Jiang Shen felt a sudden chill and warmth.
After a while, the annoying temperature was finally under control. The wind howled coldly by his ears, but it seemed not to reach him.
What was I supposed to do?
Jiang Shen couldn’t figure it out for a moment. Just as his consciousness gathered, it inexplicably scattered again.
Forget it, I’ll think about it after a good sleep.
The dream fell deeper, passing through thick clouds, landing in a small courtyard.
Under the grapevine, carrots had grown, their orange, muddy tops visible. Zhao Xiangting was cleaning fish and called out to him, “Brother Jiang.” Jiang Shen nodded, and then a thought popped up: Where’s Zhao Louyue?
The peaceful scene was torn apart viciously, “whoosh” it flew past his side, followed by heavy rain, mountains, vines, and shrubs quickly pieced together. Fu Cheng said something anxiously by his ear, but Jiang Shen only caught Zhao Louyue’s name before being engulfed by immense panic.
He suddenly opened his eyes, his heart pounding like a drum. Almost instantly, cold sweat soaked his back. Jiang Shen took a couple of heavy breaths, then sat up on the gravelly ground, his vision gradually returning under his strong will.
“Hey? Jiang Shen!” Someone rushed over anxiously, a tall shadow flickered before his eyes, and then he was embraced.
The warmth from this embrace made him shiver slightly.
It’s Zhao Louyue…
Zhao Louyue, Jiang Shen chewed on these three words, the dull pain in his brain receding, finally making sense of both the dream and reality.
Yes, he found Zhao Louyue.
Jiang Shen slowly raised his head.
Zhao Louyue’s face was bruised, probably patched up with a band-aid he found in his bag. All the weakness and embarrassment had vanished. The campfire beside him reflected in his eyes like a vast, intense lava, and Jiang Shen saw his own figure almost drowning in it.
It was eerie. Although Zhao Louyue’s expression was normal, Jiang Shen inexplicably felt the atmosphere was a bit manic.
Actually, Zhao Louyue was overly happy, unable to calm down, triggering Jiang Shen’s internal alarm.
Zhao Louyue didn’t plan to explain. He helped Jiang Shen sit up straight, checking the temperature on his forehead, “Hmm, still a bit feverish.”
“Are you talking about me?” Jiang Shen didn’t believe it.
But with a slight effort, he found his right hand couldn’t lift, his whole body felt weak.
Alright, it seemed like he was the one who fell off the mountain.
Zhao Louyue brought over a bottle of mineral water. Jiang Shen didn’t care that Zhao Louyue had drunk from it, took a sip, and found it warm.
At this moment, warm water was much more comfortable than cold.
He couldn’t help but drink half of it, leaving the other half.
Zhao Louyue saw his reluctance to stop, “Have some more.”
“You keep it for yourself.” Jiang Shen turned his head away.
How could he say there’s no feeling? Zhao Louyue’s gaze became sticky again. He stared at the back of Jiang Shen’s head with a possessive look, knowing Jiang Shen couldn’t see.
The next second, Jiang Shen suddenly looked up.
Zhao Louyue: “…”
Jiang Shen felt a chill all over, honestly, he even suspected Zhao Louyue was possessed by something. After all, in this wilderness, it’s slightly possible for something “beyond science” to happen.
Zhao Louyue instantly returned to normal, smiling, “Drink up, there’s plenty of water. I chose to rest in this cave because there’s a mountain spring nearby. The sterilization equipment you brought is in an iron box, perfect for boiling water.”
Very reasonable, Jiang Shen looked at the campfire not far away, “Did you start a fire by rubbing sticks?”
“My lighter is fine,” Zhao Louyue said, “Who would’ve thought? My phone got smashed to pieces.”
Jiang Shen acknowledged, then realized the issue with the firewood. He immediately checked the wound on Zhao Louyue’s leg, his tone turning stern, “Don’t tell me you went out to find wood in this heavy rain!”
How could he not have feelings for me!!!
Zhao Louyue screamed in his heart, his soul trembling with joy.
The man’s tone became even gentler, “Don’t worry, I wrapped it with gauze and plastic. Your raincoat came in handy, didn’t get wet, all good.”
Jiang Shen felt slightly relieved, “Didn’t you run into Song Yuanzheng and the others?”
“No, they better get out quickly,” Zhao Louyue’s tone turned slightly serious, “There are quite a few birds of prey and wild animals around here.”
“You saw them?”
“Yeah,” Zhao Louyue said, “I was dizzy at the time, faced off with a little wild boar. In the end, it ran off first, but I didn’t dare take risks. I soon found this cave, enough cover around, and the thorny vines at the entrance don’t attract wild animals much, so I planned to rest a bit. Unexpectedly…”
Zhao Louyue paused subtly.
Jiang Shen, leaning against him, felt the chills again.
“Unexpectedly, I opened my eyes and saw you.” Zhao Louyue’s tone was so tender it could drip water, startling Jiang Shen to almost jump up.
This guy wasn’t done, starting to praise, “You’re amazing, Jiang Shen. I was planning to either get out myself or wait for Fu Cheng’s rescue, never thought anyone could find me.”
“Really?” Jiang Shen felt a bit embarrassed.
This matter was indeed hard to think about. Clearly, he had defined their relationship as “friends,” but as soon as he heard Zhao Louyue was in trouble, he ran like the wind. Jiang Shen didn’t really want to recall his feelings at that time, subconsciously knowing it was like a slap in the face.
He might even have to sell a joke to Zhao Louyue.
Overthinking it.
Zhao Louyue not only wouldn’t make fun, but his heart was also overflowing with sweetness. He knew Jiang Shen was thin-skinned, so he didn’t plan to bring it up, naturally adding, “Thank you, you’re loyal.”
Jiang Shen’s ears turned red under the firelight, “Then report the budget for equipment introduction lower for me later.”
“No way, business is business.”
“…”
Zhao Louyue: “I’ll take you to my little courtyard, cook for you.”
Jiang Shen chuckled, “Mr. Zhao thinks he’s a Michelin chef, huh.”
“You’ll know once you try.”
Jiang Shen helplessly agreed, “Alright, let’s see if you can whip up a full Manchu-Han banquet.”
Just as Jiang Shen finished speaking, a sharp pain flashed through his temple. He immediately closed his eyes to endure it, probably caused by the fever.
Zhao Louyue leaned in.
Jiang Shen instantly stiffened, “What are you doing?”
“Don’t fuss over these things, Young Master Jiang.” Zhao Louyue hugged him from behind, using his broad back to shield him from the evil wind outside, just like Jiang Shen had protected him before, saying seriously, “The temperature drops sharply at night, just the campfire isn’t enough. You’re already feverish, if it gets worse, the consequences could be serious. I’ve rested well, lean on me and sleep for a while. By tomorrow morning at the latest, Fu Cheng will definitely find us.”
Zhao Louyue was like a big furnace, as Jiang Shen’s face burned, he felt really comfortable.
Jiang Shen struggled, even stammering, “Don’t, don’t do this…”
“Alright.” Zhao Louyue’s voice deepened, carrying a reassuring and irrefutable strength, “We’re all grown men, what’s there to be shy about? Neither of us is taking advantage of the other, safety first in times of crisis, just listen to me.”
The wind howled through the trees, relentless. This unique coldness and destructiveness of nature could easily shatter the psychological defenses of people under order, but leaning against Zhao Louyue, Jiang Shen, looking weary, knew he was very safe.