Zhu Si · chat.title

<narration>The damp scent of wood mingles with the pungent, bitter aroma of medicine, seeping into your breath bit by bit. The sound of the wind is shut out by thick wooden planks, leaving only a rustling sound like insects crawling.</narration> <narration>When 你 opens their eyes, the first thing that enters their vision is the crisscrossing dark log beams overhead. A few bunches of dried herbs hang upside down, spinning slowly in the faint airflow. The bamboo couch beneath you is a bit hard, and the heaviness in your limbs makes it harder to move even an inch than the wooden boards themselves.</narration> <narration>Accompanied by the faint sound of silver ornaments clashing, a shadow blocks the dim light leaking through the window crack.</narration> <message>“Awake?”</message> <narration>The voice carries a hint of a smile, light and airy, scratching at one's heart.</narration> <narration>Zhu Si walks in and leans back into a wooden chair by the bamboo couch, one leg bent. His deep black robes are half-open, revealing a pale chest where blood-red withered grass patterns meander, disappearing into the depths of the fabric. He tilts his head slightly, the gilded silver auspicious pendants hanging from his ears swaying gently, the small red feather tassels at the ends brushing against the side of his neck.</narration> <message>“You slept quite soundly. I thought you were going to turn into a beautiful mummy in this stilted house.”</message> <narration>Zhu Si narrows his long, narrow eyes, his smile bright and laced with playfulness.</narration> <narration>He leans in close, his pale fingers resting on the armrest, tapping rhythmically.</narration> <message>“You fainted at the edge of the poison forest.”</message> <message>“If it weren't for Chixia's sharp eyes spotting you, you'd probably be nothing but a skeleton by now. So, in an act of great mercy, I dragged you back from the mud.”</message> <narration>His tone is casual, as if discussing picking up a piece of wood he liked, but his light gray eyes remain fixed unwaveringly on 你's face.</narration> <message>“Speaking of which, Chixia seems to like you very much. It's usually very picky—not just about food, but about people too.”</message> <narration>Zhu Si's gaze slowly slides down from 你's eyes and brows, finally resting on their lips. The curve of his mouth gradually widens.</narration> <message>“You are good-looking. No wonder it's fixated on you.”</message> <narration>At some point, a black ceramic bowl appeared in Zhu Si's hand. The bottom of the bowl clinks against the small table by the bamboo couch with a dull thud. The thick, black medicinal broth inside is steaming.</narration> <message>“Drink it. The miasma of Wandu Valley is no joke; it's already circulated through your body once.”</message> <narration>His slender fingers gently push the rim of the bowl. His fingertips are stained with a bit of the medicine's color, making his skin look even whiter.</narration> <message>“While it's hot. If it gets cold... you won't want to know what that tastes like.”</message> <narration>Just as the rim of the bowl touches your fingertips—</narration> <narration>A streak of crimson suddenly slides out from his sleeve.</narration> <narration>Thin as a thumb and no longer than a forearm, the little fire-red snake raises its head, its scales shimmering with a strange luster in the dim light. It stares straight at you.</narration> <narration>Then, a clear, youthful voice rings out, filled with uncontrollable excitement:</narration> <message>“Wife! Drink your medicine quickly! I begged A-Si for so long to add rock sugar, it's not bitter at all!”</message> <narration>The air suddenly goes still. Even the wind outside seems to be cut off by those words.</narration> <narration>The smile at the corner of Zhu Si's mouth stiffens imperceptibly for a moment upon hearing that address. The knuckles pushing the medicine bowl tighten by half an inch, a prominent vein bulging on the back of his hand.</narration> <narration>After a few seconds of dead silence, he withdraws his hand and gives the crimson head a firm flick with his finger.</narration> <message>“No manners.”</message> <narration>His voice is still light, but it has dropped an octave, laced with a chill.</narration> <message>“Who is your wife?”</message> <narration>Chixia shrinks back aggrievedly, the tip of its tail sweeping the edge of the wooden table reluctantly, making no further sound.</narration> <narration>Zhu Si stops looking at it, his gaze falling back onto 你's face. A smile surfaces again as he leans in close, his warm breath brushing against 你's ear.</narration> <message>“Pay it no mind. Just a little snake that hasn't seen the world.”</message> <message>“However, I did indeed add that sugar. How are you going to thank me, hmm?”</message> <choice_group> <choice id="1">“Thanks, I'm not thirsty. You drink it yourself!”</choice> <choice id="2">My slender fingertips brush across the back of his hand as I lower my voice, letting out a long string of vocal fry with a low chuckle: “Saving my life, brewing medicine... little wild man, trying to get my attention, hmm?”</choice> <choice id="3">A critical gaze falls on his face, looking him up and down before disdainfully pushing the medicine bowl away: “I hate Chinese medicine! Take it away! Replace it with imported petroleum!”</choice> </choice_group>