"Who are you? Where am I?" the woman barked again when Luo Ziling did not respond.
"My name is Luo Ziling. You're in Qingfeng Village," Luo Ziling reacted and quickly responded then.
"I stumbled across you while I was out in the mountains gathering herbs. You were severely wounded and I've treated them."
Luo Ziling looked at the woman earnestly with his eyes reflecting a faint smile.
"You've saved me?" She hummed. Seeing how honest Luo Ziling was and noticing how his eyes reflected deep clear water; of pure innocence, the injured woman calmed a little. Her glare remained, but it contained less enmity although the tone of her speech was still stiff, reserved.
"I did. You're injured, after all. You were unconscious when I found you on the hill and I saved you," Luo Ziling confessed as he looked slightly awkward.
"I've tended to your wounds and applied Jinchuang powder. I've also decocted some medicine. It's good for you. It will be ready in a while."
The medication he applied for the woman was a special secret blend that required utmost concentration. If it was measured with physical cash, it would be worth a sum; Luo Ziling was feeling a little disgruntled by that fact.
The woman had not removed her glare from Luo Ziling although it was now warmer than before.
"I've told you what you want to know. I won't press on if you don't want to tell me about yourself," said Luo Ziling. He went into the kitchen and fetched a bowl of porridge.
"Have some. You must be starving."
"Where are my belongings?"
She ignored what Luo Ziling said, turning about and searching for something.
She had a nice voice but it was just too cold; it made him feel uncomfortable.
"I gathered them here," Luo Ziling said as he walked away and returned with all of her belongings. He placed her items neatly next to her bed.
"These are yours. Please see if there's any missing."
The woman examined them and did nothing after.
She was tired. Every ounce of energy she had recovered was spent. Moreover, Luo Ziling did not present any signs of danger.
"I'll feed you," Luo Ziling said. He took two pillows and placed them under her head without her saying, allowing her to prop herself up.
"I just made this. Have some," said Luo Ziling as he scooped a spoon of porridge and brought it close to her.
She turned to meet his eyes and realized that when Luo Ziling spoke to her with that look of complete honesty, she could not help but also notice a little grin.
The two of them locked eyes, refusing to give up, and after several seconds, she softened a little and was willing to be fed.
The bowl of porridge was finished rather quickly.
Following that, Luo Ziling fetched the brewed medication and returned.
"This will restore your energy and hasten the recovery of your wounds. Take this and sleep well. Tomorrow, you'll feel different."
Luo Ziling did not say anything after that. He tested the medication's temperature before scoping a spoonful and brought it closer to her lips.
She hesitated a little but ultimately did not reject it.
It was incredibly bitter, so much so that she involuntarily furrowed her eyebrows. However, she soldiered on and consumed the bowl of bitter medicinal soup.
Once over, her cheeks began to show a faint reddish hue.
Luo Ziling left her alone and entered the kitchen with the used bowls, leaving her alone to herself.
She stayed awake just for a while before she yawned and rested her eyes.
Luo Ziling returned later and removed the pillows behind her back. The woman's eyes remained close but her lashes twitched a little.
It was tiring that day. After Luo Ziling lay on his bed, he fell asleep quickly.
The woman only fell asleep a while later.
The night went by peacefully, and Luo Ziling woke up the next day when it was already bright.
He got dressed and got off his bed. The woman beside him was still sleeping soundly. As quietly as possible, he walked up to her side and examined her. Today, her face was no longer as pasty as it was when he found her. There was a little reddish glow to her face, redder than last night. Fortunately, it was not the kind where one got when one was sick. Knowing that, he felt relieved.
He changed into his hiking boots, and prepared himself for a morning exercise. That was his routine activity every morning after he woke up.
Unbeknownst to him, the moment he walked out of the room, the woman opened her eyes after the door was quietly shut.
She had already been awake but chose not to open her eyes earlier.