I groan in pain and slowly open my eyes to see an unfamiliar ceiling. "Are you awake?" Guozhi's deep voice says from my side. I turn my head to see Guozhi sitting next to the bed with a look of concern. I groan again as I say "Unfortunately"
Guozhi chuckles and asks "Are you thirsty?" I slowly push myself up but when I try to use my left arm I suck in at the intense pain. Guozhi quickly reaches out to help me as he says "Careful. The doctor is working on something to help you with pain."
I grit my teeth as I sit up and nod at Guozhi. He hands me a cup of water and says "Take your time." You'd think with all the water I swallowed in the river, it would have been enough for me to live off of for the next year but noooo, I was thirsty.
After two cups of water, Guozhi pulls out a jar and says "I need to put this on your head and your shoulder." I stare at him for several seconds before sighing and saying "Fine" He reaches up and unties the bandage around my head.
He opens the jar and the room is instantly filled with the smell of strong herbs and if I'm not mistaken, spiritual power? Was it in the ointment? He dips his finger in the cream and lifts his hand to my forehead. As his hand passes my face, I take a deep breath.
"Is that Spiritual power?" I ask in confusion. Guozhi gently dabs the ointment on the cut as he slowly nods his head. Huh... I didn't know that was possible. After he puts the ointment on, he puts on new bandages before looking at my shoulder.
I lift my good hand out to him and say "I can do it." He gives me a look and shakes his head as he says "You won't be able to get all of it." I sigh again and carefully pull my gown down a bit. Just enough to show my shoulder.
I watch Guozhi closely and give him credit when he keeps a straight face. He was serious about helping me and he wasn't being a pervert... He gently unwraps my shoulder and grimaces at my shoulder. I try to see it but it's too far back so I look back to him and ask "That bad?"
Guozhi clenches his teeth and slightly nods as he begins applying the ointment. I try to let my mind wander to something else as I try to ignore the pain but it's almost impossible. Beads of sweat begin to form as I try to ignore the burning pain.
Once he wraps my shoulder back up, I sigh in relief and wipe my face. Guozhi sees my pale face and calls for Guo. "What do you need Boss?" Guo asks from the door. Guozhi looks to him and says "Go get the medicine for pain. Quickly." Guo nods and takes off running.
"It's fine, really. It just hurt while you were applying the cream." I say as I begin to panic. Little Bun! I start looking around the room in panic before Guozhi points to the pillow behind me. Little Bun was curled up in a small ball, fast asleep.
I sigh in relief and gently pet him. Guozhi watches everything with sharp eyes and says "I'm surprised you made a contract with the little guy." I turn to look at him with confusion and ask "What contract?" Gouzhi's dark eyebrows rise in shock before pointing at Bun.
"You're contracted with him. Did you not know?" He asks with disbelief. I frown at him and shake my head saying "I only gave him food." This time Guozhi frowns as he looks to the sleeping Bun. He ponders for a few minutes before saying "He must have initiated it from his side. You were bleeding a lot."
When I continue giving him a lost and confused look he says "You create a contract with Spirit Beast by giving them your blood. They have to be willing to submit to you and you have to be willing as well. I guess you truly cared about the little guy and that was enough for the bond."
Ooooh... I turn to look back at Little Bun with conflicted feelings. So he's now my Spirit Beast? I look at his tiny body and chuckle. More like Spirit nugget! Oh well, I'm happy to know he wanted to stay with me even if he's just a tiny squirrel.
Guozhi watches everything with a small smile as Guo comes running back in the room with a wooden bowl. My face darkens as I quickly shake my head saying "I told you that I'm fine. I don't need it, really."
Guozhi turns to look at me with curiosity then looks back to the bowl. A smile slowly stretches across his face as he takes the bowl and dismisses Guo. He brings the bowl to me and says "Your complexion says otherwise. Either you take it or I help you take it."
I bare my teeth at him and sneer at him as I reach out and take the warm bowl. The smell nearly makes me gag as I look at the dark liquid. I look back to Guozhi with a pleading look causing him to chuckle in delight. I flip him off causing him to look at me in confusion.
He lifts his middle finger at me and asks "What does this mean?" I roll my eyes and knock the nasty liquid back. I quickly cover my mouth as it tries to come back up. It's so nasty!! Guozhi watches with a warm smile before grabbing an apple and cutting it.
He hands me a slice so I quickly pop it in my mouth. It helps with the taste but not like the small peaches Bai Lei gave me. Just wait a little longer guys, as soon as I'm better, I'll make my way back or die trying!