Warning: Sexual Content
Zhao Renshu walked for several grueling hours, but the landscape remained barren of any creek or water source. His feet ached with every step, and exhaustion weighed heavily on him. He finally sank down, leaning his head against a gnarled tree trunk, and closed his eyes. Sitting there, listening to the gentle birdsong, a wave of unexpected relaxation washed over him.
The scent in the air, sweet and nostalgic, reminded him keenly of his home. At this time of year, the peach blossoms would be in full bloom, their delicate fragrance hovering in the air with every passing breeze. He pictured himself drinking tea at the kitchen table, watching Ping'an cook, a simple, cherished memory.
Suddenly, a sharp sting on his right hand jolted him awake. He opened his eyes, his vision still blurry, and saw a large black spider, its fangs embedded, greedily sucking his blood. With a violent jerk, he threw the spider to the ground, then stomped down hard, crushing the creature. He felt his hands rapidly grow numb, and his vision swam. He blinked several times, desperately, but could see nothing but a swirling haze.
A terrifying paralysis began to creep through his body, spreading from head to toe. He dropped helplessly to the ground, his mind screaming in silent panic. He heard a woman's voice humming a soft, unfamiliar song, but he couldn't open his mouth, couldn't utter a sound. In his mind, he wanted to shout loudly, Ping'an, is that you? He felt his body being gently lifted and carried onto a wagon. The woman continued her humming, a soothing, yet unsettling, melody, as the wagon began to move forward.
In Guo Baiyu's dream, he was sitting on a swing, its gentle sway a comforting rhythm. Across from him, a young woman sat on another swing, her face soft, familiar. He reached out and held her hand, a profound peace settling over him.
The woman smiled at him, her eyes shining with happiness. "I hope our lives will always be like this," she whispered.
Then, a warm hand covered his eyes, and he heard a man's teasing voice asking, "Who do you think it is?"
Guo Baiyu smiled, moving the man's hand over to his mouth and gently kissed it. "My beloved," he said softly, a warmth spreading through him. Then, slowly, the man moved from his back to his side, revealing a young, handsome face with beautiful, deep blue eyes. The man looked at him with a tender smile, then stretched out his head and leaned in to kiss Guo Baiyu.
In panic coursed through Guo Baiyu, and he snapped his eyes open. The direct sunlight outside the window was blinding, making his eyes ache. He blinked several times, forcing them to adjust, before finally discerning his surroundings. He found himself lying on a soft bed in a small, unfamiliar bedroom. His gaze frantically swept the room, but Ping'an was nowhere to be seen. A cold dread seeped into his heart, replaced quickly by a fierce worry for her safety. He slowly, painfully, forced himself out of bed and hobbled towards the door. But halfway there, his weak legs gave out beneath him. He couldn't move. He instinctively grabbed the door frame, bracing himself to prevent a humiliating fall.
"Baiyu," Ping'an's voice called out, sweet and clear, a beacon in his anxiety.
He looked around, relief washing over him as he saw Ping'an walking towards him, a radiant smile on her face, a wooden basin cradled in her hands. Behind her, an unfamiliar young woman followed.
"How are you feeling?" Ping'an asked, her voice brimming with concern as she rushed to his side. She quickly placed the washbasin on a nearby table, then gently took Guo Baiyu's right arm, supporting him as she helped him to sit down at the table.
"Good morning," the unfamiliar woman, Shui Aichi, greeted him with a polite smile. "My grandfather saved you."
"Thank you very much for saving us," Guo Baiyu replied, a genuine warmth in his voice.
Outside the bedroom, five women stood, giggling and whispering to each other, their curious gazes fixed on Guo Baiyu.
"Please don't mind them," Shui Aichi said with a small laugh, seeing his discomfort. "We have never seen a handsome man like you before."
Guo Baiyu, with his innate charm and striking appearance, effortlessly captivated women. His refined behavior and noble demeanor, coupled with his vast knowledge and innate politeness, drew the admiration of every woman he met.
Shui Aichi herself was a petite woman, standing about four feet eleven inches tall, with delicate features and fair skin.
"What are you girls doing here?! Shoo... Go home!" Grandfather Shui's gruff voice boomed from the hallway, laced with a mix of anger and exasperation.
Grandfather Shui was a man likely in his early seventies, with a chubby frame, a shock of white hair, bushy white eyebrows, and a flowing white beard. He walked into the room, his eyes twinkling despite his stern tone. "Young man, you are so lucky," he declared, his voice softening slightly as he looked at Guo Baiyu. "If you hadn't drunk the water from the stream, you might be dead now." He handed Guo Baiyu a bowl filled with a murky, strong-smelling liquid. "The water in the creek has a strong poison that may neutralize your other poisons, but because the poison in the creek is stronger, you were poisoned from the water you drank. But don't worry, you will be cured soon from both poisons."
"How long?" Guo Baiyu asked, a flicker of impatience in his voice.
"You should be fine in three or four days," Grandfather Shui replied calmly.
"The birds drink from the river," Ping'an interjected, a frown on her face. "Why are they not poisonous?"
"They are immune to it," Grandfather Shui explained simply.
Guo Baiyu finished the medicine, grimacing slightly at its bitter taste, and handed the empty bowl back to Grandfather Shui.
"I'm sorry," Grandfather Shui said, a note of regret in his voice. "I have asked everyone in the village, but no one, except for the two of you, has seen anyone else."
"We can look down on the southern border town," Shui Aichi suggested, her eyes bright with a helpful spirit.
A man's voice called from outside.
"Da ge is home," Shui Aichi chirped happily. "Maybe he has some news."
Shui Ushi walked inside, a sturdy young man with a kind face. "How is he?" he asked, looking at Guo Baiyu.
"He will fully recover," Shui Aichi replied cheerfully.
"Sorry, Ping'an," Shui Ushi said, turning to her. "Everyone I asked, no one has seen any outsiders." He nodded a respectful greeting to Guo Baiyu.
"In two days, it will be the annual traditional border festival," Shui Aichi explained excitedly. "There will be many people there. If your friend is in the southern border town, he will definitely be there."
"In any case, it will take you at least two days to heal," Grandfather Shui said, a gentle reminder. "So be patient."
Ping'an gently helped Guo Baiyu get back into bed, easing him down carefully. She then walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind her. She saw Shui Aichi skillfully weaving a colorful rope.
"What are you doing, Aichi?" Ping'an asked, curious.
"This is for the festival," Shui Aichi explained, her fingers deftly twisting the threads. "If I see someone I like, and they like me back, I will tie it on his wrist and mine. We will walk around all day to get to know each other."
"Sounds very interesting," Ping'an mused. "I used to live in a small town where there was a Lantern Festival every year."
"Lantern Festival?" Shui Aichi's eyes widened with fascination.
Ping'an nodded, a fond memory in her eyes.
"You weave one too," Shui Aichi urged, handing Ping'an some white and red threads. "If you don't want other women to tie their string on your husband's wrist."
"He is not....." Ping'an began, a blush rising to her cheeks.
"You don't have to hide," Shui Aichi interrupted gently, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "I know."
Ping'an smiled, a genuine, relieved smile. "Show me how," she said, eager to learn.
Zhao Renshu didn't even know where he was. A terrifying paralysis held him captive; he could not move or open his eyes. He heard the same, gentle humming song that had accompanied his unconscious journey. He sensed a woman moving around the room, then the distinct rustle of clothing as she began to undress him.
Who are you? Zhao Renshu screamed silently in his mind, a desperate, unheard cry. Hey... Stop undressing me! Stop stroking your fingers on my abs! Stop invading me! No matter how loud his silent screams, the woman continued her ministrations. Then he felt a soft, wet towel begin to wipe his body, cool against his skin. After the woman finished bathing him, she dressed him in clean clothes, and then, to his utter surprise, kissed him lightly on his lips.
Later that night, a flicker of sensation returned. Zhao Renshu began to feel his fingers, and with a monumental effort, he was able to wiggle his toes. He slowly, cautiously, got up to examine the room. It was bathed in a singular, pervasive yellow hue – the walls, the furniture, everything in the room was yellow. Then he heard the soft humming sound returning from outside the door, so he quickly, almost clumsily, jumped back into the bed, feigning deep sleep and continued paralysis.
"You will be okay tomorrow morning," the woman's soft voice murmured. She walked to the bed.
Zhao Renshu felt her face close to his, her soft breaths warm on his skin. Then he felt the delicate touch of her nose on the tip of his. He slowly, cautiously, opened his eyes. He stared into a pair of beautiful, light brown eyes, deep and luminous.
The woman leaned in and kissed his lips, then, with a shocking intimacy, slid her soft, warm tongue inside his mouth. Despite his feigned paralysis, Zhao Renshu's instincts took over. He hugged the woman's waist tightly, sat up, and pulled her close, holding her fiercely in his arms. The two strangers began to kiss, their tongues twisting and turning inside each other's mouths, a whirlwind of unexpected passion.
After a while, the woman took off her robe, her two full breasts completely exposed in the dim light. She put her arms around Zhao Renshu's neck and kissed him again, deeply.
Zhao Renshu responded, his kisses tracing a path from her neck to her left breast. He licked her nipple with his tongue, then squeezed her right breast with his left hand, gently stroking her left nipple.
She moaned softly, a sound of pleasure. She then took off Zhao Renshu's robe and untied his belt. His pants came loose. The woman reached past Zhao Renshu's groin and held his member in her hand, her touch soft and knowing. She began to kiss Zhao Renshu downward, her wet tongue sliding from his neck all the way to his member. She lowered her head and gently took Zhao Renshu's member into her moist, warm mouth. Her soft tongue circled around his member, making it harder and harder.
Zhao Renshu moaned as the woman continued sucking his member. The woman's sucking was much better than Ping'an's, from which he understood that the woman must have had a lot of experience. He stretched out his right hand and grabbed the back of the woman's head, holding her there.
After a while, Zhao Renshu released inside the woman's mouth, and she completely swallowed his semen and licked his member clean.
She looked up at Zhao Renshu, licking her lips with her pinkish tongue, then lowered her head down and began sucking Zhao Renshu once again. As his member became firmly hard, she slid her wet tongue up onto Zhao Renshu's mouth and kissed him again. She untied her own belt, and her pants came loose. She moved her hips towards Zhao Renshu's eager member, a silent invitation. But Zhao Renshu stopped her.
Zhao Renshu pulled back slightly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I'm sorry, I can't," he whispered, his voice strained.
This woman was undeniably beautiful. She had captivating light brown eyes and long, jet-black hair that cascaded around her. She was wearing a simple, yet elegant, yellow dress, and she smelled as sweet as honey. It would be difficult for anyone to resist such a temptation, but Zhao Renshu knew he had to.
"Why do we refuse at this stage?" she asked, her voice a soft, confused murmur.
She moved forward to kiss Zhao Renshu again, but Zhao Renshu gently held her back, preventing her from closing the distance.
Zhao Renshu shook his head, a wry, awkward smile on his face. "I am not myself. I was bitten by that ugly spider. I may be confused or hallucinating." He scratched his chin nervously. "Your name?"
The woman smiled, a sweet, alluring smile, and said in a very soft, low voice, "Hu Qingge."
"Where is this place?" Zhao Renshu asked, trying to orient himself.
"South Border Town," Hu Qingge replied.
"Did you save me?" Zhao Renshu inquired.
Hu Qingge nodded, her eyes twinkling.
Zhao Renshu quickly pulled up his pants and fastened his belt, a sense of propriety returning. "I'm sorry, I kissed you," he stammered, feeling a flush creep up his neck. "It was just a moment of heat..." He smiled awkwardly, scratching his chin with his left thumb. "Thank you for saving me. Call me Renshu."
Hu Qingge still approached Zhao Renshu, her naked body gracefully alluring. "Renshu, I like you," she said softly, gently kissing his right cheek.
Zhao Renshu smiled warmly, his gaze kind. "I like you too, as a friend."
"Why?" Hu Qingge asked, a hint of genuine hurt in her eyes.
"My heart belongs to others," Zhao Renshu replied simply, his voice firm.
"What about the kiss that just happened?" Hu Qingge pressed, her brow furrowed.
"It's just the heat of the moment," Zhao Renshu insisted. He looked at her, his eyes searching. "Do you see anyone else?"
"What is her name?" Hu Qingge asked, intrigued despite her disappointment.
"Ping'an," Zhao Renshu answered, a softness entering his voice.
"If you didn't have her, would you love me?" Hu Qingge asked, her gaze intense.
"Maybe, but I already have her," Zhao Renshu replied honestly, a gentle smile spreading across his face. "Please tell me if you see anyone else."
"Maybe she might be in North Border Town," Hu Qingge offered, considering. "In two days, it will be the border festival. You might find her there."
"Thanks for curing the poison," Zhao Renshu said, a genuine gratitude in his voice.
"The spider isn't poison," Hu Qingge corrected softly. "It can only paralyze people for twelve to twenty-four hours, depending on the individual."
"So, I wasn't poisoned?" Zhao Renshu asked, surprised.
"No," Hu Qingge confirmed.
"That's good," Zhao Renshu mused, a hint of relief in his voice.
"If you didn't have her, would you really love me?" Hu Qingge asked one last time, a persistent hope in her eyes.
"Who wouldn't?" Zhao Renshu replied, his smile widening, a genuine compliment. "Look at you. You are beautiful."