Zhen Jian and Wei began their journey home, the sun casting long shadows across the path. The air was crisp, filled with the scent of blooming flowers and the distant hum of insects. Jian walked beside his father, his small hand gripping a stick he had found, imagining it to be a mighty sword.
As they traversed through a dense forest, the sunlight filtering through the canopy above, they suddenly heard a rustling noise. Jian froze, his heart pounding in his chest. Emerging from the underbrush was a large snake, its scales glistening in the dappled light.
"Father, watch out!" Jian's voice was a mixture of fear and excitement. Wei, unperturbed, stepped forward with calm confidence.
Before Jian could react, the snake lunged, sinking its fangs into Wei's arm. Wei's body tensed for a moment, then relaxed. He pulled the snake away effortlessly, a small drop of blood seeping from the bite. He laughed it off, ruffling Jian's hair with his uninjured hand.
"It's nothing to worry about, Jian. My body is strong. A little snake bite won't hurt me." Wei's laughter was reassuring, but Jian laughed too. His father was very strong, he thought.
They continued their journey, Wei's demeanor unchanged, Jian's mind also became relaxed. But the small bite on Wei's arm continued to drip blood.
---
A month passed, and life returned to its usual rhythm. Jian and Wei worked on their farm, the fields lush with crops. The bite seemed to have no lasting effect on Wei, who carried on with his daily tasks as if nothing had happened.
One afternoon, as the sun beat down on the fields, Wei suddenly staggered. Jian dropped his tools and rushed to his side, panic surging through him. Wei's face was pale, his body weak. He fainted, collapsing into the dirt.
"Father!" Jian cried out, his voice breaking with fear. He hoisted Wei onto his back and ran towards the village, his legs trembling under the weight.
At the village doctor's house, Jian banged on the door, desperation in his eyes. The doctor, an elderly man, ushered them in. He examined Wei, his expression growing more serious by the minute. When he removed the bandage from Wei's arm, pus oozed from the bite marks.
"Tell me what happened," the doctor demanded. Jian recounted the story, his voice shaking.
"If this had happened recently, I could have helped," the doctor said, his tone heavy with regret. "But it's too late now. The venom has spread too far."
Shock washed over Jian. Tears streamed down his face as he clung to his father's hand. Wei patted Jian's shoulder, his voice weak but comforting. "I'm sorry, my son. I should have been more careful."
For the next month and a half, Jian devoted himself to caring for Wei. He watched as his father's strength ebbed away, feeling helpless. Each day was a painful reminder of what he was losing.
---
Wei passed away quietly one evening, his hand clasped in Jian's. Jian buried him next to his mother's grave, overlooking the farm they had worked on together. The earth felt cold and unyielding as he laid his father to rest.
With a heavy heart, Jian packed two bags of apples – one green and one red – and walked to the town. He arrived at the same spot where he had met the girl last time and waited, the weight of his grief pressing down on him.
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the empty marketplace. Jian sat on the ground, lost in thought, tears streaming down his face. A light tap on his back jolted him from his reverie. He turned to see the girl, Huo Lian, panting and staring at him with concern.
"I'm sorry," Jian said, wiping his tears. "My father died today. That's why I'm sad." He forced a laugh, though his eyes were still wet.
Lian frowned and looked at the bags, her gaze intense. "Oh, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Zhen Jian. Even when my father was sick, he reminded me every day to bring you the apples you liked. I also wanted you to try these red ones. They're really sweet."
Lian was shocked. "He reminded you, even though he was sick?"
Jian nodded, smiling through his tears. "Yeah. We were both happy to see you so happy when you got the apples. Father said always to keep your promises, so that's why I'm here."
A tear slid down Lian's cheek. Jian jumped, worried he had upset her. "I didn't want to make you sad. Please, eat an apple. It will make you smile again."
Lian quickly wiped her tear away, her face reddening. She took a bite of the red apple, savoring the sweetness. Another tear escaped, but this time she paid it no mind. "It's sweet. I'm Huo Lian. Nice to meet you, Zhen Jian."
Jian smiled and nodded, preparing to leave.
"You're not gonna say you'll be back in three months?" Lian's voice held a hint of hope.
"No, sorry. I'm going to learn medicine from now on. I won't be back anymore. I haven't even asked the local doctor in my village yet, but hopefully, he will accept me." Jian laughed, trying to lighten the mood.
Lian sighed, then smiled warmly. "Thank you for the apples." She knew she was thanking him for more than just the fruit – his kindness and his promise meant more than words could express.
Taken aback, Jian thought about how much the apples meant to her. "No problem. I'm glad you liked them. Bye-bye."
He walked back home with a small smile on his face, feeling a sense of closure. Lian watched him go, a smile on her lips, her heart lighter despite the tears they had both shed.
To Jian, this brief exchange was a cherished memory, fulfilling his father's last wish and bringing a smile to the pretty girl's face. For Lian, it was a meaningful moment, not only because it was one of the rare times she cried, but because it was the longest conversation she had ever had. She felt invigorated, determined to become more powerful, and with a small wish that one day, Jian would be her personal physician.
As she walked back to her room, Lian nodded to herself, muttering, "He will be a good doctor." Both children felt a renewed sense of purpose, their brief but heartfelt interaction guiding them towards their goals.