The doctor took her pulse and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, her pulse is stabilizing—she’s been saved! Where did you find a thousand-year-old ginseng?"
Margaret Evans wiped her tears and said, "My son-in-law dug it up in the mountains."
The doctor asked, "Is it that young man next door?"
Margaret Evans nodded, "Yes, that's him."
The doctor clicked his tongue, "That young man is really lucky. I just treated him—he was covered in injuries. Looks like he took quite a tumble in the mountains. Sigh, going up there for ginseng in this weather is risking your life! Madam, your daughter is truly blessed to have such a devoted husband."
Margaret Evans cried and laughed, "Yes, my Lily is blessed, and my Lucky too. Now that both are safe, it’s all thanks to the Bodhisattva’s protection. I’ll go light an incense stick right away!"
"Mmm..." Lily Evans lay with her eyes closed, feeling half her body burning hot and the other half icy cold. The clash of fire and ice made her teeth chatter, and the sensation of drowning washed over her again. She took a deep breath and suddenly opened her eyes.
"Madam is awake! Madam is awake!" April's delighted voice sounded in her ear.
Lily Evans’s head felt numb and heavy as she groggily saw a crowd gathered around her bedside.
"Daughter, you’re finally awake! The doctor says you’ll be fine now that you’re conscious!" Margaret Evans’s tears fell again as she smiled and wiped her eyes, bringing over a bowl of medicine. "Lily, drink your medicine."
Belle helped Lily Evans sit up and propped a pillow behind her back. Lily glanced outside—the sky was pitch black. It must be the middle of the night.
After drinking the medicine, Lily felt a bit more clear-headed. She looked at everyone—each with dark circles under their eyes. She could guess they’d all been worried for days without sleep.
"It’s my fault—I made everyone worry." Lily managed a small smile, her spirits lifting a little.
Margaret Evans wiped her tears and went to tell Belle to bring over the shredded chicken porridge.
Lily looked around. She was back in her own room, but Lucky wasn’t there.
In her memory, after she fell into the water, someone pulled her out—who was it? Lucky!
Lily shuddered. That water was freezing, and she’d gotten so sick from it. Lucky had jumped in after her—how was he now?
"Mom, where’s Lucky? He pulled me out of the water—how is he?" Lily asked anxiously.
"Lucky’s fine, he’s sleeping in the next room. Uncle Arthur and Eugene Jr. are watching over him—he’s alright. Lily, have some chicken porridge," Margaret Evans said.
Lily nodded. Lucky was strong and healthy—not frail like her. He’d probably just caught a cold from jumping in after her. Her stomach growled, and she wolfed down two bowls of chicken porridge, finally feeling her strength return.
Once Lily finished her porridge, Margaret Evans finally told her what had happened while she was unconscious.
When Lily heard that Lucky had risked his life to dig up ginseng for her, and had come back half-dead, she was both moved and anxious. She insisted on seeing Lucky immediately.
Margaret Evans couldn’t dissuade her, so she bundled Lily up warmly and had Belle help her over to the next room to see Lucky.
Lucky lay on the bed, eyes closed in a deep sleep, his cheeks still flushed. Lily walked over and sat beside him, reaching out to touch his slightly feverish forehead.
Lucky’s face was covered in injuries—some from falling, some from frostbite. Medicine had been applied, but his handsome face was now blotchy and bruised, almost comical.
Lily gently stroked his face, tears spilling down as she murmured, "Why are you so foolish? Going up the mountain for ginseng in this weather—you’re really risking your life."