Zhenshu asked, "Why are you called Big Fish?"
Lin Dayu said, "On the day I was born, my father caught a very big fish."
Zhenshu couldn't help but burst into laughter, saying, "Good things come in pairs!"
To conceal his wicked thoughts, Lin Dayu feigned laughter, but his laughter was so intense that it caused the wound on his back to bleed. Zhenshu threw him the mended clothes she had prepared, saying, "Don't wear these mended clothes. You'll easily catch a cold if you go shirtless like this."
Lin Dayu put on the porridge as instructed, and the two sat on the tree trunk, slowly eating porridge from a bowl and a pot.
After finishing his porridge and putting down his bowl, Lin Dayu said listlessly, "I feel a little dizzy. I need to go inside and lie down for a while. I'll take you out later, okay?"
Zhenshu did as she was told, collected the bowls and washed them clean, then sat outside to wash and hang her own jacket to dry before coming inside and saying, "I washed my clothes and left them for you to use as a blanket at night, as well as the pot and bowls..."
Chapter 24: The Wedding
Seeing Lin Dayu lying with his eyes closed, his face flushed as if he had a fever, she quickly touched his forehead and found it burning hot. She shook his arm and said, "Brother Dayu, why do you have a fever?"
Lin Dayu slightly lifted his eyelids and waved his hand, saying, "I'm afraid I can't see you off."
He was fine last night, but he developed a fever again this morning. He must have caught a cold from peeling the tiger skin all night.
Zhenshu got up and went to the outer room. She washed the plantain she had picked yesterday and put it in the pot to boil. Then she wet a cloth and wiped his forehead. Lin Dayu, wearing that tattered shirt, refused to take it off and mumbled, "You rest outside for a while and wait for me. I'll be fine after a nap."
Zhenshu brought in a strong bowl of herbal medicine, helped him up, and fed it to him, saying, "I was worried you would have a fever yesterday, so I picked a lot of plantain to bring it down. After you drink it and then sleep soundly until you sweat it out, you'll definitely feel better."
Lin Dayu lay down as instructed and fell into a deep sleep again.
Zhenshu sat silently in the outer room for a long time. It was midday, and the sunlight shimmered on the surface of the small river. She had been terrified and sweating profusely since yesterday, and now her body felt sticky. She thought to herself that Lin Dayu was probably fast asleep, so she should take advantage of the heat to wash herself thoroughly and dry her clothes. That way, she would feel refreshed when she left.
She first took off her inner bodice and undergarments and washed them by the river, then hung them on a nearby tree branch to dry. Only then did she take off her outer short shirt and trousers and jump into the water for a comfortable bath. After washing, she reached for her half-dry underwear and long jacket and put them on before washing and hanging up her short shirt and trousers.
The sunlight was perfect, and the May sky was exceptionally clear. She sat on the wooden root to dry her hair, estimating that Lin Dayu Shao's hair should have faded by now. She pushed open the door and touched his forehead again.
To his astonishment, he touched the head and found that despite drinking such a strong medicinal soup, the fever had not subsided; in fact, the forehead was so hot that he could not touch it.
Zhenshu knelt on the bed in a hurry and shook Lin Dayu, calling out, "Brother Dayu, Brother Dayu."
He glanced at Zhenshu with his eyes half-open, then fell into a deep sleep.
It had only been two hours since she had given him the medicine, so she couldn't give him any more. Zhenshu had no choice but to bring in some cold water to wipe him down. She wiped him down again and again until the fever subsided, but it spiked again in the time it took to change the water.
Even as the sun began to set, Lin Dayu's fever showed no signs of abating.
When Lin Dayu was feeding the medicine again, he woke up for a while and said softly, "I'm dragging you down so you can't go home. If I drag this out any longer, it will only damage your reputation. If you're willing, take my dagger and go down the river yourself. You should be able to get to the main road by nightfall."
Zhenshu blew on the medicine to cool it down for him and said, "You saved me from the tiger's mouth, how could I abandon you? Stop talking, I will take care of you until you are fully recovered before I leave."
She cooked some porridge again that night, her brow furrowed, and silently fed him. She herself ate only a few bites, and as night fell, the two of them fell into a deep sleep, one on each side.
The next morning, Lin Dayu's forehead was still burning hot, and his face was turning increasingly bluish-purple.
Zhenshu continued to drink a strong bowl of medicinal soup with every meal, but the fever just wouldn't go down. By evening, even Zhenshu, who was always unwilling to give up easily, broke down and cried on Lin Dayu's body: "Brother Dayu, cheer yourself up and get better. I really have no other way."
Lin Dayu opened his eyes and said, "Good sister, I'm not going to live."
Zhenshu asked, "Why?"
Lin Dayu said, “My family has a hereditary illness. If we don’t have a fever, we are fine, but if we have a high fever for more than three days, we will definitely die. My grandfather and several of my uncles all died this way.”
Zhenshu asked in confusion, "What about your father? If he hadn't died, you might not have inherited this family heirloom."
Lin Dayu said, "My father fell into the river and drowned."
Zhenshu shook her head upon hearing this and said, "I've read some medical books, but I've never seen such an illness before. They probably died because of improper care. Why do you want to discourage yourself?"
Lin Dayu sighed and said, "Just pretend I didn't say anything, and don't worry about me. Move me outside yourself. You can rest in this room for the night, and walk along the river by yourself tomorrow morning."
He struggled to get up, saying, "I'm afraid that dying next to you will frighten you."
Zhenshu hugged him and said, "I will never let you die. I will wipe you clean from time to time to prevent you from burning up."
Lin Dayu shook his head with a wry smile, struggled to get up, and went out the door while holding onto the door frame. He moved to sit on the wooden bench outside and looked at the setting sun in the distance, saying, "Life is but a fleeting moment, like grass in autumn. Although this sunset is infinitely beautiful, it's a pity I won't be able to see tomorrow's sunset."
Seeing that this strong and healthy young man was so tormented by illness and looked so listless, Zhenshu felt very sorry for him. She knelt down in front of him and patted his knees, saying, "Go back and lie down. I will still make you a strong medicine soup. It's just a fever. It will pass."
Lin Dayu shook his head and said, "It's no use."
He gazed into the distance for a long time before saying, "It's fine to die, but I've lived to the age of twenty and haven't even been able to marry a wife. When I get to the underworld, I'm afraid my ancestors won't accept me and will make me a lonely ghost."
Zhenshu was preoccupied with his illness and had no doubts. Confused, she said, "At this point, why bother about whether you've married or not?"
Lin Dayu said, “In our Wen County, unmarried men and women cannot be buried in the ancestral graves, and even if they die, their ancestors cannot accept them. I was born into a poor family and worked as a farmhand, so no woman was willing to marry me. Last night, I was trying to skin the tiger and sell it to save some money for my wedding, but now it seems there is no hope.”
He pointed to the tiger skin hanging high up and said, "After I die, you can roll it up tomorrow and take it back to exchange for some money."
Before Zhenshu could answer, he collapsed to the ground with his eyes rolled back. Zhenshu helped him up and tried to move him into the house, but he woke up again and opened his eyes to look at Zhenshu.
Having spent these past few days together, he had been a bit outspoken, but overall a good person. Kuang Zhenshu, having spent several days with him, had already developed some feelings for him. Seeing the hope in his eyes, she suddenly blurted out, "If you really want to find a wife, I'll have a simple wedding ceremony with you right here, so that you won't have nowhere to return to your family in the afterlife, okay?"
Lin Dayu was overjoyed, and his face immediately lit up with happiness. However, he frowned and said, "I may not live past tonight. How can you become a widow at such a young age?"
Zhen Shu said, "It's just a charade in these mountains to deceive our ancestors. I'll bury you tomorrow and then walk out on my own. As long as I don't say a word, who will know?"
When Lin Dayu heard her say that she was going to bury him, a chill ran down his spine. He then pretended to refuse, saying, "I'm just an illiterate farmhand. Even if it's just a fake ceremony, it's too much of a disservice to you."
Zhenshu helped him sit down and sighed, "My reputation will be ruined when I go back, and it will be difficult for me to get married. If it really can't be hidden, I'll just say that I married you, that you are dead, and that I am a widow. From now on, I can rightfully take charge of the household. Wouldn't that be better?"
Before Lin Dayu could reply, she turned around and went to the back of the house to find some dry firewood, kneaded it into two torches, lit them, and stuck them in the ground in front of the straw house, saying, "Now that we don't have candlesticks, we can only use these to make do. I hope your ancestors aren't the kind of people who like to hold grudges."
She helped Lin Dayu over, and the two hastily bowed to heaven and earth, then gave a perfunctory bow to their parents, and then bowed to each other again. Lin Dayu was already panting heavily.
Seeing that he still refused to go back into the house, Zhenshu pretended to be angry and said, "Now that we are husband and wife, how can I leave you outside to die? Come inside quickly."
Lin Dayu nodded and said, "My wife, thank you for your hard work."
He called her name so gently that Zhenshu found it quite pleasing. Although she looked pained, she forced a smile and said, "Yes, my husband."
The two entered the house together. Zhenshu settled Lin Dayu on the spot where her skirt had been laid out, while she herself lay down on the firewood. It was now completely dark, with only a faint light filtering through the crack in the door. Lin Dayu said, "Now that we're married, come and sleep with me for a while, so I can enjoy the coolness of your body, how about it?"
After he finished speaking, he sighed and said, "Very well, I am a dying man, it is not good for me to pass on my illness to you, you should lie down further away."
If he hadn't said that, Zhenshu really wouldn't have wanted to lie down next to him. But she was naturally compassionate towards the weak, and hearing his pitiful words, she wanted to prove that she didn't despise him for his impending death, so she got up and lay down next to Lin Dayu.
Lin Dayu reached out a hot hand and gently put it on Zhenshu's shoulder, whispering in her ear, "Most men, when they reach my age, want a wife who waits at home all day, cooks a hot meal, makes a bowl of hot soup, and at night they can hold each other's shoulders and sleep well together."
Zhenshu pushed his hand away, crossed her arms and lay back, saying, "If you have the strength to speak, you might as well save it and die tomorrow at dawn, so that I won't have to live in fear at night."
Lin Dayu was taken aback, then withdrew his hand and said softly, "Alright, I'll hold on until dawn, even if it's tough, so my wife won't be frightened at night."
Zhenshu listened to his pitiful words and regretted that she had spoken too harshly. She leaned against his chest and said, "If you can really hold on, then don't die. Wouldn't it be better to live well?"
Lin Dayu gently placed his hand on her shoulder and put his arm around her, tentatively asking, "If I hadn't died, where would I have found such a wonderful wife as you?"
Zhen Shu said, "If you don't die, what's wrong with me marrying you?"
Lin Dayu said, "But I'm just a farmhand."
Zhen Shu said, "So what if you're a farmhand? As long as you start working hard from now on, even if you only learn one character a day, you'll be able to read articles in three years."
Lin Dayu sighed and said, "It's a pity that I'm really going to die."
That night, Zhenshu was very alert, getting up frequently to check Lin Dayu's forehead. By the latter half of the night, the fever on his forehead had gradually subsided, returning to normal. Zhenshu felt no doubt, but instead felt relieved and slept soundly. The next morning, she woke up to the aroma of porridge outside. She got up and went outside, only to see Lin Dayu standing by a hanging pot, stirring a pot of white porridge with chopsticks.
Chapter 25 The Liar
Hearing her leave, Lin Dayu stood up and laughed, "Look at you, you're my lucky star! My fever broke last night. I had a fever for two days and nights, and if it had lasted until dawn, I'm afraid I would have died."
Zhenshu suspected that he was exaggerating, or perhaps he wanted to take advantage of her. Although he brought her porridge, she ate it in a sullen mood. After finishing, she cleared away the dishes, washed them, and tidied up the room before saying, "Now that your fever has subsided, please take me back to the main road. If you don't want to, I can walk there myself."
After saying that, she only showed him her back and stood in the outer room to collect the handkerchiefs and other items that she had washed and hung out to dry the day before.
Zhenshu felt that she had made a huge joke last night, and that she had worried all night, really thinking that he was going to die, and she had secretly shed countless tears.
Suddenly, a muffled thud came from the room behind her. Zhenshu sensed something was wrong and turned around to see Lin Dayu lying on his back on the bed, foam at the corners of his mouth, his eyes rolled back, and no breath coming from his nose. She climbed onto the bed and rubbed his shoulders, but there was no response. She put her ear to his chest and listened, and found that even his heartbeat had stopped.
Zhenshu panicked, pried open his mouth to check his tongue, and kept rubbing his chest, her voice trembling as she asked, "Brother Big Fish? Brother Big Fish?"
She busied herself with this for a while, and Lin Dayu truly seemed dead, his body gradually growing cold. Zhenshu deeply regretted misunderstanding him earlier; who knew he really was dead. Normally, if someone dies, the living person beside the corpse would feel some fear, but perhaps because she had spent so much time with him these past few days, Zhenshu felt no fear. She sighed, wiped away her tears, and went outside to fetch a basin of water to wipe the ashes from his face while cooking porridge, as well as the grime from the corners of his mouth.
She then took the animal trap and went out, intending to find a peaceful place for Lin Dayu after his death. But as soon as she stepped out, she heard a soft groan from inside the house. She rushed back inside and saw that Lin Dayu had opened his eyes again and was struggling to sit up.
Zhenshu threw down the animal trap and said angrily, "If you're not feeling well, you should be lying down. Who told you to get up and cook porridge?"
Lin Dayu said, "I hope that even if I die, you will remember me because of a bowl of porridge, so that you won't forget me completely once you leave this forest."
Zhenshu was, after all, just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, and had never left Caijia Temple since childhood. How could she understand the treacherous nature of the world? Moreover, Su Shi had not given her much guidance since she was young, nor had she taught her how to discern people and things in the outside world. Apart from the rules in books, her actions and judgments were entirely based on her own temperament.
If she had suspected Lin Dayu of faking illness just now, she now truly believed he was nearing the end.
She reached out and touched his forehead; sure enough, it was burning up again, and his entire cheeks were steaming hot.
He's probably really going to die now.
Since the herbal remedies were ineffective and she was at a loss, Zhenshu took off her shoes and got into bed. She leaned against Lin Dayu and said, "I'm exhausted and worn out these past few days. Now I need to get some sleep. If you're still alive when I wake up, we'll be a real couple. If you're dead, I'll bury you in this forest and come to burn incense and offer sacrifices for you during festivals. Is that alright?"
Lin Dayu's throat tightened, and he held back the tears welling up in his eyes, kissing her forehead deeply. After a long while, he said, "Okay, I will hold on until you wake up."
Zhenshu hadn't slept long when Lin Dayu, who was burning up with fever beside her, made it hard for her to breathe. When she opened her eyes, she saw Lin Dayu propping his head up and looking at her, his eyes bloodshot. Seeing that Zhenshu was awake, he struggled to smile and said, "See, I've been waiting for you."
Zhenshu sat up, touched his forehead which was still burning hot, then lay back down and said, "Let's sleep together."
Lin Dayu shook his head and said, "No, I want to look at my wife carefully and engrave your appearance in my mind. Even if I drink Meng Po soup on the road to the Yellow Springs, I will not forget you. In the next life, I will look for your beautiful face to find you."
Zhenshu's eyes stung with tears, but she forced a smile and asked, "Then do you think I'm pretty?"
Lin Dayu said, "You're beautiful. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."
Zhenshu tilted her head back, taking a closer look at Lin Dayu's face for the first time since the day he fell from the car. He had a high nose, firm lips, a broad forehead, and straight eyes; he was quite a handsome man, much more dashing and handsome than Tong Qisheng. Perhaps due to his hard labor, he had developed a well-muscled physique, with broad shoulders and a narrow back, exuding strength from head to toe.
Zhenshu murmured, "I also think you're handsome; you're the most handsome man I've ever seen."
For some reason, she felt an urge to kiss his lips, and stared intently at Lin Dayu with her lips slightly parted. Unexpectedly, he suddenly stood up and rushed out the door. Zhenshu deeply regretted being too forward, thinking she had frightened him. She sat up, still remorseful, when Lin Dayu burst in, his body soaked as if pulled from the water. Before she could even open her mouth, he pinned her to the bed, his lips pressed against hers. She opened her mouth to ask him why he had gone out, but his tongue followed, kissing her until she could barely breathe.
Zhenshu used all her strength to push Lin Dayu away, wiped her lips and said, "Brother Dayu, you..."
Before she could speak, Lin Dayu kissed her again, lingering between her lips for a long time before kissing her ear, taking her earlobe into his mouth and gently biting and sucking it. After a while, he breathed heavily and said, "My dear wife, I have never seen a woman's body before. If you let me see it, I will die without regrets."
He was no longer burning hot, though his breath was still hot. Zhenshu wanted to refuse, but his kiss made her dizzy and her lower abdomen throbbed with heat. She even managed to utter a soft "okay" as if she were out of her mind.
Lin Dayu licked his dry lips, gently loosened Zhenshu's sash, and lifted the small bodice embroidered with a frog standing on a lotus and a dragonfly skimming the water. He stared wide-eyed at her. Zhenshu felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and reached out to cover her chest, but Lin Dayu gently waved his hand away. He suddenly swallowed, smiled slightly, and abruptly lowered his head to her chest, cupping one of her breasts like a child nursing.