In the corner of the room, Ning Yue stood with her arms crossed.
Her gaze locked onto the sweet scene before her—Zhao Feng and Xiao Yuyan cuddling affectionately on the sofa. Her face was expressionless, but a faint furrow appeared on her brow.
"Tch… dog food," she muttered under her breath, feigning indifference.
But deep in her eyes, there was a flicker of envy—an emotion she tried hard to suppress as she watched the intimacy between the two.
Unnoticed by everyone, the eyelids of Yan Qinran, still lying on the bed, twitched ever so slightly.
Slowly, her eyes cracked open—just enough to see Zhao Feng kissing the girl before him.
Her gaze dulled for a moment. A brief trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes, as if something precious had just slipped from her grasp.
They had only met a few hours ago.
She didn't know why—but her chest ached, just a little, at the sight.
But what Yan Qinran didn't expect was that, in the midst of her silent heartache, Ning Yue—whether on purpose or not—tightened the bandage around her wound just a bit too much while tending to her.
"Ugh—" Yan Qinran nearly let out a groan, but she gritted her teeth and held it back.
Her jaw clenched, her teeth locked tight against the pain.
She kept pretending to be unconscious, keeping her expression blank. But inside, she cursed at Ning Yue fiercely.
'That damn woman…! That hurts, you know?! You think I'm really in a coma?'
Annoyance welled up inside her—not hatred, but a simmering irritation. A tiny act of revenge began to take root in her heart.
'Fine then, Ning Yue... Once I recover, I swear I'll give you a good kick. Just once. For this pain.'
Still, Yan Qinran knew she couldn't act recklessly.
She still needed Ning Yue to treat her injuries.
So for now, she held back... enduring it in silence, despite how annoyed she felt.
'You're lucky I'm still bedridden.'
As she shut her eyes again and resumed her fake slumber, she failed to notice the grin creeping onto Ning Yue's face.
There was a mischievous sparkle in her eyes as she looked down at Yan Qinran.
'Heheh—don't think you can fool this auntie. You're still a hundred years too young, little girl.'
…
Without realizing it, dusk had fallen.
The once warm sunlight had dimmed into a soft orange hue, slipping through the windows of the quiet infirmary.
The light landed gently on Yan Qinran's face as she lay in bed, casting a serene illusion that masked the truth beneath.
Moments later, her eyelids twitched again.
She slowly opened her eyes—deliberately, as if waking from a deep sleep. Her movements were stiff, her expression dazed.
Her left hand reached up to cradle her head.
"Ugh… where am I…?" she murmured weakly, feigning confusion.
Zhao Feng and Xiao Yuyan, who were sitting not far away, immediately turned toward her. Zhao Feng's expression remained calm, but there was a hint of relief in his gaze.
Behind him, Ning Yue merely raised an eyebrow and looked at Yan Qinran with a faint, mocking glint.
"You're awake?" she asked flatly.
Yan Qinran nodded slowly. She closed her eyes for a moment, then looked around the room.
"…Thank you… for saving me. And my people," she said hoarsely, her tone sincere.
Zhao Feng shrugged casually, leaning back in his chair like he didn't want to make a big deal out of it.
"As fellow humans… I just helped because I could," he replied simply.
His words were plain, lacking any trace of arrogance or dramatics.
Yan Qinran's gaze shifted to the girl beside him—Xiao Yuyan, who sat gracefully with a calm expression.
Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "The young lady of the Xiao family…?"
Only now did she realize that the girl Zhao Feng had kissed was none other than a famous heiress of the prestigious Xiao Clan.
On the other side, Xiao Yuyan remained composed. She smiled and extended her hand in greeting.
"Hello. This might be the first time we've met in person. I'm Xiao Yuyan, nice to finally meet you… classmate."
Yan Qinran blinked in surprise but quickly composed herself and shook the offered hand.
She returned the smile warmly.
"Hi, I'm Yan Qinran. I think I've seen you before at a banquet."
Xiao Yuyan nodded lightly. "Probably during one of those joint family events. I usually attend to represent the Xiao family."
What started as a slightly awkward exchange soon melted into a more relaxed conversation. Within minutes, the two were laughing, sharing stories, and even teasing each other like long-lost friends.
They looked as though they had just been reunited after years of separation.
As night approached, the atmosphere in the infirmary became more laid-back.
Xiao Yuyan and Ning Yue busied themselves preparing large portions of instant noodles—enough to feed the fourteen exhausted subordinates of Yan Qinran.
Steam rose from several pots, filling the room with a mouthwatering aroma.
Zhao Feng sat back against the wall, watching with a relaxed gaze.
Yan Qinran, now able to sit up with support, observed them with a mix of admiration and guilt.
"I… I'm sorry for troubling you all," she said quietly, bowing her head a little.
Zhao Feng simply shrugged. "You're injured. It's not your fault."
Yan Qinran let out a soft chuckle, though her embarrassment lingered.
After their warm and simple meal, the soldiers began to scatter across the empty rooms on the fifth floor in search of a place to sleep.
Some wrapped themselves in emergency blankets, others lay on makeshift bedding made of old clothes or cushions.
Back in the main infirmary, only Zhao Feng, Ning Yue, and Yan Qinran remained.
It was only natural—Yan Qinran still needed rest and couldn't move much. The infirmary was the safest and most comfortable place for her recovery.
Yet somehow, the presence of all three in the same room created a subtle tension.
It wasn't hostility—but a curious blend of unease, comfort, and an unspoken intrigue that lingered in the air.
Outside, the night had fully descended.
Silence reigned.
But inside the infirmary, a small, quiet story between three people was just beginning.
...
Author's Note:
Handsome readers, may I ask for your generous Power Stones and comments?I read every single one with a happy heart and truly appreciate your suggestions.Your support means the world to me and helps this novel grow stronger every day!