Cheng You didn't try to persuade him further, as it was an internal matter for the Zhao family.
Zhao Jianguo and Zhou Yunru had not yet left when they saw Qi Chengyan approaching.
Both knew he was there to see about his leg and greeted him.
Zhou Yunru glanced at his leg. It looked no different from a normal person's.
In reality, she didn't know that Qi Chengyan possessed extraordinary endurance, which allowed him to walk almost like an ordinary person.
His pride and self-esteem couldn't accept being crippled.
Uncle Li saw him arrive and asked, "You've been drinking it for a few days, do you feel anything?"
He spoke somewhat perfunctorily, not holding out much hope for the medicine.
It was just a common prescription, and even acupuncture hadn't worked, so this medicine likely wouldn't either.
Unexpectedly, Qi Chengyan nodded and said in a low voice, "I feel something."
It was the same sensation he'd had after eating wild chicken on the mountain, as if his bones and muscles were slowly repairing.
But upon reflection, the previous sensation had been very sudden, as he hadn't been taking any medicine then.
This suggested it had nothing to do with the medicine.
The common factor in both instances was one person: Cheng You.
His gaze drifted to Cheng You, who was meticulously sorting medicinal herbs, unaware she was being watched.
Her temples were adorned with clouds, her cheeks like snow.
He wasn't one for sentimental prose, but this line suddenly surfaced in his mind.
After observing for a while, he dismissed the hint of tender affection and looked at Uncle Li.
"This medicine is effective."
Uncle Li pondered, his brow furrowed, unable to figure it out.
He could only call Qi Chengyan into the house to discuss it thoroughly.
Cheng You guiltily lowered her head. She hoped he wouldn't suspect her.
A little while later, Zhao Jianguo and Zhou Yunru stood up.
"Cheng You, we're heading back now."
Cheng You smiled and nodded. Then, as if remembering something, she exclaimed, "Sister-in-law, wait for me!"
She ran into the kitchen and returned with something wrapped in oiled paper.
"I made some pastries. Pregnant women can eat them. If you're not feeling well, Sister-in-law, try them and see if you like them."
Uncle Li had plenty of ingredients, and Cheng You occasionally made small snacks for Old Mrs. Li to enjoy.
The Li family's meals had improved by more than one or two levels since Cheng You came along.
Zhou Yunru was deeply touched, her heart filled with a bittersweet feeling.
"Cheng You, thank you."
Cheng You didn't say much more, as she and Zhou Yunru weren't yet at a stage where they could pry into each other's affairs.
After Zhao Jianguo and Zhou Yunru left, Uncle Li and Qi Chengyan walked out one after the other.
"Then continue drinking it according to this prescription. We'll hold off on acupuncture for now and see how it progresses."
Although Uncle Li hadn't found the reason, he felt it might not be related to the medicine, yet he couldn't fathom it.
Qi Chengyan glanced at Cheng You, who was diligently working, and asked casually, "Uncle Li, are you not planning to take on an apprentice?"
Many in the village said Uncle Li would take Cheng You as his disciple.
But there had been no movement, so they thought they had been mistaken.
"You mean Cheng You?"
Uncle Li was taken aback. It wasn't impossible.
At least so far, his impression of Cheng You was very good.
"I'll think about it."
It wasn't that he thought Cheng You was incapable, but rather that such a delicate girl following him and enduring hardship seemed inappropriate.
Learning medicine was far from an easy path.
After picking the herbs, Cheng You trotted over and sat beside Qi Chengyan.
She looked at him expectantly and said, "Are your legs really much better?"
Qi Chengyan nodded slightly.
Cheng You was genuinely happy for him. A proud eagle should soar in the sky.
The current Qi Chengyan was like an eagle with broken wings, only able to lick his wounds in solitude.
"Qi Chengyan, if your legs heal, will you be able to go back to the army?"
A flicker of sadness crossed Qi Chengyan's eyes.
The reasons for his departure from the army were complex and not solely due to his leg injury.
But he couldn't tell Cheng You yet.
"Do you want me to return to the army?"
Cheng You was taken aback by his question.
"It's not that I want it, but I just feel like you're being wasted here."
He didn't belong here; that was Cheng You's feeling.
But as Old Mrs. Li had said, Qi Chengyan was no ordinary person.
He would eventually return to the sky where he belonged.
Qi Chengyan lowered his gaze. "Wasted."
He uttered these two words softly, a hint of irony in his voice.
He suddenly looked up, gazing blankly at the sky.
If Cheng You knew why he had left the army, would she still feel that being here was a waste for him?
After a long pause, he gave a low chuckle and reached out to ruffle Cheng You's hair.
"All of that is too far off. My legs haven't healed yet."
Cheng You stared at him blankly, feeling a sense of ineffable emotion, as if he were suddenly very distant.
Seeing her daze, Qi Chengyan asked, "Am I not doing well here?"
Cheng You shook her head. "Of course, it's good, but are you happy?"
Qi Chengyan looked at her intently.
Happy?
The question felt so foreign. Cheng You was the first person to ask him that.
Qi Chengyan's gaze made Cheng You a little uncomfortable, and she asked softly, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Qi Chengyan let out a rare, light laugh. Even though the smile was fleeting, it was enough to make Cheng You feel a sense of awe.
It was like an ice mountain melting, the earth reawakening.
Cheng You couldn't describe the feeling, but she liked it very much.
"That's more like it. You should smile more often in the future; it's beautiful!"
Qi Chengyan's gaze deepened. Looking at the fair, delicate face so close, his hand suddenly itched.
Cheng You furrowed her brow in mock distress, "Forget it, don't smile then, you'll just end up seducing women."
Qi Chengyan's brow furrowed, his face radiating upright integrity. He corrected her, "I never..."
He couldn't even utter the word "seduce."
Cheng You rested her chin on her hand and sighed, her small face etched with worry.
"Yes, yes, yes, you don't seduce them; they throw themselves at you."
"Cheng You!" Qi Chengyan's voice was stern, his eyes sharp.
"Maintaining loyalty to one's partner is something everyone should do. That's the bottom line."
Once he had set his heart on Cheng You, he wouldn't cast a second glance at anyone else.
This was his promise.
Though the words were spoken seriously, Cheng You heard a romantic confession in them and blushed shyly.
She glanced up at him, thinking she would probably never hear sweet romantic words from him in this lifetime.
He seemed more proper than her math teacher.
"Qi Chengyan, me too."
He turned his gaze to her.
Cheng You's face broke into a bright smile. "I'm only loyal to you, and you to me. You're only allowed to look at me from now on!"
Qi Chengyan didn't answer her. His dark eyes held her reflection.
At least at this moment, he could only see the girl before him.
At times playful and charming, at times delicate and fragile, she comprised a unique being.