The next day, Ning Guiwan woke up in Quan Yu’s room.
She had drunk again last night and been out in the cold wind, so her body felt heavy all over. It wasn’t the aftermath of a hangover; rather, it felt as if she had caught a cold and fallen ill. Her throat was also burning uncomfortably.
But as soon as she opened her eyes and saw the unfamiliar surroundings—the dark-colored walls and furniture, the black bedding, heavy black curtains tightly blocking out the light, and even the chandelier overhead, which was also black and cast a dim, somber glow—she bolted upright, despite feeling unwell.
Before her mind could fully process it, a tall figure emerged from the walk-in closet. Ning Guiwan felt as if half the blood in her body had rushed to her head.
Panicked, she looked down to see her pajamas disheveled beneath the blankets.
Disbelieving, she looked at Quan Yu. "I... Last night, did we...?"
Her voice was a little hoarse.
Flashes of the previous night flickered through her mind: stargazing on the rooftop, grabbing Quan Yu and spouting nonsense... But how did I get downstairs? How did I end up in his bed? She had absolutely no recollection.
Quan Yu emerged dressed in a shirt and trousers, a tie in his hand. He leisurely looped it around his neck and knotted it right in front of her before looking coldly at Ning Guiwan. "Take your medicine," he said.
Only then did Ning Guiwan notice two types of medicine on the bedside table. She was in no state to pay them any mind; the weakness from her sore throat and fever seemed to have momentarily vanished. Her thoughts raced. How did I end up sleeping here? Did something terrible happen?
But the more she wanted to know, the less the man opposite her seemed inclined to answer. After uttering those words, he headed straight for the door.
"Wait!" Ning Guiwan called out to him.
Quan Yu turned back. His handsome face was calm, his deep brown eyes regarding her with a faint, unreadable expression. He didn’t speak, as if waiting for her to continue.
Ning Guiwan’s throat felt even drier. She clutched the blanket, silent for a long moment, her expression unsightly.
"First, tell me... how did I end up in your room last night?"
"Don’t remember?" Quan Yu retorted.
A strained smile touched Ning Guiwan’s lips as she nodded. If I remembered, would I need to ask you?
"Figure it out yourself," Quan Yu tossed out before opening the door and leaving.
Just then, a servant happened to pass by the doorway. Spotting him, she greeted him cheerfully, "You’re up, sir? I’ll go in and tidy up your room now."
The words drifted through the closed door, and every hair on Ning Guiwan’s body stood on end.
Fortunately, the man showed some consideration. "No need to tidy up today," he replied. "Tell the others not to go in either."
Such was the Family Head’s established authority that the servant immediately responded, "Yes, sir."
Ning Guiwan breathed a sigh of relief and sank limply back onto the bed, racking her brains. She truly couldn’t remember how she had gotten to Quan Yu’s room, and her head throbbed fiercely. She dragged herself up again and took the medicine according to the instructions, but soon, she realized something even more troubling.
This is when the servants do their cleaning; the hallway outside is bustling with footsteps. How am I supposed to leave? If I’m seen, a hundred mouths wouldn’t be enough to explain myself... Damn it, I can’t even explain it to myself! What on earth happened last night?
The discomfort from her illness swept over her body once more. Still pondering this mystery, Ning Guiwan unknowingly drifted back into a deep sleep.
She slept so soundly that she lost all sense of day or night.
She woke again to a cool sensation on her forehead.
Groggily, she opened her eyes to see Quan Yu’s elegant and subtly striking face hovering above her. His usually cool, aloof eyes seemed to hold a hint of worry. One of his hands was placing a towel soaked in cold water on her forehead, while the other held a cell phone.
She couldn’t make out what was being said on the phone, only hearing him utter a few "hmms" in response before he hung up. For more chapters visit NovєlFіre.net
Seeing she had opened her eyes, Quan Yu said, "You’re this sick, and you didn’t think to go to the hospital?"
Although his tone was reproachful, it carried an underlying gentleness.
Ning Guiwan’s body felt exceptionally heavy, sinking downwards as if she would plummet right through the mattress to the floor. Even taking a breath was an effort; she truly didn’t want to utter a single word.
"Can you get up?" Quan Yu asked her.
Ning Guiwan looked at him but still said nothing. Quan Yu seemed to understand the unspoken message in her eyes and said, "Take your medicine." He paused, then added, "You haven’t eaten all day."
With his help, Ning Guiwan took the medicine. But when she looked at the bowl of plain porridge, a bitter taste filled her mouth, and she truly had no appetite.
"Eat, even if you don’t feel like it," Quan Yu said, bringing a spoonful of porridge to her lips.
Ning Guiwan leaned against the headboard, gazed at his hand for a moment, then opened her mouth and ate.
His hands really were a pleasure to look at.
"Is it dark out?" Ning Guiwan glanced towards the window. The curtains were drawn, and it was pitch-black outside, nothing visible.
Quan Yu responded, "Mhm."
Ning Guiwan asked, "So, does that mean I’ve slept for an entire day?"