The Gift of Growing Up

Whoosh—

The wind suddenly picked up, causing the lanterns outside the tent to sway, casting a hazy glow through the fabric.

"Lie still."

"I am."

"Does this not press on your wound?"

"It doesn’t hurt."

Young Li Mo had just endured a blow severe enough to break his defenses, evident from how he lay curled on his side.

What does one do when injured?

Drink medicine, of course.

Strangely, the medicine didn’t taste bitter at all now. Li Mo could down it without so much as a frown—he might even ask for three more bowls.

One had to admit, the physicians of the Greenwood Camp were quite skilled.

Though the physician hailed from the Central Plains, his medical expertise was masterful. He had deeply studied various herbs and adapted nourishing tonics to local conditions. For instance, the absent "qiong lotus seeds" were replaced with a more potent local fungus.

What was it called... probiotics?

The name alone suggested it was good for the body.

Even the indomitable Li Mo had to concede: with such physicians in the Greenwood Camp, the soldiers' health was in good hands. He even suggested the physician form a strategic partnership with Hu Zi’s grandfather—then his prescriptions would truly be flawless...

"Gulp..."

Li Mo finished the last sip of medicine and turned his gaze to the "ice block."

"Thank you."

"Mhm. Feeding you medicine is the least I could do, since..."

"I meant the gift."

"What gift?"

Ying Bing pursed her lips, her eyes drifting elsewhere as if searching for something unseen. Her slender hands, having set down the bowl, retreated into her sleeves.

The ice block was puzzled.

"......"

Li Mo glanced at her lips.

Glossy and shimmering under the flickering lamplight.

Couldn’t you at least wipe them?

He’d always thought of Ying Bing as a cold yet breathtakingly beautiful cat in his presence. Now, this aloof feline had secretly indulged in something sweet and was pretending nothing had happened.

"Ice block, something’s strange."

"What’s strange?"

"Is there anything that looks hard but doesn’t taste that way?"

The ever-righteous Li Mo posed the question with a straight face.

"I don’t know."

So even the brilliant and unfathomable "Frost Fairy," who commanded battles and martial arts with divine precision, had her gaps in knowledge.

The medicine had to be taken three times a day.

She took the medicine jar and sat by the fire again, adding herbs before resting her chin on her palm, watching the flames dance.

Ying Bing stayed silent.

Li Mo watched her, licking his lips—still sweet.

The ice block had truly learned to be mischievous.

Earlier, she’d pinched his nose. If his nose was pinched, wouldn’t he have to breathe through his mouth?

And now she was playing dumb.

But honestly, even Li Mo found it surreal. If not for the lingering sweetness in his mouth, he’d have thought it all a dream.

He recalled his time with Ying Bing in Yunzhou, by Magpie Bridge Lake, where his mind had wandered into fantasies.

So when he’d bumped his head at the Hanging Temple, he’d later strategized how to turn the tables.

Never had he imagined it would happen like this.

That wicked ice block took advantage of his weakened state, feeding him candy while calling him "little rascal."

Li Mo, never one to be outdone, vowed to reclaim his dignity next time!

"Feeling better?"

"Just a bit itchy."

Li Mo shifted slightly, his back rubbing against the bedboard—a sign the medicine was taking effect, its potency spreading through his limbs.

That meant he was recovering.

Crackle—

The copper kettle was placed back over the charcoal fire, water boiling inside.

"Here?"

"A bit higher... ah..."

"Does it hurt?"

"No, just itchy right there."

Ahem, this wasn’t just scratching. Ying Bing was also channeling her inner energy to soothe his meridians, helping the medicine work faster.

Time flowed quietly until the water was ready.

"We probably won’t make it home for the Winter Solstice. Should we make dumplings instead?"

Li Mo turned onto his back.

Then he saw it—pearl-white silk socks neatly folded, delicate toes testing the water in the copper basin before dipping in fully.

Small yet elegant feet, one lightly rubbing the other.

After a while, they emerged, glistening with droplets.

"Do you even know how to make dumplings?"

Ying Bing unscrewed the "Big Head Doll" container, pulling out another pair of socks before frowning—the style wasn’t right—and swapping them.

All thanks to a certain "righteous gentleman."

The Big Head Doll was stuffed with southern-style socks...

And since they were folded, you couldn’t tell what they looked like until unfolded.

"My dumplings are delicious. Just thinking about them makes me drool."

"Mhm... what filling?"

"Lotus root... diced would be great."

Li Mo caught himself just in time.

"What about cabbage or beef?"

Ying Bing asked casually. She remembered her uncle and aunt used to make mushroom-pork and celery-beef dumplings for the solstice.

"Ice block, stop changing. Just wear those."

"It’s not hard to make a few varieties..."

Ying Bing crossed her slender legs elegantly.

"No, I meant the socks."

"?"

Ying Bing shut the Big Head Doll, deciding against socks altogether, and slipped her bare feet into her boots.

"Rest here for now. You need to recuperate—no straining your energy, no going outside."

"I’m not straining anything."

Li Mo’s arms had no will of their own right now, too weak to move. So he said this with conviction.

Ying Bing’s gaze turned knowing:

"But you’ve always had that chronic hypertension."

"......"

Li Mo frowned. Why was this medicine so heating?

Was it too nourishing?

Ying Bing walked to the tent entrance, lifting the flap. A cold wind rushed in, scattering playful snowflakes into her dark hair.

Suddenly, she turned back and murmured:

"Childish."

"?"

Young Li Mo felt indignant.

"That candy... was a reward for growing up."

Li Mo watched her vanish into the snowstorm, lost in thought. He licked his lips—the sweetness still lingered.

A reward for growing up?

What if he grew a little more?

And Ice Block... did you have to be so cool? Delivering that line so frostily before walking away...

Li Mo didn’t know.

In the blink of an eye, Ying Bing was back at the Tailwind Tavern, cradling a cup of tea without drinking it. She stared blankly at her reflection in the liquid—her lips a deep, flushed red.

Her fingers curled tightly, tingling as if electrified, unable to straighten.

And yet, she felt a flicker of relief.

Thank goodness... thank goodness he was still injured.

She’d seen the look in his eyes. If he’d had even a shred of strength, his arms would’ve locked around her waist—and he was so strong...

Too much.

At least not yet...

[Host, you have an unclaimed top-rank reward!]

[Host!]

[You have an UNCLAIMED!! TOP-RANK REWARD!!!]

Ying Bing only snapped back to reality after several calls.