Chapter 21: Going Down
Jin Haoran was startled to hear his wife scream. He was sure there was no dangerous animal in the area. What happened?!
With his breath caught in his throat and his blood pounding in his ears, Haoran dashed behind the tree to where Mei Li was.
Only to find his wife standing there like a block of wood.
Haoran worriedly grabbed her shoulders and looked her up and down. "What's wrong?" His tone was urgent.
Then, Mei Li started laughing out loud. She laughed so hard that tears could be seen at the corners of her eyes.
Haoran saw his wife laughing like a lunatic, albeit a cute one.
He finally calmed down.
"Found it! Big brother, we found it!"
Mei Li was beyond ecstatic. Right there on the base of this huge Handkerchief tree was the fan-shaped, red mushroom she exhausted herself to find. And there were three of them!
The flat glossy exterior of the Lingzhi mushrooms beckoned to her. The largest one was bigger than two of Haoran's palms combined, almost the size of a small basin. The smallest one was as big as her palm.
Mei Li looked at the tall and handsome man in front of her. Did he find this old and dying Handkerchief tree when he climbed up a while ago? But this one was a bit far from where he climbed, so his sight and observation skills must be really good!
Mei Li was so happy that Haoran went with her on this search. She didn't think they would find Lingzhi mushrooms on the first day, but they did.
Her heart was beating so fast in happiness and she was grinning from ear to ear.
Mei Li did not know what came over her, but she was so happy and excited that she grabbed Haoran's lapel and pulled him closer. In the next moment, she plastered her lips on his!
Haoran didn't expect that in this time and place, he would be kissed! He stood there rigid from surprise. Blood rushed to his brain again but for an entirely different reason this time.
Before he could savor the soft lips of the little woman, the close contact was over. Haoran didn't even have the time to return to his senses and reciprocate when Mei Li broke the kiss. She definitely wanted to continue but she still needed to collect the mushrooms!
Jin Haoran, whose first kiss in his entire 24 years of existence came so suddenly, was stunned. 'Wife, I want more!' He thought. Unfortunately, the culprit has already turned her back on him and was crouched down happily collecting mushrooms.
Haoran had the impulse to throw those red mushrooms far, far away all of sudden. Were they more important than his first kiss?!
Mei Li swiftly collected the Lingzhi mushrooms, already thinking of the many silver taels she could sell them for.
She stood up and turned to Haoran, intending to put the mushrooms inside the basket he carried.
"You kissed me?" Haoran asked her with an indecipherable expression on his face.
Mei Li wasn't embarrassed. She felt they both deserved it so she just grinned. "Yes, it's your reward for finding this tree!"
Haoran blinked. With a quick motion, he grabbed the shoulders of the little temptress in front of him and ravished her lips. Did she think that a quick peck was a proper reward? He would show her what a rewarding kiss truly looked like!
Mei Li's vision spun and all she felt was the man's warm lips passionately biting and sucking hers. His luscious tongue passed over her lips a few times and then overbearingly parted her mouth to delve and taste her deeper.
Mei Li was enveloped by Haoran's manly scent and her tired body suddenly felt boneless and extra warm. All she could do was receive his fervent and deep kiss.
Fortunately, a little reason remained and she finally pushed him off as she feared that the mushrooms in her hands would be crushed. She panted to regain her breath and looked at the man who was looking at her with a slight smile of satisfaction.
"Ahem, big brother we should go down. It's getting late."
Haoran looked at the sun that had started to slant to the west. It was indeed getting late. Haoran could only sigh in regret.
Mei Li immediately placed the mushrooms inside Haoran's basket and the two started their walk down the mountain.
Nobody spoke and Mei Li wasn't bothered by the silence. She simply concentrated on where she was walking, making sure she didn't fall.
Suddenly, Haoran gestured for her to stop and then she heard some rustling in the bushes. Oh no, was it a dangerous animal?
Haoran slowly and silently pulled out the hunting dagger strapped to his right boot. Of course, he wouldn't go up the mountains without a weapon.
He handed the basket to Mei Li and motioned for her to stay quiet, and then he purposely moved towards the clump of bushes where they heard the sound. Haoran disappeared behind the bushes.
Mei Li was a little worried. It was around three in the afternoon so it was not that dark yet. But because of the many trees around her, there was a gloominess to the forest that made her nervous. She waited there for Haoran for many minutes.
When she started getting more worried, Haoran finally walked out of the bushes with a pheasant on one hand and a nest on the other.
"You found a pheasant and eggs!" Mei Li was delighted. She hadn't eaten meat or eggs in many days and she was definitely craving them. Her weak muscles could use the protein as well.
Haoran smiled and nodded at her. She noticed that she was seeing this guy's smile more and more, which made her smile in return.
The bamboo basket had more contents in it, which somehow lessened Mei Li's tiredness. The two happily continued their walk down the mountain.
On the way, Mei Li also conveniently collected some useful plants and flowers. She didn't gather a lot though as the sun was quickly setting.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Sintera
Sintera Creation is hard, cheer me up!
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone