Chapter 30: Fever?

In the darkened room, there were only two people.

The dim candlelight flickered, casting an ambiguous atmosphere. Lian Hanqi’s gaze was fixed intently upon her, but Yun Fu moved to the bed with effortless composure, lay down, drew the quilt over herself, and closed her eyes.

Lian Hanqi set the candle by her bedside and leaned in, watching Yun Fu as she slept. In that moment, she seemed softer than usual, lying quietly on the bed, unexpectedly docile.

He recalled the girl from his dreams, who always slept with the light on, who disliked darkness. Yun Fu was that very girl from his dreams, and so he had come.

Her breathing grew steady in the silence, and a gentle warmth touched the arch of Lian Hanqi’s brow.

He reached out, adjusting the quilt over her. Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, a soft hand caught his and held it.

Lian Hanqi glanced up. The girl still slept peacefully, though her brow was faintly furrowed, as if troubled by something unpleasant in her dreams.

He tightened his hold on her hand slightly, his deep voice murmuring, “Sleep, I’m right here.”

Her brow gradually relaxed, and in Lian Hanqi’s eyes, it seemed as though a sky full of stars had fallen.

—

When the first rays of dawn spilled into the room, Yun Fu awoke at once, her internal clock rousing her.

The moment she opened her eyes, she saw Lian Hanqi by her bedside.

She frowned slightly; a sharp pulse throbbed at her brow as memories of yesterday flooded back.

Her expression changed subtly. It was rare for her to speak so well.

She turned her head, noticing on the table one candle burnt out and another half-consumed.

Candles do not extinguish themselves; someone must have blown them out.

Yun Fu’s gaze returned to the man sleeping by her bed, then to their entwined hands.

Those usually cold, indifferent eyes now held a trace of confusion, and perhaps even a hint of amusement.

“Not getting up yet?”

She slipped her hand from his, took her phone from the bedside, intending to play a game, only to discover it had been switched off since last night.

Lian Hanqi stood up lazily from the carpet, swaying a little, nearly losing his balance.

Yun Fu, idly tossing her phone, looked up and let out a quiet laugh. “Pins and needles?”

Lian Hanqi caught the meaning behind her laughter.

Was she mocking him?

Yun Fu set down her phone, patted the edge of the bed, gesturing for Lian Hanqi to sit.

The amusement in his eyes deepened; he sat down leisurely. “Little Yun, do you know what it means to invite a man onto your bed first thing in the morning?”

He deliberately leaned in, their breaths mingling in the air.

Any ordinary girl would blush and avert her gaze, but Yun Fu was not ordinary. Her expression remained unchanged, calm as she crouched down, saying, “In a doctor’s eyes, there’s no distinction of gender.”

With that, she pressed several acupoints on Lian Hanqi’s leg. Instantly, the numbness vanished.

She crouched before him, her collar shifting with her movements, revealing the faint outline of a red mole.

If Yun Fu looked up now, she would see that Lian Hanqi’s gaze had grown much darker.

“Let’s go.” Yun Fu dusted off her hands, stood up briskly, and headed for the door.

She had only taken a few steps when he caught her.

She turned, looking at Lian Hanqi with a puzzled expression.

The man blinked, glanced at his leg, and pulled her hand more firmly. “My leg… still feels numb.”

Yun Fu, the divine healer, paused.

She gave his leg a meaningful look, said nothing, and let him hold her hand.

Yun Fu glanced down at her hand, then up at the man gripping it tightly.

Their gazes met in the air, and for a split second, it was as if a spark flashed between their eyes.

They walked downstairs together.

Now that daylight had arrived, the full splendor of the manor was visible—lush greenery, flowing streams, a truly tranquil place.

“Want to stay here for a while?”

“No, I’m hungry.”

“All right, let’s go back and eat.”

When they reached the entrance, their car from yesterday was parked there once more.

Old Lady Lian had thought of everything.

Inside the car, Yun Fu glanced at her hand, still held firmly by the man, and raised her brow.

She spoke slowly, “Planning to drive one-handed?”

Her tone was natural, her manner frank.

Lian Hanqi said nothing, simply continued to hold her hand, his thumb gently stroking the back of it.

He tilted his head, closing the distance between them.

“It’s not impossible.”

Yun Fu narrowed her eyes, smiling slightly, then gripped his hand tightly in return, her tone bold. “Fine, drive like this then.”

Their hands remained tightly clasped, and in the enclosed space, the temperature seemed to rise, even their body heat increasing.

Lian Hanqi lowered his gaze, his eyes lingering on their entwined hands, then drifting up to the red mole.

His gaze grew deeper and more intense.

“Let’s go.”

Since she had gripped his hand in return, Yun Fu had been entirely natural, lounging lazily against the seat, her usual coolness softened.

Lian Hanqi brought her hand to his lips. Noticing Yun Fu’s gaze, he simply touched her hand to his forehead.

It was very warm.

Was he feverish?

As she wondered, he released her hand and spoke in a low, husky voice.

“One-handed driving isn’t safe.”

The car started, and the scenery they hadn’t seen last night unfolded before them, breathtakingly beautiful.

But more beautiful still…

Yun Fu glanced at her now charged, ready-to-use phone, but felt no desire to play games.

She propped her chin in her hand, turning to look at the man beside her.

His profile was resolute and earnest, with a striking curve—truly captivating.

Lian Hanqi’s heartbeat was erratic; he knew Yun Fu was watching him, but he also knew that her curiosity was all there was, for now.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Anything.”

“Then I’ll take you for some porridge.”

“Okay.”

Yun Fu sat opposite him, the steaming porridge sending up waves of mist, cloaking her face in a gentle haze.

She was always so cool, as if detached from the world, but now, she seemed to take on a hint of warmth.

Lian Hanqi naturally picked out the stray scallions from her porridge, divided some into a small bowl, and pushed it toward her.

“Thank you.” Yun Fu looked down at the porridge before her, her voice calm and unruffled.

But only she knew that her heartbeat had quickened noticeably.

Even the air felt feverish.

“It’s nothing. Drink slowly, it’s hot.”

“Mm.”