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Su Zhi touched her face, a habit she had when feeling itchy, trying to alleviate the discomfort. Today was no different, but as she touched her face, she suddenly felt a piece come off!
Yes, a piece had come off!
Startled, Su Zhi hesitated, almost afraid to move her hand, wondering if her condition had worsened. However, the sensation on her face wasn’t unpleasant; instead, after the itchiness subsided, she felt a refreshing sensation, akin to her skin drinking water. This soothing feeling eased her fears. She carefully lowered her hand, ensuring not to lose the piece that had fallen off.
Examining the object in her hand, Su Zhi felt a sense of relief—it was a scab. Her condition often led to scabs forming gradually. But what was the cause of that soothing sensation she had experienced earlier? Curious, she touched her face again, and her eyes widened.
The area her fingers touched was smooth.
She touched it once more, confirming the smooth texture, distinct from the usual feeling after a scab had fallen off.
Su Zhi’s heart raced with excitement. Though unable to see, she couldn’t help but wonder if her condition was improving. The smooth sensation indicated that her skin was returning to its normal state. She gently touched her face again, checking for any remaining scabs. With a light touch, several more pieces fell off, revealing the same smoothness in those areas.
A smile tugged at the corners of Su Zhi’s lips. After diligently taking medication for so long and maintaining her daily routines, she felt a sense of relief. The hope of recovery filled her with joy as it meant she could openly step outside, work alongside Shen Zi’an for their home, and fully immerse herself in the world.
Shen Zi’an’s voice called out once more, prompting Su Zhi to respond quickly. She covered her face, then hurried back to the courtyard gate, where she saw Shen Zi’an had already entered. She swiftly followed suit.
“You’re back. I took a stroll outside the yard earlier. You must be tired. Take a break,” Su Zhi greeted him warmly.
Shen Zi’an turned to see Su Zhi, a smile gracing his face.
“I’m not tired. You, on the other hand, should rest more. Look, we caught quite a bit today—four wild chickens and three rabbits. We can sell them tomorrow. If there’s anything you want, just let me know, and I’ll get it for you,” Shen Zi’an said, proud of their hunting success.
Su Zhi felt pleased looking at the array of game, especially the rabbits. Despite it being winter and their current need for money, she briefly entertained the idea of keeping the rabbits for breeding due to their reproductive capabilities. Understanding Shen Zi’an’s hunting prowess and the potential for future hunts, she felt content.
“Let’s talk about it tonight, perhaps some food,” she replied.
After chatting for a while, Shen Zi’an finished his water and began weaving baskets in the house. They only had one basket from the Shen household, and they needed more containers. Shen Zi’an had gathered branches suitable for basket weaving the day before. Su Zhi admired his skills in weaving and household tasks, appreciating her talented and resourceful husband.
As Su Zhi watched Shen Zi’an weave baskets and tried to learn alongside him, her mind drifted back to the issue with her face. She realized she hadn’t fully grasped everything Shen Zi’an had said, but to avoid showing her struggle, she excused herself to prepare dinner.
Shen Zi’an stood up, intending to prepare a rabbit for Su Zhi to eat, but she insisted on saving it to exchange for money. With many essential items lacking at home and winter approaching, the need for funds was pressing.
“I’ll go to Brother Shitou’s house to borrow some oil. We can stew one of the wild chickens. It’s not good for your health to eat without oil,” Shen Zi’an suggested.
Su Zhi’s reasoning convinced Shen Zi’an. As he headed out, Su Zhi maintained a smile, considering Shen Zi’an a good husband. She gently touched the side of her face that had improved, hoping it wasn’t a false hope. Yet, feeling the unchanged side of her face, she furrowed her brow.
Su Zhi summoned the spring water and leaned forward, using it as a mirror to observe her face. This was the first time she had looked at her face since her rebirth. Previously, without mirrors and a reluctance to confront her unattractive appearance, she now wished to see how the healed side looked.
The spring water shimmered with a bluish hue, creating ripples that calmed after passing through the lotus leaves, providing a clear reflection free from distortion.
Su Zhi gazed at her reflection in the spring water, although not entirely clear, she could still make out her pleasing features—a melon seed-shaped face, large eyes, and a straight nose. Despite the lack of detail in skin tone, she realized she had a good facial contour. If not for her condition, she believed she would have been decent-looking, if not beautiful.
After observing her reflection, Su Zhi sighed, longing for the day when she would fully recover. She looked up at the lotus flowers, wishing her skin could be as pure and smooth as those blossoms. Thoughts of the lotus flowers reminded her of pressing her face against one earlier. She wondered if she had damaged the flower, feeling a bit guilty. Carefully examining the seven lotus flowers, she searched for any signs of damage.
Finding the specific lotus flower, she saw it standing gracefully, untouched. Su Zhi breathed a sigh of relief. These lotus flowers, growing alongside the spring water, benefited from its growth-enhancing properties. Given their lush appearance, she pondered if they were more than just ordinary flowers—perhaps they were extraordinary in some way.
Su Zhi’s mind raced as she recalled those words, triggering a sudden realization. She remembered how her face had improved after pressing against the lotus flower and the subsequent sensation of cool comfort. Her heart raced with excitement. Another memory surfaced—she had once joyfully kissed a lotus flower, noticing improved skin below her lips. Although the area was small, she hadn’t paid much attention to it at the time. Now, as she gently touched her skin, it felt remarkably smooth.
Swiftly, Su Zhi reached for some pollen from a lotus flower’s stamen, applying it to her wrist. With unwavering focus, she watched as a small patch of discoloration slowly faded, leaving no trace of a scab. Suppressing her excitement, she repeated the process on a more severe blemish, watching as it formed a scab that she gently rubbed away, unveiling smooth skin beneath.
Su Zhi’s eyes teared up with emotion, feeling grateful for the opportunities granted to her. After receiving a new lease on life and the gift of the spring water, she now discovered the miraculous properties of the lotus flowers.
Indeed, hope always lingered around the corner, waiting for those who persisted. Su Zhi wondered how Shen Zi’an would react if he knew her condition was improving, imagining his joy.