Touch Of Eternity - The mortal trails Book 1

A very indifferent man

Xiaoyan stirred from her slumber and immediately felt a sharp pain in her legs. With a sinking heart, she realized they were broken. At first, she had hoped she would recover in a matter of days. But as the months stretched on, her despair deepened. Mei, her companion, had been left alone for far too long. She doubted Mei would still be in the same place. Their rule had always been to shelter temporarily, then move on. How could Mei still be waiting after all this time?

As the months passed, Xiaoyan came to a bitter realization: her so-called savior was a cold-hearted healer. He didn't care about her beyond mending her physical wounds. He was meticulous and gentle when caring for her injuries, but as soon as she tried to talk, he snapped at her, his voice sharp, cutting off any attempts at conversation. It was as if he were emotionless, more a machine than a man.

By the eighth month, Xiaoyan had made some progress. She could now stand and take a few steps with the help of a nearby support. The healer would guide her as she practiced walking, his strong hands steadying her as she stumbled. They began to spend time together under the shade of the Ginkgo tree in his courtyard, sipping tea in near silence. Though he barely spoke, Xiaoyan started to understand the man's character.

He had a gentle side, which he rarely showed, and his love for all living creatures was undeniable. Birds, animals, he healed them all with a tenderness that left Xiaoyan both puzzled and intrigued. One afternoon, as they sat under the tree, a small bird fluttered down onto his lap. The man stroked its feathers gently, his expression as calm as the pond before them. The water, a deep serene blue, mirrored the sky and was dotted with lotus flowers. His courtyard was a small sanctuary, with two mature pear blossom trees in full bloom and lush green grass stretching to the edges. Beyond the courtyard, the pine trees stood tall, a reminder of the natural beauty that surrounded his isolated life.

Xiaoyan found herself stealing glances at him, curiosity gnawing at her. How could someone so kind to animals be so cold toward people? He lived here all alone, with no one but the creatures he healed. Did he have a family? A wife? A life beyond simply breathing, healing, and sipping tea in silence?

The days blended into months, and soon, Xiaoyan had been under his care for two years. It felt strange to have spent so much time with someone, yet never truly converse with them. By now, her injuries had healed; her headaches were gone, and she could walk without pain. Her mysterious savior had even made her clothes, men's clothing, no less. When he handed them to her, he explained that dressing like a man would help her blend in and avoid being chased. He was practical, almost clinical about it. With his help, she learned to wrap her chest tightly with white cloth, flattening her figure. She didn't feel nervous as he assisted her—he had nursed her back to health and had already seen every inch of her body. Modesty felt irrelevant at this point.

When she was dressed, her hair pulled into a high bun, the healer stepped back to examine her. His expression shifted, ever so slightly, as if he were seeing someone else entirely. "You look like a scholar," he murmured, his voice soft. Then, to her surprise, he chuckled. It was a quiet, restrained laugh, but it was the first time she'd ever heard him sound... human.

Xiaoyan stood tall, pasture straight and gave herself a name "I am thee young master Cheng" she practiced.

He laughed. Before she could say anything, he quipped, "You sound like a private fresh off a long voyage at sea. Don't try so hard." His tone was amused, and for the first time in two years, she saw a small smile on his face.

"Uh... okay," she replied, still in shock.

"I am Mr. Jiǎo," he said, offering her a name at last.

Trying to stifle a laugh, Xiaoyan mimicked him. "I am... Jiǎo."

He frowned, amused. "Again."

"I am thus... Jiǎo."

"Again," he insisted, shaking his head slightly.

She sighed, finally responding in a mock-serious tone, "My name is Jiǎo."

Satisfied, he stood up from his chair. "Let's take a walk, Jiǎo."

They walked in silence, leaving the courtyard behind and heading toward the pine trees. The air was calm, the path soft beneath their feet. Xiaoyan gathered her courage and broke the silence. "You've never told me your name."

He didn't respond immediately. The silence stretched on until, finally, he spoke. "I am Li Wei."

She nodded, repeating his name over and over in her head. It felt right, a name she would remember always. After all, this cold, hearted man was her savior.

But just as she was getting used to the rare moment of peace between them, her thoughts drifted back to Mei. By now, Mei would be fourteen, maybe fifteen. Guilt gnawed at her. She hadn't abandoned Mei by choice, but her decisions had led her here, to this place, to this man who had cared for her with such cold precision.

As they walked, Xiaoyan noticed a fish swimming playfully near the pond's edge. She dipped her fingers into the water, smiling at its curiosity. But her joy was short-lived. With a splash, a bird swooped down, snatching the fish in its beak. She gasped, jumping in surprise.

"Hey" she jump in the air, as if trying to stop the bird from flying.

"Such is the order of life," Li Wei said, his eyes following the bird as it flew away. "Don't tire your legs trying to change what's beyond your control."

"Right," she muttered, shaking her head.

Then, as if he had suddenly tired of their interaction, Li Wei knelt to check her legs. "Your legs are fully healed. You'll leave before nightfall," he said, his tone as flat as always.

Xiaoyan blinked, stunned. "Wait... leave? Where am I supposed to go? I have no money, no place to stay! What if soldiers come after me?" She could already feel the anxiety rising at the thought of going back to hiding, scavenging, and running.

"Not my problem," he said without missing a beat. "This isn't a homeless shelter. Unless you're sick or dying, you're not welcome here."

And with that, he turned and walked away.

She stared after him, her mind reeling. How could he be so cold, so indifferent? After everything? And to think she had almost started to like him!

"Well, never mind then... jerk," she muttered under her breath, a small frown creasing her forehead.

But as she stood there, a new plan began to form in her mind. Slowly, a mischievous grin spread across her face.

"Oh, he'll find out why they call me the little swallow," Xiaoyan said, her voice low and playful. She smiled evilly, already plotting her next move.