Till The End Of The Moon [SEASON- 2]

15. Wild man.

Li Susu's body had collapsed suddenly, and both Jiang and Miang Tao were struck by panic. For a moment, fear surged through him like a wave-but he forced himself to stay calm.

He had to calm down. If he panicked, things would only get worse. And Jiang... Jiang was just a little girl. If he broke, she'd fall apart too.

He turned to her, voice soft but steady.

Miang Tao:
"Look, baby, calm down... Nothing has happened to Mumma. She's going to be fine, okay? Please don't cry."

Jiang's tears didn't stop, but his voice gave her something to cling to. She sniffled, wiping her cheeks with her small hands, then sat near Li Susu's head.

Tantai Jiang (choked voice):
"Tell me... how long until Mumma gets better?"

Miang Tao:
"Mumma will be fine very soon. I told you-she just worked a little too much and fell asleep. Now you be my good girl, hmm? Sit quietly here, and I'll be right back, okay?"

Jiang gave a small nod, trusting him. As he left, she curled up beside Li Susu on the bed, her tiny body pressed close to her mother's.

Miang Tao returned quickly, a glass of water in hand. He sat beside Li Susu and gently sprinkled a few drops on her face.

A few moments passed... and then her lashes fluttered. Slowly, Li Susu's eyes opened. She saw Miang Tao beside her, concern etched into every line of his face.

She blinked, confused, and tried to sit up. But the moment she moved, a sharp, stabbing pain shot up her leg.

Li Susu:
"Ahhh...! My... leg... oh... it hurts..."

Miang Tao immediately caught her hand.

Miang Tao:
"What happened? Why did you faint like that? And why are you in so much pain?"

She looked down-his hand still holding hers-and despite the pain, her heart fluttered a little. But the ache in her leg was overpowering everything else. She gritted her teeth, trying to speak.

Li Susu:
"I... I don't know how I fainted, but... my leg... it's hurting so much..."

Without hesitation, Miang Tao moved down to the foot of the bed. He carefully lifted her leg and placed it across his lap.

(Yes, my dear reader, please understand his tenderness-this moment was soft, gentle, intimate. Let's all take a breath for that.)

His brow furrowed as he examined her foot. Dried blood marked her skin.

Miang Tao:
"Miss Susu... how did you get these blood marks?"

Li Susu thought for a moment... and then remembered.

Li Susu:
"Yes... When I went to collect wood, a thorn pricked me. It was sharp, but I didn't think much of it."

Miang Tao's expression darkened.

Miang Tao:
"That's where you made the mistake. Forest thorns aren't all the same-some can be poisonous."

He looked closer. The skin around the wound had begun to turn a sickly shade of blue.

His eyes narrowed. That color-that spreading bruise-it was unmistakable.

(Ah, don't question how he knew. This is Miang Tao we're talking about. The man practically lives in the forest. Jungle knowledge is in his blood. It's called instinct, people.)

Miang Tao:
"You should've told me. This isn't an ordinary thorn. It was poisonous."

Li Susu (wincing):
"What? Are you sure?"

Miang Tao (dryly):
"Yes, madam. Quite sure."

Li Susu:
"And how do you know? Are you a doctor or something?"

Miang Tao (raising an eyebrow):
"You're underestimating me. I've lived here for years. I know things. I've seen this before."

Li Susu:
"You're serious?"

Miang Tao:
"Why would I lie?"

Li Susu:
"Then... what should I do?"

Miang Tao:
"Stay calm. I know it hurts, but there's no need to panic. There's a cure-a specific herb that grows on the mountain nearby. But..."

He hesitated.

Li Susu:
"But what? Just tell me-ahhh-it hurts!"

Miang Tao:
"The herb has side effects. Strong ones. High fever, pounding headaches, and you'll need bed rest for five days. It won't be easy."

Li Susu:
"What?! All that just for... side effects?"

Miang Tao:
"It's necessary. The poison needs to leave your body-and it will, through sweat and fever."

He glanced again at her foot. The blue was now spreading, inching toward her heel.

Miang Tao (urgently):
"If it reaches too far up... it won't be easy to stop. So tell me-can you handle the side effects? Are you ready?"

Li Susu bit her lip, her body trembling with pain.

Li Susu (quietly):
"Yes... I'm ready."

Miang Tao:
"Good. Then press your hands around your heel-tight. That might slow the spread. I'll go get the herbs. Thankfully, they grow at the base of the mountain."

His voice was full of worry now. It wasn't just concern-it was care. Honest, deep care.

And with that, Miang Tao rushed out.

Li Susu waited until the door closed behind him... and then quietly let go of her heel.

(And here's the twist, dear reader.)

Because what no one knew-not even Miang Tao-was that Li Susu wasn't just a woman. She was a goddess. And if she wanted to, she could've purged the poison with a flicker of divine power.

She'd known from the moment the thorn pierced her-had felt the poison in her blood as she cooked. But she'd done nothing.

Nothing.

Why?

Because for once... she wanted to be human. To feel pain, to be vulnerable. To stay close to Miang Tao. To give him the chance... to care for her. To remember.

Li Susu (whispering through clenched teeth):
"If I have to suffer to stay near you... to remind you of who I was to you... I'll bear this pain a thousand times over."

Minutes later, Miang Tao burst back into the house, herbs clutched in his hands. His eyes widened in alarm.

Her leg had turned deep blue-up to the knee now. She was shaking, clutching the bed, moaning in pain.

He dropped the herbs and rushed to her side, grabbing her hand.

Miang Tao:
"Don't worry. I'm here now-please, stay calm."

She clung to his hand like a lifeline.

Li Susu:
"No... the pain's worse... please... do something... please..."

Miang Tao:
"I brought the herbs. I just need to make a soup out of them-"

He moved to stand, but she wouldn't let go. Her grip tightened.

Miang Tao (softly):
"Hey... I know you're hurting. But I need my hand to help you. Let me go, just for a moment."

Only then did she realize how tightly she was holding him. Her hand trembled as she let go.

Li Susu (weakly):
"I'm... sorry."

Miang Tao:
"It's okay."

With that, he turned and hurried toward the kitchen, clutching the herbs, his every step driven by something he wouldn't name-something like fear. Something like love.

___________________________

Chapter ended.
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Peace! Love you all.