“What is it?”
Lu Lizhou noticed her stop and change colour thinking she had come across some small creature in the undergrowth. He instinctively moved to shield her behind him. Su Wan pulled her hand away as if burned and stepped hastily back. Dry twigs scattered underfoot catching at her feet. She gasped tipping backward and reached out instinctively for something to hold.
“Watch out!”
Lu Lizhou moved quickly catching her by the arm. Tangled vines pulled him off balance and he fell with her managing only to cradle her head protectively as they landed. He turned as they fell so that she came to rest lying against his chest. He was strong and fine featured carrying the firm bearing of a soldier. They lay pressed close together both breathing heavily. For a moment Su Wan seemed to see the face of the man from five years ago. Yet Lu Lizhou had said he had never been here.
“My apologies that was improper.” Lu Lizhou spoke first his voice low. Her softness and scent surrounded him and a faint flush rose along his neck. Su Wan came to her senses realizing how compromising their position was and scrambled up blushing. Her hand rested against his arm brushing lightly across his wrist as she rose. She looked at him curiously. “Commander Lu may I check your pulse?”
Lu Lizhou could still feel the weight of her against him. He steadied himself meeting her gaze. “You may.”
She placed her fingers on his wrist switching to the other hand after a moment. “Commander Lu you sustained severe injuries did you not?”
“I did.” Lu Lizhou’s expression grew serious and sad. “Five years ago while on duty we were ambushed. My eldest brother gave his life to save mine. As for me.” He paused. “My injuries affected my lower abdomen. The doctors told me I would likely never father children.”
The forest was quiet and the wind rustled through the trees. Su Wan looked at his strong face feeling deep respect and compassion. Soldiers gave everything to protect others yet could not always protect their own. He was alive though and his condition was not hopeless. She could combine acupuncture with careful treatment to restore circulation and clear the blocked channels. There might yet be a way.
Still she frowned. “Apart from this do you suffer anything else?” Her examination suggested he had also suffered a severe head injury. Blood stasis pressing against nerves could cause dizziness confusion and gaps in memory. He might have lost parts of his past.
“I did have frequent headaches and dizziness at first.” Lu Lizhou confirmed. “Those have improved greatly since treatment.”
“Do you ever find yourself forgetting things from long ago?” Su Wan asked.
“No.”
She did not press the matter. “I can help you. Give me time and I believe I can restore your health completely.” The brain was complex and she could not be absolutely certain of every detail but she was determined to help him recover fully and clearly. Could he actually be the man from five years ago the father of Yaya?
Lu Lizhou took her words as comfort yet dared to feel a flicker of hope. He had seen how effective her skills were. If anyone could help him surely it was she.
Once the herbs were gathered Lu Lizhou returned to his survey work and Su Wan went home. It was midday and time for the meal. Yaya ran to her beaming throwing her arms around her. Su Wan’s heart melted as she looked at her daughter’s sweet face. Everyone said Yaya took after her yet now that she had begun to wonder she could see traces of Lu Lizhou in the child’s profile. Her heart raced with possibility.
After eating she sat before her mirror and spoke softly. “You are there are you not? Is Lu Lizhou Yaya’s father?” Only her own reflection looked back. She tapped her forehead feeling foolish. If her future self had known the truth surely it would have been told already. She would have to find out for herself. She went to the cellar which served as her dispensary and set to work preparing medicines.
The next day Bai Wei came to find her. “Su Wan Chuan-ge is waiting for you at the brigade office to finalize the divorce.”
Su Wan glanced at her noticing dark circles and a lack of triumph. Things had not gone according to plan. Bai Wei must be anxious. Lin Wenchuan was far too self centered to risk his career marrying her now. Yet her pregnancy was becoming obvious. If he refused to marry her she would face shame and scorn everywhere she went. Su Wan turned away calmly collected her papers and rode to the brigade office.
“You heartless girl!” A woman seized her wrist the moment she dismounted. “Divorce is one thing but beating my son like that and extorting three thousand yuan! You are cruel and greedy! My son was cursed the day he married you!” This was Lin Wenchuan’s mother Zhang Guiqing. For five years they had looked down on her as a village girl refusing to take her to the city yet always finding reasons to interfere in her life. She had served them faithfully when they visited cooking and washing without complaint.
Su Wan pulled free. “Extortion? Comrade Zhang Guiqing choose your words carefully. That sum is compensation for your son’s infidelity.”
“If you find it so painful then I will go to your son’s work unit and speak to his superiors myself.”
Zhang Guiqing drew herself up. “It was you who behaved improperly! My son took pity on you and you repay him with lies! Why should we pay you anything?”
Su Wan glanced toward the entrance. Fortunately only Lin Wenchuan and Bai Wei were present. Her expression hardened. Then the faint voice spoke from the glass pane.
“Foolish woman she raises another man’s child as her own and dares accuse others. That little girl is no orphan. She is the daughter of her husband and her so called best friend. And he has not stopped at one. Another carries his child already. He will be a grandfather and a father at the same time.”