Chapter 4: It Hurts!

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Gu Qingye glanced around, unable to clearly define his current mood; it felt as if everything in the house had changed. The early summer night was somewhat sultry, with cicadas and frogs calling in alternating chorus. The moon hung on the branches, casting its light over the country path where two figures walked, one after the other.

Lu Youyou stared at Gu Qingye’s back. At first, her thoughts were all about how to behave toward her lifesaver, but as she looked longer, her gaze began to wander. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, a well-shaped rear, and long legs; his shirt tucked neatly into his pants with every crease aligned in the same direction...

“Ah!”

Lost in thought, Lu Youyou didn’t notice that Gu Qingye had stopped walking ahead and bumped straight into the broad muscle of his back, which was just as solid as she had imagined.

Gu Qingye turned around and stepped back, standing firmly. In the empty field, he still stood upright, as if at attention.

“Comrade Lu Youyou, about earlier, I apologize.”

Lu Youyou’s mind replayed the sharp “smack” sound. Her face slowly flushed red as she silently covered her backside with her hand.

“Brother Gu, my mother always says girls should learn to protect themselves. No one has ever... ever...”

Lu Youyou had never pursued anyone before, and she wasn’t sure if this posture was proper.

Nervously, she lifted her head, secretly hoping, but Gu Qingye just stared at her for a long moment—long enough to make her neck stiff.

“What is your relationship with Gu Shuchen?”

Lu Youyou heard the shattering note in his voice. Was this the sharpness of a scout? Who could explain to her how love in the 1970s was supposed to happen? Couldn’t they just open their eyes and get married?

Ah, rescuing someone was a path full of obstacles and difficulties!

Lu Youyou straightened her head bravely, summoning faint tears in her eyes, silently repeating to herself that sincerity was the ultimate weapon.

“Aunt Gu has been very warm to me, and later she said she wanted to introduce Gu Shuchen to me. I didn’t expect them to...”

Recalling every tearful confession scene from Korean dramas she had watched in her previous life, Lu Youyou imitated them faithfully.

“Sorry, Brother Gu, am I causing you trouble by saying this? But I’m afraid...”

“I’d rather Aunt Gu introduce you. If it’s you, you definitely wouldn’t hurt me!”

Lu Youyou spoke with a hint of fear herself. What if she had arrived in this time a little later, and already had a child in her womb...

She couldn’t help but shiver, looking at Gu Qingye with sincere eyes.

She didn’t want to stay in Qiao Mountain Village. Before saving him, she might as well collect some interest, right?

Protecting one’s lifesaver was the duty of every person near death!

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Gu Qingye felt the heat of Lu Youyou’s fervent gaze and awkwardly lowered his eyes an inch, only to see her soft, rosy lips.

She said, If it were him...

His arm muscles tensed immediately, automatically recalling how Lu Youyou leaned on him.

Gu Qingye pressed his lips tightly. “I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an answer.”

Lu Youyou felt a glimmer of hope and still looked up at him with moist eyes: “But what if you leave? I’m scared...”

Gu Qingye had never encountered such an earnest comrade—genuine, shy, and bold all at once—telling him plainly: “I’m afraid without you.”

“I will take responsibility.”

“Really?!”

Excited, Lu Youyou tried to grab Gu Qingye’s arm to shake it hard, but this time she failed.

Gu Qingye raised his hand to separate them and then immediately withdrew it as soon as he touched Lu Youyou.

He cleared his throat and turned away, the night shadow concealing his slightly reddened ears.

Lu Youyou secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Rescuing people was really exhausting!

The two ceased speaking as they walked to the gate of the educated youth compound.

“Brother Gu, goodbye!”

Lu Youyou was reluctant to part, yearning to hear a definite promise from Gu Qingye but knowing she must not rush.

Gu Qingye nodded slightly and only turned to leave after watching Lu Youyou enter.

The paint-chipped wooden gate stood half open, dim yellow light spilling from within.

Lu Youyou stepped into this unfamiliar place as if entering an execution ground, her mind filled with images of dilapidated, dust-covered earthen houses and filthy, unusable dry toilets from the era novels.

Before she could examine closely, just as she entered the yard, Lu Youyou felt the world spin around her.

She immediately grabbed the doorframe and leaned against it, fearing that if she let go, she would fall to the ground.

Could crossing time not be enough? Did she have to be burdened with an incurable disease too?

Perhaps a minute passed, perhaps longer, as Lu Youyou gasped for breath and opened her eyes, unsure whether to feel excited or confused.

She seemed to sense her grand villa!

This was her home, with the furnishings exactly as she had left them!

All the books in the three rooms were her father’s collection; the storage room held various health-preserving ingredients beloved by her mother; and the room filled with medicinal fragrance was stocked with ointments carefully prepared by her grandfather.

Her grandfather was a renowned master of traditional Chinese medicine, and his prescriptions were priceless.

Suddenly recalling something, Lu Youyou quickly opened one of the medicine cabinets, took out a white porcelain bottle with no label, and hurried outside after Gu Qingye.

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“Brother Gu, wait!”

The figure beneath the moonlight was about to vanish, but she simply couldn’t run anymore.

Due to what she guessed was a side effect of her special ability, Lu Youyou’s head throbbed as if pierced by needles.

Gu Qingye turned back and saw Lu Youyou looking as if she had been pulled from water, her lips pale and strands of hair stuck to her face.

He strode back quickly and caught the staggering Lu Youyou in his arms.

Lu Youyou gasped heavily, her throat tasting of rust.

“Brother Gu, this is for treating external injuries. Apply it three times a day; it’s better than the medicines available on the market.”

Lu Youyou grabbed Gu Qingye’s hand and pressed the porcelain bottle into his palm.

His sharp eyes immediately swept over her, and Gu Qingye gripped Lu Youyou’s arm in return. Though his movements seemed slight, every part of his body was on alert.

“Ugh...”

Lu Youyou frowned and whispered softly; her wrist hurt badly!

Yet Gu Qingye did not relax in the slightest. His eyes seemed to pierce right through her.

“My mother is a doctor. I grew up surrounded by the scent of medicine. Brother Gu, you have an injury.”

Lu Youyou was grateful her original self’s mother was also a doctor; she had the perfect excuse ready.

“This was prepared by my family before I went to the countryside. Take it and use it.”

She had already detected a faint medicinal scent on Gu Qingye. His health was paramount now; while infected wounds were serious, they were not fatal.

Realizing his misunderstanding, Gu Qingye immediately released his grip.

Yet on her fair wrist, five clear finger marks testified to how much of a “beast” he had been.

Lu Youyou barely had time to feel the pain before tears of betrayal welled up in her eyes, lining up and striking Gu Qingye’s heart in waves.

Gu Qingye panicked, “Don’t cry. I’m sorry, it’s my fault.”

He wanted to see how badly she was hurt but raised and lowered his hand again.

Lu Youyou paid no mind to the usual male-female boundaries, raising her arm right under Gu Qingye’s gaze, her eyes brimming with tears.

“It hurts!”