"Big Brother!" Song Tangning grabbed Xiao Yan's arm, and the heat radiating from him startled her. She felt the urgency deep in her chest as she tried to support his body and pull him toward the surface of the water. But Xiao Yan, being tall and muscular, was too heavy for her. Instead of lifting him, she found herself being dragged down further.
Seeing Xiao Yan sinking lower, her panic intensified. She pulled at him with all her strength, but her mouth opened in distress, causing her to swallow several gulps of water.
"Big Brother—" Cough, cough...
Song Tangning choked so hard that her eyes watered, but she refused to let go of Xiao Yan. Suddenly, she felt a firm hand at her waist, lifting her effortlessly. The next moment, she was pulled to the surface, gasping for air.
Her long hair, now wet, clung messily to her face, making her look disheveled. Yet her eyes sparkled with relief as she exclaimed, "Big Brother, you're okay?"
Meeting her clear, worried gaze, Xiao Yan was momentarily overwhelmed by a sense of unworthiness.
"I'm fine. Let’s get out of the water first," he said hoarsely. Carrying her in his arms, he stepped out of the pool and gently set her down on the stone steps. His gaze immediately shifted away when he noticed her soaked robes had loosened, revealing a fair expanse of skin. Swiftly, he grabbed a nearby cloak and draped it over her shoulders to preserve her modesty.
Once her exposed skin was covered, his voice, slightly raspy, broke the silence. "Why did you come here?"
"I had something to discuss with you. The servants said you were at Crane Cry Hall, but when I arrived, no one was attending to you. Then I heard some noise coming from the medicinal spring. I called out for you from outside, but when I heard my name faintly being called from within and then nothing more, I got worried and rushed in. I didn’t expect to see you submerged like that."
She shuddered at the memory of finding him motionless beneath the water. Blood from his wound had seeped into the pool, and the sight of it had gripped her heart in fear. Without thinking, she had dived in to save him.
Recalling the scene, Song Tangning was still visibly shaken. She stood up abruptly, wrapping the cloak tightly around herself. "Big Brother, how could you soak in the medicinal spring alone with no one around? Your wound reopened, and you didn’t even notice! What if something had happened to you, and no one was there to help?"
Her words, full of concern and urgency, were accompanied by her unique, youthful fragrance, surrounding him and drawing him in.
"Your wound is bleeding again," she said, her voice trembling as she gently reached for his waist.
Xiao Yan stiffened at her touch, his gaze inadvertently falling on the curve of her neck. Her almond-shaped eyes were filled with worry, and stray strands of her long hair brushed against his hand. Something inexplicable stirred within him. Feeling a moment of weakness, he leaned against the stone table, feigning exhaustion.
"It does hurt a little," he admitted in an unusually soft voice. The mighty and unyielding Commander Xiao, who rarely showed vulnerability, now sat there, muscles taut, hair disheveled, and his usually composed self replaced by a hint of weariness.
Alarmed, Song Tangning sprang up. "I’ll get Sister Qin to come help!" she declared, but before she could take a step, Xiao Yan grabbed her wrist.
"Don’t. She nags too much," he muttered.
"But your wound—"
"It’s fine." Xiao Yan knew exactly why the wound had reopened, and he dreaded the fuss Qin would make if she found out.
He had intended to brush it off lightly, even hoping to coax the girl into staying by his side for a while longer. But seeing the red rims of her eyes, hearing the soft, trembling edge to her voice, his chest tightened with an unfamiliar guilt.
Pulling her closer, he said quietly, "There’s medicine in Crane Cry Hall. I’ll dress the wound myself."
"Are you sure you’re okay?" Song Tangning glanced at the blood seeping through his clothing, her head spinning at the sight.
Xiao Yan, realizing he had pushed her worry too far, relented and stood up with some effort. Before he could dismiss her concern, the petite girl slipped under his arm, supporting his weight with surprising determination.
"Big Brother, be careful not to strain yourself and reopen the wound," she murmured softly.
Xiao Yan: "..."
"I’ll help you upstairs." Song Tangning, though small and slender, supported him with one hand on his waist and the other on his arm. Xiao Yan swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue, quietly allowing her to "help" him.
Back in Crane Cry Hall, the room was empty as usual. After helping Xiao Yan onto the soft couch, Song Tangning quickly asked where the medicine was kept and dashed off to retrieve it. When she returned, sweat beaded her forehead, but she didn’t seem to notice. Kneeling in front of him with the medicine box in hand, she said, "The wound needs to be cleaned first before it’s dressed. I’ve seen Sister Qin do it before."
Soaking a handkerchief in water, she added hesitantly, "I’ve never done this before, so if it hurts, let me know, okay?"
"It’s your first time. A little pain is normal," Xiao Yan replied, but the double meaning in his words caught him off guard. He coughed awkwardly and added, "It’s fine. Just do whatever you need to."
Unaware of his momentary embarrassment, Song Tangning focused on cleaning the wound. She worked carefully, rinsing away the blood and patting the area dry.
The wound was deep, two vicious gashes along his lower back. One had started to heal but had torn open again, the flesh jagged and raw. Wincing at the sight, Song Tangning bent closer and blew gently on the area as she applied medicine, her breath light and cool against his skin.
"Big Brother, bear with it," she murmured.
Xiao Yan held his breath. "Alright."
As she wrapped the bandage around his waist, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but notice her robe slipping slightly as she leaned forward, revealing glimpses of pale skin hidden beneath her cascading hair. Her delicate hands moved with surprising steadiness, yet the sight and proximity made his throat tighten.
"Big Brother, are you alright?" she asked softly, sensing his tension.
"...Yes," he replied, voice strained, forcing himself to look away.
As her hand drew closer with each movement, his throat tightened further. Even though he had quickly averted his gaze, the earlier scene replayed in his mind incessantly.
By the time the wound on his waist was fully bandaged, Xiao Yan's heartbeat was chaotic, and his mouth felt parched.
"Big Brother, it’s done," Song Tangning said softly.
"Mm." Xiao Yan's throat itched, and his voice came out hoarse and strained.
Song Tangning looked up at him with concern. "Big Brother, what happened to your voice?"
Xiao Yan lowered his gaze. "Perhaps I’ve caught a chill." He felt that if he stayed any longer, his restraint would completely unravel. And once that line was crossed, there would be no turning back.
He stood abruptly. "I’ll go change my clothes. I’ll also have someone bring you a clean dress." He paused, then reconsidered. "Never mind. There are unused garments here in Crane Cry Hall. You can wear them for now and change back once your clothes are dry. It’ll avoid unnecessary gossip."
But moments later, when Xiao Yan returned after changing into fresh robes, the sight before him made his throat go even drier.
From behind the folding screen, Song Tangning emerged, draped in one of his long robes. The hem dragged slightly on the ground as she struggled to roll up the oversized sleeves, exposing a slender, snow-white wrist.
"Big Brother, your clothes are too big," she muttered, her tone laced with mild frustration. She looked like a child swimming in an adult’s attire.
Xiao Yan was silent for a moment. "..." He suddenly felt a pang of regret.
"Big Brother?" Song Tangning noticed his lack of response and glanced up at him, puzzled.
In a low, rasping voice, Xiao Yan said, "Come here."
Song Tangning walked over barefoot without hesitation and naturally sat down beside him. Stretching out her long sleeves, she presented them to him expectantly.
Seeing her so trusting and dependent, Xiao Yan raised his hands and began to carefully roll up her sleeves. When her delicate wrist was fully revealed, and the fabric was securely tucked to prevent it from slipping again, he suddenly spoke.
"Tangning."
"Yes?" she replied, her voice soft and curious.
"What do you think of the young master of the Fu family?"
===============
You can read ahead to chapterr 300 (100+ extra chapters) here
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