Time is Slow / Meet You in My Prime - Chapter 11 : Falling Sick

The boat glided through water and clouds, with the wind brushing against the faces of those on the deck.

Other boats glided down the river. Chi Can and two companions leaned on the railing, engaged in conversation. The sky darkened gradually, filled with the warm hues of sunset. As a nearby passenger ship sailed past, the trio's chatter came to an abrupt halt.

Chi Can's gaze was drawn to a young man in black, who leaned casually against the railing of the adjacent vessel. The man seemed to sense Chi Can's stare; he turned slightly and gave a brief nod.

This man in black appeared to be no older than twenty, his form accentuated by fitted clothing that highlighted his athletic build. Though he wore a charming smile, it didn't quite reach his eyes.

If Chi Can embodied an exquisite allure with his captivating smile, the black-clad man's smile felt like a gentle spring breeze-warm yet fleeting, leaving no lasting impression.

As nearby boats maneuvered by, Yang Hou Cheng, noticing Chi Can's furrowed brow, inquired, "Shi Xi, do you know that guy?"

"I wouldn't say I know him-" Chi Can hesitated, then shifted his gaze and replied lazily, "He's not a good person."

"What do you mean?" Zhu Yan asked, intrigued.

The figure appeared unfamiliar, making it odd that Chi Can recognized him, even though they'd never crossed paths.

With a huff, Chi Can continued, "Have you heard of Jiang Tang?"

"Don't joke. Everyone knows Jiang Tang, the Grand Commander of the Jinlin Guard," Yang Hou Cheng's demeanor turned serious.

The Jinlin Guards were directly under the Emperor's orders, known for being his eyes and ears. They were both feared and respected throughout the nation. Jiang Tang, the Grand Commander, was also the Emperor's foster brother.

It was easy to see the considerable power Jiang Tang wielded, commanding respect from both nobility and officials alike.

Noticing the grave expressions on their faces, Chi Can elaborated, "Jiang Tang has thirteen capable aides known as the Thirteen Guardians. The person who just passed by is his thirteen adopted son, Jiang Shi San. He was stationed in the south for a few years, so he's not well-known in the capital. I only encountered him during my last visit to Jiafeng."

With a hint of disdain, Chi Can added, "He's a smiling tiger. Running into him is quite unfortunate!"

Zhu Yan and Yang Hou Cheng clearly had little fondness for the dreaded Jinlin Guards, so they dropped the subject.

Yang Hou Cheng shifted gears, saying, "It's getting late; let's head to the cabin for dinner."

The boat had been chartered by the three of them, who'd paid handsomely for good service. They settled in the dining room, and steaming plates were soon served.

Yang Hou Cheng glanced at the door, puzzled. "Why hasn't Miss Li come out yet?"

"Maybe she's just not hungry," Chi Can replied curtly.

"That's hard to believe! She hasn't eaten since lunch. Shouldn't we check on her?" Yang Hou Cheng suggested.

The trio hesitated, having come without any servants. With only men aboard, it wasn't the most comfortable environment for a young girl.

It dawned on them that it was quite a challenge for a young official's daughter, without even a maid to assist her, to manage everything on her own while quietly accompanying them for days.

"This is annoying. We should go see what's up," Chi Can said, getting to his feet.

They approached Qiao Zhao's room, and Yang Hou Cheng called out, "Miss Li, dinner time!"

Silence echoed from within.

The three exchanged glances.

"Should we go in and check?" Yang Hou Cheng proposed to his companions.

Chi Can folded his arms across his chest and spoke in a composed manner, "What if she's changing clothes? What if she's in the shower? If the three of us see her, who will take responsibility?"

Frustration washed over him; these situations seemed to arise without any good reason.

"Let me handle it," Zhu Yan said, gazing intently at Chi Can. "Miss Li isn't that kind of person."

He stepped past them and knocked on the door, calling, "Miss Li, are you there?"

Silence followed.

"Miss Li, I apologize for intruding," Zhu Yan said as he pushed the door open.

The ship's guest rooms were sparsely decorated, lacking any curtains or barriers, allowing the three of them to quickly spot Qiao Zhao lying on the bed.

Her long black hair fell around her, contrasting sharply with her pale face, and her eyes remained tightly shut.

The expressions of the three men shifted simultaneously, prompting them to rush in without hesitation.

As they approached, they noticed the girl's face was alarmingly pale, and beads of sweat dotted her forehead, indicating she was unwell.

"I thought she was fine earlier," Yang Hou Cheng commented, surprised.

Zhu Yan frowned, speaking slowly, "It seems Miss Li hasn't eaten much these past few days."

It wasn't that these grown men usually paid attention to a young girl's daily life, but Zhu Yan's observation jolted them back to reality.

Yang Hou Cheng examined Qiao Zhao's face, anxiety creeping in: "Isn't she hungry? Why isn't she eating for no reason?"

Exactly; why would she refuse food? Someone who played chess with Chi Can would usually hasten to finish in order to eat.

Zhu Yan pondered silently and turned to Chi Can, asking, "What do you think we should do?"

"What else can we do? We'll get a doctor to check on her when we reach the next dock," Chi Can replied coolly, glancing at Qiao Zhao. "We can't let her die on this boat."

"Why speak in terms of life and death? I'm sure the little girl will be fine," Yang Hou Cheng reassured him.

Although sometimes tough on the outside, his good friends were soft-hearted deep down and clearly cared.

Chi Can shot him an annoyed look.

What kind of remark was that from Yang? It seemed like he didn't care at all!

The trio stood silently in Qiao Zhao's cabin for a moment.

Suddenly, the girl stirred.

She whispered softly, "Father, Mother-"

The room fell quiet again.

After a pause, Yang Hou Cheng said with a smile, "So you're feeling homesick."

Zhu Yan shook his head in response. "It's more than homesickness. She's a girl who was kidnapped and taken south; her return home might not have been a pleasant one."

"Alright, that's not our concern," Chi Can said, stepping outside before turning to sit on a chair near the door. Facing the surprised gazes of his friends, he huffed, "It's better for us to guard together. Women can be complicated, no matter their age!"

Zhu Yan chuckled lightly, casting a worried glance at Qiao Zhao.

The girl appeared to be seriously ill.

"Miss Li..." he called gently.

The girl's eyelashes fluttered, but her eyes remained shut.

Since all three were men, they felt uncomfortable checking if she had a fever, so they waited anxiously.

The boat eventually reached the dock.

Chi Can sent a boatman into the city to fetch a doctor, but Yang Hou Cheng interjected, "No need, I'll go. I'll be quick."

Zhu Yan followed him out, saying, "I'll head to the city to get some things to care for the girl. Shi Xi, Miss Li needs attention right now, so stick with her."

Once the two left, Chi Can was alone in the room. He looked down at the unconscious Qiao Zhao and muttered to himself, "You certainly know how to make others run around for you, little girl."

The girl didn't respond, but he noticed her face starting to flush a strange shade of red.

Chi Can pressed his lips together, glanced at the door to ensure no one was around, and then swiftly reached out to put his hand on Qiao Zhao's forehead.