Chapter 15: Getting Sick

After returning from the market, Zhang Fan and Ba Ke Er began organizing their purchases; Ba Ke Er bought Zhang Fan many clothes and shoes, while he himself only bought a sharp bone knife. Since there wasn't much, they didn't take long to sort everything. After organizing their things, they started preparing dinner.

When Zhang Fan saw Ba Ke Er preparing to grill meat again, he shouted, "Stop! Goodness, eating grilled meat every day—doesn't it get boring? I suddenly thought some greens might cut the richness, but we have none. So I've decided we'll have stir‑fried meat tonight." While Ba Ke Er looked puzzled, Zhang Fan said:

"Ba Ke Er, starting tomorrow you must remember to bring me some fruits and wild vegetables each day. Also, we won't have grilled meat today—I'll make you something else tasty, hehe! I'll make you stir‑fried meat to eat!"

Ba Ke Er readily agreed upon hearing this—Fan Fan's words are orders; he must obey! Besides, Fan Fan is going to cook for him, how happy that is!

Afterwards they cooperated to finish the meal—Zhang Fan did the cooking, Ba Ke Er tended the fire, their teamwork was seamless, like a long‑married couple. Then they sat in the courtyard and finished the lovingly made stir‑fried meat. After eating, Ba Ke Er prepared hot water for Zhang Fan's bath and sent him to wash up, while he himself used cold water in the courtyard, and after washing he didn't forget to tidy the sun‑dried blankets.

He hadn't noticed that Zhang Fan had been bathing for a long time. Finally, as Ba Ke Er was getting ready for bed, he realized he hadn't seen Fan Fan since he went to wash up. He headed to the bathing room, knocking on the door and calling Zhang Fan's name. After calling for a while with no answer, he grew anxious, burst the door open and rushed in. Seeing Zhang Fan already asleep in the bathtub, he didn't hesitate—he scooped him up and carried him to the bedroom, thinking:

"I don't know how long Fan Fan has been asleep. Females are so delicate—if he gets sick, that would be bad. I should check on him first."

Quickly, Ba Ke Er laid Zhang Fan on the bed and covered him with a blanket. Feeling his forehead, he discovered Fan Fan was indeed ill. He immediately rushed out to the chief's house. Upon arriving, he told the tribe's healer, the chief's partner Wei Er, about Zhang Fan's condition.

Upon hearing this, Wei Er hastily grabbed his medicine box and went to the chief's side. The chief immediately shifted into beast form, letting Wei Er climb onto his back, gave Ba Ke Er a glance, and they dashed off. Ba Ke Er also shifted into beast form and followed closely, soon reaching home. Wei Er rushed inside to examine Zhang Fan, and his conclusion was:

"It's fine, Ba Ke Er—Zhang Fan just has a mild cold. The weather is decent now, so as long as he takes his medicine on schedule, he'll recover quickly."

Hearing this, Ba Ke Er finally relaxed. He took the medicine Wei Er handed him and saw the chief and his partner out. After all the commotion, Zhang Fan was awakened and wondered what had happened, but seeing his friend's reaction, Ba Ke Er felt a little embarrassed.

Seeing Ba Ke Er's expression, Zhang Fan immediately thought, "Wasn't I just bathing? How did I end up in bed? Could it be… Ba Ke Er?" Realizing Ba Ke Er had carried him to bed, he felt inexplicably happy. After the joy faded, he sensed some discomfort. Ba Ke Er told him it was because he had soaked in the bath too long, which made him catch a cold. Zhang Fan then repeatedly chastised himself for being useless—catching a cold from a bath!

Ba Ke Er let Zhang Fan rest a while, then went to decoct the medicine so he could drink it before sleeping.

……

Soon Ba Ke Er returned with a bowl of bitter medicinal broth. Seeing Zhang Fan asleep again, he hated to wake him, but he sensibly roused him:

"Fan Fan, wake up quickly—drink the medicine before you sleep."

"Okay."

Watching Zhang Fan drink the medicine, Ba Ke Er finally felt at ease and went to bed.