“It’s almost winter. The weather has turned cold, and seasonal changes easily cause colds. You must keep warm; even brief exposure can let wind invade the body,” Lu Ling warned, helping Shu Rui to a seat.
Dr. Xu checked his pulse. “You caught a chill and have a mild fever. I’ll give you medicine here, and prescribe another dose for home use. Take it on schedule.”
Shu Rui felt his head throb and his body weak. Without Lu Ling’s support, he might not have stayed upright.
In a weak voice, he asked Dr. Xu, “I’ve always been healthy, rarely ill. Even during seasonal changes, I’ve never been like this. Are there any contagious seasonal ailments now?”
Dr. Xu said, “Your body has always been fairly robust, young sir. Illnesses are not always predictable—being strong doesn’t make you immune; it just means you’re less prone to discomfort than someone weaker. Have you been overexerting yourself lately, or burdened with worry?”
“If one works too hard, the body can’t endure it. A weak constitution faced with seasonal changes becomes especially susceptible to illness.”
Hearing this, Shu Rui fell silent. Indeed, he had been exhausting himself with inn affairs, his mind constantly occupied.
Lu Ling, understanding that this bout of chill came from overwork, didn’t reprimand him. He simply said, “Please have the doctor write the prescription.”
Dr. Xu wrote the prescription while calling for an apprentice to bring some fever-reducing medicine. “A chill can be minor or serious. Rest well and take care, and there will be no lasting harm. But if ignored, repeated bouts can lead to more serious conditions. After returning home, be sure to take care of yourself.”
“Your household will need to pay more attention to your care as well.”
Lu Ling agreed, taking the empty bowl after Shu Rui drank the medicine. The young man obediently drank the bitter decoction, realizing that since the doctor was already present, it was wise to have him prepare some preventative remedies for seasonal colds too. With guests constantly coming and going, having medicine on hand would be useful.
Shu Rui shrank his shoulders, a little guilty, and fell silent afterward. He knew Lu Ling worried for him, and that he wanted him to relax instead of pouring all his energy into the inn’s daily operations.
Though he understood, this was a business he had built with his own hands; he couldn’t simply stop caring.
Seeing Shu Rui unwell, Lu Ling refrained from scolding. He collected the medicine, asked the doctor a few precautionary questions, then helped Shu Rui into a thick cloak before bringing him home.
Once in the rented carriage, Lu Ling wrapped his arm around Shu Rui, guiding him to lean against his chest so he wouldn’t have to strain himself.
Shu Rui, pressed close, lifted his chin to look at Lu Ling. “Being this close… will I pass this illness onto you?”
Lu Ling lowered his gaze and pulled him tighter. “I’m strong; I’m not afraid of catching your cold. I’ve faced epidemics before and came through unscathed.”
Shu Rui murmured, “In the end, it’s still you.”
Lu Ling gently pressed Shu Rui’s head, coaxing him to rest. “You’re still burning with fever. Don’t speak; just lie still.”
Shu Rui, weak, obeyed, finally relaxing against Lu Ling. The carriage rocked slightly, but he took his medicine and soon, exhausted and light-headed, fell asleep without realizing it.
Noticing his breathing even out, Lu Ling covered him carefully with the cloak.
When Shu Rui next stirred, he found himself lying in bed, the room dark, no lights on. He tried to sit up but a pair of hands gently pressed him back, checking his forehead and neck before saying, “Your fever has finally gone down. Don’t move around.”
Relieved by Lu Ling’s voice, Shu Rui asked, “Why no lights?”
“I left one earlier, but you were restless. I went ahead and put it out,” Lu Ling explained. “Lie still; I’ll light it for you.”
Soon the room brightened. Shu Rui squinted, feeling some ease in his body, though his head still throbbed.
Lu Ling brought a cup of warm water, helping Shu Rui sit and propping a pillow at his back. Parched, he drank most of it and felt slightly better. Noticing the sleeve of his robe, he realized he was only in a single set of teal sleepwear.
“My clothes…” he murmured, remembering the white undergarments he had been wearing. His face flushed at seeing Lu Ling.
Lu Ling set the bowl aside. “You’re meticulous about cleanliness. With all the cooking and chores, your clothes got dirty. After taking the fever medicine, you sweat, so Qing helped you change.”
Shu Rui’s face heated further. “But—you didn’t—”
“Didn’t what?”
Lu Ling paused, realizing Shu Rui thought he had changed the clothes himself. “I would have liked to.”
“It was Qing, then,” Shu Rui blinked. “He hasn’t gone home? What time is it now?”
“Past midnight. He stayed behind to see you safely back, then went home,” Lu Ling said.
Shu Rui relaxed slightly, noticing how late it was and that Lu Ling hadn’t yet slept. Seeing him awake immediately, concern showed on Shu Rui’s face. “You’ve stayed up all night for me, and tomorrow you’ll have work at the martial hall.”
Lu Ling said, “Your fever wasn’t dropping. I couldn’t rest easy. Losing a few hours of sleep isn’t a problem; better than worrying at home.”
Shu Rui took Lu Ling’s hand. “I made you worry. Tomorrow, I’ll hire two more helpers, for lunch and dinner shifts, to help with the inn.”
“That way, I can be lighter, and you don’t have to rush after the second shift.”
Lu Ling sat at the bedside. “I don’t mind working; after the martial hall, I can help at the inn without trouble. I worry you, working non-stop. Today it’s just a small chill. If you ignore it and let other illnesses pile up, that would be worse. Perhaps I should quit the martial hall and stay to help at the inn. The old days working together like that… were good.”
Shu Rui laughed softly. “You just want to stay with me? The martial hall can wait. I only had a mild chill; the fever is down. You treat it like an emergency, but really, I’m fine.”
“Don’t you mind me always being nearby? Are you annoyed?” Lu Ling asked.
Shu Rui pressed close, heart warm. “Who’d be annoyed? I only care for you. But you’ve trained in martial arts all these years. If you stay at the inn all day, I fear you’d be missing out. Before, you worked to earn money, now the inn is running. I can provide; I don’t want you giving up what you love for me.”
Lu Ling said, “How do you know I enjoy the martial hall? I trained not for love but for skill—nimble, useful, and it helps earn. As for enjoyment… I never thought carefully.”
“But now I know I want to be with you. The inn’s been running nearly a month, mostly your effort. I feel uneasy not contributing.”
“How much effort do you need? One person doing two people’s work—still more than enough.” Shu Rui’s tone rose playfully. He looped his arm around Lu Ling’s waist. “If you really want to come back, I’ll let you. There’s plenty to do at the inn; you won’t be idle. Together, it’ll run even better, no shortage of income.”
Lu Ling, seeing Shu Rui’s willingness, was overjoyed. He had long wished to return but had restrained himself, thinking Shu Rui might insist he continue at the martial hall. Now seeing Shu Rui overworked and ill, he could return and help, happy to contribute.
He leaned forward to kiss Shu Rui, who dodged. “We mustn’t spread the illness.”
“Nothing of the sort,” Lu Ling protested.
Days had passed without closeness. Shu Rui, just recovering, was weak—making it easier for Lu Ling to hold him. Though refusing with words, his heart welcomed the intimacy.
After a while, Lu Ling pressed him onto the bed. Shu Rui, startled, bit him lightly to keep him alert. A faint metallic sweetness filled their mouths.
“I know boundaries—why so fierce?” Shu Rui murmured.
“Who told you to climb into my bed?” Lu Ling teased.
Shu Rui’s protest turned playful. Lu Ling flopped onto the bed, immovable. Shu Rui feigned a headache, needing water, coaxing Lu Ling up.