll do the dishes today. You sit and rest."

A low laugh escaped his throat, his warm breath gently brushing her nose. "Okay."

Murán asked, "Can you not just say 'okay' to everything I say?"

Cangshu Bai: "Okay."

Murán glared at him.

His fingertips curled slightly, gently rubbing against the skin of her hand. "I'll listen to you in everything."

Murán gave a soft humph, stopped engaging with him, picked up the bowls and chopsticks, and went into the kitchen.

Cangshu Bai rested his chin on one hand propped on the table, his eyes quietly watching her busy figure through the kitchen doorway.Anatomy

The glow of the setting sun was warm, wrapping Murán's bustling form in a soft, golden halo.

Water gushed over the porcelain bowls, creating crisp, tinkling sounds, mingling with the occasional breeze slipping through the window, forming the most delightful melody.

Cangshu Bai's deep, dark eyes curved gently.

So, in peaceful days, watching the person you love busy amidst the homely atmosphere, even time itself seems to slow down.

The memories tinged with the scent of blood were thus washed away considerably.

Murán suddenly turned her head. "Jinzhi, do you want to go for a walk together later?"

Cangshu Bai still offered that one word: "Okay."

As expected, she shot him another glare.

The world was unsettled, so walks naturally could only happen before nightfall. Villagers with nothing to do would stroll around near their homes.

Murán hid the money she earned today in a small box, took Cangshu Bai's hand, and went out.Anatomy

"Auntie Wang said there's fern root to gather on the eastern hill. Grind it into powder, it makes delicious rice cakes. If I have time another day, I'll go join them for fun."

"And at the village entrance, Li Ergou and Butcher Fan got into a fight. Auntie Wang said Li Ergou lost. Now his wife is threatening to divorce him and go with Butcher Fan, but Li Ergou refuses."

"Li Ergou went out to earn money for the family, never expecting to come back to his wife wanting to run off with someone else. Honestly, he's quite pitiful."

Murán chattered nonstop, pouring out all the messy gossip she'd heard from Auntie Wang.

Cangshu Bai occasionally chimed in: "Ranran is quite right."

The evening glow was beautiful just then. Along the way, they met other villagers, men and women, old and young, coming out for walks.

Villagers with any ailments would seek out Cangshu Bai for treatment, and he never charged a fee. He was very well-liked. Everyone they encountered would greet Cangshu Bai and Murán, often teasing them.

"Doctor Cangshu and his wife are so affectionate. My husband and I haven't even been married half a year, and we don't hold hands walking anymore."Marriage

Murán felt a bit embarrassed, her ears turning red as she tried to pull her hand free from his grasp. She tried several times but didn't succeed.

Cangshu Bai was low-key and reserved by nature, but he seemed utterly unaware that he should maintain some appropriate distance from her in this regard.

Murán whispered, "Let go quickly. People will laugh."

He said, "There are many forks in the village paths. If I let go, I'll get lost."

Cangshu Bai had always maintained a detached attitude towards people and matters. It was only after marrying him that Murán discovered the passion he concealed beneath that aloofness.

Sometimes when he came out with a line or two of nonsense, she still needed a moment to adjust.

Murán had to move closer to him, like covering one's ears to steal a bell, thinking that if they were close and their sleeves covered them, others wouldn't see their hands were clasped.Anatomy

It was getting late, so they started back the way they came.

Night had just fallen when, surprisingly, a green speck of light fluttered past.

Murán exclaimed in surprise, "A firefly!"

Cangshu Bai reached out and effortlessly caught the escaping firefly. He opened his hand before her, a tiny flickering glow resting in his palm.Insects & Entomology

Murán hugged his arm, saying curiously, "How can there be fireflies at this time of year?"

Generally, living creatures preferred to linger where spiritual energy was abundant, but this small village had none to speak of.

Cangshu Bai said, "Perhaps it's a lone straggler that left the group."

He watched her interested eyes and softened his voice. "Do you like it?"

Murán nodded.

Cangshu Bai gave a light laugh. Suddenly, a breeze swept by, making his blue-green sleeves flutter and outlining his slender, elegant figure.

He said, "Ranran, look."

Murán turned her head.

Specks of flickering light drifted out from the grass. At first, just two or three, like stray stars accidentally fallen from the sky. Gradually, more and more points of light gathered, until even the evening breeze seemed wrapped in fine, glittering dust.Physics

Murán looked back at him, her eyes bright as if holding stars, her voice excited. "How can there be so many fireflies!"

The firefly in Cangshu Bai's hand flew away, merging into the dancing constellation of lights.

He took her hand. "Perhaps they discovered the straggler and all came back to find it."

Murán smiled radiantly. "Its family didn't abandon it. That's wonderful."

Cangshu Bai's gaze rested on her smiling eyes and brows. "Yes, it truly is wonderful."

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