〈Romance of An-ping: Miss
Jin’s Interethnic Love Story〉7

Chapter 6 – Shayun Carefully Tends to Junsheng’s Health

26

The air in the early morning was slightly cool. Under the gray and hazy sky, the fine rain had still not stopped. Dalay carried a bag of steaming hot food and hurried along the small path leading to the Han medical clinic. The leaves by the roadside were soaked from last night’s torrential rain and swayed gently in the wind, making rustling sounds. In the distance, the outlines of the mountains could be faintly seen, while the hazy mist obscured everything like a gray canvas.

When Dalay reached the front of the clinic, he gently knocked on the door. The door panel made a light sound. Hearing the noise, Shayun rubbed her eyes and slowly propped herself up, her gaze still carrying the confusion of not yet being fully awake. Her hair was scattered messily across the pillow, and the thin blanket on her body had slipped down, revealing a corner of her shoulder. Her fair skin appeared unusually soft under the dim light.

Outside the door, Dalay frowned slightly. He pushed the door open and walked in. His gaze involuntarily fell upon Shayun, and then suddenly swept across Junsheng, who was still sleeping on the bed. The embarrassment on his face could not be concealed. His heartbeat quickened somewhat, and he deliberately lowered his head as he handed the bag to Shayun.

Dalay spoke somewhat awkwardly: “Sis, you…”

Shayun quickly put on her upper garment, her movements somewhat hurried, as if she wanted to cover up something. She gently shook her head and said in a low voice, “Shh, the doctor is sick. Let him rest well. Go wait for me in the consultation room for a moment.” She turned toward the bed and quietly prepared to tuck Junsheng in properly.

Seeing this, Dalay immediately and tactfully turned around and left. His steps were brisk as he walked toward the consultation room, though a trace of worry had unconsciously appeared on his face.

After putting on her clothes, Shayun turned around and wanted to tidy up the messy bed. Outside the window, among the banana trees, Lalu quietly appeared. Her figure could be faintly seen standing among the dense green leaves, silently witnessing the scene that had just occurred. She tightly gripped the basket in her hand, and her fingertips gradually turned pale. Her eyes were fixed upon Junsheng sleeping quietly on the bed, and her eyes gradually became moist as tears welled up within them. She gently lowered her head, placed the basket beside the window, then turned around and left the clinic with heavy steps.

Shayun came to the consultation room and gently pushed the door open. She saw Dalay standing beside the table, lowering his head to look at the medicine bottle in his hand. She lightly brushed her long black hair, and her voice was gentle yet carried a trace of fatigue. “I’m fine, Dalay.”

Dalay raised his head. Seeing the slight fatigue in Shayun’s eyes, his brows knit slightly, though a concerned smile still appeared at the corner of his mouth. “Sis, the rain was pouring heavily last night. Sena was worried about you and asked me to come check whether you were alright.”

Shayun gently shook her head, her tone somewhat helpless. “I’m really fine. Don’t worry about me.”

Dalay looked at her, and there was a moment of silence in his eyes. Afterwards he said softly, “But you still look somewhat tired. Yesterday’s rain and so many patients—I’m worried you’re overly exhausted.”

Shayun smiled faintly and said nothing more. She turned toward the medicine cabinet and began preparing the daily medical supplies, her figure faintly set against the background of the dim yellow light.

Outside the window, Lalu had still not gone far. Standing among the banana trees beneath the steps, she looked toward that window. The emotions in her eyes were complicated, like green leaves soaked by rainwater, drooping weakly. She pressed her lips together, and her fingers once again tightly gripped the edge of the basket, as if trying to use that strength to suppress the surging emotions within her heart.

When she saw Shayun enter the consultation room, the tears in her heart finally rolled down uncontrollably. She turned around and disappeared into the small alley filled with misty rain.

27

Lalu hurried back home. Her soaked hair was drenched by the rain, and the sound of dripping water echoed inside the quiet house. She pushed open the door and saw Kali sitting beside the wooden table in the living room, flipping through an ancient book. Her steps suddenly stopped, and tears burst out in an instant, like a river breaking through its banks, impossible to restrain.

Kali looked up and saw Lalu’s appearance. He immediately stood up, his eyes filled with concern and urgency. “Little sister, what’s wrong with you? Who bullied you?” He quickly walked toward her and reached out his hand, wanting to grab her shoulders.

Lalu’s hands trembled as she choked out through sobs, “Shayun… Shayun and Junsheng were sleeping together without clothes on. They… they were sleeping together!” She was almost sobbing in a low voice, and her tone revealed an indescribable pain and loss.

Kali’s expression instantly changed. He angrily raised his chin, and blazing fury ignited in his eyes. “This—this is outrageous! We must ask Sama to step forward and let the chief give an explanation!” Before he finished speaking, he had already begun pacing back and forth inside the room, appearing extremely agitated.

At this moment, Daliguan in the bedroom heard the conversation between the siblings and walked out with a heavy heart. His figure appeared especially tall under the lamplight, and his steady temperament unconsciously made people slow their breathing. Daliguan gently pushed open the wooden door and walked into the living room. His tone was calm yet measured. “You two siblings should not be so rash. According to the marriage customs of our Siraya people, the woman originally has the initiative in choosing a spouse. Shayun’s action is actually recognized.” His gaze looked gently at Kali, yet there was also a faint trace of helplessness in his eyes.

Hearing these words, the anger in Kali’s heart did not subside. Instead, it surged even more strongly. He quickly walked to stand before Daliguan and almost gritted his teeth as he said, “But Shayun will become the heir to the chieftain in the future, and Junsheng is only an outsider. This concerns Shayun’s reputation and how the tribespeople view her. Sama, you must step forward and seek an explanation from the chief!”

Daliguan looked at him unhurriedly and reached out to pat Kali on the shoulder. His voice remained calm yet carried a deep meaning. “The problem lies exactly here. If Junsheng decides to marry into the chieftain’s family, then even I would have no say in the matter.” His tone was steady, as if stating a fact that could not be changed.

Kali felt a heaviness surge within his heart. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his voice was filled with anxiety. “But we cannot just let Junsheng take advantage of Shayun and then simply pat his backside and leave, can we? How could that be acceptable?”

Daliguan gently shook his head. After taking a deep breath, his tone became softer. “Calm yourselves for the moment. I will go to the chief’s house again to inquire about the attitude and method of handling this matter from Dabanya and her husband.” His voice was low and measured, telling Kali that this matter could not be resolved in an instant.

Kali and Lalu exchanged a glance. Both of them were filled with unease and apprehension. Lalu’s eyes were still slightly red and swollen. She lowered her head and silently wiped away the tear marks on her face. Kali clenched his fingers into fists, and a trace of sorrow and anxiety flickered faintly in his eyes.

At this moment, the air in the living room seemed to become even heavier. Outside, the wind and rain had still not ceased. Inside the house, the weak kerosene lamplight trembled in the darkness.

This storm was not only the weather—it was also the anxiety and fear gradually spreading within their hearts.

28

Dalai returned home. The rain was still dripping outside the house, and the night was hazy. He walked into the wooden hut; the inside of the house was filled with the fragrance of earth and straw. He casually took off his shoes and lightly stepped across the damp wooden floor, walking toward the corner. Immediately afterward, he called in a low voice:
“Sena, come here for a moment.”

Dabongya was lowering her head under the flickering candlelight repairing a piece of handicraft work. Hearing the voice, she raised her head, her brows slightly furrowing.
“Dalai, what’s wrong?”

Dalai looked around. After confirming that there was no one else, he quickly walked to her side. His tone was hurried and low:
“Sena, just now I delivered breakfast to the Han medical clinic, and I saw…”
He leaned close to his mother’s ear and softly said a few sentences, a trace of anxiety revealing itself in his tone.

Upon hearing it, Dabongya’s face immediately became solemn. She placed the needle and thread in her hand on the table, her expression heavy.
“How could such a thing happen? That child Sayun—what exactly is she thinking in her heart?”
She used her hand to rub her forehead, appearing somewhat restless.

Dalai lowered his head, his hands unconsciously clenching tightly.
“Sis said the doctor was sick. I saw the doctor’s face pale, lying on the bed with his eyes closed…”

Dabongya was full of worry. She stood up and paced back and forth, her footsteps making “creak, creak” sounds on the wooden floor.
“If this matter spreads out, it will become troublesome… No, I must personally find that doctor and ask him face to face.”
She suddenly stopped walking and stared at Dalai.
“Dalai, go to the clinic and have the two of them come back together. Tell them that I want to question them face to face.”

Dalai raised his head and looked at his mother. There was a trace of helplessness in his eyes. He slightly stepped back, his hands unconsciously bracing at his waist. His tone revealed hesitation:
“Sena, elder sister will be angry with me. I don’t dare to go…”

Dabongya’s tone became cold and firm, carrying the tone of an order:
“If I tell you to go, then hurry up and go!”

Dalai gritted his teeth and slightly lowered his head, replying in a small voice:
“Alright! I’ll go right away.”

He gently turned around, passed through the wooden door, and walked down the bamboo ladder. The bamboo made “rustling” sounds in the light breeze. As he walked, he suppressed the uneasiness in his heart.

Just as he reached the wooden gate, he encountered Li Qinghua. They almost brushed past each other. Li Qinghua stopped and frowned at him, his tone carrying a trace of puzzlement:
“Dalai, why are you so flustered? Where are you going?”

Dalai did not respond and hurried away like the wind, leaving Li Qinghua standing where he was, his brows deeply furrowed.

After a brief hesitation, Li Qinghua climbed up the bamboo ladder and walked into the house. Inside the house, Dabongya was standing beside the wooden table, fiercely smoking a stalk pipe, her expression tense. Her fingers unconsciously tightened their grip; amid the swirling smoke she appeared especially anxious.

Seeing this, Li Qinghua walked over with heavy steps, his tone carrying concern and confusion:
“What has happened, madam?”

Dabongya gently exhaled a puff of smoke and weakly lowered her eyes, revealing a bitter smile.
“Your precious daughter Sayun, and that foreign doctor…”
Her tone was low, and between her words were full of helplessness and frustration.

Li Qinghua’s brows furrowed, and a trace of shock flashed in his eyes. He stood there for a long time without speaking, quietly listening to Dabongya’s brief description. After she finished speaking, his expression became even more solemn.
“Since matters have reached this point, we must ask that doctor face to face and make things clear. If he does not wish to shoulder responsibility, he must immediately leave Chikan.”

At that very moment, the bamboo chimes outside rang, and the sound of footsteps came from the doorway. Li Qinghua stretched his neck to look. He saw the figure of Dali-guan appear at the wooden gate, the bamboo chimes ringing crisply in the night.

Li Qinghua’s face immediately changed, and his tone sank.
“This is bad. Dali-guan has come. Perhaps he already knows about this matter and has come to demand an explanation.”

Dabongya anxiously turned toward Li Qinghua, uneasiness revealing itself in her eyes.
“Then what should we do?”

Li Qinghua took a deep breath. He concealed the anxiety on his face, his tone remaining calm.
“Don’t panic first. Let’s deal with it calmly.”

Dali-guan walked up the bamboo ladder. His steady footsteps were out of place with the atmosphere inside the wooden house. He entered the house and glanced around. Seeing Dabongya and Li Qinghua sitting there with tense expressions, he immediately guessed the strangeness of the matter.

Dali-guan silently took out a stalk pipe. After lighting it, he leisurely took two puffs. The smoke swirled around his face, forming a hazy glow. Then he spoke in a deep voice:
“Chief, you should know my purpose for coming.”

Dabongya and Li Qinghua exchanged a glance, their hearts uneasy. Li Qinghua cautiously spoke:
“We husband and wife have just heard about it from our youngest son Dalai.”
A trace of concern unconsciously appeared in his tone.

Dali-guan spoke steadily, deliberately mysterious:
“I came here alone because I do not wish for this matter to spread out.”
His eyes were like sharp blades, his gaze deep.

Li Qinghua gave a slight bitter smile. Dabongya continued smoking the stalk pipe, pretending to be calm, but the anxiety in her heart had already quietly revealed itself.

Dali-guan gently took two more puffs, and his tone became calm again.
“Since the matter has already happened, there must be a solution. Chief, how do the two of you intend to handle it?”

Dabongya came back to her senses, her gaze firm.
“I have already sent my son to the Han medical clinic to call Junsheng and Sayun back.”

Dali-guan nodded, a trace of approval showing in his eyes.
“This concerns Sayun’s reputation. I believe that you elders will properly resolve it.”

Li Qinghua spoke cautiously:
“We will follow our tribal rules and ancestral law—whatever the proper procedure is, we will follow it.”

Dali-guan nodded with satisfaction.
“Very good. Chief and madam are both reasonable people. I believe you will face this matter seriously. I will take my leave now and will not disturb the chief’s rest.”

After saying this, he stood up, waved the pipe stem in his hand, turned around, and went downstairs to leave.

29

Inside the living room of Chief Dabongya’s residence, candlelight illuminated the surface of the ancient wooden furniture. The air was filled with a mixed fragrance and a faint smell of wood. Outside it was already evening; the afterglow of the slanting sun could still be seen in the distant sky. The wind outside the window blew gently, occasionally bringing the rustling sound from the bamboo grove.

The atmosphere in the living room was rather heavy. Dabongya and Li Qinghua sat on opposite sides of the long table, while Junsheng sat across from them. His expression appeared nervous, and his eyes did not dare to meet those of the two elders.

Dabongya sat upright in her chair, her brows tightly furrowed, her tone stern.
“For something like this to happen, we are also in a difficult position. Although I do not dare to force you to stay, it concerns Sayun’s reputation…”

Her gaze was as sharp as a blade as it rested on Junsheng, and the pressure in her words made the air seem even heavier.

Sayun lowered her head, her gentle gaze turning toward Junsheng, a trace of helplessness flashing in her eyes. She gently held Junsheng’s hand, her tone carrying both pleading and determination.

“Sena, Junsheng has been infected with a cold-fever illness. I stayed to take care of him. Truly, Junsheng and I have not done anything improper. You do not need to put him in a difficult position.”

Her voice was like the breeze of the night, soft and slightly trembling, yet firm in her heart.

Junsheng remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head. In his eyes were sincere emotions. He took a deep breath, moved his gaze away from Sayun’s face, and looked toward Dabongya and Li Qinghua.

“I can understand the chief’s concerns, truly.”

His tone was earnest. As he spoke, he leaned slightly forward, his eyes firm.

“I do not wish for Sayun to be looked at by the tribe with strange eyes, nor for her to be harmed. I am willing to take responsibility for Sayun.”

He paused slightly, then his gaze fell again upon Sayun, and his tone became stronger.

“And moreover, after spending this period of time together, I truly like Sayun. I want to give her happiness and give her joy.”

After hearing this, a glimmer of tears flashed in Sayun’s eyes. Her heart beat faster, and she gripped Junsheng’s hand more tightly.

“Junsheng…”

She murmured softly, her emotions stirred, even somewhat choking with emotion. Her gaze moved between Dabongya and Li Qinghua, her eyes full of gratitude.

Seeing this scene, Li Qinghua nodded slightly, and a relieved smile appeared on his face. He put down the teacup in his hand, gently wiped the droplets of water from his fingertips, and then raised his head, his gaze gentle.

“You are a reasonable person.”

His tone was warm and profound, carrying the kindness of an elder.

“Your decision makes this matter become simple. After your illness becomes stable, we will begin preparing for the wedding of the two of you.”

His tone was like a warm spring breeze, conveying peace and support.

Dabongya’s gaze also softened at this moment. She slowly stood up, walked to the table, and handed a cup of tea to Junsheng. Her voice remained steady but carried a trace of relief.

“Since you both have such determination, I am also reassured.”

A trace of heavy pressure in her tone seemed to loosen with these words. Her hands trembled slightly, yet a faint smile had already appeared on her face.

Junsheng took the teacup and lowered his head in thanks. His eyes were full of gratitude and determination. He gently set down the cup and looked directly at Dabongya and Li Qinghua, the feeling of gratitude fully revealed.

“Thank you for your understanding. I will take good care of Sayun and will also take responsibility for her.”

The atmosphere inside the house gradually relaxed. The once heavy mood dissolved for the most part with these words. Outside the window the night also gradually became calm. A gentle wind passed through the bamboo grove, as if carrying the breath of a new life.

30

The atmosphere in Kali’s house was especially heavy. The sky had already grown late. The faint moonlight outside shone into the room through the window, falling upon the gray walls and forming long shadows. The house was so quiet that only the sound of the wind could be heard. The air felt somewhat thick, making people feel oppressed.

Lalu stood beside the wooden table, both hands tightly clenched, her fingertips pale. Her voice was agitated and helpless, echoing in the empty house.

“Brother, look! Now the false has turned into reality—Junsheng has decided to stay and marry into Sayun’s family!”

Her tone was full of unwillingness and anger. Her gaze looked straight at Kali, injustice flashing in her eyes.

Kali stood beside the window with his back toward Lalu. Both hands were placed at his waist, his shoulders slightly drooping, as if feeling the pressure of the heavy atmosphere in the house. He closed his eyes for a moment before turning around. His tone was filled with regret and helplessness.

“Sis, I also did not want things to develop into this…”

His voice was heavy, carrying guilt that could not be dispelled.

At that moment, Dali-guan walked out from the corner. He gently patted Lalu’s shoulder. His movements were not hurried, as if all of this had long been foreseen.

“Do not blame your brother. This was originally a risky move.”

His tone was calm, yet his eyes carried a thoughtful light.

“Junsheng agreeing to stay—according to my view, he should like Sayun. Otherwise he could simply have left.”

Dali-guan’s tone was filled with the wisdom of years. His eyes were as deep as an old tree that had experienced countless storms, able to see through many things that had not been spoken.

Lalu’s eyes reddened. Her hand trembled unconsciously. She lowered her head, her tone somewhat sorrowful.

“Then what about me? Should I silently bless them to become husband and wife?”

Her voice was weak and broken, as if the unwillingness in her heart had already drowned all her emotions.

Seeing his sister like this, Kali frowned and let out a deep sigh. He stepped forward, gently grasped Lalu’s shoulders, and gave her a comforting embrace.

“Sis, losing the Sayun I love—my feelings are no easier than yours…”

His tone carried helpless tenderness, yet his eyes faintly held pain and struggle.

Dali-guan stood to the side watching the intertwined emotions of the two siblings. He gently swung the bamboo staff in his hand, his tone carrying a trace of consolation.

“The Han people say: ‘If the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.’ You siblings are still young. There will be other partners to find. There is no need to speak such discouraging words.”

He slowly walked to the stove, took a bundle of dry wood, and gently placed it into the fire. The firelight shone upon his face, making him appear even more steady and powerful.

After hearing this, Lalu slowly raised her head. Her gaze was somewhat confused, but Dali-guan’s words seemed to ease her emotions slightly. She remained silent for a moment and took a deep breath.

“Perhaps…”

she responded softly. However, the sense of loss and helplessness in her tone was still difficult to conceal.

Kali released Lalu’s shoulders and gently patted her back with both hands. His tone softened somewhat.

“Don’t think about those unhappy things anymore. Sayun’s choice is hers. We should also look forward.”

Seeing the two of them calm down somewhat, Dali-guan nodded slightly, a trace of relief appearing in his eyes.

“Good. As long as you understand in your hearts.”

As he stood up preparing to leave, he gently patted Kali’s back.

“As the elder brother, being able to make your younger sister feel at ease is the most important.”

After saying this, he walked toward the door. The bamboo staff lightly struck the floor, and the sound it made was like a heavy stone falling, causing the atmosphere inside the house to become heavy once again.