The villagers were all amazed by the dazzling iron flower show, but Li Ying could no longer sit still. She rushed towards the direction where the iron flowers were splashing!
Although she had expected it, when she saw Lu Xunguang with her own eyes, she still couldn't help but be momentarily stunned.
He was bare - chested, showing his well - built chest. The red - hot molten iron made him sweat all over his head and body. Each bead of sweat reflected the iron - fire meteors, shining brightly, making Lu Xunguang seem as if he was gilded with red gold.
Li Ying watched him tirelessly scoop up the molten iron with a stick and then swing it high up into the willow treetops one after another. Each strike seemed to hit her heart, making every nerve in her body tremble!
Even if Li Ying was slow - witted, she understood at this moment.
This man had gone to such lengths for her?
His affection for her was sincere, far beyond that of an ordinary friend.
Li Ying stared blankly at Lu Xunguang's figure. It was as if there was nothing else in the world but him, traveling through the stars and moon just to present a moment of glory for her.
Lu Xunguang also saw her. Startled, he staggered, apparently burned by the molten iron.
Li Ying let out a startled cry and rushed towards him in a flurry.
"Lu Xunguang, are you okay? Where did you get burned? Let me take a look quickly!"
Lu Xunguang obediently let her take the flower - stick from his hand. Her small, boneless hands grabbed his arm without hesitation.
Li Ying's fingers were cool as they glided across his scalding skin. Lu Xunguang's eyes instantly darkened a bit, and his breathing became a little heavier involuntarily.
The molten iron left a red splash mark on his bare chest, and blisters immediately swelled up at the burned area.
His arms, back, and shoulders were covered with many burns. Some of the blisters had already burst, revealing the pink tender flesh and pus, which was shocking to behold.
When Li Ying heard him inhale sharply, she thought it was because her clumsy actions had hurt him. She felt ashamed and apologetic, and gave him an apologetic smile.
"Brother Lu, it's all my fault... You should come back with me quickly to treat the wound. A burn from molten iron is no small matter!"
She was so anxious that for the first time in her life, she lost her calm. But Lu Xunguang remained calm. He sat there quietly waiting for her, as obedient as a young child on his first day at school. Only his eyes seemed to have feet, closely following Li Ying's back every step of the way.
Li Ying fetched well - water to help him rinse the burned area to cool it down, and couldn't stop blaming herself.
"If it weren't for me distracting you, you wouldn't have to suffer this pain... I just hope it won't get infected and fester..."
She lowered her head, concentrating on cooling his wound. The fine fluff on the top of her head accidentally rubbed against Lu Xunguang's chin, bringing a tingling itch.
He smelled the faint fragrance of Li Ying's hair. Under the dim oil lamp, her figure was enveloped in a hazy halo. Her eyelashes fluttered, making her look even more beautiful.
Lu Xunguang took a deep breath and barely managed to suppress the urge to pull her tightly into his arms.
The room was incredibly quiet. Li Ying could only hear Lu Xunguang's heartbeat. She looked up and happened to meet his eyes. Their eyes locked, and Lu Xunguang stared at her intently.
His gaze was hotter than the molten iron. Li Ying blushed instantly.
Having lived two lifetimes, even though she was slow to realize, she still sensed the ambiguous atmosphere.
Their social statuses were worlds apart. Li Ying didn't want him to break the ice. She got up in a hurry and said, "Brother Lu, the burn has been treated almost. I'll go find some medicine..."
She moved so quickly that her thin red lips almost brushed against his straight nose. She blushed even more and felt extremely embarrassed.
How could Lu Xunguang let her evade the issue?
He grabbed Li Ying's wrist and stared at her.
"Medicines can cure physical ailments, but if there is a disease in the heart, how can it be treated?"
His eyes were burning brightly as he slowly said, "There is a beautiful lady, gentle and charming. Meeting her by chance, she suits my heart. Not seeing her for a single day makes me crazy with longing. People have thousands of diseases in life, but only lovesickness cannot be cured. A Ying, will you cure me?"
Li Ying's heart was pounding like a frightened deer. She avoided his gaze and finally managed to squeeze out an embarrassed smile.
"Brother Lu is just joking. I... I'll leave first!"
She fled in a hurry. After blowing the sea breeze for a while, she finally managed to calm her chaotic thoughts.
None of the coolies at the dock knew Lu Xunguang's background.
After getting along for a few days, she was certain that he must have come from a wealthy and noble family.
He originally didn't want to expose his whereabouts, but for the opening of the night market, he even invited Old Zheng to perform the lantern dance and personally participated in the iron - flower show to liven up the atmosphere.
His infatuation for her was obvious to everyone.
But she was a "single mother" after all. Such a status would surely not be accepted by the noble Lu family.
This relationship was doomed to be full of difficulties. Since she already knew that the end would be separation, why bother?
Li Ying took a deep breath.
She was afraid she couldn't respond to Lu Xunguang's sincerity. In the following days, she had to avoid suspicion.
When she returned to the night market, every household was doing booming business. Granny Sun and A Man were so busy that they hardly had time to rest, wishing they could grow wings under their armpits.
Li Ying replaced A Man and instructed, "Go to Deji Hall. Report my name and buy some burn medicine. Then send it to Lu Xunguang."
A Man didn't understand why she didn't go herself, but still obediently agreed.
Shi Hu gobbled up all kinds of snacks in a few mouthfuls and then rushed back to Deji Hall to keep watch. Just as he was about to put up the shutters on the shop, he saw A Man in a dusty dress, coming under the stars and moon.
He was sharp - eyed and greeted her warmly, "Miss A Man? Your dance today was really beautiful! You looked like a fairy in a painting!"
A Man rarely interacted with outsiders and was quite on guard. But Shi Hu's honest and simple appearance made her lower her guard a bit.
"Brother Clerk, do you still have any burn ointment?"
Shi Hu waved his hand and smiled, "Don't call me clerk. Just call me Shi Hu!"
After a pause, he added, "Miss A Man came at a bad time. You saw the iron - flower show at the fishing - village night market, right? These days, because of practicing the iron - flower show, the coolies at the dock have bought up all the burn medicine! The new goods won't arrive until three days later."
After hearing A Man's reply, Li Ying finally understood why there were so many new and old wounds on Lu Xunguang's body.
She couldn't figure out what method he had used to persuade the dock coolies to take risks with him.
Thinking that as a wealthy young master, he had to plead with others humbly, appealing to their emotions and reasoning with them, Li Ying felt even more sorry.
He was so badly injured. If he didn't use medicine, the wound would surely get infected!
Li Ying was really worried. After much thought, she informed Granny Sun, took Mao Mao with her, and quietly rowed a small boat out to sea.