Chapter 13 A Night in the Wilderness (Revised)

Chapter 13: Night in the Mountains

Lei Ding's call of "Qiu Er" was just like earlier in the carriage, not concealing a hint of intimacy in the slightest, making Wu Qiu's heart skip a beat. He reached out his hand. Lei Ding's hand was warm, strong, with long fingers, gently enveloping Wu Qiu's hand in his palm. His other hand came over to support Wu Qiu's body, helping him up and steady.

Wu Qiu was already up, but Lei Ding didn't let go, and Wu Qiu didn't pull away. Lei Ding just kept holding his hand, walking ahead himself, clearing away the vines and branches in front. He seemed very familiar with the mountain paths, so Wu Qiu asked, "Big Brother, did you often come to these mountains to gather herbs in the past? You know your way so well. The grass has covered the path, yet you can still recognize the direction."

Lei Ding smiled, "Yes, there are many fresh medicinal herbs in the mountains. In the past, when I had free time, I often came here for walks. Few villagers come to this area; it's remote and rarely visited, so the paths are naturally tougher. Mind your step. We'll probably reach the area where the Yunhu Herb grows in about another two hours, but the season isn't right now, so finding it might take some extra effort."

The path was indeed not easy to walk, but there were no particularly treacherous sections, and Wu Qiu could still keep up with Lei Ding's pace. The two walked for another full hour without stopping before pausing to rest, taking some food from their bundles. A few crumbs scattered on the ground immediately attracted some ants. The sight made Wu Qiu think of wild animals: "Are there any wild beasts in these mountains?"

Lei Ding handed over the opened water pouch: "Take another drink—there are wild beasts, but they're deep in the mountains. At most, there might be some pheasants or rabbits in the areas we can reach; there's no danger." He patted the sword hanging at his waist: "And if worse comes to worst, there's this. There are snakes and insects, but at night, burning mugwort and sprinkling lime will drive most of them away."

Wu Qiu continued asking, "Where will we stay at night?"

Lei Ding laughed, "You agreed to come with me without even knowing where we'd stay?"

Wu Qiu wasn't as shy now, looking up at him with a smile: "I trusted you because you seemed like a proper person. What, are you planning to sell me off? Eat slower, drink some water to moisten your throat. Here."

Lei Ding took the water pouch, casually using his thumb to wipe away a crumb from Wu Qiu's cheek: "How dare I? If I sold you, never mind anyone else, my father would beat me to death first. In the past, Yu Yuan and I often came here to gather herbs. We built a small hut halfway up the mountain; it'll do for a couple of nights."

Wu Qiu had already finished his dry rations and was repacking the bundle, pretending to be angry with Lei Ding: "Fine, when we get back, I'll only thank Master Cui and won't thank you a bit."

Even as he said this, he proactively reached out his hand, waiting for Lei Ding to take it. Lei Ding was more than willing, taking Wu Qiu's hand as they continued on their way. The mountain path was tough going, made worse by the summer rains and damp, making it muddy and slippery, with many thorns and overgrown plants. Lei Ding had a long stick in his other hand, using it to tap and probe the path ahead. Wu Qiu mustered all his strength to keep up. After two more hours, Lei Ding finally bent down and dug up a plant by its roots: "Found it. If we had come a month later, we wouldn't have had to go so deep to find it."

The plant was very slender, with jagged leaf edges, emitting a faint fragrance, though its roots were quite long. Lei Ding showed it to Wu Qiu before carefully placing it in the bamboo basket: "Qiu Er, remember what this herb looks like; this is the Yunhu Herb we're looking for. When you find it, dig it out carefully; the roots and stems can be used for medicine. The Yunhu Herb in these mountains isn't something we two could gather all of in a couple of days. Once the shipment from the pharmacy comes in, we won't come back to gather more. So, given the urgent situation now, don't worry too much; just pick whatever we see."

Wu Qiu agreed, and the two separated to search and collect. Worried they might inadvertently drift apart while focused on gathering, Lei Ding used a hemp rope, tying one end around his own waist and the other around Wu Qiu's, which put his mind at rest.

When he suddenly straightened up, Wu Qiu realized he had been hunched over for a long time. His waist ached so much he couldn't help but frown, rubbing it as he moved over to show Lei Ding his small bamboo basket. Lei Ding said there was no rush, pulling him to a flat spot. He sat down on a rock first, beckoning to Wu Qiu: "There's no rush. Come here, let me massage it for you, so you don't hurt your back."

Wu Qiu came over, and Lei Ding had him lie face down across his lap. Wu Qiu's face immediately flushed red, but Lei Ding spoke so matter-of-factly, as if it were just a regular doctor treating a patient, so he cautiously lay down, not daring to completely relax.

Lei Ding used the base of his palm to stroke along Wu Qiu's spine, found the right spot, and pressed down firmly for the first time. Unprepared, Wu Qiu cried out "Ah!", his body jolting, then went limp, collapsing as if his tendons had been pulled out. He turned his head with difficulty, looking pitifully at Lei Ding: "Be gentler, it hurts."

Lei Ding agreed: "Alright. You've been bending over for so long; your muscles are stiff. If you don't relax them properly, it'll hurt even more tomorrow. Bear with it a little longer; I'll massage it for you, and it'll feel better soon."

Wu Qiu pouted: "You say be gentle, but your hands haven't lightened up at all. I realized this morning that gathering herbs is like autumn harvest—you can't straighten up halfway through; the more you do, the more your back hurts later. It's best to stay bent over from the start."

But Lei Ding's technique was indeed good. After the initial wave of pain passed, it felt as if the blood vessels and meridians were clearing, and the soreness in his waist lessened considerably.

Lei Ding, however, fell silent for a long time. Only after the massage ended and he told Wu Qiu to stand up did he speak again: "In the past... you suffered a lot."

Wu Qiu opened the bundle to find some dry rations, sat down next to Lei Ding, and gently shook his head: "I wouldn't call it suffering. Among farming families, husbands and wives often go to the fields to do some farm work. It's just..."

It was just that Lei Ding felt sorry for him, which made even this ordinary labor seem like suffering.

Actually, when Wu Qiu did these farm chores back then, he didn't think much of it. Moreover, he hadn't just started working in the last year or two. His father passed away when he was three. At that time, his mother helped others with farm work during busy seasons. With no one to look after him, he would wear a small straw hat and follow along to the fields, picking up wheat ears, pulling a few weeds. As he grew older, he started doing proper work with a small sickle. Now, receiving a word of concern by chance, he suddenly remembered—back then, he was still a child...

He used to envy other families' young men who were doted on and didn't have to work so hard. But many children in farming families were like this, so he felt he had no reason to feel wronged.

But then he happened to meet Lei Ding.

Perhaps out of habit from taking care of his two younger brothers at home, Lei Ding naturally reached out to stroke Wu Qiu's hair, as if comforting a child: "Even if everyone is like that, it doesn't mean the hardships you endured don't count."

He sighed again: "If only I had met you earlier."

This was said so softly that Wu Qiu wasn't sure if he had heard correctly, instinctively asking: "What?"

Lei Ding shook his head: "Nothing."

He was about to tell Wu Qiu to eat a bit more, but Wu Qiu had already packed up and stood up, walking behind him. Wu Qiu didn't know Lei Ding's massage techniques, but at home, he often helped Yang Shu massage her shoulders and legs, so he wasn't unfamiliar with it. He tentatively reached out to rub Lei Ding's back and waist: "You're so tall; gathering herbs all morning must be more tiring for you than for me. While we're resting, let me give you a little massage too."

Lei Ding wanted to tell him that he knew his own limits, that Wu Qiu didn't need to worry about him or spend his rest time doing this. But as soon as Wu Qiu's fingers pressed on his shoulders, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. Stiffening, he hesitated for a long moment, only managing to utter a thank you.

Wu Qiu chuckled.

Night fell early in the mountains, and with the dense forest, traveling at night would be dangerous. Besides, their night quarters still needed cleaning and tidying, so Lei Ding didn't delay too long. By the time fiery clouds tinged the horizon, the two had already descended from the heights and arrived near a small hut halfway up the mountain.

The hut was built of wood and stone, almost hidden among the rocks. It was indeed very small, only suitable as a temporary resting place.

Wu Qiu's tone held surprise and admiration: "How on earth did you find it? I lost my sense of direction long ago."

Lei Ding smiled: "Come often enough, and you naturally remember. Although few people set foot here, there are still discernible paths."

He walked around inside and outside the hut a few times, confirming nothing was amiss before letting Wu Qiu enter. There was no bed inside, only a wooden plank laid on the ground, and no other furniture except a bamboo shelf filled with pots, pans, bowls, and ladles. In another corner were several clay stoves, all neatly arranged. Presumably, this group of doctors used to process herbs here, setting these up for convenience in decocting medicine. No one had been in the hut for some time, and a layer of dust had accumulated, but otherwise, nothing was damaged. After cleaning, staying for a night or two wouldn't be a problem.

When they initially chose the site to build this hut, they specifically surveyed the surrounding water sources, ultimately building it near a mountain stream. By the time Lei Ding returned with two buckets of water, it was almost dark. Wu Qiu had started a fire on the stone slab in front of the door. Catching a glimpse of Lei Ding's vague figure in the dim light, he hurried out to meet him: "That's quite a distance. Any later and it would be completely dark. Darkness in the mountains isn't like in the city with lights. I was just thinking that if you didn't come back soon, I'd make two torches and go look for you."

Lei Ding set down the buckets, wanting to pat Wu Qiu's head but stopping himself, remembering his hands were wet: "Good thing Qiu Er didn't go out. It's dangerous in the forest at night; don't run off on your own."

As soon as the words "Qiu Er" left his mouth, Wu Qiu's face flushed red again. Fortunately, it was already dusky, so he figured Lei Ding couldn't see. He quickly changed the subject: "I've already cleaned the inside. I'll go get the dry rations."

Their dinner was simple: the food they brought plus boiled hot water. Lei Ding sighed as he ate: "Actually, there's plenty of wild game in the mountains, and some freshly picked wild vegetables have flavors you can't get from city produce. It's a pity we don't have time for that this trip. I'll find a chance to get some for you to try another time."

With nothing else to distract them now, Wu Qiu finally had the opportunity to bring up something he had been thinking about for a long time. He set down his water bowl, gently clinging to Lei Ding's arm, leaning against him. He could feel the muscles in Lei Ding's arm suddenly tense, and he grew nervous too, but still said softly: "Then next time, after this disaster passes and the refugees have returned home, when the clinic isn't so busy, if Big Brother comes up the mountain to gather herbs again, can you bring me to try something fresh?"

Lei Ding, of course, understood the implication in these words. Not daring to speak too hastily or with too intense a tone, as if afraid of startling Wu Qiu, he adjusted his breathing twice before saying: "Naturally, I'll bring you."

He paused, then asked: "But looking at this year's situation, there probably won't be a chance to come again for leisure. It might have to wait until next year. Would Qiu Er be willing to wait?"

Wu Qiu nodded: "I'm willing."

Lei Ding slowly straightened his posture, wanting to embrace him. Wu Qiu didn't resist. The firelight illuminated his face, showing even the tips of his ears were red.

He wrapped his arms around Lei Ding's neck, burying his face against the side of his neck. Lei Ding held him tightly, different from the gentleness in the carriage during the day, as if wanting to meld him into his own body.

The temperature in the mountains at night was much lower than in the city. A mountain breeze blew through, carrying a chill that could penetrate the walls. Worried Wu Qiu might catch cold, Lei Ding leaned over to pull both their cloaks from the bundle. He put on his own, wrapped Wu Qiu in his embrace, and took another to drape over him from behind.

Wu Qiu blinked, looking at him. Lei Ding lowered his head to meet his gaze, asking softly: "Are you cold?"

Wu Qiu shook his head, biting his lip again. Lei Ding couldn't help but reach out, his thumb pressing against Wu Qiu's lower lip, gently pushing to rescue the already flushed lip from between his teeth. That deep red hue was like a juicy, sweet wild fruit in the mountains, tempting one to take a bite. Lei Ding felt his throat tighten, tentatively leaning closer. Their noses touched, lightly brushing against each other.

Wu Qiu's heart was beating too fast; he was truly afraid that if he opened his mouth, his heart would leap out. He instinctively wanted to close his eyes, but couldn't bear to miss the sight of Lei Ding in this moment of passion. Lei Ding's hand caressed the back of his neck, applying a slight pressure, drawing him closer. In the flurry of his frantic heartbeat, Wu Qiu slightly parted his lips, letting out a breath that sounded like a whimper.

His entire focus was on this moment, intensely concentrated, all his senses seemingly heightened to the extreme.

Around them, aside from their small circle of firelight, everything else was pitch black, with only the sound of wind rustling through leaves and the chirping of insects in the grass. Suddenly, from within this darkness, a sharp burst of laughter erupted. The laughter also resembled a child's cry, seeming very close, coming from above the two of them.

Wu Qiu was startled, his body shuddering violently as he threw himself into Lei Ding's arms. Lei Ding instantly protected Wu Qiu's head and neck, pressing him against his chest while alertly looking around and listening carefully. The laughter sounded again. Wu Qiu shrank further into his embrace. Lei Ding patted his back: "Qiu Er, don't be afraid. It's an owl. That was its call just now."

Back in the village, the elders said that when this creature appeared, it meant someone was going to die. So even with this explanation, Wu Qiu's expression didn't improve much. He warily glanced around before lowering his head again. Lei Ding hurriedly comforted him: "It was careless of me; I forgot about these things in the deep forest at night. Qiu Er, don't be afraid. You go back inside first. I'll tidy up outside and come in."

He didn't let Wu Qiu walk alone either, picking him up and carrying him inside, placing him on the wooden plank in the hut. He lit a lamp for him before going back out to tidy up outside. To prevent snakes or insects from crawling in, he sprinkled a circle of lime powder around the house.

Although the furnishings in the hut were simple, the structure was solid, and the items were in good condition, which was already quite good. Wu Qiu laid out their bedding on the wooden plank. After hesitating for a long while, he moved his own bedding a bit closer to Lei Ding's side, reducing the distance between them to about a foot.

He finished arranging everything gloomily, sitting on the bedding waiting for Lei Ding to return, feeling a bit of regret and secretly blaming himself for being too timid.

Lei Ding felt extremely uncomfortable lying down. It was so dark inside he couldn't even make out Wu Qiu's figure, so he tentatively spoke: "The nights are dark in the mountains. Is Qiu Er scared?"

Wu Qiu's voice came: "Mm... I was a little scared at first, but with you here, I'm not afraid anymore."

Though there was some distance between them, it wasn't far. Wu Qiu tentatively reached out a hand and touched the edge of Lei Ding's bedding. Fortunately, Lei Ding didn't notice, so he quickly withdrew his hand. He scolded himself inwardly. They weren't even married yet—a man and a man—how could he entertain such forward thoughts?

Lei Ding continued to ask, "Are you cold?"

Wu Qiu hesitated for a long while before whispering softly, "A little."

He heard Lei Ding rustling as he got up, and moments later, he felt Lei Ding move his bedding right next to his own.

Wu Qiu's heart began to race again. He pressed a hand to his chest, as if afraid Lei Ding might hear its frantic pounding, and steadied his voice to speak: "Mm... Brother, come a little closer... so we can... warm each other up."

As soon as the words left his mouth, his back was met with the warmth of Lei Ding's embrace.

Lei Ding's low voice sounded by his ear: "Qiu Er, would you be willing to become my husband?"

Wu Qiu turned in his arms and gently pressed a finger to Lei Ding's lips: "Before we talk about that, I have a question I want to ask you, Brother."

His voice fell quiet: "I won't ask how you plan to treat me in the future, nor about family property or wealth. I only have one question—I'm just a country man, I've been married before, I have a mother-in-law to care for, I have no one to rely on and no money, and my home was washed away by the flood. You're the most respected physician in Yongning City, with a family and a thriving medical practice. How could you possibly fall in love with someone like me?"

Wu Qiu lowered his head. The words that had been weighing on his heart didn't come easily; his courage was nearly gone. He couldn't help but choke up: "If it were another man who took shelter in the clinic for a month, would you have fallen in love with him too, after getting to know him over time?"

Author's Note:

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The atmosphere in this chapter was so good they almost kissed. Thankfully, I wisely went back to check the outline and realized they're not allowed to kiss yet. [crying dog emoji] [crying dog emoji]