1314: A Thousand Peonies Bloom
Warm Feeling of Spring

Arriving at the cave, Jiao asks Yu Hao to look for water, and Zhang to look for firewood. Jiao immediately pulled out a cloth to stop Shuwan's bleeding, which until now had not been conscious.

“Shuwan, you must endure,” Jiao said as she pressed Shuwan's wound with a cloth.

Not too long later Yu Hao had returned with water and said, “How is Shuwan doing?”

Jiao still bowed her focus on suppressing Shuwan's wounds with a worried face, until she opened her mouth, “At this time she is entering a critical period due to blood loss. It is likely that he will have a fever due to the pain of the wound he suffered. I will try my best to treat it.”

There was a noise from outside the mouth of the cave. Sounds like falling objects.

Apparently it was the wood that Zhang dropped in shock at Jiao's words. Since then he had been listening to Jiao's conversation with Yu Hao from outside the mouth of the cave.

Zhang entered the cave with a look as if he did not believe Shuwan's condition. He approaches Shuwan who is still helpless, and then bends his knees to the ground beside Shuwan. “You said this was for the common good, then why didn't you come to Shuwan's senses?”

Zhang grabbed Shuwan's face and grabbed his head. “Do you remember him, Shuwan? When we just met you said I was stupid. But in fact, you're more stupid than me. Sacrificing yourself to this extent. So then.. Awake now, Shuwan... Be aware... Realize that I didn't say you were so stupid!”

Jiao and Yu Hao looked only at Zhang who continued to speak to the critically ill Shuwan.

Suddenly Shuwan's body reacted. His breathing was like he was breathing heavily, only he still hadn't opened his eyes.

Zhang who was holding onto her became startled with excitement, “Jiao, did Shuwan start to wake up?”

“I-this, it might be. He began to react to the pain of his wounds. It's just that we still don't know whether he will be aware or not,” said Jiao who immediately pressed back Shuwan's wound with a cloth.

Zhang was silent for a moment. “I'm sure he'll be aware soon,” he said with a smile on Shuwan.

Jiao then asked Yu Hao to make a fire to warm their bodies as night had already arrived.

After Shuwan's bleeding stops, Jiao concocts a drug to put on Shuwan's wound. “Emm... Can you wait outside for a moment? I want to treat Shuwan's wounds and change his clothes because it is full of blood,” Jiao said after finishing the medicine.

“Good.” Zhang agreed quickly. Together with Yu Hao he came out of the cave until Jiao finished treating and changing Shuwan's clothes.

Outside the cave, Zhang was only speechless with a gaze that looked up at the sky. Yu Hao approached her and began to ask her to speak. “So, is Shuwan really your lover?”

“B-how could that fool be my lover?” Zhang answered with a stern answer.

Yu Hao resumed the conversation, “But all of that is clearly visible in your eyes. You love her, don't you? You just feel embarrassed to acknowledge and reveal it.”

“I just can't see him feeling pain. When I was sick, I felt the same pain. I don't understand any of this. Although I only met her a while ago, but somehow I felt so warm nearby. I also want to always keep him from getting hurt like this,” Zhang said in response to Yu Hao's question.

“I think in your previous life you were already interconnected. So my suggestion is that you better express your feelings to Shuwan, before you are late and regret it later,” Yu Hao said.

Zhang only fell silent looking at Yu Hao after he said that to himself. From inside the cave Jiao called out to the two of them.

When he entered, Yu Hao said, “What happened to Shuwan, Jiao? Why did you keep swiping your hand into Shuwan's?”

“Shuwan's body feels cold. It was like holding an ice cube. I don't know what's going on. Did he have a rare disease? Or do I not know either,” Jiao said frantically.

Rare disease? Ice-cold? Inner Yu Hao was filled with questions, until his mouth hummed, “But I saw him fine, like not a sick person.”

“Entahlah.. I don't know either. My medical science has not been that high to understand a difficult disease like this.”

Zhang, who had just been silent, slowly moved his foot towards Shuwan. “Give Shuwan to me. He's been given medicine, hasn't he?”

“You guys just rest, must be tired all day, right? About Shuwan, I'll take care of him.”

Zhang took out a sheet of cloth and continued to coat it, wrapping Shuwan's body with the cloths so that Shuwan's body could warm up again.

“But.” Yu Hao's speech was interrupted after Jiao withdrew her hand and gave the code by shaking her head.

“We'd better follow Zhang's wishes. After all, Zhang has been with Shuwan longer than us. Shuwan has also been treated. It should be fine after this if the medicine works straight away,” Jiao said.

Yu Hao simply nodded. They decide to rest on the other side in the cave, and stand guard in case something happens to Shuwan. As for Zhang, he leaned against the cave wall and hugged Shuwan's body tightly.

“You'll be fine, Shuwan. I'll take care of you" Zhang said attentively.

It did not feel like the night had reached its peak. Jiao and Yu Hao had already fallen asleep after Zhang asked them to rest. Zhang had just closed his eyes.

Shuwan who was in Zhang's arms suddenly opened his eyes. He realized that Zhang was embracing himself and fell asleep. Zhang...? What kind of warm feeling is this? Must be because it's spring ‘kan? Shuwan.

Due to unbearable thirst, Shuwan spoke in a soft voice at Zhang, “Haus.

Zhang, who had just fallen asleep, realized that Shuwan was awake. “What's up, Shuwan? Does anything hurt?“

Shuwan simply repeated his words in a soft voice, “Haus.

“You thirsty? Just sec... Then this is the drink.” Zhang swiftly picked up a container of water that was nearby. He gave it to Shuwan. However, due to Shuwan's weak condition he cannot drink it himself and instead spills it.

Finally Zhang took the initiative to give Shuwan a drink with his mouth. “I'm sorry, Shuwan. I have no other way,” he said after finishing giving Shuwan a drink.

Her cheeks were blushing, as this was her first time kissing a woman, although this was also a precarious state. They just stared at each other, until Shuwan lowered his gaze again.

Die me.. I think Shuwan is mad at me. Inner Zhang felt a little guilty for the actions he had just taken.

But who would have thought, Shuwan turned out to reply by saying,“Thank you..” This feeling is getting weird. Can it be like this? Shuwan is deep in pain and tries to ignore the feeling that tickles him.

“Sleep back Shuwan. It's still midnight. You don't have to worry, I'll take care of you,” Zhang chirped.

Finally Shuwan fell asleep again because his physique was weak and helpless.

The night passed so quietly. Until the chirping of birds continues to be unpretentious from within the forest, and does not feel the morning has gone up. Jiao, Yu Hao, and also Zhang had already woken up to prepare to resume their journey. “After getting out of here, we will arrive at a small village. We will buy some groceries and also medicine for Shuwan,” explained Yu Hao.

“Good,” said Zhang while carrying Shuwan's body to ride a horse.

The conscious Shuwan then opened his eyes and told Zhang. “No need to get like this. I can still walk if only towards the horse.”

Zhang ignored him, “There is no need for a strong pretent in front of me. You've been injured to this extent why not just follow a little anyway?” He kept on carrying Shuwan and riding a horse.

Shuwan also. I can't keep going like this. If not, this mission will fail.

“You don't think too much, there is me who will take care of you,” Zhang chirps which makes Shuwan shocked.

Can he really read my heart? If it's like this.. Could be bad. Shuwan nodded back in shock at Zhang's words.

The four of them continued their journey by spurring the horses to walk as quickly as possible leaving where they rested. Shuwan was still with Zhang, while Jiao was with Yu Hao.