[Huo Lian]
I stand in front of a large fire Jian made from fallen trees, the flames dancing in the night, casting flickering shadows over our surroundings. It's been many hours since we discussed dissecting the snake, and most of the work is now done. Grandpa and Jian's surgical hands have performed wonderfully. I thought it would be hard for a novice to make precise cuts with a long sword, but Jian has proven more than capable.
The night has already fallen, the sky a deep canvas of stars. We use the fire to dry the organs, skin, scales, and most importantly, the demon core. Jian sits beside me, staring into the fire, his eyes full of wonder and excitement. The orange and red flames reflect in his eyes, making them look like molten gold.
[Doctor Zhen Jian]
"Lian, you explained briefly that we can refine the organs by drying them to make powerful medicine, but what is that azure-colored orb?" I point at the orb, my curiosity piqued. No matter how I look at it, it doesn't resemble an organ. It doesn't have any vessels; it looks like the serpent swallowed an azure marble and never digested it.
[Huo Lian]
I can't get enough of his inquisitive look. His dark hair is tousled, and his eyes, usually so calm, now sparkle with curiosity. "My Jian, that is a demon's core. That's where it places all its power. Remember me saying it is a four-core cultivation beast? That's where the four cores are spinning," I explain with a smile. He looks more confused than before. Hmm, why is he looking at my belly?
[Doctor Zhen Jian]
"Do all cultivators have one?" I ask, staring at her abdomen. If she does, I want to feel it. It would be fascinating to learn there is a physical difference between cultivators and non-cultivators. I raise my hand towards her abdomen unconsciously.
[Huo Lian]
I step forward and place his hand on my belly, pressing firmly. I roll his hand across my belly, allowing him to feel my whole belly. "See, I don't have one," I explain. "Only animals have demon cores. Besides, Jian, aren't you very familiar with my body?" I say with a large smile, trying to embarrass him.
[Doctor Zhen Jian]
"You're right. I have been bathing you every day for three months. I also perform physical exams on you daily after the bath to ensure there are no complications in your body. Haha, it wouldn't be wrong to say I know your body better than my own."
The strange core made me rethink my study of the human body and its structures for a second. Haha, how foolish. I look up and see Lian's face bright red. "Lian, take a step back. Your body temperature runs a bit warmer than most; you will start to feel strange near the fire."
[Huo Lian]
I take a step back and sigh. He won again. I thought I knew him better than he knew me because I have been observing him for three months. But technically speaking, I know his mind, not his heart, and he knows my body. I smile. "Jian, we still have a lot to learn about one another." The prospect fills me with anticipation.
[Zhen Jian]
"Hahaha, of course, Lian. You're the person I am closest to, but the only thing I know about you is your name." It makes me laugh that I love her so much but don't know anything about her. Her past is not important to me, as long as she loves me and I love her, that's enough. But I would be lying if I said I'm not interested. Honestly, I want to know everything about her.
[Huo Lian]
Did he notice that I was trying to avoid the subject, or is it simple curiosity on his part? I turn from gazing at the fire towards him. It may have been subconscious on his part, but he has been keeping his promise even now. He is less than a foot away from me, and it makes me smile.
I am wearing his mother's shoes. This is why I have been very careful not to make any movements that would affect them negatively. But even so, I try to crouch. He turns towards me, and I stare into his eyes. "Jian, do you really want to know?"
I have to ask him because after he knows, our lives will have to change. No, I know he will make it change. I have been with him long enough to know that he is protective, if not overprotective. It makes me excited and afraid of what he might do.
[Zhen Jian]
Lian crouches in front of my face; she hasn't walked in three months. I am worried she might fall. I reach out subconsciously towards her back and knees. I pick her up and carry her. "Of course, you don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to. But yes, I want to know everything about you."
As her head leans on my chest, I see a few hairs in her face. Worried that they may make her uncomfortable, I place her down onto my lap and fix them behind her ear. "Hmmm, I have to brush your hair again today before we sleep."
[Huo Lian]
Hahahah, I can't hold my laugh. I am thinking about the world, and he is more worried about my hair. Hahahah, yes, this is my Jian. "Okay, Jian, let's talk about my past," I agree happily. "But you have to promise to always listen to me."
He might do something dangerous if he knows everything. I need to be the one to control how we proceed. I know that our sweet life of having a farmstead and manning the clinic will come to an end at some point because I can never say no to him, and he will want us to charge towards my previous goals.
[Zhen Jian]
Hahaha, seeing her laugh, my laughter comes out. "Lian, didn't I already promise to listen to you regardless of how unreasonable?" I say, not minding. I already decided that I will not leave her side and to follow her for the rest of this life.
I may have promised her, that I will to stay within a foot distance of her while she was in a coma due to her own circumstances. But now I am the one who doesn't want to be more than a foot from her.
[Huo Lian]
I laugh and say, "I will hold you to that." Damn, I keep losing, yet I smile, staring into his bright blue eyes.
[Zhen Jian]
Wow, her smile is so amazing. I have to keep myself from being dazed, but this smile is the best one thus far. Maybe I can watch it just for a while.
[Huo Lian]
I smile and take a deep breath as if a heavy weight has been lifted. The cool night air fills my lungs, carrying the faint scent of pine and damp earth. "Jian, it looks like it will take a few more hours for everything to dry up. Would you like to take a walk with me?" I ask him, though I already know his answer.
[Zhen Jian]
"Of course, let's go," he responds with a warmth that always makes my heart flutter. He subconsciously reaches out to me, his hand pausing halfway, but I grab it before he can pull back.
[Huo Lian]
"Jian, I am feeling tired. Would you hold me?" I say, my voice soft and inviting. I don't know who is more spoiled, me or him. He loves doing things for me, and I love being cared for by him. We are a good combination.
[Zhen Jian]
I don't know if she can tell that I was about to feel a bit lonely not being able to hold her, even though she is near me. But she is truly caring, spoiling me and allowing me to do whatever I want. With a large smile, I lift her up, placing my hands under her knees and back. "Where shall we go?" I ask her.
[Huo Lian]
I look at the fire and the drying Azure Serpent parts, their scales glistening in the flickering flames. "We can't go too far, just in case something is attracted to the Azure Serpent blood. But we can take a slightly bigger lap close to the last apple tree and back. That should be fine. I would have rather had a longer walk, but I guess we can just make multiple laps." I feel Jian's soft breath and look at him, beginning the story of my life.
[Zhen Jian]
I begin our walk, every step filling me with contentment. The cool fall night would usually be a bit cold for me, but luckily, I have a little bundle of warmth in my arms. Today has been one of the most enjoyable days of my life. I wouldn't mind spending every day like this. I look down as she collects her thoughts to begin the tale of her life. I find myself staring at her more and more.
She has a small, straight nose and sword-like straight eyebrows, which are currently in a small frown as she thinks. Her large, glasslike brown eyes are mesmerizing. Her crescent moon-shaped lips, as red as an apple, take my breath away every time she smiles. Her hair is a soft, gentle brown. Her hair is long and straight, but I combed it to the side and back to keep it from getting in her eyes.
I hope she has had a good life until now, but I promise myself that I will make her happier than she has ever been. I will fill her days with all the happiness in the world. As I wait in anticipation to hear about her life, I glance at the moving clouds across the moonlit night and feel a slight chill.
[Huo Lian]
Feeling his slight shiver, I bring my hands that were resting on his neck to his face. I warmed his slightly chilly face. He closes his eyes and smiles in bliss and comfort. When he opens his eyes, he sees my face with a slight smile. He knows the tale will now begin.
As we walk, the path is lit by the soft glow of fireflies, their luminescence casting a magical hue over the landscape. The apple trees, with their leaves tinged with the colors of autumn, create a canopy above us, rustling gently in the breeze. The moon hangs low in the sky, its silver light reflecting off the nearby stream, creating a shimmering path that guides our steps.