☆☆☆☆☆
What really happened that night?
As the room settled into a quiet vigil, Wu Meifen drew a chair closer to the bed and sank into it with a soft creak. The dim light from a single lantern cast a warm, flickering glow that highlighted the contours of the unconscious patient's face. She sat still, her posture a mix of tension and care, her eyes occasionally drifting from the patient's features to the shadows that danced on the walls.
Wu Meifen periodically checked on the patient, her brow furrowed with concern as she noted the signs of discomfort. The patient's face was occasionally contorted in a grimace, suggesting troubling dreams or deep discomfort. Gently, she adjusted the blankets, making sure they were securely wrapped to provide warmth. Her hand lingered on the fabric, a comforting presence amid the patient's restless state.
Her thoughts swirled as she studied the patient's face closely. There was a pang of protectiveness and a profound sense of empathy that she could not ignore. Her heart ached, and she hesitated for a moment, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached out. With great care, she brushed a stray lock of hair away from the patient's forehead, smoothing the deep furrows that marred their otherwise peaceful expression.
The night was still, save for the distant hoot of an owl and soft snoring coming from Physician Chu providing the only sound. Within the stillness of the room, the simple gesture of brushing the patient's hair and smoothing the furrowed brow felt like a profound act of connection. Even in the patient's unconscious state, Wu Meifen felt a bridge forming between them, an intangible link forged through her silent care.
As she continued to watch over the patient, her mind was filled with unanswered questions. She wondered silently, 'Who are you? What trials have you endured?' The answers remained elusive, wrapped in the mystery of the stranger's past and the unsettling dreams that lingered in her thoughts.
The night outside was shrouded in darkness, with only the occasional rustle of leaves breaking the tranquility. Inside the cabin, Wu Meifen sat beside the unconscious patient, her eyelids heavy with exhaustion but her resolve unshaken. Earlier, she had noticed the patient stirring, the feet shifting restlessly beneath the thick blankets.
Within moments, Ling Wei, the supposedly unconscious patient, began to fidget again, not due to waking, but because the heavy blankets were causing discomfort. Her foot twitched, then kicked out, struggling to escape the oppressive layers.
The sudden movement startled Wu Meifen. Initially, she assumed it was just a reflexive response to a dream. She quickly leaned forward to adjust the blankets, tucking them back around the patient with gentle care.
However, Ling Wei's restlessness did not abate. Even in her unconscious state, she seemed to resist the confinement of the thick blankets, kicking them off repeatedly.
Wu Meifen found herself in a near-constant state of adjustment, as each time she covered the patient, the blankets were swiftly tossed aside, leading to a situation that was almost comedic in its absurdity.
"Let's keep you warm, per Healer Wang's advice," Wu Meifen murmured to herself, a hint of helplessness tugging at her lips.
Despite her best efforts, the patient's subconscious defiance persisted. Wu Meifen decided to try a different approach, draping only a single thick blanket over her. This seemed to provide the right balance of warmth without causing discomfort. Yet, just as she was about to step away, the person's leg shot out once more, sending the blanket flying. Wu Meifen couldn't help but chuckle softly at the ridiculousness of it all.
In her restless sleep, Ling Wei found brief relief after shifting into a more comfortable position. But soon, the stuffiness returned, making her feel unbearably hot. In her dream, she was suddenly being smothered by Pilot, a large, fluffy Chow Chow belonging to the Bai family. It was the height of summer, and the warmth of the imaginary dog was stifling.
In her dream, she tried to push the furry creature away. "Pilot, it's too hot for this!" she mumbled, attempting to lift the heavy dog off her. But Pilot, with all his affectionate weight, refused to move. With no other option, Ling Wei applied more force, trying to stand and lift the massive dog. In reality, this caused her to kick the blanket off with considerable force, sending it to the floor.
Wu Meifen, witnessing the spectacle, sighed in defeat. She decided to abandon the comical struggle of tug-of-war with the unconscious patient. "How ridiculous," she mused, retrieving the blanket from the ground and folding it neatly. She placed the discarded blanket on the adjacent bunk bed, next to a collection of unfamiliar belongings.
Returning to her chair, Wu Meifen watched the sleeping patient, who now appeared more peaceful despite the earlier turmoil. Wu Meifen couldn't help but imagine a small sense of triumph on the patient's face before it softened into a relaxed expression, though she knew it was likely just her weariness playing tricks on her. She gazed over the stranger's fragile form, noting the toll the storm had taken.
Someone had cleaned the unconscious patient's hands and face, but the stark contrast to her dirty clothes was glaring. Wu Meifen decided it was time to change the patient's strange, filthy outerwear. Earlier, she had noticed a fresh set of clothes, likely borrowed from one of the apprentices, on the other wooden bunk.
Ling Wei's thin, now soiled white button-up shirt clung to her skin.
Wu Meifen hesitated, unsure how to approach this delicate task. Taking a deep breath, she began fidgeting, her fingers trembling slightly as she tried to figure out how to unfasten the strange clothing. The foreign-style garments were unlike anything she had ever encountered, making the task slow and difficult. After much effort, she managed to unbutton the outer garment. The sight of delicate, flawless skin beneath the rugged clothes caught her by surprise.
As she removed the shirt, she discovered an unusual undergarment, unlike the dudou she was familiar with. It was a snug, supportive piece, clearly designed for support. Though she didn't know the term "sports bra," its purpose was evident. Wu Meifen marveled at the practical yet peculiar design, her curiosity piqued.
Carefully, she dressed the patient in the clean, dry apprentice's uniform. The task was challenging, as Wu Meifen had to adjust the limp limbs of the unconscious woman. Although the clothing was intended for a young male apprentice, it fit the patient surprisingly well.
The shoes, sturdy and tightly secured with long strings, yet they fit the patient perfectly, unlike Wu Meifen's own lightweight, cloth shoes reinforced with leather soles. She worked to undo the strings and, to her surprise, the shoes came off easily with minimal effort.
Wu Meifen examined the shoes in awe. "What kind of footwear is this?" she wondered aloud. The socks were another oddity, tightly hugging the patient's feet and ankles and leaving marks on her soft skin. The material was unlike the woolen socks Wu Meifen was used to.
She removed the socks one by one, noting their softness and elasticity. Strange and fascinating, though she doubted their comfort.
With the shoes and socks removed, Wu Meifen prepared to change the mysterious young woman's pants. But hesitated when she saw how complicated the fastenings were. There were pockets on the sides, another unfamiliar feature that added to her confusion.
As she checked the waistband of the pants, Physician Chu Feichen shifted in his sleep. The sudden movement startled Wu Meifen, and she froze as if caught in the act. Her hands hovered above the waistband, growing clammy with sweat. She held her breath, sensing if Physician Chu had awoken.
After a few tense seconds of silence, Wu Meifen turned to see that Physician Chu was merely adjusting his position. He now lay more comfortably on the table, using his arms as a pillow. His head was turned in their direction, but his eyes remained closed.
Wu Meifen let out a sigh of relief, wiping her sweaty palms on her sleeve. She decided against changing the lower garment, deeming it too inappropriate and challenging.
She quickly finished adjusting the person's changed clothes, making sure she was as comfortable as possible. The patient's face had a serene expression replacing the earlier discomfort.
Wu Meifen settled back into her chair, her heart still racing from the close call. She glanced at the sleeping lady, who now looked more at ease. The surreal, almost comical struggle with the blankets and clothing replayed in her mind, bringing a faint smile to her lips.
A soft breeze stirred the still air, carrying with it the faint scent of herbs mingled the uncertain but hopeful future that lay before them. And though Ling Wei remained unconscious, a sense of calm seemed to settle over her, as if she could feel the presence of someone who cared deeply, even without knowing her true identity.
In her sleep, Ling Wei's dream shifted. She was no longer being pounded by Pilot, the giant Chow Chow. Instead, she found herself standing in the middle of the busy night street, the neon lights glaring down at her, casting everything in a surreal, almost otherworldly glow. People hurried past, their faces obscured by the rush of city life, paying no attention to her. It was as if she were a ghost in her own world, invisible and intangible.
Drawn to a shop with a large glass window display, Ling Wei noticed several high-end televisions inside, each showing a different channel. One screen played a movie about a flood, another a documentary on snow-based ice cream, but it was the largest screen that caught her attention. The evening news was on, with a reporter detailing the theft of newly discovered treasures by an unknown group now wanted by the authorities. The report was brief, but it sent a chill down her spine, a strange connection she couldn't quite grasp.
Ling Wei felt a profound detachment, as if she were merely a spectator in this world she once knew so well. The bustling streets, the neon lights, and the television screens were familiar, yet they seemed distant, almost as if she were seeing them through a fog. Just as quickly, the news report switched to a commercial featuring an idol group promoting their latest single. The bright, polished images of the young performers felt jarringly out of place compared to the grim news she had just seen.
Ling Wei stared at the screen, feeling like a phantom caught between two worlds, unable to fully belong to either.
As dawn approached, the soft glow of morning began to filter through the small window. The forest outside was awakening, the chorus of birds signaling the start of a new day. Wu Meifen, who had kept watch over the patient throughout the night in the healer's room, noticed Physician Chu Feichen stirring at his work table, his body shifting as if he were about to wake. Not wanting to be seen, she decided it was time to leave.