The forest was shrouded in silence, the only sounds being the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant calls of birds. Two days had passed since Lusi had fallen unconscious, and Wushi sat beside her, worry etched into every feature of his face. He had kept watch, refusing to leave her side, his heart heavy with anxiety.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across their makeshift camp, Wushi brushed a damp strand of hair from Lusi's forehead. The fever had ravaged her body, and despite his efforts to cool her down, she was still drenched in sweat. He could feel her temperature rising again, and his heart clenched at the thought of losing her.
"Lusi," he whispered, desperation creeping into his voice. "Please wake up."
But there was no response, only the soft sound of her labored breathing. He had done everything he could: finding herbs, gathering water, and keeping her hydrated. Yet, she remained trapped in the darkness of her fever.
After a long moment of internal struggle, Wushi knew he had to take further action. Her clothes were clinging to her skin, soaked through with sweat and making her uncomfortable. "I'm sorry, Lusi," he murmured, swallowing his shame. "But this is for your own good."
With trembling hands, he carefully unfastened the ties of her garments, his heart pounding in his chest. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus on her wellbeing rather than the embarrassment of the situation. As he peeled away her damp clothing, he covered her with large, broad leaves he had gathered earlier. The leaves provided some semblance of privacy while ensuring that Lusi's skin could breathe in the cool air.
Wushi's gaze remained glued to her face, searching for any sign of consciousness. He watched as beads of sweat continued to trickle down her brow, the tension in his body mounting with every passing moment. Each second felt like an eternity, and he found himself resenting the illness that had taken her from him.
Just as he began to lose hope, Lusi's eyelids fluttered. Wushi's heart raced, and he leaned closer, the distance between them narrowing. "Lusi?" he said, urgency tinging his voice. "Can you hear me?"
Her eyes cracked open, revealing a haze of confusion and vulnerability. "Wushi?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Yes! You're okay," he breathed, relief flooding through him. But as she took in her surroundings, her expression shifted from confusion to horror. Lusi's eyes widened as she realized her state, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She instinctively tried to pull the leaves closer, to shield herself from his gaze.
"Wushi! I—" she stammered, struggling to sit up.
"Wait!" he interrupted, quickly moving to support her. "You need to rest." He could feel the heat radiating from her body and knew she wasn't ready to move yet.
"Why am I… where are my clothes?" Lusi's voice trembled as she looked down, horror painting her features.
"They were soaked through with sweat," Wushi explained, trying to keep his voice calm. "I didn't want you to suffer more. I covered you with leaves for modesty. Your clothes will dry soon."
"But—" Lusi started, her embarrassment turning to frustration as she attempted to pull the leaves away.
"Lusi, please," Wushi said, placing a hand gently on her shoulder to steady her. "You're not in a position to argue. Your health is more important than modesty right now."
He could feel the tension in the air thicken as their gazes locked. The heat of the moment surged between them, a quiet understanding passing in the silence. Wushi fought to keep his expression neutral, but inside, he felt a rush of emotions. This was not how he had envisioned their reunion after such a perilous situation.
"I'm sorry," Lusi murmured, her eyes dropping to the ground, embarrassment flooding her features. "I didn't mean to… I just—"
"Don't apologize," he interjected, softening his tone. "You've been through so much. You just need to focus on getting better."
Lusi's heart raced as she sensed the protectiveness in his voice, a warmth spreading through her despite her discomfort. "I feel so weak," she admitted, guilt creeping in as she realized the toll her illness had taken on him. "You've done so much for me."
"I would do it all again," he replied fiercely, determination flashing in his eyes. "You mean too much to me."
As Lusi processed his words, her heart fluttered, the vulnerability of the moment pulling her closer to him. She could see the concern etched on his face, and a new understanding blossomed between them, unspoken but palpable.
Just then, Wushi's expression shifted, and he glanced around their surroundings. "We need to get you something to eat and drink," he said, breaking the spell between them. "You need your strength back."
She nodded, still feeling dazed but grateful to be alive. "Thank you, Wushi. For everything," she whispered, her voice steadying as she found her footing.
As Wushi prepared to leave her side momentarily, Lusi felt a flicker of unease. She was grateful for his care, yet a part of her wished to bridge the distance between them. She called out softly, "Wushi?"
He turned back, his expression softening at her tone. "Yes?"
"Promise me you'll stay close," she said, vulnerability seeping into her voice. "I don't want to be alone."
His face lit up with a gentle smile. "I promise. I'll be right here."
As he stepped away, Lusi settled back against the tree, feeling both weak and empowered by the bond they shared. The tension still lingered, a whisper of what could be, but for now, she focused on healing, knowing that Wushi would be there, steadfast and unwavering, as she reclaimed her strength.