Till The End Of The Moon [SEASON- 2]

16. Fatherly love.

Miang Tao soon returned with the herbs he had gathered from the forest at the mountain's base. As he stepped into the house, his heart clenched at the sight before him-Li Susu lay on the bed, her face pale with pain, her leg now half-covered in a deep, unsettling blue.

He froze for a moment, guilt weighing heavily on his chest. Why hadn't I just gone to get the wood when she asked me? If he had gone, the thorn wouldn't have pricked her. If the thorn hadn't pricked her, she wouldn't be lying there now, trembling in pain.

But regret wouldn't help now. There was no time left for guilt.

He rushed to her side. Li Susu lay with her head resting on the headboard, and little Tantai Jiang was curled up asleep beside her. Miang Tao sat beside Li Susu, gently taking her trembling hand in his.

Miang Tao: "I'm here now. Please don't worry. Everything will be fine."

She blinked her eyes open and saw his hand holding hers. Something about that comforted her-anchored her in the storm of pain. She slowly placed her other hand over his and said through clenched teeth:

Li Susu: "I know... but... I can't bear this anymore. Please... do something."

Tears finally spilled down her cheeks. She had tried to stay strong, but the pain had been clawing at her for hours.

Miang Tao cupped her cheek and gently wiped the tears away. His voice was firm but kind:

Miang Tao: "This morning... you told me about your past. You told me how you fought through everything-how brave you were. What's this compared to all that? This poison can't defeat you. You have to hold on. Be strong. You have to take care of yourself."

His words, steady and full of quiet fire, gave her strength. She nodded weakly and said through ragged breaths:

Li Susu: "You're right... I've endured so much before. I won't break now."

He looked into her eyes.

Miang Tao: "Exactly. You can't break."
(Then, more softly) "And I won't let you break either."

She stared at him, surprised by the intensity in his voice. But just as she tried to read his expression, Miang Tao quickly looked away.

Miang Tao: "Wait here. I'll go make the decoction. And no more tears, okay? Just remember... you'll have to endure the side effects."

He gently slipped his hand out of hers and stood up.

As he walked away, Li Susu whispered, almost to herself:

Li Susu: "How can I believe you don't remember anything? And if... if you truly don't remember, then I'll take all this pain-again and again-just to stay near you, to remind you... and to make you mine again."

Miang Tao worked quickly. The moment the decoction was ready, he returned and handed it to her. Li Susu took the bowl with both hands and began drinking it slowly.

Miang Tao: "Miss Susu, I've told you already... this decoction has strong side effects. Soon, you'll feel dizzy. A high fever will follow. But the fever will force the poison out through your sweat. That's how it works. And yes, you must stay away from Tantai Jiang until the fever passes. Understood?"

Still sipping, she gave him a tired but firm look.

Li Susu: "Yes, yes... I've heard all that before. If I want the poison out, I have to go through the fire. Like they say-'to gain something, you have to lose something.' I'll take the pain."

She drained the bowl in one final gulp. Miang Tao gave a small nod, his eyes filled with something unreadable.

Miang Tao: "Good. That's the strength you need. That's what will get you through."

He took the bowl from her hands and walked away to set it aside. When he came back, he noticed Tantai Jiang beginning to stir. The little girl blinked sleepily, then began crawling toward her mother.

But Li Susu, her eyes closed and head tilted back in weariness, didn't notice. Just as Jiang reached her, Miang Tao quickly stepped in. Without warning, he scooped the little girl up into his arms.

The sudden movement startled her, and she let out a sharp cry.

Li Susu's eyes snapped open. For a moment, panic flashed in her gaze-until she saw Jiang safe in Miang Tao's arms. A soft smile touched her lips, and for the briefest moment, she forgot her pain.

Seeing Miang Tao, Jiang relaxed. She looked toward her mother and clung to Miang Tao's neck.

Tantai Jiang: "Mumma... you're awake. I got scared. I didn't know what happened to you."

Before Li Susu could answer, Miang Tao spoke gently.

Miang Tao: "No, baby. Nothing happened to your mumma. She's fine now, okay? But you must be hungry, right?"

Li Susu looked at him, warmth flickering in her tired eyes.

Miang Tao: "Tell me, sweetheart. Aren't you hungry?"

Tantai Jiang: "Yes, uncle... I'm starving."

His body stiffened slightly at the word "uncle." His hand tightened into a subtle fist.

Li Susu noticed the change in him. Did... did that word hurt him? But she couldn't quite understand why.

Miang Tao: (smiling stiffly) "Hmm... you're hungry? Then come, let's cook something for you, me, and your mumma. You'll help me, right?"

He looked at Jiang again.

Miang Tao: "So? Will you help me or not?"

Jiang said nothing, but nodded happily. Her little arms wrapped around his neck, and the two of them walked off toward the kitchen together.

And behind them, Li Susu watched with glistening eyes-a soft smile blooming through her pain. After six long years, her daughter was finally feeling the love of her father.

Even if he didn't remember it yet.

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Chapter ended.
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