"Did I frighten you?" Zhongli Ting looked at his own hand, frowning slightly. His voice, hoarse from illness, was noticeably more alluring. "Come here, let me see."
Ruhuahua walked over obediently and lowered her hands. She had indeed been startled just now, but she wasn't afraid of Zhongli Ting because of it.
Zhongli Ting gripped her chin, turning her head to inspect her from both sides. Seeing that her neck was merely a little red, he felt relieved. "I didn't know it was you just now. But in a military camp, no matter who it is, you should never suddenly touch someone's shoulder or neck while they are asleep."
If it had been someone like Wei Ling, who hid a dagger under his pillow, he would have likely chopped her down already. What a waste it would be to cut such a beautiful flower.
Ruhuahua nodded obediently, then hesitated for a moment before saying, "Brother... you are very hot..."
Zhongli Ting touched his forehead. He had realized he was sick as soon as he woke up; his head was aching, he had a fever, and his entire body felt heavy. Had it not been for his physical condition, he would not have slept so late.
Moreover, he felt cold. Resisting the urge to rub his arms, he looked around the room. Zhongli Ting raised an eyebrow. "Brother, where is my quilt?"
That was strange; it had been there before he went to sleep. He couldn't possibly have lost a quilt just by taking a nap, could he?
Ruhuahua pointed to the chair. "Over there."
Zhongli Ting broke into a slightly playful smile. "Little one, I can let other things slide, but are you stealing your brother's quilt, too?"
He joked, saying nonchalantly, "If I catch a chill, who will dote on you then?"
"No, I didn't steal it." Ruhuahua’s small face turned bright red, and she explained, stumbling over her words, "Brother... you are very hot... you need to dissipate the heat..."
"..." Zhongli Ting was stunned. Combining her explanation with her actions, he realized the truth in an instant.
So, this child, who had absolutely no experience with life, was afraid he was too hot and had taken his quilt away?
Zhongli Ting rubbed his throbbing temples, feeling a mix of amusement and frustration as he tried to provide some common-sense education. "Little one, that’s not right. If someone is running an unusually high fever, it means they are sick. A sick person shouldn't be left uncovered; it will only make them worse. You need to bundle up and sweat it out to get better."
Upon hearing this, Ruhuahua immediately ran to the side of the high chair and brought back the quilt. After putting it down, she scrambled over to the screen, grabbed the quilt she had been using, and dragged them both over to Zhongli Ting, wrapping him up tightly.
As soon as she stood still, she lowered her head, looking miserable.
Zhongli Ting looked up and flicked her forehead lightly. "What's wrong?"
Ruhuahua kept her head buried, not moving. A faint sound of sniffing could be heard.
Zhongli Ting reached out and tilted her chin up.
The young girl’s eyes were bloodshot and filled with tears. When he forced her to look up, her expression faltered, and the tears that had been hanging at the corners of her eyes began to roll down as if they were free. She awkwardly tried to wipe them away, but the tears only fell faster.
Zhongli Ting paused, then laughed softly. "Why are you crying? Alright, it’s Brother’s fault. I shouldn't have said you were stealing the quilt."
"No, that's not it," Ruhuahua sobbed, her voice hoarse.
"Then what is it?"
"I don't know... *sob*... Brother... you’re going to get even sicker..." She whimpered, looking utterly heartbroken as she spoke through her tears. "Brother, I'm sorry..."
No wonder they say women are made of water; this child looked like she was about to flood his tent with tears.
"I won't. Brother was just teasing you," Zhongli Ting sighed. "I won't get any sicker, so stop crying."
Ruhuahua continued to sob uncontrollably. She clearly wanted to stop, but she just couldn't hold it back.
Just as Zhongli Ting was wondering how to coax her, the soldier delivering the food box entered. He paused, seeing the scene, and walked over completely. "Young General..."
The little girl’s eyes and nose were red from crying, and her body was still trembling with stifled sobs when she turned around.
The soldier immediately cast a reproachful look in Zhongli Ting's direction: He was a grown man, why was he still bullying a child?
Zhongli Ting: "..."
Ruhuahua ran over to take the food box, wiped her tears with her sleeve, pulled on the soldier's arm with a hitching breath, and looked up to inform him, "Brother is sick..."
Hearing this, the soldier immediately stepped forward and asked, "Is the Young General feeling unwell?"
Zhongli Ting waved a hand. "It's nothing major, just a bit of a fever. Go fetch the military doctor."
"Yes, sir."
By the time Wei Ling arrived with the military doctor, Ruhuahua was sitting by the bedside, feeding Zhongli Ting with great care.
Wei Ling was so jealous his eyes were turning red.
Living in the military camp every day, everyone had to fend for themselves to get fed and clothed. How was it that Zhongli Ting had picked up a little girl and suddenly returned to a life of being pampered?
No, he didn't have that, and Brother Ting shouldn't either.
Stepping forward, Wei Ling put on a jealous face, pulled Ruhuahua away, and distanced her from the bed. "Little one, let me tell you, you mustn't get too close to a sick person. If you catch his illness, you’ll get sick too."
Before Ruhuahua could react, she had already been lifted by the back of her collar and carried several feet away.
Ruhuahua struggled to move forward. "I'm not afraid!"
"Being unafraid isn't the point," Wei Ling said, pointing directly ahead. "He needs to let the doctor do his job."
Oh.
Brother needed to see the doctor, and she shouldn't disturb him.
Ruhuahua finally stayed still, watching without blinking as the military doctor took Zhongli Ting's pulse and changed his bandages.
When the white cloth was lifted, it stuck to the flesh in places. As the doctor applied a little pressure, blood began to ooze from the wound again.
The wound was gruesome. Wei Ling turned slightly and reached out to block Ruhuahua's view.
However, Ruhuahua shifted her body, peering out from between Wei Ling's arms.
Perhaps because of the pain, Zhongli Ting’s brows were furrowed, and he turned his head slightly, but he didn't make a sound.
Ruhuahua tilted her head and watched for a moment, then suddenly bent over and agilely slipped under Wei Ling’s arm.
"Hey..."
Wei Ling hurriedly reached out to grab her but missed. Fearing the child might clumsily bump into the wound, he rushed forward two steps and reached out again.
Before his hand could descend, he saw the little girl stoop down, look at the gruesome wound, and blow on it gently. She muttered, "Whoo, whoo, pain fly away... pain... fly..."
The words were spoken almost instinctively.
She remembered someone comforting her like this in the past, but when Ruhuahua tried to think deeply about it, she couldn't find a trace of the memory.
Not wanting to dwell on it further, Ruhuahua straightened her back and said softly, "Brother once said that if you blow on it, it won't hurt anymore..."
It was as if a gentle breeze had brushed over the wound, and it truly seemed less painful. Zhongli Ting looked at the earnest young girl and was taken aback.
"That..." the military doctor just wanted to say it wasn't very sanitary, but he was silenced by a sharp glare from Zhongli Ting, so he dutifully buried his head in writing a prescription.
When the doctor finished the list, he handed it to Wei Ling with both hands. "The wound isn't healing well. Some of these medicines have to be bought in the county town. We're short-handed here, so I'll have to trouble you, Young General Wei."
Wei Ling took it, blew on the wet ink, and stuffed the paper into his tunic. "They say people who rarely get sick are the scariest when they finally do. Just get some good rest and stop worrying about camp matters."
He had been wounded last night and was already discussing camp arrangements as soon as he was bandaged. Working himself to the bone like that, it would be a miracle if he didn't get sick.
Zhongli Ting responded idly, clearly not paying much attention.
Wei Ling gave Ruhuahua a few worried final instructions before heading out of the tent with the doctor.
Zhongli Ting didn't get sick often, so he didn't think much of a fever. The moment they left, he stood up, intending to put on his robes.
The next second, Zhongli Ting, who had just stood up, sat right back down.
By force.
Caught off guard, his shoulders were pressed back down by the little girl, forcing him to remain on the edge of the bed.
He hadn't expected to have such a "fragile" side to him. Zhongli Ting was slightly stunned, then laughed. "You're quite strong..."
"You must be obedient," Ruhuahua said solemnly. "Brother Wei said that when you're sick, you can't get out of bed."
Can't get out of bed.
Zhongli Ting chuckled. "What is this, a postpartum recovery?"