’She couldn’t bear the thought of being an invalid for three whole years.’
Just needing help to use the restroom or eat was mortifying for An Jin. She had been independent for a combined forty years across two lifetimes.
"Are there any cheap elixirs in the system? Something that can heal me up a little? At least enough to get out of bed and walk normally?" she asked. She tried to push herself up with arms as limp as noodles, but a searing pain, like her wound was tearing open, shot through her waist and abdomen.
"Hiss!" The color drained from An Jin’s face. She gasped, and large beads of cold sweat dripped from her forehead.
Mirror Mirror quickly and anxiously cried out, "Master, don’t move around for now! You have to be good and listen to the doctor! I’ll go check the store for you right now!"
"There are some simple medicines for healing wounds, but they’re not exactly cheap. A single pill costs over a hundred Gold Coins. But Master’s health is the most important thing! We can always earn more Gold Coins later."
"Based on your current injuries, I’ll buy you a few of the more cost-effective healing elixirs!"
The moment Mirror Mirror finished speaking, a white light flashed in An Jin’s palm, leaving two small porcelain vials in its place.
She looked down, raised a weak hand, and struggled to pull the stopper from one of the vials. With some difficulty, she poured two small, round white elixirs into her palm.
An Jin felt the weakness in her body and the intermittent pain in her abdomen. She gave a helpless, bitter smile. "I’ve really become a useless invalid."
"That’s not true at all! You’re clearly a tragically beautiful invalid!" Mirror Mirror, ever the admirer of beauty, righteously retorted.
An Jin just smiled without a word and tossed the two pills into her mouth.
The moment they entered her mouth, the elixirs instantly dissolved into a liquid as clear as spring water, flowing silently down her throat.
A feeling of strength immediately began to surge through her entire body.
The pain in her abdomen subsided, though taking a deep breath or walking too quickly would still send a pang of pain through her.
This severe injury made An Jin realize she had to get stronger, and fast. No matter how devoted her partner was, he couldn’t be an impenetrable shield, protecting her from everything at all times.
If she ever faced a situation like the last one without enough strength of her own, she’d be nothing but a helpless victim, completely at the mercy of others.
She would have no way to fight back, no path of retreat.
Between the two elixirs and Chi Li’s constant, personal care, An Jin’s condition improved significantly. At the very least, getting out of bed and walking was no longer a major issue.
Beastmen from the tribe and some of the little cubs often came to visit her.
The wooden table beside her bed was always piled high with baskets filled with delicious, juicy fruits and roasted meat.
The adorable cubs would weave crowns from nameless, beautiful little flowers and use their tiny paws to place them on her head. Sometimes they would clamber onto the bed to snuggle beside her, obediently letting her give them a good petting.
Gou Ni and Hua Ye also visited often to chat. They would sometimes bring new skincare products they had developed, happily telling her how well they were selling in the city. Apparently, people from large tribes and distant cities were traveling thousands of miles just to buy a few bottles. They said that once An Jin was better, all the females could get together and do some more research!
The second wave of the rainy season’s downpours finally ended.
The weather was bright and cloudless, lifting everyone’s spirits.
"I want to go outside and get some sun." An Jin’s gaze fell upon the brilliant, warm light streaming through the window. Longing filled her eyes; she hadn’t been outside in so long.
"Alright. Let’s go out for a walk. A little sun will be good for you." To her surprise, Chi Li didn’t refuse this time, simply chuckling and nodding in agreement.
Seeing her health gradually improve over the past few days had brightened his mood considerably, like the rising sun itself.
"Ah Jin, let me take you for a walk! While you were gone, I was hunting nearby and found a lot of fun places!" The Little Merfolk ran over to support her, gently taking her small hand with his own five, slightly webbed fingers.
Chi Li stayed behind in the wooden house to prepare An Jin’s next dose of medicine, while a delighted Xi took her out for a stroll.
Mindful of An Jin’s condition, Xi walked very slowly, simply taking her for a casual stroll around the tribe.
Once you slow your pace, you start to notice the flowers and plants all around, and all the other ordinary things you usually overlook. You find that they, too, have a charm that can touch your heart.