Chapter 5

Add firewood, light the fire.

In the heat of the day, Mu Chuntao's body soon broke out in a sweat. The medicinal ointment on her body, which was almost dry, was once again moistened by her sweat, leaving streaks of white sweat marks on her dark skin.

"How hot, how much longer do I need to stay here?" Mu Chuntao's face was red, and beads of sweat kept rolling down her face.

Li Zian said, "Just two more minutes. Sweating can accelerate your blood circulation and metabolism."

This wasn't something Ji Da had taught him; it was knowledge he had learned from books. Ji Da was a figure from the Western Zhou Dynasty, a time when such advanced knowledge didn't exist. However, he increasingly felt that combining Ji Da's alchemical skills with modern scientific knowledge would be highly effective!

After two minutes, without waiting for Li Zian to remind her, Mu Chuntao eagerly climbed out of the pit. Her movements were still a bit stiff, but it was clear that she was much better.

"Your method really works. I feel much better. It was very painful just now, but now it doesn't hurt at all. You're really amazing," Mu Chuntao said, staring at Li Zian with eyes full of curiosity and gratitude.

Li Zian smiled, feeling very happy. The villagers all said he was a freeloader, a useless person, and no one had ever praised him. He had almost forgotten the feeling of being recognized and praised.

"Are you a professional alchemist?" Mu Chuntao asked.

Li Zian thought for a moment before saying, "Yes, but I rarely use my skills. I only acted just now because your condition was very dangerous."

"What do you usually do?" Mu Chuntao asked, probing further. She seemed very interested in everything about Li Zian.

"Farm and take care of the elderly," Li Zian said.

Being a farmer is nothing to be ashamed of. No matter who asked him, he could always say it with pride.

"You have such great skills, it's a waste not to go out and achieve something. I know many people and have connections. If you're willing, I can help you," Mu Chuntao said hopefully.

Li Zian really wanted to agree, but before he could speak, Lin Shengnu's face appeared in his mind.

If he left, who would take care of her?

Yu Meilin had entrusted Lin Shengnu to his care, so he couldn't go anywhere.

"Let's talk about it later. By the way, Miss Mu, what do you do? How did you end up parachuting from the sky?" Li Zian changed the subject, a question he had wanted to ask for a long time.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Mu Chuntao's eyes. She said, "I like extreme sports, but there was an accident this time. Fortunately, I met you; otherwise, I would have been in trouble."

Li Zian looked up at the sky, which was dotted with white clouds, but no plane was in sight. Then he realized his action was a bit silly. She had parachuted down; would the plane wait for her?

"Is there a water source nearby? I want to take a bath; my body is itchy and uncomfortable," Mu Chuntao said.

Li Zian said, "There's a pond not far from here, but it's open. Why don't you come to my house? I have a bathroom."

"That wouldn't be appropriate. I'll go to the pond you mentioned. You can keep watch for me, and I'll just wash up," Mu Chuntao said.

"Alright." Li Zian put Mu Chuntao's clothes and shoes in a basket and carried it on his back. Then he asked, "Do you want your parachute?"

"That broken parachute almost killed me. I don't want it anymore," Mu Chuntao said.

Li Zian led the way, and Mu Chuntao, whose injuries hadn't fully healed, walked with difficulty.

"Can I help you walk?" Li Zian asked.

Mu Chuntao nodded and reached out her hand for Li Zian to hold.

Li Zian held her hand, which was covered in dried medicinal ointment, but it made his heart flutter.

It had been four years since he had held his wife's hand. The first time he held a woman's hand was with a woman he had just met.

There was no path in the forest, and Mu Chuntao was still injured. After a few steps, she stumbled on a rock and fell to the ground.

In a panic, Li Zian threw down his hoe and caught Mu Chuntao around the waist.

The ointment fell off, and his hand touched a soft, smooth surface, like silk.

Li Zian was nervous and felt it was inappropriate to hold her, but if he let go, she would roll down the hill. How could he let go?

Mu Chuntao's body also stiffened, and her eyes showed a hint of tension. In this remote area, with her in this state and a young, strong man, if he got excited and did something to her, she would be like a lamb to a tiger.

Li Zian suddenly bent down, freed one hand, and lifted her by the legs.

"You... what are you doing?" Mu Chuntao suddenly became nervous.

Li Zian didn't look at her, but walked down the hill, saying, "Your injuries haven't fully healed, and you can't walk down this hill. I'll carry you down. It's better down there; there's a path."

Mu Chuntao was nervous and embarrassed, but she knew she needed his help, so she didn't say anything.

Li Zian was carrying several dozen pounds of things on his back and a woman of about a hundred pounds in his arms, walking down a hill with no path, but he found it effortless, moving quickly down the hill.

The Da Huo furnace had transformed him.

The Da Shui Qigong had made him stronger.

Another reason was that he had used leverage, which increased his strength.

The pond was the same one where Zhang Fei had shot an arrow to create a spring. The water was clear, and the ripples were gentle.

Li Zian placed Mu Chuntao by the pond. "Go ahead and wash. I'll keep watch for you."

"Okay." Mu Chuntao responded, then added, "Don't go too far."

Li Zian's steps paused for a moment, then he nodded and quickly walked into the woods by the pond.

The tranquility of the forest was broken by the sound of water.

Li Zian was in a mental struggle.

A quick glance wouldn't hurt.

A voice in his head said, "Look, you've never seen this before. It's a rare opportunity."

But no matter how much he wanted to, his head never turned.

After a while, Mu Chuntao's voice came, "I'm done."

Li Zian then walked out of the woods.

Mu Chuntao had already put on her coat, her face clean and her features delicate, especially her eyes, which were bright and expressive, very beautiful.

Mu Chuntao smiled brightly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. I'll take you down the mountain," Li Zian said.

Mu Chuntao said, "I remember your hoe is still on the hill. Aren't you going to pick it up?"

Li Zian picked up the basket. "It's fine. I'll come back to this mountain to gather herbs, and I'll pick it up then."

Mu Chuntao followed Li Zian, hesitating for a moment before saying, "I was watching to see if you would peek. I thought you might, but you didn't. You're really an interesting person."

Li Zian: "..."

Was this a compliment or a comment on his foolishness?

Mu Chuntao took a business card from her pocket and handed it to Li Zian with both hands. "I want to be friends with you. Is that okay?"

Li Zian took the card with both hands and smiled. "Of course, but I don't have a card. Why don't you leave me your phone number?"

"Add me on WeChat too," Mu Chuntao said with a smile.

They chatted as they walked down the mountain.

When they entered the village, the villagers looked at Li Zian and Mu Chuntao with strange eyes.

Mu Chuntao took out her phone and called for a car to pick her up.

After she finished the call, Li Zian said, "Why don't you come to my house and wait for the car?"

Mu Chuntao said, "No need to trouble you. I called an ambulance. I want to go to the hospital for a check-up."

Li Zian was slightly stunned, then said, "Right, it's better to get a check-up. I won't accompany you; I have an elderly lady at home, and I need to go back and cook for her."

"Then... let's keep in touch. Goodbye," Mu Chuntao said, looking at Li Zian with a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

Li Zian waved and went home with the basket on his back.

"Li Zian, the freeloader, is with another city woman again?"

"Maybe he's addicted to freeloading, eating from one bowl and then another. Ha ha."

"Such a pretty face, freeloads bowl after bowl, really impressive."

"Pah! He's disgracing the men of our Moonlight Village!"

"I heard that the freeloader beat up Chen Gang and his wife yesterday. Did you know?"

"Oh, they're not decent people..."

Familiar gossip, familiar taste.

In this place, there are many who can't tolerate those different from themselves, and many who can't stand those who live better than themselves, leading to all sorts of gossip and rumors.

Li Zian couldn't hear these whispers and gossip, but even if he did, what could he do?

The villagers had already made him a topic of conversation. Could he fight the whole village?

"Li Zian, remember to call me!" Mu Chuntao's voice suddenly rang out, clear and pleasant.

Li Zian turned around and nodded with a smile.

After hardship, the peach blossoms bloom.

Could she really be that peach blossom?

On the way home, Li Zian's mind was full of white, hazy memories.

Then he felt a strange sense of melancholy.

Married for four years, he had never even touched his wife's hand.

What good is being handsome?

What good is having leverage?

"Li Zian, where have you been?" Lin Shengnu came up to him as soon as he entered the door, concerned.

Li Zian put his chaotic thoughts aside. "Grandma, I went up the mountain to gather some herbs and ingredients to make you a nourishing soup. I went far and couldn't get back in time to cook for you. Have you eaten?"

"I cooked a bowl of noodles. Haven't you eaten yet?"

"No."

Lin Shengnu gave Li Zian a look. "Then what are you standing there for? Go cook something to eat. You're being silly."

Li Zian smiled and went to the kitchen with the basket.

What secret recipe should he try with this basket of herbs and ingredients?