Fortunately, he had already accumulated three thank-yous. With a little more effort, ten thank-yous should be achievable soon.
Suddenly, Qin Siye's eyes flickered a few times, and he turned his head to ask, "Can this matter just now earn me a thank-you?"
Shen Xi pondered for a moment before replying, "Of course."
With one more thank-you, he now had four, moving him one step closer to his goal. Qin Siye's expression finally cleared from gloom to a happy smile.
The two managed to climb back onto the path they had taken earlier and continued to support each other as they walked.
Not long after they set off, it suddenly started to rain. Both of them immediately took out their raincoats and put them on.
However, the rain intensified, and the path became increasingly muddy, making progress difficult.
Shen Xi, fearing the rain would wet Qin Siye's wound and cause infection, turned her head and said loudly, "Mr. Qin, the rain is too heavy. Shall we find a place to shelter from the rain first?"
To her surprise, she was met with Qin Siye's slightly displeased gaze.
Shen Xi, not understanding, asked, "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
"What do you think?" Qin Siye stared directly at her, his tone laced with a hint of sternness, "You've already agreed to let me pursue you, and you still haven't changed how you address me."
"Oh, sorry, it's a habit," Shen Xi chuckled sheepishly and then said again, "Qin Siye, shall we find a place to shelter from the rain first?"
"Okay," Qin Siye readily agreed, and a smile slowly bloomed on his somber face.
They both looked around and saw a cave ahead. They then stepped onto the muddy path and, braving the wind and rain, slowly walked towards it.
As they reached the cave entrance, Qin Siye keenly sensed something unusual inside and gestured for Shen Xi to remain silent.
He shielded her behind him, drew a short knife again, and slowly moved inward.
After advancing about ten meters, they reached a relatively open area. A small campfire was burning there, with a man tending to it. To his right lay a woman, seemingly asleep.
"Uncle," Qin Siye exclaimed in surprise, quickly sheathing his knife.
"Siye, what are you doing here?" Qin Xiuyi suddenly stood up, looking at him in disbelief.
Hearing this, Shen Xi immediately emerged from behind Qin Siye and ran forward quickly. Looking at the woman on the ground with a flushed face, she asked with concern, "Mr. Qin, what's wrong with my aunt?"
"She was bitten by a poisonous snake, developed a fever, and has been unconscious," Qin Xiuyi sighed, his voice filled with apology and self-reproach.
"Ah? How could this happen?" Shen Xi trembled slightly and immediately crouched down to feel Mei Yun's forehead. It was indeed very hot.
The temperature was likely no lower than 39 degrees Celsius.
"Where is the wound?" Shen Xi asked, looking up in panic.
Qin Xiuyi pointed to Mei Yun's right foot and replied, "On her right ankle. I've already treated... treated the wound."
Treated? How did he treat it? In these remote mountains, without medical knowledge, how could he treat it?
The only method, the most primitive one, was to suck the venom out of Mei Yun's mouth.
Qin Siye and Shen Xi exchanged glances, looking at him in surprise for a few seconds.
Shen Xi immediately uncovered Mei Yun's right leg. There was indeed a deep wound there, with redness and swelling around it.
"It seems that snake was very venomous. Despite the timely treatment, the venom still penetrated into my aunt's body, which is why she has a high fever and remains unconscious."
Shen Xi's eyes reddened, her hands clenched tightly, doing her best to control her slightly trembling body.
At this moment, Qin Siye gently placed his right hand on her shoulder and said with a pained expression, "Shen Xi, don't worry too much. Your aunt has a guardian spirit; she'll be fine."
"Mm," Shen Xi replied, took a deep breath, quickly took out a pill from her bag, and placed it in Mei Yun's mouth. With Qin Xiuyi's help, she gave it to her with water.
Then, she took out an acupuncture needle bag and inserted a few needles around Mei Yun's wound to prevent the toxin from spreading further.
Following that, she firmly squeezed the wound bit by bit, trying to expel as much blood as possible.
This was because the blood already contained toxins and needed to be expelled.
After more than ten minutes, Shen Xi was exhausted and covered in sweat.
At this point, Qin Xiuyi offered to take over.
After Shen Xi explained the method to him, she stood up and made way for him.
After only a few squeezes, whether due to the medication or Qin Xiuyi's heavy hand, Mei Yun's body reacted.
She frowned deeply and slowly opened her eyes. Upon seeing Shen Xi's face, she suddenly cried out, "Xi Xi, is that you? Am I... am I dreaming?"