That night in the wilderness, when carefully considered, was actually quite dangerous. Both were injured, with heavy rain outside, and the mountains were not lacking in poisonous insects and wild beasts, with the risk of landslides at any time. However, whenever Fu Shen recalled that night, what he remembered most was the gentle comfort on his back, lulling him to sleep.
So much so that many years later, when he fell into the same person’s embrace again, he still felt familiar.
Early the next morning, the rain stopped, and birds chirped in the mountains. Fu Shen and Yan Xiaohan left the cave and walked out along the canyon. The air was fresh and humid after the rain, with many mushrooms growing in the forest. Having been hungry all night, Fu Shen glanced eagerly into the woods, the words “want to eat” almost falling from his eyes.
Yan Xiaohan had to pull him back to the right path, coaxing: “They’re poisonous, can’t be eaten.”
“Grass mushrooms and those under pine trees aren’t toxic, they can be eaten,” Fu Shen insisted, “I’ve picked white mushrooms on the grasslands before, trust me.
Yan Xiaohan was almost moved by his conviction, but thinking of their current situation, he coldly refused: “Escaping is most important. Want to eat mushrooms? I’ll bring you a box when we return to the capital, okay?”
Fu Shen pondered for a moment and felt he had been unreasonable. He usually could put on a mature and steady adult appearance, but perhaps because Yan Xiaohan had tenderly cared for him all night, his rarely seen mischievous nature was stirring.
“But I’m hungry,” he looked at Yan Xiaohan pitifully, emphasizing, “So hungry I can’t walk.”
Yan Xiaohan lowered his eyes, looking at him unexpectedly without impatience or exposing him. His gaze was soft, like melted snow – cold and clear, with a warm revival inside.
He turned around nimbly, kneeling on one knee, back to Fu Shen: “Come up, I’ll carry you.”
Fu Shen wouldn’t be so shameless, repeatedly stepping back: “No no no, I was joking! Let’s go.”
“Not joking,” Yan Xiaohan turned his head, a smile at the corner of his lips, “Consider it my treat for mushrooms. It’s fine, come.”
