Archive of Our Own

The Sun was high in the sky for a pretty long time. It wasn’t exactly too hot or too cold, definitely colder than before, but still hotter than what people from the capital were used to. The West was still suffering from all the losses after the swarm of insects, recovering little by little. 

Fortunately for Maomao, no one else was at the medical office today. The quack started going out to the greenhouse more often, as he claimed “To take care of the herbs”, which were actually planted and mostly taken care of by Maomao. But it was a whatever, as she could enjoy the luxury of mixing the medicine alone. It’s not like she was going to leave the office completely empty as well, so more excuses to not go out and meet a certain eccentric strategist. It wasn’t the matter of her disliking him, but the matter of blowing off her cover completely. She quite enjoyed not feeling weighted down by the callings “Lady La”, “Princess of the La clan”, “Lady Lakai”, all the time. Yes, she loved her name, especially when it was called by her family members. Recently, even Master Jinshi started calling her “Lakai” when there was surely no one around, except for Suiren or Gaoshun, as they knew her identity anyway. 

The day promised to be quite peaceful, with no one but a guard outside the office, when the doors flew open and inside walked someone whom Maomao never admitted to knowing well.

  «Jun – I mean, Lahan’s brother! What brings you in today?» She immediately corrects herself. Apothecary knew her brother’s name all along. Why would she lie and call him “Lahan’s brother” all the time, then? For fun. That was what she told him when he finally got the chance to corner her and ask about it. She just brushed him off with it, telling him that she’s no “Lakai” here, but “Maomao”, who doesn’t want to do anything with the La family, so she doesn’t know a thing about him. Was it cruel to him? Without a doubt. Did he agree, and is trying his best every day for her sake? Of course he does.

«Sorry for the intrusion. Mind taking a look at my injury?» Junjie walked inside and stood in the middle of the main room in the office. Maomao walked from the back room, where they kept most of the medicine. The sight in front of her brought a bit of horror and disgust to her face. His right shoulder was covered in blood, his clothes on the right side were all torn as well. He didn’t look like he was in much pain, though, more like he just got a minor injury. It wouldn’t be her first time treating someone with an injury, even if it was bloody, but usually it would be military officers from the training grounds, so there were never any questions. But how did he get an injury like that? She can ask this later, now she needs to help him.

«I should. Please, take a seat and take off your garments, so I can take a proper look. It’s no use anyway, from how torn it looks, but I will leave you to that and prepare some stuff.» 

«Of course, thank you. Is there anyone else?»

«No, so if you are quiet enough, you can call me by name. I will do as well, Junjie.»

As the young man came deeper into the office and sat on the chair near the table, Maomao was running around, putting things on the table: a bowl with water, a cloth, bandages, some creams, and a cup, which was already filled with something. He didn’t interrupt her running around and didn’t try to rearrange anything, instead he did what he was told to do – removed his clothing from his upper right side completely, leaving his shoulder and body exposed to the colder air of the medical office. When she finally had everything she needed, she stopped in front of him and gave him a questioning look.

«May I be the first one to ask you a question, Kaikai?» His voice was quieter than usual, especially when he said her name. So he did remember that specific name, moreover he was going to use it just like that. It’s not like they never exchanged letters, especially after her and Lahan’s visit year prior to this. But it still felt a bit unusual and weird. Well, she did allow him, so that were the consequences. 

«Of course. What is it you want to know, dear elder brother?» For some reason, calling him “elder brother” was never a problem, but when it came to a certain freak in glasses… No matter how much she liked his company and him being her brother, she never called him that without a point in sarcasm. But with Junjie it came out more naturally. Perhaps because he wasn’t annoying her from the young age, and she hasn’t seen him in a long time, even if now they meet almost every day. While she was waiting for the question to finally leave his mouth, she soaked a cloth in the water and then squeezed it from the extra, so she could wash the blood off his shoulder and tale a closer look to the actual injury.

«How do you know what you need? I mean, you don't even know what happened, yet you have already prepared everything. Is it because you are really obsessed with medical stuff?» Junjie tried his best not to disturb his sister's work, only quietly hissing when the cloth was touching the wound a little bit too hard. She didn't pay much mind to it, trying to clean the wound as fast as she could to get a better look on it. Firstly, she thought that it would be a pretty big one, given how much blood there was on him and how he didn't move it at all, but the wound wasn't as big as she expected it to be. It was a pretty deep cut from the middle of where his shoulder and his neck meet to his armpit. One could argue that it's actually pretty big, but for Maomao it was not, as she had seen far bigger injuries than this in far worse places than this. At least she wouldn't have to cut this with a knife, unlike with someone of an imperial blood.

«In the capital, I work in the medical office, which is near the training grounds, so we have a lot of patients with injuries like that. I'm just using something that we usually do back there. I answered your question, so now is my turn to ask. How did you get an injury like that?» Water in the bowl was mixed with blood now, when the wound and skin around it were clean. What should she do with it? She had seen cuts before, but not as deep as this one, and it was definitely in a place, where she had never worked in. She did treat injuries like cuts, she treated a huge burn when she didn’t have any skills in surgery, so what a problem to treat a cut like that? So what if she sees something like that for the first time? She’s skilled and smart enough. She should have the needed instruments here, but if she doesn’t, she will have to send him to the clinic that was opened for people. She hated to admit that her skills weren’t enough. She knew that Tianyu would treat that injury way better than she can. What she also knew, is that her brother most likely came only because she is here and might not take help from others, so she should do what she can. 

«Oh, that’s right. Lahan did mention that you returned to work at the palace. Look at you go, I am so proud of you!» Junjie gave her a big smile. How could he do that? How could he say something like that so easily? She has always thought that he wasn’t that much different in this from her and Lahan, both of them never could talk about how they feel, instead they would talk about the other, hinting about their own feelings this way. But he wasn’t. He truly was “too normal” compared to them. Perhaps growing up further from the capital and the palace helped him to face his feelings more openly, unlike his siblings, who were left to live the capital’s life. She just rolled her eyes and went back into the room, where she previously was making medicine. Search for the needle and thread is not usually taking her long, but she's too nervous about the fact that it is her brother, who she needs to stitch. 

«Well, the funny thing is that I do work at the green house right now, right? I was working in the open garden at the previous mansion, when suddenly a pretty big branch broke from the tree and almost fell on me. Thankfully I moved in time and didn't get hurt, except for the shoulder, because I caught it on a hoe that was lying on the ground. I didn't pay it much mind and just came back here. Unfortunately, the first person I met was uncle and he sent me to you immediately. It must've looked really bad, if he actually paid attention to it… Your face was full of horror as well… Even without all the blood it doesn't look that bad, does it?»

He was laughing nervously. She has always known that the La's were considered the weird ones in Li, but compared to everyone else, her elder brother was surely the most normal one. Well, now she was sure, he was just as not normal as all of them. How can he be laughing, when his arm looks like that? That was a horrifying sight even for her, and she had done a surgery already, performed multiple dissections, and attends to a huge burn almost every night. When she finally managed to find the needed tools, she returned to him and gave him a disappointed look.

«What’s with the look? I told you all I did!»

«It’s not that! You should've been more careful! Look at this wound, you need stitches, that's not something to laugh about! If even my father noticed and told you to go and see me, how bad do you think the wound is? Wait a second, I will find a cloth to put in your mouth and we will stitch you.»

«What is cloth for?...»

«You will bite on it. I can give you anesthetic, of course, but since it's a “minor injury”, a cloth will be enough, I think. You will live.»

Perhaps she spent too much time with Lahan, because she also pitched her voice up like he does when mocks her. She put the  on the table and left searching for a clean cloth, which will be fine to be put in someone's mouth. Junjie hasn't said anything as he was sitting and processing what he was told. Did the injury really look that bad? Maybe she's just teasing him, because he came out of the blue… Yes, that must be the case, she's not going to use that needle and thread that were carefully lying on the table, ready to be used any time. No no no. He is her brother, she loves him, she just never says it out loud. She will never put this into him, will she?...

Before he could pray to all the gods he knew, Maomao came back with a cloth in her hand. It was a simple clean white cloth that was already crumpled. She rarely smiles and he knows it, but at the moment her face was in a huge wicked smile. This cannot be good.

«Now, open your mouth so I can place the cloth right. You don’t want to accidentally bite your tongue off, do you?»

Junjie didn't argue. He could've asked for something else, but she's not some kind of a monster to actually make him suffer, right? 

He should have never brushed it off. The needle was already scary enough, but feeling it getting in his shoulder’s flesh was painful. He wanted to scream and bite down the pain at the same time, his left hand was gripping his leg tightly, while he tried his best not to move the right one at all. She didn't say it out loud, but she did give him a threatening look before she actually pierced his skin. He didn't know what it was for, but now he definitely knew. That hurt a lot. Feeling it just one time was hard, but when she did it the second time, which led the skin to pull close on the wound, it was hell of a feeling. The pain was agonizing, he couldn't see anything in front of him, all he felt was pain and pain in his shoulder. His right first was resting on his knee, trying not to move from the pain at all, which was even harder. One thing would be if he could move his body at least a little, so he could grip on something, in hopes of shifting his brain's attention from the agony in the shoulder, but he couldn't. He had to sit perfectly still, otherwise he didn't know what would've happened to him.

Thankfully for him, he wouldn't find out what could've possibly happened if he had moved. Lakai finally stepped away from him, still holding the needle and thread in her hands, when she returned with a tray, where she placed used tools. She will have to disinfect them later, as well as two clothes that she used. He finally opened his eyes, which were shut almost immediately when the apothecary started working on him, yet he still somehow saw the light, not the darkness. His face was all wet from his tears that were coming out of his eyes on their own, he didn't even realise he was crying till now. A tray was moved to him, but he just threw a confused look up on his sister.

«Spit the cloth out. I am not touching it. At least not yet, I will have to touch it to wash it anyway. I still need to apply some cream over it and put on bandages. You won't feel as much pain, so just spit it.»

Now that was one of the struggles. He clenched his jaw so hard that it was now really hard to open it. His teeth were gripping on that cloth for dear life, he really didn't know how to help his jaw move. Lakai rolled her eyes and with her head showed on his arm. That's right! He can just get it out with it. And so he did, making his hanging open, as the wet from saliva cloth finally fell on the tray. Immediately she put it on the table, trying to hide the disgust on her face from the sight of it. She quickly put the tray on the table, keeping it away from her eyes as she picked the container, where she had stored her cream.

«You are also lucky to test something for me. I didn't have enough of the needed herb, so added the substitutes. I am not sure that it will work as intended, so you will have to come here every day for a check till I tell you to stop. Got it?»

«Yes, Kaikai.»

The lid of the container opened, immediately hitting the patient with it's strong smell of herbs. Just what had she added there? Usually medicines, especially creams as they have to stay on you for some time, are made with some sort of a nice touch to it: make it sweeter or adding some perfumed oils to the creams. So it was confusing even more. Why wouldn't she do something like that?

«Oils are too expensive and are an unnecessary waste of money and resources, especially in our situation here. Everyone will understand.»

Maomao was seeing right through him. How could she know what he was thinking about? Is it because they are related? No, it's stupid, even she doesn't believe in stuff like that. Maybe she just knew that people usually ask about smell. But he's not like everyone else, right? He's from the La clan, after all, he can't be like everyone else… On the other hand, he was raised differently from Lahan and Lakai, so maybe he became more like normal people… 

She never cared about stuff like that, unlike him. She could clearly see what he was thinking about, it was written all over his face. The only reason why she was bothered that he was raised differently, is because she thought it would make them drift much more away. They were pretty close when were kids, because were interested in the same thing: plants. They were different types of plants, of course, she had her herbs and flowers, which can be used not only for medicine, and he had any type of edible plants. Sometimes they fought over who could plant where. At first he didn't even want to let her plant anything in the garden, because “She's too young”, “But I was there first!”. Indeed, he was older than both her and Lahan, and as such he got a little privilege in getting his own part of the garden where he could plant whatever he wanted as a hobby. But when Lakai started showing curiosity for planting as well, he was told to give a small part of his planting land to her. However, she wanted to plant herbs and not regular, normal plants. He didn't want that close to his growing food. So it was always leading to their arguments.

Even like that, they were still closer, before he was banished with his parents from the capital. For some time she was trying to reach out to him, but he never returned her letters, so eventually she stopped trying. But now they had a chance to get to know each other once again, which they tried to do, but with so many eyes around it was hard. She still didn't want people to treat her like La, unless she directly asks for it, which she didn't at the moment. Here she was just an apothecary from the pleasure district, who now was working as a medical court lady and came to the Western Capital as an assistant. She wasn't Kan Lakai here, the amazing and intelligent daughter of the Grand Commander, the princess of the La clan, the daughter of her parents. And as such, she wasn't close with her blood family, which is not the truth at all. 

Her fingers were slowly putting on the cream over the stiched shoulder. She didn't even give him a lot of them, only three, where it was the deepest. Where it wasn't as bad and just looked like a small cut, she didn't do anything except for applying same cream. There was no need to make him suffer with the needle more than necessary, so she thought that it wasn't needed there, she wouldn't stitch there. Junjie didn't have to know about it, though, let him stay unaware of how caring she actually is. After finally applying enough cream on the cut, she closed the lid and stepped aside to wash the cream off her hands.

«Can I dress now? Oh, wait. What should I wear? I mean, my robes don't look too well…»

Maomao had washed the cream quickly off her hands and had dryed them with a towel before returning to her brother and taking a good look on the half of the robe that was touching the floor. It was bloody and torn, not something you should wear over an injury, even if it's taken care of. Her hand raised to her shin, slowly rubbing it while thoughts started to fill her head. She can send the guard to bring him some clothes, but she knew that she can't leave the medical office without a guard, no matter how safe and sound it was at the moment. And she didn't have anything as well. She did have other clothes aside from what she wore, of course, but it would be too small for him… Lihaku went somewhere with a quack, Tianyu was away in the clinic, so there was no men, whose clothes were actually in this annex, were present. And she can't just walk in their room and take what she needed. Perhaps they could wait till someone comes back and then she will ask for it, but will it be ok? Of course it will be! Junjie’s clothes were a mess, he couldn't be seen wearing something like that. Even if he was banished, he was still part of the La clan. It is unfair to make him wear some rags.

«For now, stay in what you have. When someone comes back, I will ask to lend you one of their robes. And leave everything stained with blood here, I will wash it and fix it for you. Now, be quiet and let me put on bandages over the cut.»

He didn't say anything, but a chuckle left him, as a small gentle smile appeared on his face. Even if she didn't say it out loud, he knew she cared about him. As bandages were wrapping around his shoulder. He had to raise his arm, so she could do it properly. It didn't hurt much before, but now, that he had his arm slightly up, so she could do it properly and faster, the pain in the shoulder was agonizing. Not as much as when his sister was stitching him, but still too painful not to grip on his leg once again. Thankfully, it was faster than stitching, and his arm was now once again lying on his lap, while Maomao stepped aside to clear the table.

«Don’t move your arm too much, it can affect the stitches and the bandages. Also, I will need to see you tomorrow as well to check on the stitches and change your bandages. Was it too painful?»

Apothecary was running around again, this time hiding everything, leaving only tray and the bowl with cloth and bloody water on a pretty visible place, so she won't forget to take care of that later. Junjie didn't move, trying not to cause any pain to himself. Just how unfortunate could he be to get an injury like that and it not hurting for quite some time, but hurting a lot more now that he got it treated. Maybe it's because of the treatment that it started to hurt, but he knew it's not like that. It hurt now because now he was aware of it. It's best to suffer with treated wound and know that you won't get an infection, then not get wound treated and it not hurting. Besides, he could finally spend some time with Lakai , not only Maomao , who didn't know even his name. 

«It wasn't. But what should I do, while we wait till someone comes? Oh, actually, I'm hungry. Do you think you have any snacks that I can eat?»

She didn't say anything just yet. She just held an arm for him to take. When his left palm finally laid on top of hers, she helped him stand up by holding him under his left armpit and then shifting it to his back, then slowly leading him to the kitchen and seating him at the table.

«I will cook something quick for you. I think there should be something for a quick stew. Are you cold? I can get you a blanket till someone comes, so you won't be freezing till then. I will also give you some painkillers after the meal. Wait a second there, I will come back in a second with a blanket.»

«Thank you, little Kaikai.»

She gave him a death stare at this nickname and walked out of the room to get the blanket. There was nothing really wrong with “little Kaikai”, it just points out her being the youngest the best. Even “XiaoMao” wasn't that bad, because at least it didn't straight up called her “small” or “little”, at least she could brush it off like it's not what was meant. But “little” in the Lahan’s “little sister” and Junjie's “little Kaikai”, literally meant that she was both younger and smaller than them. It was annoying, absolutely, she hated it. But she never said anything against it, as it was the truth after all. She just took a blanket out of the closet and walked back into the kitchen, throwing it around her brother's shoulders.

«I hope the stew with some vegetables and spices will satisfy you enough. Unfortunately we don't have any meat, so I can't really add much.»

«Sure. Vegetables will be fine. Also, I wondered to ask something while you cook. Why didn't you talk at all, when was fixing me? I mean, I thought you would scold me or something like that. You used to do it when were younger.»

Maomao didn't say anything, just threw him a glance over her shoulder, as she was cutting some vegetables on the board. She could've just heated up the leftovers from the breakfast, but for some reason, she just ignored them and went along with cooking a fresh portion. A pot was already on the stove, so she just needed to add some water to it and let it heat to room temperature. She cut some potatoes, a carrot and sneaked some chopped herbs that can serve as ingredients for painkillers. When the water was warm enough, Maomao added some spices and then the chopped ingredients, leaving them to boil.

«I would, but I prefer being quiet while working. Junjie, you should really be more careful, that is no joke. What if you didn't come here immediately? You could've got your wound infected and then what? We would have to amputate your arm!»

She was standing in front of the table, her arms crossed on her chest. She wasn't angry at him, even if her voice did show a hint of it in it. Her eyes were one of a worried person, something that was a pretty rare sight. Well, rare for everyone else, pretty often for her family, as she rarely met them ever since she started working in the palace and nothing worrying happened at home. Every time she came home, something that would make her worry always came up. Junjie felt cornered here. He couldn't run, as he wasn't even dressed and had a blanket over him. Besides, his arm was aching, which would not help him in his getting away. He could only sigh, trying to hide his embarrassed look.

«I’m sorry, Lakai. Truly. Next time I will be more careful, I promise..»

Lakai’s hands loudly slammed on the table, her look now was surely angry, still somehow having notes of care in them. How nice of her to be angry at him and still care. Her voice was pretty loud, unlike her usual steady one, filled with notes of anger and disappointment.

«There shouldn't be any next time, Junjie! You should not get hurt, what if I won't be near?! Don't act like you came here on your own two’s and was not dragged here by Onsou! I knew the moment you mentioned father that you came here not alone. If you ever get hurt again, Junjie, I swear, I will–»

She didn't get to finish her scolding as the door to the annex flew open and two men walked in. 

«Goodness! What happened here? Why is there a bowl with blood?»

Quack immediately hid behind Lihaku, not wanting to see the blood. It was still standing on the table, but it was pretty deep in the room, so you won't notice it when you immediately walk in the room. Lihaku, however, somehow saw it. He was a promising official, after all, so it wasn't so surprising for him to notice something with blood. Quack, who was still hiding behind his guard inside, was shaking, and decided to run in the kitchen, since he shouldn't see any blood here. But he was met with a scene of Maomao angrily looking down, with her hands being slammed on the table flat, at the Lahan’s brother, who was wrapped in the blanket. 

«What’s going on here? Little lady, you shouldn't treat our guests like that.»

«He is not a guest at the moment. Ju– Lahan's brother is a patient at the moment.»

She straightened her back and fixed her appearance, so she would like her usual unbothered self. She threw a glance to the both men in the room and walked to the stove to stir the stew she was cooking. Lahan's brother gave a quick bow with his head to the doctor and gave him an awkward smile.

«I had an accident and came here to get treatment… Thankfully, Lahan's sister was here to treat me.»

«We are strangers, never say this again.»

Maybe she reacted a little too quickly to this nickname. She knew it was to tease her and she hated it. There is no need to call her that, she has lots of names here “XiaoMao”, “Maomao”, “Little lady”, “Niangniang”. Yet, he chose to call her “Lahan’s sister”. She should just add some more spice in his stew specifically, so he won't ever mess with her like that again. About messing… He was still waiting for a change of clothes, so if quack is here…

«By the way, Master Physician.» She didn't really enjoy calling the quack that, but she had no choice. «If you are back, then does it mean that Master Lihaku is back as well?»

«Sure I am, Little lady!» A man, who the youngest in the room associated with a dog, walked in the kitchen, grinning with a huge smile. She could've sworn that if he had a tail, he would be actively waving it from side to side. His voice was always filling the room quickly and loudly, which now irrated her a bit. She was hoping to scold her brother more, but now she had no way of doing that. His cheerful and questioning voice pulled her out of her thoughts once again. «What’s that you are making? It smells really nice! Is it our lunch?»

«As if. It's for the patient. That's right, Master Lihaku. Do you think you can lend Lahan’s brother one of your robes for today? His were torn in an accident and he can't wear them anymore.»

«Of course! Let's choose the best one of my robes for you, Lahan’s brother!»

Lihaku’s hand slapped the right shoulder of a seated man, which caused him to let out a loud agonizing scream. Maomao, who was not that far and would normally never hit a man, especially someone who is bigger and stronger than her, also hit him slightly in the side with her free hand, as the other was stirring the stew on the stove. 

«Ouch, what for?! Little lady, you usually keep your hands to yourself.»

«Why would you slap your hands on someone's wounds? I just stitched him, and you come around and slap him on the exact place of stitches. Do you know how painful it can be?»

Lihaku just shook his head and apologetically bowed to the seated man. It was again quiet in the room. The quack left the room soon, not being able to handle the tension in the room. The military official left almost immediately after the doctor, excusing it as he would help him. So now the siblings were left alone again. 

They didn't say anything. They were just doing their own thing: Lakai finishing the stew and Junjie just staring out of the window and thinking about something. Finally, his mindless thoughts about what and where he should plant were interrupted by a sound of a bowl being placed down in front of him.

«Your stew is ready. Please, enjoy it, elder brother. I will get from Master Lihaku a change of clothes for you and then I will explain to you a bit more about your wound. Enjoy your meal.»

Her voice was pretty quiet. She didn't want others to hear how she calls him and how caring she could actually be. She nodded to him and left the kitchen, so Jinjue was left to eating his food all alone.

The stew was really delicious. Maybe it's because he saw her cooking it herself, from scratch, just for him to eat, but everything was really good. It would be even better with some meat, but he knew that there is no way he can get his hands on it. So that was also pretty good. It had a little spice in it, one that he could easily handle. The perfect balance of spice, warmness, some herbs and vegetables. That was probably the best from all he had lately. He didn't even notice that because of that he finished his food even faster than intended. His sister hadn't even come back by the time he finished it. So he was just sitting and staring at his empty plate.

«Let’s go. Master Lihaku allowed you to change in his room. Have you already finished the meal?» With a knock door opened, with his sister's head sticking in. She didn't come in fully, just her head. Junjie gave her a nod and tried to stand up, which was a bit hard with the pain in his shoulder. Maomao came rushing to him and helped him stand. «Hopefully, I don't have to help you walk to the room as well.»

«No, but thanks for suggesting.»

She walked out of the room first. Her steps weren't heavy or too quick, easy for him to follow. How kind of him to consider that he won't be able to walk fast with the pain, even if it was starting to slowly fade.

«Did you add the painkillers to the stew?» He couldn't help but ask. She didn't answer, just continued walking slowly, before they finally reached the door.

«I don't know, did I? Either way, there are robes for you prepared to throw on. Give me the torn ones, I will return them to you once they are clean and fixed. I hope you don't need help with changing?»

A chuckle left him as he walked inside the room and closed the door behind him, leaving her alone in the corridor. She leaned with her back against the wall, taking deep breaths. She treated many injured people before, she participated in a surgery, yet, this was harder than any of that. Even seeing the Kada book for the first time wasn't as scary. Her granduncle did tell her that it might feel easy to perform surgeries and dissections on someone they don't know, but once it will be a person who they know at least a little, it will feel like hell. And it did. She knew that Junjie is scared of needles. She should've given him anesthetic instead of being petty for him calling it a minor injury. She felt bad for that. She should apologise in some way, but what could she do… Maybe give him some painkillers? Yes, he would have to undress himself at night after all. Better to give him enough for the night and morning, so the pain won't bother him as much during at least dressing up. With that she quickly slipped through the corridors to the room with all the medicines.

In the cabinet she quickly grabbed some painkillers from the purse that she would usually carry with her when was visiting Jinshi, just in case. She can mix some more for him later, for now she has her brother to take care of. Maomao with a quick step returned to the same position, just in time, as Junjie opened the door with a worried look on his face.

«Oh, Maomao. Here you are. I thought you left me. Can you pick up the clothes yourself, please? My shoulder is killing me a bit, when I try to bend.» His voice was filled with embarrassment. There was nothing embarrassing in having trouble doing something when you have an injury. She wanted to say just that, but that would be too cheesy. She has already prepared a painkiller to give him for the night and morning, so doing anything more would be a bit too much even for her. 

«Sure. You should go to your room and rest. Also, have this.» She took his left hand in her own and placed a pouch with medicine inside of it in his palm. His brows raised in confusion, to which her eyes rolled by themselves and she started explaining. «That's a painkiller. Take a small dose before you undress at night and then another small dose before dressing up in the morning. If your shoulder hurts a lot, take a bigger dose. Just try not to use everything by tomorrow. I expect you to come preferably a bit earlier than today. For today that's it, you can be free to go.»

She hid her hands in her sleeves and gave him a respectful slight bow. He didn't say anything for some time, as he was hiding the medicine inside the robe. Then his left arm fell on her head, patting it.

«Thanks. I love you, little Kaikai.» A smile appeared on his face, as those quiet words left his mouth. He was totally weird. How could he say such words with no back thoughts? That is not something that you should say so easily. Maomao’s face instantly made a grimace of a scare, which led to her brother sighing heavily. «Sometimes I wish you and Lahan were raised like I was. Perhaps then it would be easier for you to express your feelings. I will see you around then.»

He gave her another pat and left just like that. Perhaps she should've asked him if he wanted her to see him off or to help him walk to his room. But she didn't. She didn't say anything about his comment as well. She always wondered about that herself. Perhaps if she was, it would be easier for her to live this life. But she was raised in the capital by different types of people and different points of view. That was both an advantage and a disadvantage. Sometimes she cared too much about others without realising it, which was not the best for someone in her position. She was thinking too much, it's better to just take care of his clothes till the blood didn't become a part of it. With that, she walked inside the room and scooped the clothes from the floor, leaving the room open for anyone to see what's inside. She had a much more important task on her mind at that moment. Everything else is whatever.