Chapter 7 Days of Recovery

Chapter 7: Days of Recuperation

Wu Qiu had to stay in bed for a full five days.

He was eager to see Yang Shu. Although Cui Nanshan came daily to give him news about Yang Shu's condition, Wu Qiu remained uneasy, wishing to see her with his own eyes and take care of her himself. However, his own illness wasn't fully over; the fever persisted for two days before finally subsiding. Cui Nanshan said that even though it was summer and he would only be in the courtyard, he feared Wu Qiu was still weak and might catch a chill, causing the illness to flare up again. Therefore, he insisted Wu Qiu continue recuperating in his room, even having his meals brought to him personally. As worried as he was, Wu Qiu had no choice but to obey, remaining within his room for five consecutive days.

On the evening of the fifth day, as the setting sun burned red, Cui Nanshan knocked and entered again. As usual, he ruffled Wu Qiu's hair, asked how he was resting, and opened a lunchbox to bring out a bowl of noodles. Sitting by the bed, he watched Wu Qiu eat, keeping him company and talking with him. Taking the chance, Wu Qiu pleaded, "I feel much better now. Please let me go out for a walk. I just want to see my mother; I won't linger outside to play."

Cui Nanshan, still concerned, felt his pulse before agreeing. "Alright. Your fever has subsided now, and getting some fresh air would be good. But it's late, and the night breeze is still cool. You must return early to rest."

Wu Qiu was overjoyed. Recently, color had returned to his face, no longer as pale as before. When he smiled, his cheeks glowed. Seeing him like this, Cui Nanshan couldn't help but smile too. "Originally, I should have let you and your mother stay together. But the two vacant rooms here are truly not spacious enough, and there wasn't time to clear out another. We had to make do with this arrangement for now. Your concern for your mother is touching. Once she has fully recovered, we'll find a larger room for you both."

As if anticipating what Wu Qiu might say, he quickly added, "And no more thanking me. If you do, it'll feel like we're strangers."

Wu Qiu's face flushed even redder.

After the meal, Cui Nanshan took the dishes and left first. Wu Qiu, however, didn't rush out. He first tidied his hair to look more spirited, so he wouldn't worry Yang Shu, and only then left his room. Apart from the first day of his arrival, Wu Qiu hadn't yet wandered around the clinic's courtyard. Worried he might not find Yang Shu's room, he was surprised to encounter Lei Ding standing in the courtyard just as he stepped out.

Wu Qiu was staying in a small side room. Located in the northeast corner of the courtyard, the area in front of the room, against the courtyard wall, wasn't paved with stones. A few plants grew there, which didn't look like ordinary flowers, vegetables, or grains. Wu Qiu guessed they might be medicinal herbs. Lei Ding stood nearby, a water bucket on the ground, likely having just finished watering them.

Lei Ding turned and nodded at him. "Qiu Ge'er."

At home, formal greetings weren't necessary, but Wu Qiu, out of habit, still gave a slight bow. "Greetings, Brother Lei."

Lei Ding asked if he was feeling better. Wu Qiu replied that he was much improved, which was why Cui Nanshan had allowed him out for a walk. Remembering he could ask Lei Ding where Yang Shu was resting, he quickly added, "I was just thinking of visiting my mother, but I don't know which room she's in. Master Cui pointed me in a direction, but I'm afraid I might get lost, accidentally walk into the wrong room, and be impolite."

Lei Ding smiled. "No problem. I'll take you there."

The west wing courtyard of the clinic was originally where the brothers Lei Li and Lei Tan lived. There was also an empty room storing some miscellaneous items. After Yang Shu and Wu Qiu arrived, this room was cleared out. Considering that although Lei Tan and Lei Li were young, they were still men, and Wu Qiu was a young man, living together might make everyone feel constrained. Since she's older, Yang Shu had no issue staying with the two boys. Therefore, Yang Shu was settled there.

Lei Ding led Wu Qiu over. A light was on inside, and voices could be heard. Lei Ding explained, "Probably Mrs. Liu just brought the meal and hasn't left yet. You can go right in." He himself remained standing outside. Wu Qiu thanked him and hurriedly knocked on the door. "Mother, I've come to see you."

The door was opened by a kind-faced woman around forty. Wu Qiu recognized her as Mrs. Liu, a servant of the Lei family who had previously brought him meals and medicine. Mrs. Liu took his hand. "What are you doing here? Hurry inside, don't catch a chill. Your mother has been worried about you."

Wu Qiu agreed and entered, glancing back. Lei Ding was still standing there, giving him a slight nod, urging him to go in quickly.

When Yang Shu and Wu Qiu met, both couldn't hold back their tears. Even Mrs. Liu wiped her eyes beside them. Seeing that although his mother was thin, her spirits were good and her illness much improved, Wu Qiu was overjoyed. Mrs. Liu had just helped Yang Shu finish her meal before Wu Qiu arrived. Wu Qiu hurriedly brought over water for rinsing. Yang Shu held his hand, asking all sorts of questions. Only after learning that Wu Qiu's illness had greatly improved did she reluctantly feel at ease. They talked for a long while, catching up on everything that had happened these past few days. Eventually, as it grew too late, Mrs. Liu said Yang Shu needed to rest early, and Wu Qiu, having just recovered, should also return to bed. Wu Qiu then got up to leave. Mrs. Liu offered to light a lantern for him, but Wu Qiu smiled first. "No need to trouble yourself. The sky is clear tonight; the moonlight should be very bright. Besides, I'm not going far, just within this courtyard. I'll stroll around a bit and head back."

As he stepped out, Mrs. Liu followed to see him off. Lei Li and Lei Tan were cooling off in the courtyard. To Wu Qiu's surprise, Lei Ding hadn't left either; he was standing in the courtyard talking with his two younger brothers. Seeing him come out, Lei Li and Lei Tan gathered around to greet him. Wu Qiu chatted for a bit with them. Not daring to linger outside for long, fearing he might catch a chill and cause trouble for Lei Ding and the others again, he bid farewell after a few words, intending to return. Lei Ding came over from behind. "It's late. I'll go with you, so you don't have trouble in the dark."

After saying this, Lei Ding casually picked up a candlestick from the table. Wu Qiu initially wanted to decline but didn't wish to refuse his kindness, so he agreed. The two of them left the west wing courtyard together.

Tonight's moon was indeed clear as water, its silver light spilling onto the ground. Lei Ding wore a moon-white robe with silver-threaded auspicious cloud patterns. Illuminated by the moonlight, his tall and straight figure seemed to shimmer. The candlelight from the candlestick he held only lit half his face. From the side, his nose appeared even more prominent and handsome, his profile dashing and elegant. Wu Qiu stole glances at him, marveling inwardly that such a remarkable person truly existed in the world—not only handsome but also so kind and warm-hearted. Thinking this, he felt even more that he couldn't stay here idly; he must do his best to repay them. So he said to Lei Ding, "My illness is much better now, but my mother hasn't fully recovered yet. I'm afraid we'll have to impose for a while longer. If there's any household chore I can help with, I'll do everything I can. I can do anything."

Although Wu Qiu wore an extra layer, it was still summer, and the clothing was thin, easily revealing his slender frame. Perhaps this was the first time Lei Ding had looked at his face so attentively. His eyebrows were like kingfisher feathers, his phoenix eyes held a shimmering autumn-like depth, yet there was no trace of grievance in his gaze—only great determination. His thin lips pressed together tightly for a moment before he sighed. "At least let me do something, so I can feel at ease staying here."

The clinic courtyard wasn't large, and they soon reached Wu Qiu's door. Both stopped. Lei Ding pointed to the main room beside them. "My father and dad live in this room." He then pointed to a small door near the side room. "I live in the east wing courtyard. If you need anything, you can go directly to them or come find me. Don't stand on ceremony."

He paused, not immediately continuing. Wu Qiu stubbornly waited for him to agree to let him do some chores, unwilling to be the first to change the subject. For a moment, only the constant chirping of insects could be heard in the courtyard. Their eyes met briefly before both looked away, gazing up at the full moon in the sky.

It was nearly the fifteenth of the sixth lunar month; the moonlight grew increasingly bright.

Lei Ding continued, but this time his voice was very soft. "If you feel unwell anywhere at night, you must tell someone. Don't endure it alone."

Wu Qiu nodded. "Yes, I'll remember."

His eyes were truly captivating. Even Lei Ding could no longer bring himself to refuse. "Alright. Rest for two more days. If you're fully recovered, I'll take you to the front to help out."

Wu Qiu had originally thought of doing household chores, like washing clothes or cooking, not expecting Lei Ding to take him to the front to help treat patients. He quickly said, "I don't know medicine, and I can't read or write. I'm afraid I won't be of much help with seeing patients. I can stay in the back."

Lei Ding stepped forward and handed him the candlestick. "It's fine. You can just help with odd jobs. These past few days, they've been out on many house calls, and there are many patients. We're short-handed and can't manage. There aren't many household chores anyway. With Mrs. Liu looking after your mother, you needn't worry."

Wu Qiu didn't understand why Lei Ding suddenly gave him the candlestick, but he accepted it nonetheless, smiling at him, his eyes curving. "In that case, I'll do my best to learn."

The next day, Wu Qiu returned the candlestick to Lei Ding. Looking at it, Lei Ding's tone held a trace of surprise. "Tan Er came to me asking for his candlestick back. I searched for a long time but couldn't find it, and couldn't remember either. So it was with you."

Wu Qiu found it amusing. "Last night, while talking, you suddenly shoved the candlestick into my hands. I didn't dare ask and just took it. So Brother Lei gave it to me without thinking either."

Lei Ding also smiled. "Perhaps I was distracted while talking to you."

He had been afraid Wu Qiu might stumble in the dark, but in conversation, he forgot they were already standing at his door.

Wu Qiu rested for two more days. As agreed, Lei Ding brought him to the front hall. The Lei family usually lived in the east and west wings and one main room. The two rooms in the front hall were entirely used for receiving patients. These past few days, the city had been under strict curfew, but the Lei family were government doctors. Orders had come from above requiring them to aid the disaster victims. Therefore, Lei Xun, along with Lei Li and Lei Tan, were out on house calls outside the city almost daily. Only Lei Ding and Cui Nanshan remained at the clinic. Although there were other clinics and physicians in the city, they were also extremely busy. Fortunately, although Wu Qiu couldn't practice medicine, he was quick and capable, and his manner was very composed and gracious. He helped settle patients or decoct medicine.

By dusk, Lei Xun finally returned with Lei Li and Lei Tan. Cui Nanshan and Wu Qiu lit mugwort and fumigated them thoroughly at the entrance before letting them in. The two boys were exhausted; even Lei Tan was less talkative, complaining loudly of hunger and running to the back to help Mrs. Liu set the table. Lei Xun remained in the front. Cui Nanshan put down the mugwort branch in his hand. "That should do it, to prevent any epidemic from outside. You must be hungry after being out all day. I asked Mrs. Liu to cook your favorite dishes. Go wash your hands and eat."

Lei Xun gently leaned in from behind, placing a hand on Cui Nanshan's waist. "I just noticed you didn't look too well. Have you been too tired these past two days? Tomorrow, let's ask the pharmacy to send a few assistants to help."

Cui Nanshan leaned back into his embrace. "They only have a few people themselves; they've been just as swamped these past two days. We're managing alright. Xiao Qiu came to help today and handled quite a lot."

Lei Xun nodded. "Alright. I'll also look around these days. If I find capable people, I'll hire two more so you all won't be so overworked. Have Ting Er do a bit more; don't push yourself too hard. Does your back still hurt? After dinner, I'll take another look."

Cui Nanshan smiled and turned, leaning on Lei Xun's shoulder to whisper a few words. Surprisingly, even Lei Xun smiled, lowering his head to kiss Cui Nanshan's cheek.

At this time, Wu Qiu was still tidying bowls in the small side room where medicine was decocted, and from the side of the door, he could see Lei Xun and Cui Nanshan standing together. He had very little contact with Lei Xun, having only exchanged a few words. In his impression, Lei Xun always seemed very serious, somewhat taciturn. However, seeing how kind Cui Nanshan and Lei Ding were, and how lively the two younger ones, especially Lei Tan, he could guess that Lei Xun was probably just a man of few words, not a strict, harsh patriarch. Still, witnessing such a scene, he couldn't help but feel surprised—Lei Xun had this side to him too.

Lei Ding had entered at some point, helping Wu Qiu put away the remaining items. Following Wu Qiu's gaze, he understood Wu Qiu's thoughts about the contrast between Lei Xun and Cui Nanshan. He smiled. "They've always been like this. You'll know after staying a few more days."

Wu Qiu had become much more familiar with Lei Ding during this time and spoke less formally, but he still kept his voice low, not wanting to disturb Lei Xun and the others. "Before, I was a bit afraid of your father. I thought he was stern and unsmiling, surely very strict. Seeing today, it seems that's not entirely the case."

Lei Ding matched his lowered voice. "He just doesn't talk much, but he's a good person. You needn't be afraid of him."

As if remembering something, he showed a rare playful mood. "What about me? Would Qiu Ge'er be afraid of me too?"

Wu Qiu rested his chin in his hands, looking at Lei Ding, his eyes brimming with laughter. "No."

Before Lei Ding could respond, Lei Xun and the others passed by the door. Cui Nanshan then noticed the two of them still there and hurriedly said, "Stop tidying now. Go eat first, or the food will get cold."

Both quickly agreed, got up, and followed them to the courtyard. The summer weather was hot, so they often set a table in the courtyard, the family sitting together outside to eat. The conversation between Lei Ding and Wu Qiu remained unfinished, but it seemed the moment to continue had passed. Even after sitting at the table, they couldn't find a suitable opportunity to bring it up again.

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