Night Song - Chapter 38
"What's wrong? What's wrong?" He wrapped his arms around her, forcefully pulling her hands away to prevent her from hurting herself. Her skin was so cold it made one's heart race, and everything he touched was covered in cold sweat.
As soon as it was pried open, she curled up again.
Unable to control himself any longer, he gasped for breath, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth from where he had bitten himself, and nearly convulsed.
"I'll take you to see a doctor."
She had only carried him a few steps when she pushed him away forcefully, tumbling out of his arms with a muffled groan.
“Jia Ye!” A bruise appeared on her elbow, and she shook her head with difficulty.
“…I…I’m fine…” The voice, trembling like a falling leaf, was squeezed out from between her teeth. She could no longer bear it and bit her hand.
He suddenly noticed something unusual: all her movements were with her upper body, while her legs remained completely still.
Tearing open the trouser leg, the slender legs were shocking.
Blue veins bulged out, like countless small snakes winding along the surface of the legs, burning hot to the touch. The skin was purplish, like molten lava lurking in the shadows. One could feel the muscles beneath their hands trembling, from the toes to the thighs.
"...Your legs!"
Seeing her face contorted in extreme pain, he felt a pang of anxiety and panic.
“…No…Doctor…I’ll just bear it…” she managed to squeeze out, reaching out to push him away. “…You…get out…”
He didn't leave; he held her tightly, stopping her from hurting herself again and again.
The long night became an unbearable torment.
She struggled and tossed, but never cried out in pain.
When the excruciating pain finally subsided, I felt completely exhausted, as if I had been pulled out of the water.
Feeling the person in his arms gradually relax, he also breathed a sigh of relief, and his tense nerves relaxed.
Jia Ye's legs have fully recovered, with the blood vessels and meridians disappearing beneath her skin. They remain as white and delicate as jade, showing no trace of the ferocity she had when the attack occurred.
Sweat smeared her hair on her face, which he brushed aside. Jia Ye was extremely weak; even breathing seemed to require immense effort. After a night of excruciating pain, she looked much more haggard, and her lips were chapped.
After closing her eyes for a long time, she managed to squeeze out some words.
"...Get out...Let me rest..."
He glanced at the bed, which was soaked with sweat, and simply picked her up and carried her back to his room. Daylight had broken, and the streets were bustling with activity.
He summoned a bucket of hot water, tested the temperature, and carefully placed Jia Ye inside. As the hot water warmed her icy body, the color gradually returned to her face.
His white undergarment became almost transparent after being soaked in water, and he turned his back to listen to the sound of the water.
"Call me when you're better."
Perhaps having regained some strength, Jia Ye's replies became less disjointed.
After a long while, the sound of rushing water was heard, followed by a splash.
He disregarded his embarrassment and turned to approach.
Perhaps trying to walk back to the bed but unable to move properly, Jia Ye stumbled and fell to the ground, feeling frustrated and annoyed. Her collar was slightly open, revealing her beautifully shaped collarbone, silky smooth skin, and glimpses of... He composed himself, picked her up, and placed her on the couch, turning his head to one side.
"Take off your wet clothes."
She mumbled something indistinctly, then obediently took off her soaking wet clothes and pulled the blanket over herself. Warm hands pressed against her forehead, and an overwhelming wave of exhaustion washed over her, quickly plunging her into a dreamless slumber.
cost
When I woke up, my scratched arms had been treated with medicine, and my body, which felt like it had been pieced back together, felt the same as usual. The initial weakness had vanished without a trace.
He didn't think so. He helped her up and fed her warm porridge, his eyes filled with worry.
"What exactly happened yesterday?" He had consulted a doctor while the patient was asleep, but the doctor couldn't diagnose the problem at all.
"The old injury has flared up again." The fragrant porridge slid down his throat, awakening his hunger, but he stopped eating.
“You haven’t eaten all day, slow down.” He fiddled with the spoon for a while before finally feeding the next bite. “I don’t remember you having this problem.”
She tried to take the bowl from his hand, but as soon as she moved, she realized she was naked and immediately withdrew. Perhaps her embarrassment was too obvious, for a smile appeared in his eyes, as gentle as the spring waters of Jiangnan.
“You’ve just recovered, don’t move around too much.” He gently fed her a spoonful and continued to ask, “What kind of old injury?”
"Left behind during practice."
“You’ve never had this before.” He seemed determined not to let her brush it off.
She paused, speaking with great reluctance.
"Of course, I don't practice the Morokun mental cultivation method... it's a secret technique left to me by my mother."
"Explain in more detail." His dark eyes stared at her, brooking no refusal.
Perhaps it was the weakness from last night, or perhaps it was his unusual persistence, but she slid down slightly and began to explain with difficulty.
"I am not a martial arts prodigy. My current skills are due to the rather special way I have learned them."
"This kind of skill is not easy to practice, but its operation is unique. In a short time, one can surpass ordinary people and become exceptionally light and swift. However, it will put a considerable burden on the meridians."
"Once you reach the peak of your cultivation technique, it will cause a backlash, and after a while, your meridians will reverse, just like what you saw last night." I had expected this, but I didn't expect it to be...so painful.
How often does it occur?
She paused for a moment, then downplayed the issue. "Yesterday was the first time."
Based on this calculation, it's clear that he only recently reached the peak of his cultivation... it must have been for the purpose of dealing with the King of Pop.
"How long until the next interval?" he insisted.
She simply turned her head to the side.
He tried his best to control his emotions. "How long will this keep recurring?"
She didn't look at him, her tone indifferent and nonchalant. "Until I die."
"How could you practice such evil arts?" He suddenly stood up and slammed the bowl down.
Her brows furrowed slightly, ignoring his anger, she indifferently ordered, "Bring the clothes."
"You don't care at all about what you become?" The man's eyes were complicated.
"I'm willing to pay the price, as long as I succeed," Jia Ye said coldly.
He stared at her for a long time, his face ashen, then turned and walked out of the room. Suddenly, a loud crash came from the next room as tables and chairs overturned. He returned shortly after, carrying all his belongings in.
"What are you doing?" Ignoring his unpleasant expression, she frowned.
"You think I'd leave you alone?" His dark eyes met hers. "From today onwards, we'll share a room."
“No need,” she refused coldly. “I’m capable of taking care of myself.”
“If you know what’s good, then don’t refuse.” He approached the bedside, his expression revealing that he wasn’t lying. “Or I can banish your martial arts.”
Her aura instantly turned icy. Her black eyes were sharp and ruthless.
"Don't force me to see you as an enemy." She stretched out a slender arm and pressed it against the edge of the couch, her sharp aura freezing the air in the room. "That wouldn't be wise."
“You know I care.”
"My affairs are none of your business." She spoke each word clearly and firmly. "Don't make decisions on your own."
After a long standoff, he reached out and pulled the blanket back up for her. His tone softened, even becoming somewhat pleading.
“I am not your enemy,” he murmured with a sigh. “You have saved me many times, and I have never forgotten it.”
Her expression remained stiff and cold as he wrapped her body in his arms.
"Then mind your own business."
"Jia Ye, why are you afraid?" He studied her features, voicing his hidden doubts. "You're afraid of getting close to people, and even more afraid of others being kind to you. Why?"
“Every time I try to be even slightly gentle, they immediately distance themselves with a cold and abrupt attitude.”
"You never leave room for others, nor do you allow yourself to have any weaknesses."
"Are you... tired?"
A deep, gentle voice rang in my ears, as if with magic, eroding my will.
She lowered her eyelashes and remained silent.
"I won't touch you. I'm just worried that you'll hurt yourself again if you have another attack..." He pulled her hand, his fingertips lightly tracing the purplish teeth marks, and sighed deeply.
"...Could you try to trust me?"
………………
After a long silence, I felt my stiff body soften little by little.
I'm hungry.
There's someone else next to me on my pillow.
Extremely uncomfortable, I barely suppressed the urge to turn over and stared at the wall without moving.
I really want to berate myself for making myself miserable.
She seriously considered the consequences of kicking the person next to her off the stage, and wondered why she didn't insist on parting ways. The inexplicable entanglements were becoming increasingly troublesome, and she had lost control of the situation, which she disliked very much.
How could they have... compromised?
Although he was quite polite beside her, leaving some room for maneuver, she still…
The feeling of having one's defensive perimeter invaded lingered. I tossed and turned until dawn, finally succumbing to drowsiness. Perhaps… I should… stay away from him…
After her breathing stabilized, the person beside her quietly opened their eyes and looked at her still slightly furrowed brows in her sleep.
His eyes glided across her delicate face, her drooping eyelashes, and her small, soft lips.
A smile blooms silently.
He became exceptionally gentle after that.
She tried to bring it up several times but never got the chance. He carefully avoided crossing the line, meticulously arranged their lives, and was as considerate as possible while maintaining an appropriate distance, leaving her speechless.