A Divine Farmer

Chapter 237 - Premeditated

“Why are you in a position to judge me?” Qu Moyao's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red, “Do you even know who I am?”

“I, I, I…” Gao Loong's scalp tingled with discomfort, “I don't, I don't. Mr. Zhang, there's nothing going on between Dr. Qu and me…”

Liu Zhongjun was already pressing his hand to his forehead, watching the two squabble was turning into quite the spectacle for Zhang Xiaolong.

“They're just messing around,” Liu Zhongjun pondered for a moment, realizing that to soothe Qu Moyao, he needed to address Zhang Xiaolong, “Dr. Qu's personality is quite… quite formidable. Most wouldn't dare to cross her, Mr. Zhang, I hope there's no confusion on your part.”

Qu Moyao was all ears, curious about Zhang Xiaolong's perception of her.

True to Liu Zhongjun's description, her demeanor was such that even Gao Loong and his peers were wary of her. Yet, acknowledging her fondness for Zhang Xiaolong was something she found embarrassing. Nevertheless, Liu Zhongjun's recent remarks felt like an inadvertent declaration of her feelings, and while she maintained a stoic exterior, inwardly she was sincerely appreciative.

“Formidable?” Zhang Xiaolong chuckled, “That's not the impression I had. To me, Dr. Qu seems to be a person of integrity and meticulousness. Discovering this other side of her is quite the revelation. She truly is our valiant heroine!”

“Exactly. In a place like this, someone who falls apart over a scratch, no matter how attractive, would be too high-maintenance for us. But Dr. Qu is not like that. Aside from her beauty, her resilience alone sets her apart, surpassing even that of many men,” Liu Zhongjun remarked with a sense of admiration.

“She's certainly impressive!” Zhang Xiaolong complimented again.

Listening in, Qu Moyao felt a mix of pride and frustration. Despite Zhang Xiaolong's commendations, she sensed they were missing the mark, prompting her to interject impatiently, “Hey, are we going or not? We still need to collect the Blood Converging Vine.”

Prompted by her words, Zhang Xiaolong promptly made his way over, scooped up the Blood Converging Vine with the shovel from the medicine basket, and handed it to Liu Zhongjun and the rest.

Turning back, he located the little green snake he had knocked unconscious. Picking it up, he addressed Qu Moyao, “This snake is also called Blood Converging. It's commonly found near the Blood Converging Vine. Its venom isn't very potent; it won't kill a person, just cause some discomfort. It usually doesn't bite unless provoked. I think we should let it go.”

“Fine,” Qu Moyao responded with feigned displeasure. “The way you put it, you'd think I was some kind of murderer.”

Zhang Xiaolong was unfazed. He tapped the Blood Converging Snake's head gently twice, and the creature woke up, groggy. Realizing it was being held, it quickly tried to bite him again.

“Stop that!” Zhang Xiaolong commanded.

The snake shuddered with fear and ceased its movement. It then snuggled against his hand, rubbing against it affectionately.

“I'm going to take one of these Blood Converging Vines, but I'll bring back more later. Now, off you go. Hide yourself well in the future and try not to bite people,” Zhang Xiaolong advised as he set the snake down.

The little snake hesitated, then nodded as if in reverence, before swiftly disappearing into the underbrush.

“You… can communicate with it?” Qu Moyao asked, her face a picture of astonishment, as if the man before her was shrouded in enigma.

“Not exactly. I don't speak snake, but it seems to grasp some of what I'm saying,” Zhang Xiaolong explained. He knew the snake couldn't understand his words, but the divine power he exuded while speaking likely conveyed his emotions, enabling animals to comprehend a bit.

Everyone, including Qu Moyao and Liu Zhongjun, was amazed by his skill. They felt incredibly fortunate to have encountered such an extraordinary individual on their journey; without him, their chances of survival would have been slim.

With their mission accomplished, the group prepared to head back. Qu Moyao had barely taken a few steps when she suddenly winced, clutching at her wound as if in severe pain.

Just moments ago, she was poised to confront Gao Loong with force, but now she had become a delicate woman unable to even walk. Liu Zhongjun and the others were keenly aware of the subtle shift in her condition.

“The venom of the Blood Converging Vine isn't particularly potent, but it does heighten the body's sensitivity. Although the venom has been expelled, the symptoms will take a while to fully subside,” Zhang Xiaolong clarified. “Someone should carry her.”

That's when it dawned on everyone that Dr. Qu wasn't faking her weakness.

Gao Loong was ready to volunteer his help, but Liu Zhongjun stopped him with a stern look.

“We're not the best candidates to carry her,” Liu Zhongjun remarked. “Dr. Qu is a woman, and we're all men…”

Zhang Xiaolong was torn between amusement and frustration. “Even though I'm not a soldier, I am still a man. What are you implying? That I lack a masculine presence?”

“No, not at all. Mr. Zhang, with your martial prowess, claiming you lack masculinity would leave no hope for the rest of us men. I'd marry you myself if I were a woman,” Liu Zhongjun said, offering a rare compliment.

“Let's not go there. If you were a woman, I'd be running in the opposite direction!” Zhang Xiaolong replied, a look of mock horror on his face.

Qu Moyao couldn't help but giggle, then she turned to Zhang Xiaolong with a beseeching look. “Could you carry me for a while?”

Her request was as clear as it could be. Everyone understood the significance of her asking a man to carry her at this moment.

Zhang Xiaolong let out a sigh. “Can't any of you come up with a solution?”

He swiftly drew a military dagger from Liu Zhongjun's gear and chopped down two small trees nearby. They fell with a thud.

“Tie them together with some rope to make a makeshift stretcher. You guys are the experts here; surely you don't need me to handle this, do you?” Zhang Xiaolong challenged.

Liu Zhongjun felt a mix of embarrassment and frustration. They were elite soldiers, not to be outdone by the task of constructing a stretcher. But deep down, he knew this was all about giving Zhang Xiaolong and the lady a chance to connect.

At this point, if they didn't take action, it would seem rather absurd.

He gestured for the two to get ready, and within minutes, the stretcher was assembled.

Qu Moyao glanced at the stretcher, then at Zhang Xiaolong, and bit her lip with determination. “No need, I can walk by myself!”

With those words, she began to walk away, but after only a couple of steps, she stopped, her expression revealing the intense pain from her wound.

“Mr. Zhang…” Liu Zhongjun said, looking somewhat distressed.

He could usually get through to others, but Dr. Qu was the exception. In situations like this, she wouldn't listen to anyone.

Zhang Xiaolong approached and gently patted Qu Moyao's shoulder. “Please, lie down on the stretcher.”

“No!” Qu Moyao protested, sounding hurt.

Suddenly, she found herself unable to move, and she toppled backward.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Qu Moyao exclaimed in alarm.

“Captain Liu, take her away,” Zhang Xiaolong instructed succinctly.

It was only then that Qu Moyao realized she had fallen right onto the stretcher. Clearly, this guy had planned it all along. She was so infuriated she could barely contain herself!