007 Because of You

Chen Yage approached Li Bai with a bright smile, but Li Bai kept retreating, the two of them moving as if they were waltzing—one step forward, one step back—until Li Bai finally found himself at the riverbank. By the time he realized, he had already fallen spectacularly into the water. Chen Yage, quick on her feet, managed to grab hold of Li Bai’s collar, but since she’d only caught the very edge, she too was pulled in by the momentum.

"Brother Bai! Brother Bai!" Chen Yage called out anxiously as she swam toward him and seized his hand. "Are you all right, Brother Bai?"

"Brother Bai? I..." Li Bai stared at Chen Yage in a daze. Her clothes were now thoroughly soaked, clinging to her body and outlining every curve. Flustered, Li Bai jerked his hand away, turned aside, and his face flushed a deep red.

Chen Yage looked down and realized her chest was almost completely exposed. She hurriedly covered herself with both hands, her cheeks starting to burn.

What would you call this? Surely it doesn't count! Why do I always end up embarrassing myself in front of Li Bai? Oh heavens, can’t you spare me just once?

Flustered, Chen Yage scrambled to the riverbank, head bowed, not daring to look at Li Bai.

"Yage, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to," Li Bai said as he too climbed ashore, his tone apologetic.

Who said you did it on purpose? Chen Yage shot Li Bai a side glance but then thought to herself: isn’t this a perfect opportunity? Doesn’t this make it easier to get close to Li Bai?

So, with a dazzling smile, Chen Yage made a complete turnaround and said, "May I call you Brother Bai?"

Li Bai still felt a bit guilty about what had just happened, and her request wasn’t unreasonable, so he nodded.

Although Li Bai now stood just a short distance from her, their hearts seemed worlds apart. Yet Chen Yage was confident that one day, even if separated by the ends of the earth, their hearts would be as close as can be.

"Brother Bai, it’s so late—why are you still here?" Chen Yage walked beside Li Bai, sometimes circling to his left, sometimes to his right.

Li Bai didn’t seem as stern as she had imagined, but he kept a sour face and replied, "That’s what I should be asking you!"

Embarrassed, Chen Yage rubbed her still-aching neck. Should she tell him? Would he believe her?

As she hesitated, Li Bai continued, "You’re just a young lady—don’t you know how dangerous it is to be out so late? What if you ran into someone with bad intentions?"

"Are you worried about me?" Chen Yage leaned closer, her eyes fixed on him, sending flirtatious glances without pause.

Li Bai coughed awkwardly, choosing not to answer.

"I’m just an orphan with no family, a beggar, a street rat everyone scorns—how could anyone possibly care about me? I’m just being foolishly sentimental," she said, lowering her head and feigning dejection, knowing men liked delicate, pitiable women to satisfy their desire to protect. Seeing Li Bai’s guilty expression, she relented, "I wasn’t talking about you."

"Let me walk you home," Li Bai offered, changing the subject.

But Chen Yage wasn’t having it. She sighed, "I have no home. At best, there’s only a temporary shelter. But the world is vast—anywhere can be home, don’t you think, Brother Bai?"

"The world is vast—anywhere can be home. What a marvelous sentiment! Why not spend the night out here with me? We’ll let the morning stars be our lamps, the cool breeze and crystal dew our companions, with the chirping of crickets and the calls of birds as our serenade!" With that, Li Bai strode ahead a few steps.

Seeing him walk away, Chen Yage called out, "Brother Bai, didn’t you say we’d sleep out here tonight? Why are you leaving?"

She hurried to catch up, only to see Li Bai stooping to pick up some dry branches. Just as she cheerfully accepted the branches from his hands, a green snake slithered at her feet, flicking its tongue—a bamboo viper, deadly venomous. Before Chen Yage could react, it bit her ankle, and she dropped the branches in pain.

Fortunately, Li Bai swiftly drew his short sword and sliced the snake in two.

"Yage, are you all right?" he asked, returning the sword to its sheath and steadying her as she nearly collapsed.

Leaning in Li Bai’s arms, Chen Yage felt blissful beyond words and snuggled closer. Li Bai’s hand hovered awkwardly, uncertain what to do. But the bamboo viper’s venom was potent and fast-acting; a spasm in her leg sent her crumpling fully into his embrace. She whispered weakly, "Brother Bai, my foot..." and then drew a sharp breath from the pain.

Li Bai quickly set her down and rolled up her trouser leg. Two black dots stood out starkly on her skin, the darkness spreading. Dusk had not yet fully fallen, so his frown was clearly visible to Chen Yage.

"How can you still be smiling?" Li Bai asked.

"Because you’re here," she replied without a trace of coyness.

Li Bai only lowered his head in silence.

Love in the Tang Dynasty: Poet Immortal, Please Stay! Chapter 007—Love in the Tang Dynasty: Poet Immortal, Please Stay! Full text free to read—Chapter 007: Because You Are Here, now updated!