Er-lang’s pupils contracted sharply, as if he were experiencing a world-shaking tremor. His emotions ignited in an instant, becoming difficult to suppress.
Could Auntie Li have been telling the truth? She really went to the medical hall? For him?
He struggled with all his might to lift his body, his eyes locked onto Shen Li’s. He seemed to be searching for even the smallest hint of confirmation in her gaze to prove her words were true.
Beside them, little San-lang was equally tense. He grabbed Shen Li’s arm, asking in a soft, milky voice, “Sister-in-law, will Brother really get better?” He looked at her, his eyes brimming with a mixture of desperate hope and unease.
Worried that Er-lang would accidentally aggravate the wounds on his back, Shen Li pressed him gently back down, preventing him from moving. At the same time, she pulled the young San-lang into a comforting embrace, though her eyes remained on Er-lang.
“He will,” she said softly. “Your brother will be just fine.”
Upon hearing this, San-lang’s eyes erupted with a brilliant light. Excited as a fledgling bird, he couldn’t wait another second; he leaped off the bed and began to run circles around the courtyard.
“That’s wonderful! Brother’s going to be okay! Brother’s going to be okay! Sister-in-law said so!” his voice rang out happily through the evening air.
Er-lang felt as though all the strength had been drained from his body. He slumped back onto the mattress, tears tracking silently from the corners of his eyes.
I’ll believe her, he thought. Just this once.
As night fell, Shen Li lit an oil lamp. It burned with clear tung oil, casting a soft, gentle glow that lacked any of the harsh, acrid smoke of cheaper fuels.
Er-lang stared at the dancing wick, a wave of profound sorrow washing over him. Once, he had spent his nights under such a lamp, studying diligently and practicing his calligraphy while his parents were still alive… Now, the world had changed, leaving him with nothing but memories and longing.
A pair of slender fingers waved in front of his eyes, bringing him back to the present. He looked up at Shen Li.
“What are you thinking about?” A slight smile played on her lips, her eyes as bright as the lamp, yet clear and unreadable. “Shall I finish cleaning you up?”
Er-lang lowered his gaze. Since he had decided to trust her, then… he gave a tiny, subtle nod, his face gradually flushing crimson.
Shen Li began to remove his trousers. Her movements were incredibly light, as if she were handling gossamer, terrified of touching the raw areas on his back. Sensing his body go stiff with embarrassment, she realized he was struggling to hold onto his dignity.
“I’ve treated many patients like you before,” she murmured reassuringly. “I’ve cleaned many people’s bodies. Don’t overthink it; I’m not bothered by it at all.” She gave him a faint, professional smile.
She… has cleaned other people’s bodies? Er-lang’s eyes darkened slightly. So, to her, I’m just the same as anyone else?
Shen Li had no idea what was crossing his mind; she only noticed that he had finally relaxed. She began to wipe his skin gently. As she worked, she discovered a fresh crop of injuries the “original” Shen Li had left on his legs just yesterday. Her brow knit together in a tight scowl; she truly felt for the boy.
Some of these marks were from fingernails, others from sharp stabs, and some from blunt scraping—new wounds layered over old ones. If she had traveled into anyone else’s body, she would have hunted down the “original” Shen Li and thrashed her within an inch of her life on Er-lang’s behalf.
Seeing her distressed expression, Er-lang shook his head slightly. He wanted to tell her that he couldn’t actually feel the pain… but seeing his reaction only made Shen Li feel worse.
Suddenly, a loud clatter echoed from the courtyard. Shen Li stood up and hurried outside.
Under the moonlight, she found San-lang sprawled on the ground next to an overturned basin and a pool of water. Tucked under the edge of the basin were the coarse hemp trousers Er-lang had just taken off.
“Sist… Sister-in-law,” San-lang stammered, starting to sob. “Please don’t hit me! I’ll… I’ll fetch more water… right now.”
Shen Li scooped up the dripping wet child and comforted him softly. “Why would I hit you? Our San-lang is such a good boy. From now on, I’ll wash your brother’s clothes. The basin is too heavy for you to carry.”
In the past, if he had overturned a basin or spilled water while trying to clean his brother’s soiled clothes, he would have been beaten. Whipped with a rattan cane or kicked—it hurt so much. But today, he had spilled everything, and Sister-in-law was actually hugging him!
San-lang buried his face in her shoulder and cried out all his pent-up fear and grievance.
“Don’t cry now,” Shen Li whispered, patting his back. “If your brother sees you, it will make him sad.”
Hearing that his brother would be upset, San-lang took a sharp breath and forced himself to stop. Fearing that Er-lang would be worried by the noise, Shen Li picked the boy up and carried him back into the room.