Chapter 81

At the rehabilitation centre, Tang Yi-Bai and Yun Duo were living in a two-bedroom house with a living room. It was not much different than any other small residential house. Bright and early, Yun Duo got out of bed and walked out of her bedroom, only to see Tang Yi-Bai wandering around with just his boxers on. He had a great body which looked perfect from all angles, so he was completely unafraid of showing it off. As he walked, the movements of his long legs made his hips rise and fall, and caused his narrow waist to swing slightly from side to side. Yun Duo was almost struck by a nose bleed just watching him.

She put a hand to her forehead in helpless resignation. "Aren't you... cold?"

Tang Yi-Bai turned to look at her innocently. "No one helped me to put on my clothes." He stated it with an air of great righteousness.

Yun Duo shook her head. "I must have owed you in a past life."

As a career swimmer, Tang Yi-Bai did not think there was anything wrong with his appearance right now. After all, he often appeared in the public eye in just his swimming trunks. Right then, he was not in any hurry to put on clothes, going to wash up first instead.

Yun Duo could only follow after him and help him squeeze out some toothpaste. The two of them brushed their teeth together and then they washed their faces together. Tang Yi-Bai was a one-armed bandit at the moment, so he was cleaning his face like how a kitten would. Yun Duo could not bear to watch any further so she helped him with that, and once his face was clean, she reflexively applied some moisturiser onto his face.

Tang Yi-Bai was disgruntled. "What is this stuff? I don't need it."

Yun Duo ignored his protests and spread the moisturiser evenly over his face, gently patting it into his skin. Although Tang Yi-Bai was still objecting verbally, he was quite cooperative, bending down to make things easier for her. He looked at her and said, "Oh well, you can do whatever you like to me."

After she was done, Yun Duo cupped his face and kissed him on the cheek. "Done, my handsome hunk."

Tang Yi-Bai chuckled and stroked her hair. "Thank you, my little beauty."

After breakfast, the two of them snuggled on the couch to watch a movie together. Halfway through the movie, Dr. Xu brought two people over to see them. One of them had some grey in his hair, while the other had a full head of white hair. Both of them had ruddy complexions. Dr. Xu made some brief introductions. The one with the white hair was his grand-uncle, surname Kang, and the one with greying hair was the youngest son of this grand-uncle, so he was also Dr. Xu's uncle, aged 55 this year.

Grandpa Kang was in good spirits. Though his countenance was stern, his eyes were bright and focused. When he met Tang Yi-Bai and Yun Duo, he merely dipped his head in a slight nod. In contrast, the younger Uncle Kang was much friendlier and more approachable. He shook Tang Yi-Bai's hand and patted him lightly on the shoulder, smiled and said, "We've heard all about you. Well done! We'll definitely do our best to help treat your injury. Not to brag, but there was a 70-year old lady back in our hometown who had fallen down and broke her leg. My dad treated her, and after a month, that old lady could already get up and walk again."

Yun Duo's eyes shone. "So miraculous?"

Uncle Kang nodded emphatically. "Just so! The Kang family is known far and wide for treating bone injuries. Many foreigners come to us seeking treatment. Young lady, let me tell you, my dad doesn't leave home for frivolous reasons. He wouldn't be here if he hadn't heard that Tang Yi-Bai was an athlete and had an upcoming race." As he spoke, he patted Tang Yi-Bai's shoulder again. "Yi-Bai, don't worry. You can leave your bones to us! We guaranteed you'll be back in the pool within a month!"

Leave your bones to us... this sounded quite creepy to Yun Duo.

Grandpa Kang coughed lightly. "Bigmouth!" Even though he was chastising his son, his expression wasn't harsh, and there was even some amusement in his eyes.

Tang Yi-Bai said, "I'll be in your care then."

Subsequently, Uncle Kang examined Tang Yi-Bai and asked him some questions. The purpose of the diagnostic examination was not just to confirm his condition — his injury was already certified from the previous x-rays. Right now, this examination was mainly so they could familiarise themselves with Tang Yi-Bai's physique and come up with a customised treatment plan. The prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine can vary greatly. For similar symptoms, different people might have to take completely different medication. There was no universal prescription for an illness. There were many health programs on tv now where experts liked to recommend the audience to take this or that, while there were some others who leaned towards peddling strange prescriptions. All kinds of bizarre things could be found there and they should be viewed with suspicion. Although those experts may not be wrong, there was one crucial point which they did not make clear: These foods and prescriptions were not suitable for everyone. They might even be harmful to some people.

Yun Duo had not held much hope to begin with, but she could not help but want to latch on to this hope that had appeared before her eyes... at this moment, she was silently waiting for Grandpa Kang to finish his examination, hoping that he could say something encouraging. However, Grandpa Kang was not as verbose and was much more cautious. He only nodded and said, "I'll prescribe a treatment. Let's try that."

Yun Duo couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa Kang, how is his condition?"

Grandpa Kang glanced at Yun Duo and asked instead of answering, "What is your relation to him?"

Tang Yi-Bai explained, "She's my girlfriend."

"I see." Grandpa Kang nodded, and then in front of everyone there, he said very bluntly, "Kidneys have great influence on the bones and produce marrow. It would be best if you two abstain from having intercourse for now."

Yun Duo's face instantly turned as red as a boiled lobster. Tang Yi-Bai snickered at the sight and nodded at Grandpa Kang. "Okay, I'll remember."

The Kang father and son duo then dragged in a large suitcase, which turned out to be filled with medicinal herbs when they popped it open. The rehabilitation centre was located in the suburbs, so there were no large Chinese medical halls in the area. Thus, the duo had simply brought along a great number of the medicines they needed. Moreover, many of the prescriptions of the famous TCM practitioners these days were kept secret and confidential — they might be traditional recipes left behind by the family's ancestors. Therefore, even Tang Yi-Bai himself was left in the dark about the medication prescribed by Grandpa Kang. Uncle Kang was the only one to read the prescription before taking it away to gather the required herbs and ingredients. There were 3 ingredients on the list which they had not brought with them, so someone had to go to the closest Tong Ren Tang{同仁堂: A Chinese pharmaceutical company founded in 1669. It is now the largest producer of traditional Chinese medicine.} to purchase them.

Uncle Kang was also the one to prepare the medicine. Yun Duo offered to help, but was refused due to "never having prepared medicine before".

The group of four had lunch together. Yun Duo ordered many dishes, specially ordering some steamed perch as well as some pork bone soup for Tang Yi-Bai. Uncle Kang saw how patiently Yun Duo was in helping Tang Yi-Bai pick out the fish bones, and praised her with a hearty laugh, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, Yi-Bai, you really chose a good wife."

Tang Yi-Bai's lips curved into a wide smile as he looked at Yun Duo's blushing face, his eyes almost overflowing with tenderness.

After lunch, it was time for Tang Yi-Bai to take his medicine. Yun Duo watched as he took a small sip from the bowl of medicine, which was so dark it was almost black. Instantly, his brows locked together into a bitter grimace. "This taste is really..."

Uncle Kang stared at him speechlessly. "You think you're having tea? Finish it all in one go!"

Tang Yi-Bai held his breath and gulped down the medicine. After he was done, the mind-bending taste still lingered on his tongue. He looked piteously at Yun Duo. "Duoduo, this thing tastes terrible."

Yun Duo felt sorry for him and gave him some water, as well as a sugar cube. Uncle Kang really could not stand watching their lovey-dovey display any further, hurrying out the door with the empty bowl.

That night, after dinner and more medicine, the two of them found themselves with nothing to do, so they climbed up onto the roof to stargaze. It was an early summer night. The suburbs were still a little chilly. Tang Yi-Bai put an arm around Yun Duo's shoulders, covering the both of them up with his jacket. There was not as much light pollution here as in the city, so they could see many stars in the night sky. Yun Duo pointed up at the sky and told Tang Yi-Bai stories about the constellations. Her voice was soft and light, slow and unhurried, seeping in like a refreshing glass of lemon tea in the hot summer. Tang Yi-Bai listened quietly. At first, he was listening attentively to the stories, but as time went on, his attention started to drift as he became enthralled by her lovely, gentle voice. He bowed his head to kiss her cheek, as gentle as a falling snowflake. Yun Duo's voice came to an abrupt stop. She clutched at his sleeve, her heart rabbiting in her chest. She pushed him away gently. "Tang Yi-Bai..."

"Duoduo, Duoduo," Tang Yi-Bai called her name softly, heat in his voice. He said, "How can I like you this much, Duoduo..."

He captured her lips in a deep kiss. Yun Duo's heart felt hot and her body felt weak. She felt like she was about to melt in his fiery embrace.

The night breeze was blowing, but it could not cool the small pocket of warmth here in this world. There was a fragrance in the air, of an unknown flower, faint and mesmerising, almost about to seep through skin to reach the deepest recesses of the heart.

Yun Duo hugged Tang Yi-Bai about the waist, lifting her head to return his kiss. She followed his movements, teasing at his tongue with her own. Each touch was enough to drive him crazy, and his arm around her waist tightened reflexively, pulling her even deeper into his embrace like he wanted to draw her into his own body.

Their evening rooftop study of the stars had been particularly meaningful. Tang Yi-Bai was very, very satisfied, and would like to state that he looked forward to the next time.

Tang Yi-Bai found that, ever since he had been injured, Yun Duo had been gentle and accommodating to him. She had been so considerate that it made his heart ache. What to do? His Duoduo was becoming cuter and cuter — he was about to be completely bewitched by her...

And yet, Yun Duo's thoughtfulness and submission just made him push the limits.

The next morning, Yun Duo found herself waking up in Tang Yi-Bai's arms. Her head was pillowed on his arm while his other arm in a cast was resting lightly on her body. Also, a long and powerful leg was curled around her body, hooking her close to him.

Yun Duo thought she was dreaming. She raised her head dully, just in time to make eye contact with Tang Yi-Bai. He was staring at her with a wide smile. When he saw that she was awake, he leaned in to kiss her.

Yun Duo retreated backwards to escape, and after taking two rolls, she dropped to the floor with a 'thump'.

Tang Yi-Bai: "..."

Yun Duo scrambled up and asked nervously, "W-w-w-w-what is going on? Why are you in my bed?"

Tang Yi-Bai reclined on the bed on his side, his head resting on his left hand, and his two long legs were held close together and bent at a casual angle, sprawled out on the bed. He was as redolent as a noble lady — a naked noble lady. The morning sunlight shone through the gaps in the curtain to illuminate his body. He laid there in the sunlight like a perfect statue. His body was just too good — even with one arm in a cast, lying here on the bed right now dressed in just his underpants, he looked good enough to make one's blood vessels dilate.

Yun Duo ran a hand through her hair and ignored Tang Yi-Bai's flirty looks. She hit him with a pillow. "Answer me!"

Tang Yi-Bai said, "I don't remember."

"... What does that mean?"

"I might have sleepwalked?"

Yun Duo was sceptical. "Have you sleepwalked before?"

"No, I think this might be a side effect of my injury this time."

Yun Duo hit him with the pillow again. "When has sleepwalking ever been a side effect of a bone fracture? Making such a huge leap from orthopaedics into neurology? You would be a medical wonder!"

Tang Yi-Bai grinned and dodged. "Duoduo, I was wrong. I too don't know why I would sleepwalk. Please forgive me this time, okay? ... Ouch, that hurts!"

Yun Duo jumped, quickly throwing aside the pillow and climbing up onto the bed to look at him. She asked anxiously, "Where does it hurt? Is it your hand?"

Tang Yi-Bai suddenly flipped over to press her under him. One of his arms was by her ear as he bent down again to kiss her.

Yun Duo smacked a palm up to cover his face, expressionless. "Go wash up now!"

After breakfast, the two of them slipped out of the house to wander about. The mood was leisurely — it was like they were living the life of retirees in advance. There was a large field of poppy flowers on the north side of the rehabilitation centre. Right then, they were in full bloom — fiery red, snowy white, and delicate yellow entwined together like a vivid and vibrant brocade, especially beautiful. One's mood couldn't help but soar just looking at it.

Tang Yi-Bai said, "It's lovely here. Good for taking pictures. Let's take our wedding photos here when we get married."

Two people sat on a bench on the fringes of the flower field. One of them was Uncle Kang, and the other was a track and field athlete. Uncle Kang was reading the palm of the athlete, already discussing his destiny of getting married and having kids, leaving the athlete in a complete daze.

Yun Duo couldn't help laughing.

Uncle Kang saw the two of them and warned, "Don't touch those flowers. They're poisonous."

"Oh."

Just then, that track athlete ran off on the excuse that he had a prior appointment. And then Uncle Kang called Tang Yi-Bai and Yun Duo over. "Come here and sit. Let me read your palms."

Yun Duo stretched out her hand first. Uncle Kang peered at her palm for a moment and then said, "Actually, palmistry is not about just looking at the lines on the palm. You also have to look at the shape and appearance of the hands. Your hands, well, I can tell they are blessed hands with just one look. Now let me look at your palm lines. Marriage line... oh, very nice. Very fulfilling. Career line... Hmm, some troubles in your youth. See here? There's a break here. Your life line is also pretty good."

The lines on Yun Duo's palms were rather clean and straightforward. Uncle Kang ended his reading here and moved on to Tang Yi-Bai. He was instantly struck by surprise. "What's this? Both of your palm lines are quite similar. All full of blissful romance, some troubles in your careers. Why don't I take a look at your Ba-Zi?"

Tang Yi-Bai said, "You're really very knowledgeable, aren't you? Knowing a bit of everything?"

Uncle Kang replied smugly, "Well, I like to dabble in these kinds of gossipy things when I can. Treating illnesses is actually my side job."

He was beginning to look even more like a con artist. Yun Duo had nothing better to do anyway, so she just sat there and listened to him go on. The couple reported their birthdates and locations of birth, and Uncle Kang did not disappoint — without even having to refer to a perpetual calendar, he managed to figure out their Ba-Zi. After that, it was a flurry of explanations. To Tang Yi-Bai: "You have a turbulent youth. Of course, these ups and downs are mainly around your career. But you don't have to worry. You will meet a benefactor. With the help of this lucky person, you will be able to overcome all dangers, trials and tribulations, to weather through the storm to bright skies and soar. Oh, yes," he said, gesturing at Yun Duo, "Judging from the signs, you should be his benefactor."

Yun Duo smiled, her face framed by her hands. "Uncle, you really know how to speak. I really feel like giving you money!"

Uncle Kang laughed and said, "Treatment costs, medical expenses, and even travel expenses, your national team will pay us, so you don't need to give me any more money."

Tang Yi-Bai smiled as well. Like Yun Duo, he did not really believe in all this, but it was still nice to hear a fortune teller saying so many pleasant things.

Uncle Kang added, "Let me now test the compatibility of your Ba-Zi. Oh, wow, these Ba-Zi... oh my, these Ba-Zi. Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

Yun Duo was overwhelmed with curiosity by his words and tone. She asked, "What's wrong with our Ba-Zi?"

"You two, are lovers who have been estranged for seven lifetimes. Your fates have been cultivating for those seven lifetimes without achieving completion. Now, in this eighth lifetime, it has finally come to fruition. I was just wondering how strange it was that both your marriage lines are so good. It's very rare to find good marriage lines. Other people have lines that are branching or broken, but you two — such lovely marriage lines, and for me to encounter two at one time? I was so curious about it, and it turns out the story is here waiting for me! Oh, oh, oh, this is amazing. The two of you will definitely end up together. Remember to invite me to the wedding!"

"Definitely," said Tang Yi-Bai with a smile, "I also feel like giving you money now."

After that, Uncle Kang also told them what being estranged lovers for seven lifetimes were like. Yun Duo felt that this uncle was really, really loquacious. From just two sets of Ba-Zi, he managed to concoct a romance spanning seven lifetimes. Besides that, he also had some OCD for logical order. The seven love stories were arranged in chronological order, and as he told the stories, the details needed to match the characteristics of the corresponding dynasties. There was never any embarrassment due to a mix-up of timelines. Due to time constraints (they had to eat after all), Uncle Kang only gave them a brief overview of their seven romances. He then made an appointment with Tang Yi-Bai so he could tell him the details later on.

A talent, this man was truly a one-of-a-kind talent.

That night, before going to sleep, in order to prevent Tang Yi-Bai from 'sleepwalking' again, Yun Duo locked her bedroom door. She had lain down but wasn't asleep yet when she heard someone calling out to her from outside. It was Tang Yi-Bai. "Duoduo? Duoduo?"

Yun Duo did not say anything. She wanted to see what he was up to.

The door knob turned but could not be opened. Yun Duo thought he left after that, but a while later, she heard a key being inserted into the lock.

She was speechless, and got out of bed to open the door. She looked at him outside the door. "You can look for a key to open the door while sleepwalking?"

Tang Yi-Bai was caught red-handed, but he was able to remain calm by relying on his strong mental fortitude. He rubbed her head and tried his luck. "Duoduo, can I sleep with you?"

"No."

He was crestfallen. "I just want to hug you and sleep. It's not like I can do anything anyway."

Yun Duo looked at him with one of his arms in a cast, and she felt herself relenting. After all, he was a patient and had to drink such bitter medicine every day. Couldn't she just satisfy this small request from him?

A person was usually more amenable when they were drowsy, because drowsiness caused people to be less tense and alert. Yun Duo was defeated by his pitiful appearance and so she pulled him into her room. She did not forget to warn him though. "You really can't do anything. The doctor already said that you have to practice abstinence."

"Okay." He promised resolutely.

She hesitated again. "Will I accidentally put pressure on your hand?"

"No, I'll sleep on your right side."

He then laid down on Yun Duo's bed and held her in his arms. Tang Yi-Bai's heart was filled with happiness. Her soft body exuded an enchanting scent, and the curves of her body fitted so closely to his body. This inadvertent temptation left his mouth dry and his heart itchy, like something wanted to scratch its way out.

He knew all too well what it was. Lust. Unshakeable lust and desire. If he let it out, it would be a tidal wave.

No, he couldn't. He needed to recuperate first. Did he think he was the condor hero{This is a reference to the main character of the novel 'The Return of the Condor Heroes', Yang Guo. He ends up losing an arm but was still a great lover to his love interest, Xiaolongnü.}? Not right now! He couldn't!

Tang Yi-Bai struggled to suppress his desire. He took a deep breath, and thought: 'Once my injury is healed, the first thing I want to do is not to return to the pool, but to devour my Duoduo.' ^_^

****** END CHAPTER *******

The author has something to say: Some of you actually suspect Dr. Xu might be fishy? You're overthinking it all. As for bone fractures, TCM practitioners do actually have prescriptions to speed up recovery, and quite a lot of them too. But of course, there are also many plans which slow down the recovery time instead. o(╯□╰)o

Oh right, let's take this chance to explain something else as well. As far as I know, any staff who is hired by the national team needs to go through investigation and a background check. I'm not sure if this is correct, but if it's not, then just assume the setting of this story is based on this inaccurate fact. And so Lin Zi did not try to sneak his way onto the national team out of fear that he would be exposed during this checking procedure, only causing trouble outside the team.

Yup, now they are already sleeping together, it won't be long before Yun Duo is properly devoured. Before the story ends, Doudou will definitely get his wish~

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Next: Chapter 82

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