Two days later, Jiang Lin discovered that his left hand was turning somewhat red. He panicked a little and began wearing long sleeves and trousers despite the summer heat. Gradually, he realized that not only his left hand but also the left side of his face was starting to turn red.
Recently, he felt weak and lethargic. Originally, he planned to ask Yu Xiaolian to accompany him to the tomb of the Grass Witch once more, thinking there might be an antidote inside. But after much deliberation, he still didn't take action.
He was in this state because of himself. If his actions were to cost Yu Xiaolian her life too, it wasn't worth it.
"You're like this because of me too; after all, that bottle was something I picked up from the tomb."
Yu Xiaolian thought of a book where her biological father, when seeking his daughter, was accompanied by a half-immortal, half-ghost witch.
Moreover, a ditty was composed to accentuate that witch's beauty and grand entrance.
The heavens bestow a crimson sleeve to half-cover the face; half is blazing clouds, half is celestial grace. A glance already astounds the world below; concealment seeks only to avoid worldly strife.
The poison in Jiang Lin now seemed more like the kind associated with that witch, a type of Poison Gu Worm called Beauty Face.
But the witch had lived with poison nourished by blood since childhood, having a unique constitution. Even if she carried Poison Gu Worms, it didn't endanger her life; instead, the poison in her blood and the Poison Gu Worms reached some kind of balance.
Yet, Jiang Lin was clearly different; he was just an ordinary person, lacking the unique traits of the Witch Clan's bloodline. If the Poison Gu Worms continued in his body, he might not have much longer to live.
Yu Xiaolian pondered for a long time and realized she didn't remember Jiang Lin from the book because he was merely a minor character, even more insignificant than she was.
But now that she replaced the original character, she had to change the trajectory of her own fate and others' in order to survive till the end.
After careful consideration, Yu Xiaolian decided to save Jiang Lin.
Even if it risked exposing her identity as a descendant of the Witch Clan, she needed to save Jiang Lin.
If Jiang Lin survived, maybe Yu Changhe wouldn't have to die, and neither would she.
Jiang Lin was the beginning of her altering the original path.
And a test subject!
At that moment, Jiang Lin felt utterly defeated and self-mocked, "It's got nothing to do with you; don't blame yourself. It's all my doing."
"My dad will be back soon; you should leave!"
Yu Xiaolian nodded, "I should go back now. Rest assured, I will save you."
Jiang Lin's eyes lit up for a moment, then dimmed again, "No need, you shouldn't go to that tomb again. The antidote might not even be there, and if you end up being cursed like me, it'll all be over."
Yu Xiaolian patted Jiang Lin on the shoulder, "Don't worry about it. I'll come back to find you tomorrow; wait for me at home!"
…
After returning home, Sun wasn't back yet, and only Yu Changhe was there. She told Yu Changhe she was sleepy and wanted to take a nap.
Yu Changhe got her a small pillow, let her sleep, and, after closing the door, went out to weave baskets.
Upon entering her space, the first thing Yu Xiaolian did was get some flour, prick her finger, and mix blood to make three small dough balls.
She didn't know if one would work, so she made a few more.
She discovered that her body not only wasn't afraid of the cold but was also insensitive to pain. She could barely feel the pain from pricking her finger.
In the book, Yu Xiaolian's blood could detoxify Gu poison; she wasn't sure if it would work against the Longevity Gu.
Fortunately, apart from Jiang Lin's half-body being blood-red, there were no other symptoms, indicating the Gu worm hadn't yet reached the core regions; there was still time.
After preparing the medicinal pills, Yu Xiaolian went out to help Yu Changhe weave willow branches.
"Why did you sleep for such a short while?"
"It's too hot, couldn't fall asleep!" Yu Xiaolian found a shadowy section along the mud wall and sat down, casually weaving the willow branches.
In ancient times, without gloves for work, continuing with such coarse work would only make her hands rougher. She figured she'd have to find a way to make her family prosperous sooner so she wouldn't have to do such hard labor.
"Changhe..." Jiang the Hunter's voice called from outside the wooden fence gate.
Yu Xiaolian hurriedly assisted Yu Changhe to his feet.
"Brother Jiang, why are you here? Is there something you need?"
Jiang the Hunter carried two wild rabbits in one hand and held about a dozen Copper Coins in the other, saying to Yu Changhe, "I already told you before, no need to pay for the cart. Why did you have the child bring the money? You're treating me too much like an outsider."
"Brother Jiang, kin is kin, and money is money. Paying back debts is only right. Now that I have it, how can I not repay it?"
"No way, I won't accept it." Jiang the Hunter tried to pass the money through the fence, but Yu Changhe wouldn't take it.
"When you were a Government Official, I was selling game at the town market, and you often waived the booth rent for me. How could I charge you for riding my ox cart?
I still have to go across to the Zhao Family. I'm leaving the money here for you; if you don't take it, I might get upset."
Jiang the Hunter threw the twelve Copper Coins through the wooden fence and loudly called Zhao Kuo's name from across.
After a few shouts, Zhao Kuo didn't come out; his wife, Feng, came instead.
"Zhao Kuo wanted two wild rabbits, and I've brought them."
Feng frowned, "He asked for them? He didn't tell me anything!"
"What? Zhao Kuo isn't home? My son Jiang Lin said Zhao Kuo requested them while passing by our home after his shift."
"Ah?" Feng was surprised, "He hasn't returned; did Jiang Lin see him? When did he come back?"
"So do you still want the rabbits, or should I take them back?"
Feng quickly replied, "Yes, yes, Zhao Kuo's been talking about hosting a feast with his brothers. Since the wild rabbits were ordered by him, how could I not keep them? How much?"
Upon hearing Zhao Kuo wasn't home, Yu Xiaolian's face changed.
Thinking of how the symptoms of the illness discussed in town, affecting the Pan Family, were similar to Jiang Lin's, she was startled and sprinted towards Jiang Lin's home.
Yu Changhe called out behind her, but she didn't have time to explain.
Zhao Kuo hadn't returned home, which meant he must have gone to inform the Pan Family.
She ran nonstop to the Jiang Family, burst through Jiang Lin's room door, and Jiang Lin, thinking it was his father, quickly covered his head with the quilt.
"It's me!"
Jiang Lin peeked out, "Why did you come again?"
Yu Xiaolian took out a pill, "This is the antidote; are you brave enough to take it?"
Jiang Lin froze, "Antidote?"
"If you don't take it now, it'll be too late."
It was likely that Zhao Kuo was already bringing the Pan Family people to the Jiang house.
"Too late for what?"
"Don't ask. If you trust me, just take it."
"I trust you!" Jiang Lin took the pill and swallowed it in one gulp.
"Can you tell me now? What's going on?"
Yu Xiaolian briefly explained the Pan Family's situation to Jiang Lin. "Currently, the elder lady of the Pan Family might have contracted the same illness as you; they can't figure out the cause or find a cure. Now that Zhao Kuo has seen you with the same illness, they're definitely going to ask how you got it."
"What should I do?" Jiang Lin asked.
"In about half an hour, the color on your skin should fade. By then, if you deny ever being infected with Gu, they'll just think Zhao Kuo was deceiving them for the Pan Family's reward.
Absolutely do not mention the Grass Witch's tomb, and also… no matter what favorable conditions they offer, you cannot say that I have an antidote."