Chapter 1 Because Lan understands nothing and has nothing.
There is something in the world called Cordyceps sinensis.
Insect larvae are parasitized by fungi, and their nutrients are gradually consumed...
Finally, it usurped the nest, completed its invasion, and then on a suitable day, it sprouted, broke out of its shell, and formed a complex.
It is sweet and neutral in nature, and can be used in medicine to stop bleeding and resolve phlegm.
Sometimes, Lan feels like she is a cordyceps.
A person who appears to have all four limbs intact is actually a person with a tangled mess of fine tendrils beneath the skin.
Those tendrils entwined his lungs and veins... piecing together a clump of filthy flesh that should have died long ago into a human shape.
"……orchid."
That was the first syllable he heard when he opened his eyes many years ago.
It was a warm March day, and the sunlight was gentle, but it still felt like thorns in these eyes that were seeing the light of day for the first time.
Before the pain could spread to my eyes, a shadow fell, casting a cool glow.
"Wait, wait a little longer."
It's that voice again.
He didn't quite understand, but he stopped struggling.
A soft hand gently caressed my eyes, leaving a comforting warmth.
"Alright. Open your eyes."
That person said.
Almost as soon as he finished speaking, he opened his eyes, looking eagerly in the direction from which the sound came.
Although the pain had subsided, there was still a trace of moisture in my eyes.
Through his blurry, tear-filled eyes, he saw for the first time the young man who had awakened him from his daze.
He was handsome, tall and upright, with clear black eyes that held a gentle smile.
As if noticing his distraction, the young man raised the corners of his mouth slightly and extended his outstretched hand forward.
"How are you? Can you stand up?"
Upon hearing this, he realized that he had two legs underneath him and could stand up like the other person.
He was still lost in thought, but his body seemed to have its own will, automatically and consciously grasping the hands in front of him.
Soft yet strong.
With a gentle touch, I helped him up.
In comparison, he was too weak and too powerless.
Despite the external force, he still couldn't help but stagger several steps, falling and swaying unsteadily, and finally lost his balance and fell to the opposite side.
With a thud, she bumped into the young man.
Oh no...
He didn't know what was going to go wrong, but this thought inexplicably popped into his mind.
I'm afraid the other person will dislike me because of this, and I'm afraid they'll push me away.
He clearly doesn't even know what fear is.
But I felt uneasy.
Not knowing what to do, I stood frozen in place.
Clutching the young man's sleeve, she dared not look up, dared not let go. There seemed to be a faint smell of blood between her clenched teeth.
As the stalemate continued, a voice came from above his head again, still gentle, but even more so than before, giving him a warm feeling in his chest.
Then, he felt the man bend down and hold his shoulders, patiently brushing aside his tangled hair little by little.
The hand that had once touched his eyelids was now gently touching his forehead.
It seems they are investigating something.
"No wound... Does it still hurt?"
Does it hurt?
Perhaps there is a little.
But in front of this person, in front of this question, the pain in my skin seemed to disappear.
Then another similar pain-like sensation rose up in my chest.
He didn't understand what it was, but he still shook his head.
Then, as if that wasn't enough, he opened his mouth, trying to imitate the other person by moving his tongue and teeth to say something.
All that came out were comical and bizarre broken syllables.
"Ah...ah ah..."
He was stunned.
Because of my own stupidity and the embarrassing situation I've made.
The vague pain in his chest turned into a burning, agonizing agony. He wanted to explain something, to prove something—
But his shoulder was pressed down again.
It was still the same gentle voice.
"It's okay, it's okay, take your time, Lan."
He stopped moving and looked up at the smiling face with downcast eyes.
He heard that word again and truly realized that it was referring to himself.
orchid……
He liked the gentle tone of voice when the young man spoke.
Very gentle, very touching.
He stared at those pale lips, mentally rehearsing the words he had just heard.
Whether it was a natural talent or something else, he actually managed to say that word on the first try.
Although the pronunciation was awkward and the speech was slightly hesitant.
At first glance, it doesn't sound like Lan; it sounds more like Lin—An.
Lan was somewhat annoyed.
The young man laughed, and after a moment of surprise, reached out and patted Lan's head, offering a nonchalant compliment.
"So clever."
The young man said that his eyes and brows were filled with a warm feeling.
Lan couldn't help but feel shy, yet also somewhat proud. The burning sensation in her chest subsided, replaced by another kind of surging emotion.
So he curled the corners of his mouth and smiled in the same way as the young man.
After that, Lan always followed behind the young man, imitating his every word, action, and smile...
Because Lan understands nothing and has nothing.
The young man taught him so meticulously and patiently, bit by bit, from the most basic walking, sitting and lying down, to speaking, and then to reading and writing.
Lan relied on the young man so much.
Just like a fledgling bird clinging to its mother.
Even though he knew that if there was any being he could call his mother, it should be a human woman.
Rather, it was not a young man transformed from a mountain spirit.
—But so what?
He has never met his biological parents.
If he hadn't been a young man, someone as frail as him would surely not have survived that winter.
Even if it were lucky enough to survive, without hands or feet, without eyes, ears, nose or lips, just a red, bald lump of flesh, who knows what terrifying appearance it would grow into if it were to grow up.
"He's probably a freak."
The boy who said this spoke with absolute certainty, and his words carried a hint of contempt.
"No wonder, your parents didn't want you, so forget about mere humans, even I wouldn't want to be near you—"
Before he could finish speaking, the boy received a blow to the top of his head.
Just as he was about to erupt, he suddenly swallowed the curse.
The visitor was none other than the mountain spirit returning from its inspection.
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