Chapter 264 World Eleven (V)
When Baoshan awoke, the sky was a pale pale sky, and sparse sunlight streamed through the window into the room. Baoshan was already covered in sweat, her soft hair soaked with sweat and sticking to her ears. Wearing only her inner garments, Baoshan filled a copper basin with clear water and gently splashed it on her cheeks. Her previously fuzzy mind finally cleared up.
She sat quietly in the yard, her mind full of thoughts.
Because he grew up in a village, Baoshan believed in ghosts and gods since he was a child.
After this dream, Baoshan became increasingly convinced that it was a divine intervention, a foreshadowing of her already tragic fate. She would not foolishly allow herself to be deceived by Qianfeng and lose her body, as she had in her dream. However, even if she had preserved her innocence, Baoshan's fate in the village would be to be taken away by Zhou's parents in exchange for food. Even if she married, Baoshan would need precious herbs to survive. But her biological parents were unwilling to spend money on medicine for Baoshan, let alone for a man they had never met. Baoshan needed to leave this place to have a chance of survival.
Baoshan was weak and it was impossible for her to leave the mountains on foot with only her two slender legs. Moreover, Baoshan's household registration was kept at home. If Zhou's parents found out that Baoshan was missing,
Therefore, if he went outside to report to the authorities, Bao Shan would still be captured and brought back to the village. Bao Shan's brows furrowed, and he pondered inwardly. Right now, there was a good opportunity. You Dongjun, who had appeared in the village at that moment and had the ability to catch monsters, was Bao Shan's best hope.
Since dreams are a sign from heaven, fate, like that of the precious fan, is like fireworks in broad daylight, fleeting and insignificant like an ant.
But You Dongjun, who occupied most of the dream, was favored by heaven and would have great luck.
You Dongjun was passing through this place and would have to leave sooner or later. If Baoshan could persuade You Dongjun to take her with him, she could seize the opportunity to obtain the household registration. As for the method of prolonging her life, she could slowly plan. You Dongjun was a Taoist priest and had the ability to catch monsters. If You Dongjun was determined to take the Baoshan, the other villagers, including Zhou's parents, would not hesitate to stop him.
In the dream, Qianfeng, the mountain god who was believed by the villagers, was eliminated by You Dongjun. How could the villagers dare to take him away from You Dongjun?
But You Dongjun has a cold personality and even treats Gu Xiaoxiao, who is traveling with him, indifferently. How could he easily ask for a weak woman?
Baoshan frowned, she knew very well that she had no other strengths, just like what she thought in her dream when she was desperate.
The precious fan can't give You Dongjun anything except its appearance.
But Baoshan would not rashly run to You Dongjun and say directly that she wanted to give her body to You Dongjun.
When the young Taoist priest came down the mountain for the first time and was suddenly shown such affection by a woman, the thought that emerged in his mind was probably not to enjoy himself while he could and make love with Bao Shan, but to distance himself from her intentionally and even feel disgusted with her.
Baoshan could only use some tricks to make You Dongjun feel pity for her and voluntarily ask to take her away.
When there is sympathy between a man and a woman, then they are not far from falling in love.
Bao Shan knew very well that in their predetermined fate, You Dongjun and Gu Xiaoxiao were destined to be husband and wife, but so what.
There was no communication between the two of them, and You Dongjun didn't even show the slightest preference for Gu Xiaoxiao at this moment.
If Baoshan were to stay away from the two of them for the sake of this thin and superficial conscience, she would have to willingly accept the fate of early death.
While others were in good health, Baoshan looked frail. However, she never envied other healthy people for this.
But between living and waiting to die, Bao Shan would definitely choose to live, even if it would cost her a lot of energy.
As for You Dongjun, Bao Shan thought to herself that it was just her and Gu Xiaoxiao who had to rely on their own abilities.
Even if one day, Gu Xiaoxiao learned that You Dongjun and she were destined to be husband and wife, Bao Shan would not feel guilty relying on this.
For someone like her, just to stay alive has already exhausted all her strength, so why would she care about this or that, or worry about other people's moods or lives.
When it was bright, Baoshan steamed some sweet potatoes and taro and sent them to You Dongjun's temporary residence.
Her long eyelashes drooped slightly, not daring to look directly into You Dongjun's eyes. She only said softly: "I heard from Uncle Li that the Taoist priest hasn't eaten yet. These..."
Looking at the shabby food on the tray, Bao Shan bit her lips lightly, said nothing more, and just walked the tray towards You Dongjun.
You Dongjun has lived in Maoshan for a long time. Although he is not familiar with the ways of the world, he is not a person who acts recklessly.
At the wedding banquet yesterday, You Dongjun had already learned that Baoshan had been kicked out of the house by Zhou's parents and was living alone in a thatched hut.
Zhou's parents blamed Baoshan for agreeing to the mountain god's marriage without consulting them, so they didn't even give Baoshan half an acre of good land.
The villagers are self-sufficient. Baoshan's current food supply comes from a piece of land in front of the thatched house, right next to the corner of the wall.
Although You Dongjun is cold, he would not compete for food from a weak woman.
Therefore, You Dongjun just shook his head lightly and said, "No need."
Hearing this, Bao Shan's delicate hands, holding the tray, trembled slightly. She raised her eyes timidly and said softly, "These sweet potatoes and taro may look... but they are all clean and will not pollute the Taoist priest..."
Before he could finish his words, his apricot-like eyes trembled, and the circles around his eyes turned crimson.
It turned out that she had misunderstood. You Dongjun refused to eat these sweet potatoes and taro because he thought they were dirty.
You Dongjun said coldly: "It has nothing to do with sweet potatoes and taro."
These words did not comfort Bao Shan. Her eyes were red and she was slightly dazed, and then clear tears began to flow from her eyes.
Baoshan didn't want You Dongjun to see her in such a miserable state, so she turned to the side and wiped it gently with the back of her hand.
You Dongjun had never comforted anyone before, so naturally he didn't know what Baoshan was sad about. He just stood there quietly, with only his eyebrows raised high.
Bao Shan's soft voice rang out, and she sobbed softly, "I... I've also washed my hands, they're not dirty."
Since You Dongjun either dislikes sweet potatoes and taro, he must dislike the precious fan.
Baoshan felt aggrieved. Both of her palms were clean, but You Dongjun was still dissatisfied and refused to eat the simple food she brought.
You Dongjun stretched out his arm, reached over Baoshan's soft shoulders, and grabbed a round taro in his palm.
You Dongjun didn't say any words of comfort, but just put the taro, skin and flesh included, into his mouth.
The steamed taro was soft and delicious, exuding a fresh fragrance. You Dongjun ate it all in just a few bites.
Seeing this, Baoshan stopped crying immediately, her beautiful eyes widened slightly, and she stared at You Dongjun in a daze.
When You Dongjun stretched out his hand again, Baoshan placed the tray in front of him.
Baoshan's cheeks turned red. Although You Dongjun did not explain, he used taro, which meant that he did not dislike Baoshan.
Bao Shan raised her eyes slightly, looked behind You Dongjun, and said timidly, "Miss Gu, why aren't you with the Taoist priest?"
You Dongjun was puzzled and said in a calm voice, "She is not a child of a few years old. She doesn't need me to accompany her everywhere."
Bao Shan lowered her eyelids, hiding the dark circles beneath them. Her voice was soft, and soon she knew where Gu Xiaoxiao had gone. Her words were filled with worry: "...in the mountains? The paths are dangerous, and Miss Gu was alone, without a lantern. She hasn't returned all night, so maybe she got lost in the mountains."
You Dongjun couldn't help but frown, remembering the instructions of the Taoist Changsheng, and decided to go into the mountains to look for Gu Xiaoxiao. Baoshan took the initiative to mention that he could go with You Dongjun. You Dongjun was about to refuse when he heard Baoshan say, "There are many traps buried in the mountains. The Taoist priest may not be as familiar with them as I am.
And at the wedding banquet yesterday, if the Taoist priest hadn’t come to my rescue, I would have married a monster.
Taoist priest, please agree to my request and let me go with you, okay?"
The water eyes of the treasure fan moved slightly, and the shimmering water light inside was even more clear and pleasant than the slowly flowing stream.
You Dongjun thought about it carefully and realized that carrying the treasure fan with him could indeed help him avoid the numerous traps set by the villagers to catch prey.
So, Baoshan followed You Dongjun into the mountains.
The mountains were filled with tall, dense trees and thorny shrubs. The soil was soft, making it easy to slip. Bao Shanzi's soft, small embroidered shoes felt only a slight dent in the yellow and black soil.
She raised her head and looked at You Dongjun walking in front of her with steady and powerful steps. She couldn't help but think: Judging from the way they walked on the mountain road, You Dongjun looked more like someone who grew up in the mountains than she did.
Although You Dongjun was calm and sharp-eyed, he was a man after all, and lacked the meticulousness to observe details.
Baoshan lowered his head, looking at the branch close to his feet, where a brightly colored piece of cloth was hanging.
The villagers cannot afford such fine silks and satins.
Baoshan took off the cloth and threw it towards the slightly steep hillside not far away.
When You Dongjun's figure gradually distanced himself from the treasured fan, she whispered softly, as if she had just discovered a brightly colored piece of cloth, "That... is the fabric from Miss Gu's dress."
Upon hearing this, You Dongjun turned around and walked towards the treasure fan.
Baoshan was already holding onto a few slender branches and walking down the hillside. She tried to stretch out her arms to grab the brightly colored cloth in her palm.
Baoshan picked up the colorful cloth in his palm, felt relieved, and prepared to return to the mountain road.
But the soil was slippery, Baoshan's feet gave way, and he fell down the hillside.
"Master!"
A soft cry of surprise was heard. At this moment, the person Baoshan trusted the most was You Dongjun.
Even if Baoshan didn't know, You Dongjun might be able to come and save her in time.
But when he subconsciously called for help, Baoshan still called out You Dongjun's name with a trembling voice.
The next moment, You Dongjun touched the ground with his toes, stretched out his long arms, and embraced the soft and trembling body in his arms.
You Dongjun hugged the treasure fan tightly, used the soles of his feet for support, stepped lightly on the stones, and returned to the road to the mountain gate.
Because of the shock just now, Baoshan was frightened and her face turned pale.
Even when they reached the safe mountain road, Baoshan was still nestled in You Dongjun's arms, with both hands tightly clutching the Taoist robe on You Dongjun's chest.
"Master...did we fall?"
You Dongjun replied in a deep voice: "No."
Baoshan then timidly emerged from You Dongjun's arms, looked around.
Baoshan breathed a sigh of relief when he saw the flat mountain roads all around him.
When Baoshan found herself leaning against You Dongjun, her cheeks became hot and she hurriedly stepped out of You Dongjun's arms.
But the pain in his ankle made Baoshan stagger.
You Dongjun held the treasure fan in his hand and raised his eyebrows slightly.
Bao Shan couldn't hide her loneliness and said timidly, "Just now, I twisted my ankle."
You Dongjun did not blame Baoshan, but said: "Gu Xiaoxiao's whereabouts are already known. You don't have to go with us, just wait here."
Bao Shan looked at You Dongjun tenderly, looking very well-behaved: "I will stay here and wait for the Taoist priest to come back."
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