Ch 47: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

How could Jing Li not know what dual cultivation meant? He opened his mouth, meeting Ah Yi’s gaze, and both of them felt a bit embarrassed.

Ah Yi was naturally shy and bashful, while Jing Li… had thought of something rather embarrassing.

“Let’s pick another book,” Ah Yi hurriedly put the book back as if it were burning his hands, looking a bit flustered, “We should be able to find something else.”

But they couldn’t find anything else.

Most of the strange tales available in the bookstore were written by scholars, depicting love stories between monsters and humans. It was hard to find stories written from the perspective of the monsters.

That book, The Record of Demonic Creatures… seemed to be the only one that fit Jing Li’s requirements.

Jing Li hesitated for a long time, but he still bought it in the end.

There are many ways to cultivate, so perhaps there’s something else in there.

“Help me keep this a secret. Don’t tell Qin Zhao about it,” Jing Li said to Ah Yi, his expression unusually serious.

Ah Yi blushed and nodded.

The two of them hurried back to Linxi Village on an ox cart and pushed open the courtyard gate. Qin Zhao was sitting on a bamboo chair in the courtyard, reading.

Hearing the gate open, Qin Zhao put down the book and looked up, “You’re back. Are you tired?”

“No, not tired.” Jing Li was carrying a small vegetable basket and grinned at him.

The vegetables they took to town to sell were rarely all sold out. There were always some damaged during transport, but as long as they were still edible, Jing Li would bring them back and split them with Ah Yi to take home.

Jing Li walked into the courtyard, subconsciously hiding the basket of vegetables behind him as he walked.

Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly.

His little fish could never hide his true feelings.

So, what mischief is he hiding from me this time?

Qin Zhao discreetly lowered his eyes.

As Jing Li walked past Qin Zhao, who was sitting near the stone bridge in the courtyard, he suddenly heard the latter speak in a leisurely tone, “It seems like quite a lot of vegetables were left over today. What did you bring back? Let me take a look.”

Jing Li: “!!!”

Jing Li took a half-step back, hiding the basket behind him, “It’s nothing, really. These aren’t leftovers. I just picked them from the garden.”

Qin Zhao reached out his hand and said gently, “Then let me see. What would you like to eat today?”

Jing Li didn’t move.

He met Qin Zhao’s gaze for a moment; the latter’s eyes were warm, making it impossible to refuse. Jing Li sighed in defeat, pursed his lips, and reluctantly handed over the basket under Qin Zhao’s watchful eyes.

Qin Zhao observed all of Jing Li’s reactions, lowered his eyes to hide a trace of amusement, and casually stirred the contents of the basket with his hand.

Jing Li was so nervous that he almost stopped breathing.

“Carrots again?” Qin Zhao said slowly, as if he hadn’t noticed Jing Li’s reaction, “There are still plenty left from the other day, all piled up in the kitchen. Did you forget?”

“Huh?” Jing Li was a little dazed and murmured, “I… I didn’t know…”

Jing Li’s cooking skills were really nothing to boast about. After trying his cooking once, Qin Zhao never allowed him into the kitchen easily, so Jing Li had no idea what ingredients were left at home.

Qin Zhao said, “No worries. I’ve heard that the village chief’s wife is very good at pickling vegetables. I’ll go learn from her someday and make some pickled carrots.”

Jing Li replied absentmindedly, “Alright…”

Qin Zhao chuckled softly, stopped teasing him, and tossed the carrot back into the basket. “Go change your clothes and rest for a bit; it’ll be lunchtime soon.”

Jing Li felt as if he had been granted amnesty and quickly turned to run.

He first placed the basket in the kitchen, then pulled out the thin book, The Record of Demonic Creatures, from the bottom of the basket, hid it in his clothes, and hurried back to his room.

Jing Li paced around the room several times before finally stuffing the book into the middle of his bed, carefully hiding it.

Outside in the courtyard, Qin Zhao withdrew his gaze with a smile and picked up his book again.

The next day, Xue Ren officially began making medicine.

His prescription not only required rare herbs, but the process of making the antidote was also extremely complex. From boiling the herbs to forming them into pills, the entire process took three days.

Qin Zhao and Ah Yi, who understood medicine, could help a little, while Jing Li could only assist with some minor tasks and chores.

The courtyard was filled with the strong aroma of herbs. When Jing Li pushed open the gate, he saw Qin Zhao sitting in the courtyard, looking unwell.

He quickly walked over. “Qin Zhao, are you feeling unwell?”

In front of Qin Zhao was a pot of herbal soup simmering over a low flame. His face was pale, and he shook his head.

“Are you running a fever again?”

Jing Li reached out to feel his forehead, but Qin Zhao caught his hand. “It’s nothing, I’m just—”

His palm was burning hot, making Jing Li flinch slightly.

“Is he starting to heat up?” Xue Ren poked his head out of the kitchen. “He hasn’t taken his medicine since last night, so a fever is normal. Xiao Yu, take him back to the room to lie down for a while. The new medicine will be ready this afternoon.”

Ah Yi came out of the kitchen, taking over the fan. “I’ll watch the medicine. Jing Li, you should take Mr. Qin back to his room.”

Jing Li nodded. “Alright.”

Jing Li helped Qin Zhao back to the room.

Qin Zhao’s body was frighteningly hot, and in no time, a layer of sweat had formed on his forehead. Jing Li closed the doors and windows, helped him out of his outer robe, and wrung out a cloth to wipe him down.

“Don’t worry,” Qin Zhao’s voice was hoarse as he tried to reassure him. “Dr. Xue said that to take the new medicine, the effects of the previous one must be completely dissipated, which is why I’m running a fever.”

“I… I know, so stop talking,” Jing Li replied softly.

Qin Zhao soon didn’t have the energy to speak anymore. As the effects of the previous medicine wore off, his body grew increasingly hotter, as if even lying on the bed was unbearable.

A low moan escaped from his tightly pressed lips, and his trembling hands unconsciously tugged at his collar.

“Qin Zhao!” Jing Li quickly grabbed his hands to prevent him from hurting himself.

He had seen Qin Zhao like this before.

On the night when Qin Zhao fully transformed into a human for the first time, the drug in his body had almost triggered the poison because he hadn’t taken his medicine.

If that were the case…

Jing Li glanced outside.

The door to the main house was closed, with a wooden screen separating the main hall from the bedroom and high curtains hanging on both sides of the walls. He walked over and pulled the curtains tight, completely blocking the view into the bedroom.

Then, Jing Li took off his outer robe, untied the sash of his inner garment, and climbed into bed, snuggling into Qin Zhao’s arms.

Feeling something cool against him, Qin Zhao wrapped his arms around Jing Li and held him tightly.

Jing Li shivered slightly, closed his eyes, and lifted his head to kiss the corner of Qin Zhao’s lips. The soft touch seemed to awaken some of Qin Zhao’s consciousness; he turned over, pressing Jing Li beneath him, and kissed him more fervently.

This kiss was hotter than any before, causing Jing Li to tremble all over. Gradually, faint red scales began to appear on his exposed skin.

The translucent scales were crystal clear, exuding a slight chill.

Qin Zhao gradually calmed down and released Jing Li.

Jing Li rested his head on Qin Zhao’s shoulder, enduring the tingling discomfort, and whispered, “It’s alright… It will be alright soon…”

The room returned to silence, and Jing Li, feeling Qin Zhao’s breathing become steady, finally relaxed and unknowingly fell asleep in the warm embrace.

When he woke up, Qin Zhao was no longer in bed.

Jing Li reached out and found the space beside him empty. He sat up, only to see Qin Zhao standing nearby with his back turned, washing his face with water.

“You’re awake?” Qin Zhao turned around, grabbing the towel hanging nearby to dry his face.

Jing Li, worried, asked, “Why did you get up? If you need anything, let me do it. You should lie down—”

“No need.” Qin Zhao averted his gaze and said softly, “The fever is gone.”

Jing Li blinked, belatedly realizing that his clothing had become loose. The scales on his body had receded, and his thin inner garment was barely covering him.

His ears turned a little red as he stammered, “Don’t misunderstand, I wasn’t trying to take advantage of you. I was just worried that your fever was too high and wanted to help cool you down!”

“…” Who exactly was taking advantage of whom?

Qin Zhao cleared his throat and changed the subject, “Last time, did you do the same thing?”

“Last time?” Jing Li remembered that Qin Zhao was referring to the time he rescued him from the forest. He nodded, “Yes…”

“Don’t do that again next time.” Qin Zhao hung up the towel and closed his eyes, feeling a sense of helplessness.

Heaven knows how he felt waking up to find this little one lying naked in his arms.

It almost caused the fire that he had barely managed to suppress to flare up again.

Jing Li felt a bit embarrassed as well and mumbled, “Then don’t get sick again in the future.”

Qin Zhao smiled wryly and was about to say something when there was a sudden knock on the door. “Xiao Yu, the medicine is ready. Have your husband drink it quickly.”

Jing Li responded, “Coming!”

He hurriedly dressed, while Qin Zhao went to open the door.

Xue Ren stood at the doorway with a bowl of herbal medicine. He was slightly surprised to see Qin Zhao opening the door.

Qin Zhao took the medicine, “Thank you, sir.”

As he led Xue Ren into the room, Jing Li got off the bed, his face flushed, and his lips still a bit swollen.

Xue Ren glanced at the disheveled bed and then at Qin Zhao, who seemed much more energetic than he had at noon. Understanding seemed to dawn on him: “…”

Qin Zhao said, “Please have a seat, sir.”

“Ah, alright…” Xue Ren snapped out of his thoughts, his expression complicated as he said, “This medicine needs to be drunk while it’s hot. Afterward, I’ll check your pulse.”

Qin Zhao nodded, “Alright.”

The two of them sat at the table, and Qin Zhao quickly drank the medicine. Jing Li handed him two pieces of candied fruit and eagerly took the bowl back to the kitchen.

Qin Zhao turned his head to watch the boy’s departing figure, unable to suppress a smile.

Xue Ren: “…”

This is sickeningly sweet.

Xue Ren cleared his throat and said, “Let me see your hand.”

He took Qin Zhao’s pulse, his brows furrowing slightly before relaxing. He remained silent for a long time.

Qin Zhao asked, “Did you notice something, sir?”

“Your pulse has calmed down significantly; the poison has been brought under control,” Xue Ren said, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

Qin Zhao understood.

Just like the last time when Jing Li had rescued him from the mountains, he hadn’t taken any medicine that night, yet the next day, instead of worsening, his condition had improved.

Perhaps there truly was something in this little fish that could suppress the effects of the poison.

Qin Zhao pondered this and then asked, “Do you know what might have caused the pulse to stabilize, sir?”

“Of course I know!” Xue Ren suddenly seemed a bit irritated, “How could I not see it?”

Qin Zhao: “?”

Xue Ren gave him a look of exasperation, as if disappointed in him, and then spoke earnestly, “But I must advise you, this method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. Moreover, your body is already severely weakened, so in the future, you shouldn’t resort to this.”

Qin Zhao frowned, not quite understanding what Xue Ren meant.

He asked, “What do you mean by that, sir?”

Xue Ren looked a bit embarrassed and cleared his throat before saying gruffly, “The drug Chenhuan San is meant to boost energy and stimulate blood flow. Given your youth, it’s understandable that you might lose control at times. However, you’ve been taking withdrawal decoctions for a long time, and your body isn’t as strong as it once was. You can’t afford to lose any more vitality. You must exercise restraint, and if something can’t be done, don’t do it!”

Qin Zhao: “…”

Jing Li, who had just walked in: “???”