By sunset, I had finally learned how to crack melon seeds from the gap-toothed young apprentice at the medical clinic. When the doctor emerged from the back, wiping his hands, the surrounding children scattered in an instant.
The night wind was biting.
I brushed the seed shells off my lap and looked at the doctor expectantly.
"The external injuries are truly severe. Fortunately, with three to five years of careful recuperation, he shouldn't end up disabled," the doctor said with a heavy expression, concluding with a shake of his head. "However, as for practicing martial arts again... I'm afraid that is no longer possible."
I didn't quite follow all of that, so I picked the question I cared about most: "When will it stop hurting?"
The doctor looked at me blankly.
"Those wounds on him—when will they stop being painful?"
"...That... they should heal within a month."
That felt like a long time. Having to lie there for a month sounded quite miserable for him. I nodded to the doctor and strolled inside to check on him.
The Shadow Guard lay quietly on the couch, his breathing so soft it was barely perceptible. His original tattered clothes, which had been matted to his wounds with dried blood, had been stripped away and replaced with layers upon layers of bandages. Likely due to the severity of his injuries, there wasn't a hint of color in his entire body.
His hair had finally been tidied as well, flowing smoothly beside the couch, making his face appear even paler.
*Wait, his face is actually quite handsome. And I haven't seen it on Taobao before—could it be that I, the Creator God, sculpted it myself? I’m actually pretty impressive.*
I sat down beside him, looking down at him in silence, using my gaze to soothe his spiritual trauma.
"...Master," he spoke first, asking, "Where are your clothes...?"
I replied, "I traded them to the shopkeeper for medicine money."
"..."
The night wind was indeed very cold.
Two naked men, facing each other in silence.
"You haven't eaten anything all day. You must be hungry, right?" I reached into my only remaining piece of clothing—my boxers—and pulled out a handful of melon seeds to offer him.
The Shadow Guard took one look and shook his head solemnly.
So, he didn't like melon seeds. Dejectedly, I stuffed them back into my boxers.
The doctor said he needed peace and quiet to recover, so I quickly took my leave.
With nowhere else to go, I went back to squatting outside the shop to crack melon seeds. However, they weren't exactly filling.
I was hungry and cold.
Living felt a bit pathetic.
After squatting for a long time, I heard the sound of people moving and talking in the main hall. A man's voice was low and muffled, but a woman's voice was higher, and a few snippets drifted into my ears: "I'd heard those bandits were arrogant, but to think they'd dare bully people right here in Changluo! ...I knew the fabric of those clothes wasn't from any ordinary household... It's fine, don't thank me, this little bit of help is nothing... It's not safe out there either, you two better be more careful from now on..."
The talking continued for a while inside. Then, the woman's voice faded as she walked away. I heard footsteps approaching me, and then a cloak was draped over my shoulders. The cold wind was instantly blocked out, and a wave of indescribable gratitude surged in my heart. I turned around to see the Shadow Guard. *Wait, why is this guy up?*
"Master, the wind is strong here. Let us go inside."
"Okay."
After a moment, seeing that I hadn't moved, the Shadow Guard asked in confusion, "...Master?"
"My legs are numb. I can't stand up." The human body was truly difficult to master.
"..." The Shadow Guard let out a soft sigh and reached down to take my hand. Perhaps because I had been in the cold wind for so long, his temperature felt exceptionally scorching.
He tested the temperature of my hand, which was as cold as a stone.
Without warning, he picked me up.
In a strange, curled-up posture.
"Wait, what happened to the 'severe injuries beyond cure'?"
"It is no longer an issue." Ignoring my protests, the Shadow Guard hauled my squatting self back into the room and laid me flat on the bed.
After setting me down, he straightened up, only to find that both of my hands were firmly tucked into his armpits.
"...Master, what are you doing?"
"It's warm here."
"..."
With grim determination, the Shadow Guard forcibly extracted my hands from his armpits.
*Oh! Cold! Heartless!*
Expressionless, he began to help me into layers of clothing—simple cotton and linen. Without the original mess of jade pendants and accessories, it was actually quite comfortable. Only then did I notice he had also changed into a plain robe. His hair was tied low, and the scent of blood had long since vanished, replaced by the faint fragrance of medicinal herbs. *Wait, where did you get these clothes?*
"I told the lady of the house that Master was originally a wealthy merchant who was ambushed by bandits on the way to Changluo, losing all wealth and servants. Master's clothes and accessories were of great value, so she believed me and was willing to provide for us for a few days." After finishing his report, he offered his usual repentance: "This subordinate is incompetent and has caused Master to lose his property. I am ashamed."
Once I was dressed, the Shadow Guard tucked me back into the covers and reached out to hold my popsicle-like hands. His palms were broad and thick, perfectly enveloping my popsicles—no, I mean, my hands. Once my temperature had recovered a bit, he consciously let go and took a step back, kneeling by the side of the couch.
A woman entered with a smile, lifting the curtain. Judging by the voice, she was the one who had been talking to the Shadow Guard earlier. She placed a large tray on the table and called out, "Come, come! I've just whipped up a few simple dishes. Eat them while they're hot! I don't know your tastes, so if it's too salty or bland, just let me know."
I sat down happily. The woman left as soon as she set down the food. The Shadow Guard refused to eat at the same table as me, and it took quite a bit of persuasion before he finally picked up his chopsticks. I didn't know how to use chopsticks, so I spent the whole time grabbing food with my bare hands. After a few bites, I couldn't help but say, "This is better than what you make."
"...This subordinate is incompetent."
Incompetent again. Why are you always incompetent? *How old are you* incompetent?
"Is cooking a mandatory skill for Shadow Guards? Are all other Shadow Guards good at cooking?"
"No. Most only know a few dishes to maintain basic physical needs," he replied.
"Since cooking isn't within a Shadow Guard's skill set, why do you blame it on your 'incompetence'?" I frowned. "I don't know many things right now, and your phrasing is very misleading. I hope you'll be more careful in the future."
The Shadow Guard was speechless.
Unsure if he understood, I added, "I've noticed you always like to take the blame for everything. That's your own problem. I don't care what your mindset is, but when I talk to you, I hope you can convey more direct and effective information, rather than ambiguous self-loathing. Is that hard? Can you do it?"
"...This subordinate... obeys."
I nodded with satisfaction. He didn't look stupid; he should be able to understand.
Having finished my lecture, I went back to eating. The stir-fried dishes were quite hot, and grabbing them with my bare hands was painfully scalding. The soup was even hotter... but those meatballs bobbing up and down were truly tempting. After much deliberation, I gritted my teeth and reached in.
The heat made me let out a sharp cry of pain.
Fortunately, the Shadow Guard was quick. In an instant, he wrapped my "burnt trotter" in a towel soaked in cold water. The drop in temperature provided a lot of relief. *Wait, when did you prepare a cold towel?*
"Master..." The Shadow Guard hesitated repeatedly before asking cautiously, "Do you find the chopsticks here unclean? If so, I shall go find new ones..."
I shook my head solemnly. "I don't know how to use chopsticks."
The Shadow Guard looked dazed, unable to find a response.
"Can you help me pick up a meatball?" Even though I was "severely injured," I was still fixated on the food. It seems the saying that appetite is like an addiction is true.
The Shadow Guard hurriedly took a pair of fresh chopsticks. He picked up a meatball and hesitated, looking at my face and then at my bowl, before finally placing it in the bowl. Using my uninjured hand, I tipped the food from the bowl into my mouth, mumbling a "thank you" while chewing.
"...I... do not deserve it..." His tone was incredibly awkward.
The Shadow Guard removed the towel and held my hand, inspecting it carefully. He let out a sigh of relief, saying there were no burns. He then found several spoons of different sizes for me, saving me from the agony of being scorched. What a thoughtful "padded jacket" of a guard; I was moved to tears of gratitude.
We finished the meal peacefully, and the lady of the clinic came to clear the table with a smile. During the conversation, she asked about the Shadow Guard's injuries, saying he would need to stay in bed for over a month before he could get up. *Hah! He just said he was fine and was jumping all over the place. This guy lied to me again.*
Angrily, I stuffed the Shadow Guard back into bed and scolded him for a long time. His pale little face was half-hidden in the blankets as he listened timidly to my reprimands, looking quite pitiful.
"This subordinate... though it is overstepping... has some questions... I wish to ask Master." Before I left, the Shadow Guard spoke up, looking rather troubled.
"Did you not hear a word I just said? The doctor wants you to rest. Sleep first." I blew out the candle for him and felt my way out of the room step by step in the dark. "We have plenty of time ahead of us. There's no rush."
The inner room was silent. It was a long time before a barely audible "thank you" drifted out.
***
Glossary:
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
长洛 | Changluo | A place name, likely a city or region.
大夫 | Doctor | Traditional term for a physician.
药童 | Apprentice / Medicine Boy | A young boy learning the trade in a medical clinic.
医馆 | Medical Clinic / Pharmacy | A place where traditional medicine is practiced and sold.
裤衩 | Boxers / Underwear | Informal term for undergarments.
贴心棉袄 | Thoughtful / Considerate | Literally "intimate padded jacket," a metaphor for someone who is caring and provides comfort.
肉丸 | Meatball | A common food item.
烫蹄 | Burnt trotter | Humorous slang for a burnt hand.
