I must have been sleeping too deeply earlier, because Lu Yancheng clearly hadn't expected me to wake up so suddenly.For a fleeting moment, embarrassment crossed that pale, composed face of his—and I caught it.
He quickly looked away, his tone a little unnatural."I heard you talking in your sleep. I came to check if you were having a nightmare."
Given everything that had happened these past few days, it wasn't surprising. The mind replays what the heart cannot bear; night after night, I was trapped in the same nightmare I couldn't escape.
My stomach twisted. "Did I… say something strange?"God, please don't let me have said anything I shouldn't have.
"You sounded terrified," he said quietly. "Kept saying, 'Don't come near me,' and 'Don't kill me.'"
A chill ran down my spine.I had dreamt of that night again—the night I was murdered.It was so cold.The blade was fast.And there had been so much blood.
Lu Yancheng studied my face. "You're just a young girl. Why would you dream about things like that?"
He was too perceptive. Too sharp. Every time he looked at me like that, I feared he'd see straight through my disguise.
"I like reading mystery novels," I said with a bright, easy smile. "And horror games too. Maybe that's why."Then, trying to lighten the mood, I asked, "Sorry if I disturbed you. I didn't snore, did I?"
"No," he replied simply, withdrawing his gaze. "Go back to sleep."
I noticed he was still dressed as before. Which meant—he hadn't slept at all.He looked exhausted. Why wouldn't he rest?
He started to wheel himself away, but on impulse, I caught his wrist.
He turned toward me, his eyes dark as ink, cold as winter rain beneath the dim light spilling through the window."Something else?"
Realizing how forward that looked, I quickly let go. "You can't sleep, can you?"
My question seemed to catch him off guard. He paused. "No. I have insomnia."
There was so much I wanted to ask—why he'd been the one to light the eternal lamp on the mountain that night, for instance—but we weren't close enough for that yet.Still, I could sense a deep loneliness about him lately.
Whenever I'd seen him before, he was always with Shen Ji, quiet and detached, the kind of man who carried solitude like a second skin.
And ever since I saw how he and Grandma had searched tirelessly for my body after my death, something inside me had changed.His place in my heart had grown heavier.
I couldn't bear to see him so alone.
If we couldn't be lovers, then at least—perhaps—we could be friends.
"Want me to massage your head?" I offered lightly. "I'm good at it."
I had once learned from an old Chinese doctor—massage, acupuncture, cupping—all so I could better care for Lu Shiyan.
Lu Yancheng shook his head. "Thank you, but that won't be necessary."
"Mr. Lu," I said softly, "we'll be working together for a long time. You don't need to treat me like your wife. You can think of me as a friend—or even as a younger sister, if that's easier."
His gaze dropped briefly to my wrist. "Your hand isn't healed."
I almost forgot about that. "It's fine. I can still do acupuncture. You probably have blocked meridians—hence the insomnia."
He hesitated, then gave a quiet sigh, as if giving in. "...Fine."
"Wait here," I said cheerfully. "I'll grab some tools."
So there I was, on my wedding night, sneaking downstairs past one in the morning to fetch medicinal wine and silver needles.
But as I reached the ground floor, I froze.
There, in the dim glow of the corridor lights, stood Lu Shiyan—and Su Ning'an.
Everyone else was asleep.Su Ning'an clung to his wrist, saying something in a low, urgent tone.Lu Shiyan looked pale and impatient, clearly wanting to shake her off, but she refused to let go.
Well, well. What an unexpected little midnight performance.
Pulling my shawl tighter around my shoulders, I padded down the stairs in my white fur slippers, voice smooth and amused.
"Well now," I said lightly, "what scene are you two rehearsing at this hour?"
At the sound of my voice, Su Ning'an immediately dropped his hand."I almost tripped just now," she said sweetly. "Good thing I caught my brother's hand in time. Auntie, why aren't you asleep yet?"
I noticed Lu Shiyan wasn't saying a word—his gaze was fixed squarely on me.
Of course.With my hair loose and a shawl draped over my shoulders, I probably looked just like the old me—the wife he'd betrayed.No wonder he stared at me like that, eyes wide, unblinking.
I smiled faintly. "Yancheng's head's been aching. I came to get some medicinal wine and needles for acupuncture."
He blinked as if snapping out of a daze, his face full of disbelief. "You know acupuncture?"
It wasn't common. Most girls my age learned music, dance, or finance—but I had learned those and acupuncture.
I nodded with a small smile. "Yes. I studied a little when I had nothing better to do."
I descended the stairs, letting my gaze sweep over the two of them. "You two seem… close."
Su Ning'an's pupils darkened for an instant, though her face kept its gentle, harmless smile."Auntie and Uncle are the ones with true affection," she said smoothly. "It's so late, and yet you're still up taking care of him."
"Yes," I replied, meeting her eyes. "Yancheng is the kindest man I've ever met. He treats me well—it's only right that I treat him well in return."
Then I turned to Lu Shiyan, my voice lilting just slightly."Tell me, Xiao Lu—do you hate your wife that much?"
Su Ning'an stiffened. "Auntie, my sister has already passed away. Let her rest in peace. Please don't say such things again."
I covered my mouth and chuckled lightly. "Sorry. I tend to speak before I think. Don't take it personally."
Then, humming softly, I found the housekeeper and got what I needed.
The medicine box was heavy. Lu Shiyan's expression darkened as he stepped forward and took it from my hands."I'll carry it for you," he said.
"Thank you," I replied sweetly.
When we reached the top floor, I glanced down once more—just in time to catch the look in Su Ning'an's eyes.
The hatred there hadn't faded.It glimmered cold and venomous, like a snake waiting in the dark—watching me,ready to strike.