Late at night, the reason Lin Xiu was playing the night owl tonight wasn’t because of the game, but because his nagging sister had called him out.
On the rooftop of the Yintai Center Building, the night breeze carried a hint of chill. Lin Xiu leaned against the railing, admiring the city’s dazzling night view.
Lin Xiyue looked at her lazy brother and massaged her forehead helplessly.
“Brother, are you even listening to me?”
“I know, I know,” Lin Xiu replied.
He nodded repeatedly, but his tone was clearly perfunctory.
Lin Xiyue grew frustrated upon hearing this, and then she said with worry, “It’s not that you don’t know Sister Yun’s situation. Besides, if the higher-ups find out you’re dating her…”
Lin Xiu’s expression finally became more serious. He said calmly, “Then just don’t let them know.”
Lin Xiyue was stunned and frowned slightly. “Brother, are you serious?”
Lin Xiu nodded. He reached out his hand, and one crow with a faint golden glow emerged on his wrist.
“Supernatural abilities are a dream for some, but for others, they are a curse that can never be escaped.”
“Whether they want it or not, these abilities still favor those destined for them. But for that silly woman, her ability only brings constant trouble, yet she’s kept in the dark.”
“Don’t you think that’s a bit unfair to her?”
Lin Xiyue was startled, and she asked in surprise, “Could it be that you want to—”
Lin Xiu nodded and said plainly, “At least this way, she’ll have her own choice instead of others choosing for her.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiyue’s gaze became complicated.
“Do you know the consequences of doing this? Even if I help you hide it, this matter won’t stay a secret for long.”
Lin Xiu turned around and rested both hands on the railing. He looked up at the star-filled sky and said indifferently, “I know, but I’ll do it anyway.”
He now had a new goal, so he wanted to protect this peace, even if it was just a matter of living one day at a time and getting by.
Lin Xiyue fell silent. She understood that her older brother had already made up his mind, so she stopped arguing.
“Brother, I’ll keep your secret. But you’ll bring my sister-in-law home, right?”
Lin Xiu nodded with confidence. “Of course.”
—
The next day, when Lin Xiu went next door as usual to scrounge for breakfast, he found the entire house quiet.
Lin Xiu raised an eyebrow. After sensing for a moment, he discovered a woman curled up and sleeping in the master bedroom.
Other than her, that woman Ning Xin was nowhere to be found.
‘Is this silly woman just sleeping in?’ Lin Xiu thought. With that in mind, he barged inside without hesitation.
However, when he reached the bedside, he realized something was wrong.
The woman lying on the bed had a flushed face and was drenched in sweat. No matter how he looked at it, her condition was not normal.
Lin Xiu quickly reached out to touch Liu Yun’s forehead. Feeling the obvious heat of a fever, he let out a sigh.
“Mm…”
At that moment, Liu Yun seemed to sense the youth’s presence. She slowly opened her beautiful eyes and looked at him dazedly.
“Why… why are you here?”
Lin Xiu shrugged and answered honestly, “Because I’m hungry.”
Liu Yun was stunned, then she got up wordlessly.
“I’ll go see if there’s anything left to eat…”
Looking at her state, Lin Xiu pressed her directly back onto the bed.
“You should rest first. Don’t you know you have a fever?”
Liu Yun paused, then touched her own forehead before suddenly realizing.
“Oh, I have a fever. No wonder my head feels dizzy…”
Seeing the woman’s delayed reaction, a few black lines couldn’t help but appear on Lin Xiu’s forehead. He speculated, “As expected, was it because of the rain yesterday? Sister Yun, your constitution is far too weak. I took a hot bath after getting home yesterday and nothing happened to me.”
Hearing the youth’s words, a flash of guilt crossed Liu Yun’s eyes. She pulled at the corner of the blanket.
“Yeah, probably…”
Fortunately, Lin Xiu didn’t overthink it and asked, “Is there fever medicine in the house?”
Liu Yun gave a soft hum. “In the cabinet under the TV in the living room.”
Lin Xiu nodded and stood up to walk out of the bedroom. When he returned, he had the medicine and a cup of warm water.
“Careful.”
Lin Xiu placed the medicine and water on the nightstand, then sat on the edge of the bed. He gently supported Liu Yun, letting her lean against his chest.
The woman’s hair had grown quite long, and a few sweat-soaked strands stuck to her flushed face, making her look particularly alluring.
Lin Xiu handed her the medicine. Watching her swallow it with a frown, he quickly brought the water to her lips.
Seeing the woman slowly drinking water like a little puppy, Lin Xiu couldn’t help but ask, “Where is that woman, Ning Xin?”
Liu Yun shook her head and whispered, “Xiao Xin might have gone to work.”
Lin Xiu gave a light huff but didn’t say anything else.
For a moment, the room fell silent.
Leaning in the youth’s embrace while holding the warm cup with both hands, Liu Yun finally felt a bit uncomfortable. She slowly said, “Um, if you have things to do, go ahead. You don’t have to stay here with me.”
Lin Xiu’s face darkened upon hearing this. He immediately flicked the woman’s forehead, causing her to cry out in pain with teary eyes.
“Sister Yun, I’m taking care of you. Are you really that eager to chase me away?”
Liu Yun covered her forehead. Even if she was thinking exactly that, she still whispered, “I didn’t think that.”
Looking at the dishonest, silly woman, Lin Xiu’s eyes darted around.
“It’s best if you weren’t. After all, I have to continue taking care of you. Let me see what to do next for someone with a fever…”
Seeing how serious the youth was, Liu Yun couldn’t help but feel a little touched. After all, hearts aren’t made of stone.
But that feeling completely vanished with the youth’s next sentence, replaced by shame and anger.
“Hmm, Sister Yun, since you’re soaked in sweat, let me wipe your body for you?”
At this moment, Lin Xiu finally bared his fangs.
Liu Yun’s face stiffened. By the time she reacted, the youth was already approaching with a towel.
Naturally, Liu Yun grabbed the blanket tightly, her eyes filled with panic.
“I don’t want to! Go away!”
“Sister Yun, I’m doing this for your own good. Be good, it won’t take long.”
Liu Yun resisted with all her might while wrapped in the blanket.
“No… you, you can’t bully a sick person!”
Lin Xiu raised an eyebrow and said eerily, “Sister Yun, if you aren’t good, I really will bully you.”