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夜幕深垂，相思樹林微風颯颯，葉影婆娑，月光從枝葉間斑駁灑落，如銀霜輕覆。林間幽靜無聲，只有遠處溪流淙淙，彷彿一曲低語的輓歌。

俊生穿越林徑，腳步踟躕，心如擂鼓。當他走近那棵熟悉的大相思樹時，莎韻已靜靜地站在那兒，身著墨藍色粗布長衫，長髮垂肩，仰望著月光灑落的枝梢。

她轉過頭，眼神溫柔又藏著掙扎。

俊生走上前，語聲低沈：「莎韻，對不起，我……連累妳了。」

莎韻輕搖頭，聲音彷彿也染上了夜風的溫涼：「俊生，該說對不起的人是我。我隱瞞了自己的身份……是我不夠誠實。」

兩人相對站著，彼此沉默片刻。遠處傳來夜鳥的一聲鳴叫，像是一道溫柔的催促。

俊生垂下眼，低聲道：「達來說……如果我要和妳在一起，必須留下來，住進妳家裡，守著赤崁。」

莎韻轉身，背靠著樹幹，雙手交握在胸前，輕嘆了一聲：「唉……這是我們族裡的規矩。若妳成了族中女子的伴侶，就必須留在這裡。對你來說，這樣或許很難……我的父母親也不希望我和你共事，是因為我在族裡的身分特殊。他們在意族人的眼光，怕你受委屈。」

俊生走近一步，溫柔地握住她的手：「我懂妳的難處，真的懂。但這些日子與妳共事，我早已發現——妳在漢醫方面的造詣深厚，臨床經驗豐富，我們搭配無間。妳能看出我疏忽的細節，我也能補足妳未解的疑難。我們，是天作之合。」

他語氣一轉，微笑著補了一句：「妳可別笑我太現實喔！」

莎韻抿嘴笑了，卻低頭避開他的目光：「不會。我曾經想過……如果你喜歡的人是拉露，也許會比較好。她很會照顧人，比我細心。我的心不在那些柴米油鹽上，說實話，照顧一個家，我不如她。」

俊生輕輕抬起她的下巴，讓她直視自己：「我的生活，不只是衣食住行。妳知道我不是一個追求享樂的人。妳，是我最可靠的搭檔，也是最懂我性情的人。我願意留下來，為了妳。」

他拉起她的手，放在自己胸口：「我會寫信回荷蘭，親自向父母說明我的決定——我要與妳在一起，在赤崁扎根。」

莎韻的眼神閃過一絲驚訝與感動，她靠近了一點，臉頰泛起薄紅，低聲說：「聽你這樣說……我就不會再覺得對不起拉露姐妹了。」

俊生凝視著她，溫柔地笑了：「莎韻，妳笑起來真的很美，就像……希臘神話裡的愛琴海女神 Venus，美貌與智慧兼具。」

莎韻輕輕推了他一把，噗哧笑出聲來：「你別灌我迷湯了，再講我就真的會信了，以為自己真是Venus了。」

俊生握緊她的手，正色說：「我說的是心裡話。莎韻……」

莎韻微笑著閉上眼睛，像是默許，又像是默默等待。俊生低下頭，輕輕地，吻上了她的唇。

夜風輕撫，林葉沙沙，如情人的低語。

吻後，俊生輕聲說：「大員醫務所的湯瑪斯所長要我準備，幾日後前往新港與附近村社，展開巡迴醫療。」

莎韻抬頭，眼中帶著一絲憂慮：「你要不要我陪你一起去？」

俊生輕撫她的髮絲：「妳若陪我，那赤崁這裡怎麼辦？萬一有人來求診——」

莎韻輕笑：「最近社裡看病的人不多，應該還好。」

俊生皺眉問道：「但……妳父母會同意嗎？」

莎韻一臉堅定地點頭：「我會說服他們的。就像你說的，我們是搭檔，是彼此的左右手。只要我們一起，就沒什麼好怕的。」

兩人再度對望，在月光下，彼此的眼神已勝過千言萬語。

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夜風挾著山林的潮濕氣息撲進門縫，昏黃的油燈在牆上投下搖曳的光影。莎韻一踏進家門，還未脫下肩上的披風，便看見達邦雅端坐在原木桌旁，身穿繡有族徽的罩衫，神情嚴峻，雙手交握於膝上，顯然已等候多時。

莎韻心中一驚，腳步頓住，披風邊緣仍滴著林間濕露。

達邦雅冷冷地開口：「妳半夜跑出去，是去見俊生吧？」

莎韻一愣，垂下眼睫，輕聲說：「Sena……」

達邦雅的聲音忽地高了一些：「我不是要妳別再去找他？妳一個女孩子半夜跑出門，就不怕遇到壞人？」

莎韻咬了咬唇，眼神閃爍著倔強：「Sena，俊生又不是壞人。」

達邦雅重重一拍桌面，杯中的水微微震盪：「俊生固然不是壞人，但他是洋人，遲早會離開赤崁的！而妳是赤崁社的公主，未來的頭目繼承人，請妳記住自己的身份！」

莎韻走近兩步，抬頭迎上母親的目光，眼神堅定：「Sena，俊生說他願意為我留在赤崁。」

達邦雅一時語塞，微微眯起眼睛觀察女兒，語氣低沉而懷疑：「妳相信俊生給的承諾？」

莎韻微笑，語氣溫柔卻堅決：「我相信，就像妳當初也曾相信Sama。」

達邦雅的神色一閃，似被戳中舊事，眼神游移了一瞬。她輕聲說：「但俊生是個洋人……他父母親會同意他入贅我們家嗎？」

莎韻點點頭，走向桌邊坐下：「他說會寫信回去，稟明他的父母親。他不會讓我一個人面對風言風語。」

達邦雅沉吟片刻，目光落在女兒臉上，那雙眼裡透著與她年輕時相似的堅定與熱情。終於，她嘆口氣說：「好吧，我就等他親口向我表明。」

莎韻眼眸一亮，嘴角揚起微笑，忽然撒嬌地靠向母親的肩膀，輕輕晃著她的手臂：「Sena，那……我想陪俊生前往附近村社巡迴醫療，可以嗎？」

達邦雅神色一變，身體微微後仰：「這樣不好吧？你們兩人也還沒有婚約，會被人背後說閒話的。」

莎韻靠得更近，手指輕拉著母親衣袖，語氣裡多了一絲俏皮：「有什麼閒話好說的？俊生是去巡迴醫療，我是他的助手，我們又不是去旅遊。」

達邦雅挑眉，語帶譏諷地問：「妳就那麼護著他？」

莎韻咯咯一笑，眼睛彎成了月牙，頭靠在母親肩上撒嬌道：「Sena～妳就別這樣嘛……」

達邦雅側頭看著女兒那熟悉又陌生的模樣，彷彿看到當年那個曾為愛癡狂的自己。她嘴角微微抽動，掩飾住內心的矛盾情緒，只淡淡地說了一句：

「妳得答應我——無論他將來如何，都要記得自己是誰。」

23
午後的太陽斜照在赤崁社外的牛車道上，風從山谷吹來，捲起泥土地上的塵沙與落葉。莎韻和弟弟達來各自背著一只竹簍，腳步緩慢地走在蜿蜒小路上。她低著頭，臉色陰沉，一語不發，竹簍裡傳來幾束草藥的清香，卻壓不住她胸口的鬱悶。

身後傳來牛鈴叮噹，一輛牛車緩緩從坡道上方駛來，車輪碾過路面時發出嘎吱嘎吱聲。趕牛車的卡力遠遠看見這對姐弟，眼神一亮，急忙揚聲喊：「莎韻、達來——」

牛車靠近後，他立刻拉住牛繩停下車，利落地跳下來，腳尖剛落地便揚起一陣塵土。

「我載你們回去吧，這段路走著也累。」卡力露出一貫溫和的笑容，拍了拍牛車旁的木板。

莎韻連頭都沒抬，只悶悶地回了一句：「不用了，離村子不遠，我們自己走走。」

卡力皺起眉頭，敏銳地察覺到氣氛不對，腳步向前跨了兩步，小聲問：「妳怎麼了？莎韻，生誰的氣？」

莎韻停下腳步，終於抬頭看向他，眼神冷冽：「你問我？不如你問問你自己，卡力！你為什麼要讓你sama帶著長老去我們家？」

卡力被她質問得一愣，喉結滾動了一下，乾脆地回答：「我不想妳和俊生糾纏不清啊。」

「俊生沒有糾纏我！」莎韻聲音抬高了一些，竹簍在背後晃動，「而且，當初是你——是你把俊生帶到漢醫館的，不是嗎？」

卡力神情複雜，低頭踢了一下地上的石子，語氣忽然變得懊悔：「是啊……我現在很後悔，真的不該帶他來社裡。」

莎韻氣得雙手握緊簍帶，臉頰泛紅，像是被誤解又像是受傷：「卡力，我一直當你是兄長，即使俊生從沒來過赤崁，我對你也是這樣看待。」

「我不信。」卡力搖搖頭，語氣沙啞，眼神直視著她，「我直覺告訴我——俊生的出現，改變了妳對我的態度。」

莎韻眼神閃爍了一下，沉默片刻後說：「你要這麼說，我也無話可說。」

卡力走近她一步，語氣急促而低沉：「妳喜歡他，我看得出來。」

莎韻望著遠方群山，彷彿在尋找一條出口，緩緩點頭，聲音卻極為平靜：「是的，我喜歡俊生。但這是最近才確定的事。俊生讓我的生活有了方向，他讓我明白我可以為別人做點什麼，不只是族裡的公主，我也可以是他的助手，一個真正能幫助人的人。」

卡力嘴唇顫了一下，眼神裡流露出無法掩飾的哀傷。他舉起一隻手，似乎想碰觸她的肩膀，卻又在半空中停住，最終垂下。

「莎韻……」他喃喃開口，聲音帶著失落與哀求，「我只是怕妳受傷……」

莎韻轉過身去，不再回應，只讓背影在落日光芒下越拉越長。

卡力頹然地轉身，拖著腳步回到牛車旁，雙手撐著車邊，動作比先前沉重許多。他翻身而上，緩緩揚鞭催牛，牛車吱嘎地繼續向前，車輪聲與牛鈴聲聽起來格外寂寞。

達來站在原地，看著卡力的背影越來越遠，小聲對姊姊說：「姐……卡力剛才好像真的很傷心耶。」

莎韻輕輕呼出一口氣，眼神堅定：「長痛不如短痛，我是應該和他說清楚的。」

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赤崁社漢醫所的窗格灑進了傍晚潮濕的光線，空氣中瀰漫著草藥與酒精混雜的氣味。天陰沉沉的，雨點已開始敲打窗棂，一聲聲雷鳴彷彿從遠山傳來，震得整間小屋微微顫動。

莎韻站在木桌前，手裡拿著浸過熱水的白布，仔細擦拭著金屬器具。器具的表面反映出她專注的神情與些許疲憊。木架上的藥罐排列整齊，每一罐都貼著莎韻親手寫下的字條。

這時，俊生剛送走最後一位病患，從診療間踉蹌走出，腳步虛浮，扶著門框才穩住身體。他額上滲著細密汗珠，臉色蒼白，雙手撐在桌邊，突然身體一軟，幾乎跌倒。

「俊生！」莎韻嚇了一跳，快步過來扶住他，「你怎麼了？」

俊生努力站直身體，嘴角扯出一個淡笑：「沒事，只是有點……暈。」

「你騙人，你臉色像紙一樣白！」莎韻皺眉，一手握住他的手臂，那一瞬間，她感覺到一股異樣的寒意。

「你的皮膚怎麼這麼冰？……」她喃喃說著，眉頭越皺越緊，「俊生，你會不會是……感染瘧疾？」

俊生沒力地笑了笑，低聲說：「可能是太累了……讓我休息一下就好。」

莎韻沒有再爭辯，一手扶住他的腰，另一手撐著他的手臂：「來，我扶你進去休息室。」

俊生身體幾乎全靠在她身上，莎韻吃力地將他半拖半扶進裡頭的榻榻米房間。雨聲在屋簷上密密麻麻地響起，如萬馬奔騰。窗外電閃雷鳴，映照進來的光閃爍不定。

莎韻讓他躺下，立刻取來厚毛毯將他蓋好，又蹲下來從木箱裡翻找藥瓶。她迅速地倒出一些淺灰色藥粉，倒進竹筒杯中，加了些溫水，輕輕攪拌。

她坐回俊生身旁，輕聲喚他：「俊生，喝一點藥水，我扶你起來……」

俊生雙眼迷蒙，似醒非醒地應了一聲。莎韻半抱著他，讓他靠在自己肩上，一匙一匙地餵他將藥喝完。藥水的苦味瀰漫在兩人之間，俊生皺了一下眉，終於放鬆身體沉沉睡去。

莎韻輕輕將他放回枕上，拉好毯子，再次探了探他的額頭，熱得驚人。她的指尖停在他額前許久，眼神柔和又痛惜。

她靜靜地坐在床緣，望著他沉睡的臉龐，耳邊盡是風雨聲與他微弱的呼吸聲。她低聲呢喃：「俊生……你總是這樣，一個人扛著所有的重擔……」

她低下頭，額頭貼著他額前，長長地吐了一口氣。那口氣像是終於放下心中某種長久的壓抑。

過了一會，莎韻緩緩解開肩上的衣扣，動作沉靜而堅定。她脫下外衣，掀起毛毯，輕輕鑽進去，從背後擁住俊生。她的雙手環住他冰冷的身體，貼近他的體溫，像是要把自己的溫暖傳遞過去。

外頭的雷聲猶在咆哮，而屋內，只剩下她的心跳聲與俊生微弱的呼吸，交織成一種悄然的安寧。

25

外頭下著滂沱大雨，豆大的雨滴敲打著鐵皮屋頂，發出密集的啪啪聲，像萬鼓齊鳴，讓人心煩氣躁。風穿過山巒，從窗隙中擠進來，捲起牆角的布簾。雨水沿著窗框滑落，滴入窗台下方的水盆，發出清脆的滴答聲。

卡力和大里觀坐在長桌旁，桌上是一鍋正冒著蒸氣的山豬肉陶鍋，湯裡飄著幾片薑片與小米酒的香氣，炭火微紅，偶爾發出幾聲爆響。

拉露站在窗邊，雙臂抱胸，額頭貼在冰冷的窗玻璃上，目光盯著朦朧的巷道，一言不發。

卡力夾起一塊山豬肉，輕輕吹了吹熱氣，看了拉露一眼說：「妹妹，別再等了，這雨一時半刻不會停的。俊生……今晚應該會留在漢醫所，莎韻會照顧他，也許還為他準備了晚餐。」

拉露聞言，眉頭微皺，慢慢轉過身，語氣輕輕地：「你怎麼知道他會留在莎韻那裡？」

卡力搖搖頭，嘆了口氣，將筷子放下：「不是我知道，是我了解莎韻。她的心思，從來不像妳想得那麼簡單。」

拉露沉默了一會兒，走回桌前，默默坐下。她拿起碗筷，卻只是撥弄著碗裡的飯粒。卡力見狀，遞給她一片肉，語氣柔和了些：「別想那麼多，妳也累了一整天，先吃點熱的暖暖胃。」

大里觀笑著打圓場：「我們的拉露啊，一等人就是這麼多情。來，多喝湯，山豬肉燉得正好。」

卡力嘴角勾起一抹笑意，但眼神裡掩不住隱隱的愁緒。

另一頭，在達邦雅家的餐廳裡，氣氛也染上了潮濕的憂慮。

屋內一盞昏黃的油燈搖曳著光影，照亮了竹編桌上的幾碟熱菜與一大鍋冒著白煙的野菜雞湯。牆角還掛著剛換下的濕披風，水珠滴在地板上積起小灘。

達邦雅端著一鍋熱湯從廚房出來，將湯放上桌，手指凍得微微發紅，還不忘擦了擦額上的汗。

李清華坐在桌邊，正翻著一本鹿皮筆記本，聽著屋外雷聲隆隆，心中難掩不安：「莎韻還沒回來……是不是被這場雨困住了？」

達邦雅將鍋蓋掀開，蒸氣撲面而來，她咳了一聲，邊坐下邊說：「雨這樣下，山路會滑，她要走回來恐怕不安全。我擔心她今晚……可能不會回來了。」

李清華立刻合上鹿皮筆記本，起身往玄關走了幾步，像是下定什麼決心：「我等雨小一點就去接她，天一黑，山路更難走。」

達邦雅輕拉住他衣袖，語氣溫婉：「清華，再看看吧。她是有分寸的人，若真是回不來，也一定會在漢醫所過夜。你太擔心了。」

李清華望著門外濛濛的雨簾，深吸一口氣，終究點頭，回到桌邊坐下：「好，我們先吃點東西吧，等一下再決定。」

達邦雅替他舀了一碗湯，低聲說：「天這麼冷，先暖暖身子，別讓她知道你病了心還慌著替她奔波。」

李清華抬頭看她，眼中浮出一絲感激，嘴角勾出一抹微笑：「妳總是這麼懂我……」

Chapter 21

Night draped the acacia grove in stillness, moonlight filtering through dew-dappled leaves like silver frost. A gentle breeze rustled overhead; only a distant brook murmured softly.

Jansen hesitated along the moonlit path, heart pounding. Beneath the familiar acacia tree, Sayun stood in a dark‑blue cotton robe, hair down, bathed in moonlight.

She turned to him with gentle, conflicted eyes.

“I’m sorry, Sayun… I’ve brought you trouble,” he whispered.

Sayun shook her head. “The one who should apologize is me—for hiding my identity. I wasn’t fully honest.”

They stood quietly until a night‑bird called gently.

Jansen lowered his gaze. “Talai said… if I want to be with you, I must stay, live with your family, remain in Chihkan.”

Leaning back against the trunk, Sayun sighed softly: “It’s our custom. If you enter a woman’s tribe, you must stay. For you, that might be difficult… My parents worry because of my status. They fear what the tribe will say—they don’t want you to suffer.”

Jansen stepped forward, gently taking her hand: “I understand everything—and I understand you too. Working by your side these days, I’ve seen your deep knowledge of traditional medicine and sharp clinical intuition. We complement each other perfectly. You see what I miss; I fill in your gaps. We’re meant to be.”

He offered a small smile: “Please don’t call me too pragmatic!”

Sayun pressed her lips together and smiled, then looked away: “I once thought… maybe you’d be better paired with Lalu. She cares more, is more detail‑oriented. Honestly, I’m not good at managing a household.”

Jansen gently lifted her chin. “My life isn’t about mundane chores. You know I’m not one for luxury. You are my most trustworthy partner—and the one who understands me. I’m willing to stay, for you.”

He placed her hand over his chest: “I’ll write home to explain—I’m staying, I’m rooting myself here, with you.”

Sayun’s eyes glistened. She leaned closer, cheeks soft pink. “Hearing you say that… I don’t feel apologetic toward Lalu anymore.”

Jansen gazed at her, softly smiling: “Sayun, you’re truly beautiful like the goddess Venus from mythology—full of grace and wisdom.”

Sayun lightly pushed him, giggling. “Stop flattering me—I might believe it and become Venus!”

Jansen squeezed her hand and said with quiet sincerity: “I mean every word. Sayun…”

Sayun closed her eyes, softly yielding. Jansen lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

The breeze whispered through the leaves like a lover’s voice.

Chapter 22

Returning home, Sayun hadn’t yet removed her cloak when she found Tapanya seated at a wooden table, robed in tribal embroidery, hands folded firmly in quiet vigilance.

Startled, Sayun halted.

“You left in the night to meet him?” Tapanya’s tone was cold.

Sayun blinked. “Sena…”

“I told you not to go after him! A girl out at night—didn’t you fear danger?”

Sayun held back tears: “Sena, Jansen isn’t a bad man.”

Tapanya pounded the table: “No doubt—but he’s still a foreigner. And he’ll one day leave. You are the princess, the heir. Know your place!”

With firm resolve, Sayun answered: “He’s staying with me.”

Tapanya hesitated, meeting her daughter’s gaze: “Do you trust his promise?”

“I do—just as you once trusted Sama,” Sayun softly replied.

Tapanya’s eyes flickered. She asked: “Do you believe his parents will accept him marrying into our tribe?”

Sayun nodded: “He said he would write them. He won’t let me face rumors alone.”

After a long pause, Tapanya sighed: “Very well. I will wait for him to tell me himself.”

Sayun’s eyes brightened—and then she pressed her finger to her mother’s arm: “Sena… may I join him in the medical rounds to the nearby villages?”

Tapanya recoiled slightly: “That’s improper. You’re not betrothed—people will gossip.”

Sayun leaned closer, playful but firm: “He’s doing medical rounds. I’m his assistant. It’s not a vacation.”

Tapanya curled her lips: “You’re protecting him that much?”

Sayun smiled like moonlight: “Oh, don’t be so grim…”

Tapanya looked at her daughter’s familiar softness and new resolve. She quietly said:

“You must promise me—no matter what happens, remember who you are.”

Chapter 23

In the afternoon sunshine, Sayun and Talai walked along the winding path toward the village clinic, each bearing a bamboo basket of herbs. Sayun’s mood was heavy.

From behind, Kali’s ox-cart clattered around the bend. Seeing them, he hurried forward: “Sayun! Talai!”

He stopped and jumped down.

“Can I drive you back? It’s tiring on foot.” His voice was gentle.

Sayun didn’t raise her eyes: “No thanks. It’s not far.”

Kali furrowed his brow. “What’s wrong? Are you upset about me involving Sama and the elders?”

Sayun finally looked up, eyes cold: “Ask yourself why you brought him into our clinic first?”

Kali dropped his gaze and sighed: “You’re right… I regret it. I shouldn’t have invited him.”

Sayun’s face turned red with frustration: “I’ve always thought of you as family. Even if he’d never come to Chihkan, I still would.”

Kali shook his head. “I can’t believe you don’t see how Jansen changed your heart toward me.”

Sayun’s gaze softened: “If that’s how you feel… there’s nothing more to say.”

He took a step closer, voice low but urgent: “I see that you love him.”

Sayun looked toward the distant hills and nodded lightly: “Yes. I only realized recently. Jansen gave my life direction. He showed me that I can help beyond being a princess—help the people.”

Kali’s lips quivered. He raised a hand, then let it drop. “Sayun… I only fear you getting hurt.”

She turned silently, walking away under the fading sun.

Kali turned back to the cart, but moved with heaviness. The creak of wheels and jingle of the ox-bell sounded especially lonely.

Talai watched them go and whispered: “Sister... he really seemed sad.”

Sayun sighed softly: “Better a short pain than a long one. We needed to speak honestly.”

Chapter 24

That evening, the clinic hallway glowed amber under rainy twilight. The courtyard shingles rattled with thunder. Sayun stood gently wiping metal instruments, a soft ache in her posture. A storm raged outside.

Jansen staggered out of the clinic, body weak, sweat beading on his face. He leaned on the doorframe before slumping toward Sayun. “Jansen!” she cried, rushing forward.

He managed a faint smile: “I’m fine—just... dizzy.”

“Don’t lie,” she said, touching his arm and sweating. “You’re pale. How cold your skin is... Jansen—could it be… malaria?”

He shook his head weakly. “Perhaps fatigue…”

Sayun guided him deeper inside. Rain battered the roof and thunder cracked like distant drums.

In the tatami room, Sayun prepared a bitter gray powder in water and coaxed him to drink each spoonful. Jansen gratefully collapsed into sleep with her support.

She lay beside him, checking his fevered forehead. Her fingertips lingered gently as she watched him rest.

After a moment, she slipped beneath the heavy blanket and curled around him, warming his chilled body with hers. Outside, storms roared; inside, only her heartbeat and his breath formed a quiet peace.

Chapter 25

Heavy rain drummed on tin roofs as the wind whipped through gaps, turning curtains inside out. Drops pounded into basins below.

Kali and Daliguang sat at a long table before a steaming pot of wild boar soup scented with ginger and millet wine. Lalu stood beside the window, arms crossed, watching the wet path in silence.

Kali offered: “Let’s eat. Jansen is probably staying at the clinic tonight. Sayun is caring for him.” His voice was gentle but wistful.

Lalu turned, brows furrowed: “How do you know he stayed?”

Kali sighed: “I know Sayun. She never leaves someone she cares for.”

Lalu returned to the table and quietly picked at her food. Quietly, Kali placed meat on her plate: “Eat something warm.”

Daliguang smiled: “Our Lalu, always full of emotions. Drink the soup—it’s good.”

Kali managed a faint smile but couldn’t hide the sadness in his eyes.

Meanwhile, in Tapanya’s dining hall, the candlelight glowed amid damp unease. Hot vegetables and steaming chicken broth warmed the air; moisture hung on damp cloaks.

Li Qinghua read by lamp-light, listening to thunder—unease in his chest: “Sayun hasn’t returned. Is she trapped by the storm?”

Tapanya brought soup to the table, brushing cold fingers; her voice gentle: “The mountain paths will be slippery. She may not come home tonight.”

Li Qinghua rose resolutely: “Once the rain eases, I’ll go fetch her. It’ll be harder after nightfall.”

Tapanya tugged his sleeve tenderly: “Wait. She’s sensible. If she can’t return, she knows where she belongs overnight. Dont worry so much.”

Li Qinghua looked into the rainy dusk and nodded. “Alright. Let’s eat now—I’ll decide after.”

Tapanya served him a bowl. “You’re cold. Warm yourself. Don’t let your worry show—don’t let her worry as well.”

He met her eyes with gratitude: “You always understand me…”

The storm raged on outside—but within, compassion and care simmered beneath the surface.