Luke looked up at the sky and said, "It’s getting late. Why don’t we go tomorrow? Let’s rest tonight and head to the village in the morning."
Zhu Yanyi sighed. "Sickness doesn’t care about time. Even though they’ve been sick for a long time, as a doctor, if I can help them sooner, I should. If we can go today, why wait until tomorrow?"
Luke hurriedly explained, "The people in that village don’t like to come out at night. Even if you go, they won’t want to see a doctor after dark."
"Oh, I see. Alright, let’s go tomorrow then." Zhu Yanyi changed her mind. She looked at Yan Aohan beside her. "What do you think?"
Yan Aohan nodded in agreement. "You decide. Going tomorrow is fine. You can get a good rest today."
Zhu Yanyi nodded slightly. The cinnabar mole between her brows seemed darker, showing she was tired. "Let’s go back first. We’ll go tomorrow." Once the decision was made, she had no more objections. She glanced at the cliff one last time before leaving.
Back at their resting place, Zhu Yanyi first checked on Elder Chun. She hadn’t woken up yet, but her breathing was much more stable. Wang Dali told Zhu Yanyi, "When the medicine was ready, we fed Master. She could swallow it."
Zhu Yanyi smiled and nodded, relief showing on her face. "That’s expected. As long as Grandpa Chun is cared for like this, he will slowly recover." What she didn’t say was that losing one-tenth of his brain was a loss that could never be fully repaired.
After checking on Elder Chun, she visited the five bodyguards. They were out of danger, and with Qu Zhong and others taking care of them, Zhu Yanyi only stayed for a moment before stepping outside. She walked to a rocky outcrop near the port, sat down, and watched the fishing boats returning to harbor.
"Why did you come out here?" Yan Aohan had finished his own business and came looking for Zhu Yanyi. He hadn’t expected to find her sitting on the port rocks. He came over and sat beside her.
Zhu Yanyi took a deep breath. "I just felt a bit stifled inside, so I came out for a walk. Why did you come out?"
Yan Aohan handed her a bread roll. "I handled some things and picked up dinner for you. The food here is mostly dry rations. When we get back, I’ll cook something nice for you."
Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly. "I’m not really a foodie." She took a bite of the bread, but as she swallowed, tears quietly fell.
Yan Aohan didn’t speak. He simply pulled her into his arms, letting her rest her head on his shoulder. "Don’t be sad. Don’t pretend to be happy. Be yourself. Elder Yao will be fine."
Zhu Yanyi choked back her sobs and swallowed the bread. After a while, she pulled away from his shoulder. "People shouldn’t see this. If Grandpa Yao finds out, he’ll blame me for falling in love too early." Her voice was still thick with emotion, but she didn’t seem defeated or silent.
"Doesn’t this feel a bit like burning the bridge after crossing it?" Yan Aohan looked at Zhu Yanyi, amused and helpless.
Zhu Yanyi shot her a glance. "I like burning bridges after crossing them. What can you do about it?"
"Nothing. You’re the boss in our family," Yan Aohan said gently, looking at Zhu Yanyi with warmth.