Chapter 2: He’s Really Alive

This was the first time he had seen Qi Wanfeng. Dressed in coarse, old cloth with several patches, the clothes were faded from washing but clean. The man had long eyebrows, starry eyes, a straight, prominent nose, and thin lips pressed tightly together. His eyes were filled with concern and worry for him. This man was very handsome; if he were in the 21st century, he would definitely be considered a heartthrob.

In this era, ge’er with delicate features were more popular. [A ge’er is a male individual who can bear children, a concept in certain historical and fictional Chinese settings.] Someone like Qi Wanfeng, with a build as tall and sturdy as a hanzi (man), wasn’t favored. [Here, hanzi refers to a physically strong male.] In his previous life, Cao Xiangnan had never been in a relationship until his death. He didn’t even know if he preferred men or women. However, upon seeing Qi Wanfeng for the first time, Cao Xiangnan wasn’t repulsed by him.

The original body had been hit by a carriage. In his consciousness, he remembered a doctor coming to see him. Cao Xiangnan didn’t know which period in history his current dynasty corresponded to. Medical standards in ancient times were so backward that even a small cold could be fatal, not to mention being hit by a carriage. No wonder the original owner of the body had died from it.

There were no painkillers in this place. He could only endure the pain raw, and now, being awake, he was feeling the pain more and more clearly throughout his body.

His legs under the blanket seemed immobile. Cao Xiangnan tried to exert some force, but it resulted in a piercing pain. He hoped he wouldn’t end up with a limp after finally waking up in this godforsaken place. Would he have to hop through the rest of his life on one leg?

“Old man, are you kidding me?”

“Silang, why are you looking at me like that? Where do you feel uncomfortable? Has your fever gone down?” Qi Wanfeng reached out to touch his fulang’s forehead. [A fulang is a term for a male spouse in settings where ge’er exist.] Feeling that the temperature under his hand wasn’t as high as it had been last night, the worry in his heart eased a bit. He said, “Thank goodness, thank goodness. I’ll go ask the doctor to come and take a look at you.”

His fulang’s gaze made him feel a little strange, but Qi Wanfeng didn’t have the mind to delve into it right now. His heart was leaping because his fulang had woken up.

With only a dozen wen (coins) left in his pocket, Qi Wanfeng’s eyes showed determination. Now that his partner had finally woken up, they still had to continue living. The money was gone, but he could earn more later. If his fulang was gone, life would only be harder in the future.

Feeling the coolness of the hand on his forehead, Cao Xiangnan stared blankly at Qi Wanfeng. He thought that if it was this man, it wouldn’t be so bad. He wasn’t opposed to spending his life with this man from now on. This was the thought that flashed through his mind at this moment.

“An’an, stay here and look after A-die (father). A-mu (mother) will be right back.” Qi Wanfeng said to the child at his feet. [Here, A-die and A-mu are informal and affectionate terms for “father” and “mother” respectively.]

“Okay, A-mu, don’t worry. An’an will take good care of A-die,” An’an said, patting his little chest with an adult-like air.

Qi Wanfeng showed a relieved smile, looked at his fulang still lying on the bed, and then turned and left.

Only one adult and one child were left in the room, staring at each other. Cao Xiangnan was lying on the bed and couldn’t move. He swallowed, his throat very dry, and then remembered that he had forgotten to ask Qi Wanfeng to pour him a glass of water. He tried to communicate with the child a little embarrassedly. “An’an, can you, can you get A-die a glass of water?” he asked.

The term “A-die” was a little hard to say. Cao Xiangnan, a virgin who had never even touched a woman, now had such a big child. It really made it a little difficult for him to adapt.

“Okay, A-die, wait a moment. An’an will go get it.” A-mu had just told him to take care of A-die, and he could take good care of A-die.

After a while, the child tremblingly held a broken bowl filled with water, walking unsteadily toward the bed. “A-die, drink water.”

Cao Xiangnan was really afraid that the child would fall. He reached out with difficulty to take the bowl. “Thank you, An’an.” He took a sip. The sweet water slid down his throat. Exhaling, he felt that he was really alive.