Chu Lingzhi felt she hadn't done much for him either. Compared to the women who could make him stronger, she was far too insignificant. Fall in love with her?
Hearing her words, Nangong Yehen paused mid-motion, furrowed his brow slightly, and gazed at her deeply. He didn't want her to leave, didn't want her to have another man—was that falling in love with her? His brow furrowed deeper. He felt that love was something too heavy, too false.
"What is love? What does it mean to fall in love?" He curled his lips and asked with a faint smile. "Have you lost your memory, or are you playing dumb? You once loved Ouyang Ruobing." Now he was pretending not to understand what love was in front of her? Did he take her for a three-year-old?
"Silly woman." Nangong Yehen pinched her cheek hard. "Go to sleep. I'm very tired now." With that, he closed his eyes.
Chu Lingzhi stared at him. Why did he seem so indifferent when it came to the topic of Ouyang Ruobing? Was it like they said—the more someone acted like they didn't care on the surface, the more they actually cared deep down? Like today, he had put on a good front in front of Gong Liye, but inside, he was enduring immense pain.
She watched him silently. With his eyes peacefully closed, his features appeared even more exquisite and captivating. He lost some of his cold aloofness and gained a touch of approachability. Seeing him like this made her heart ache. Because his complexion was terrible; his sickly beauty stirred an uneasy feeling in her.
He didn't say it, but she knew his injuries well—he was enduring tremendous pain. Yet just now, he had been joking with her. From start to finish, he never once mentioned the word "pain" in front of her.
Chu Lingzhi's heart suddenly felt heavy. She turned onto her side, lying face-to-face with him. She reached out and gently caressed his face. His features and contours were like a meticulously carved masterpiece, flawless and beyond reproach. The women outside only coveted and lusted after his power and handsomeness, never knowing how much suffering he had endured.
Nangong Yehen wasn't asleep. Her touch stirred a trace of warmth in his heart. So this was what it felt like to be cared for, to be cherished.
Chu Lingzhi felt a tightness around her waist as the man pulled her into his embrace. His low, gentle voice sounded by her ear, "Stop touching. Go to sleep."
"Nangong Yehen." She called out to him, unable to rest easy. "Hmm?" His voice was deep and pleasant. "If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, tell me. If your wound hurts in the middle of the night, wake me up."
Hearing this, he tightened his arms around her, a surge of warmth flowing through his chest. He didn't open his eyes, but his long lashes fluttered. He lowered his head and gently kissed her hair. "Don't overthink. Close your eyes obediently and sleep." His voice was unprecedentedly tender and low.
Chu Lingzhi's heart stirred. Her petite frame instinctively burrowed deeper into his broad embrace.
A dreamless night passed. Nangong Yehen held her in one position, closing his eyes and opening them to find it was dawn. He woke first. Opening his eyes, the first thing he saw was her lovely forehead. He gazed at her deeply. In her sleep, she looked like a well-behaved little girl, making him want to protect and cherish her. Suddenly, the perfect corners of his lips lifted, tracing a gentle smile. He actually felt the urge to protect and cherish her... Yet here she was, protecting and taking care of him. This feeling left him deeply frustrated. His gaze abruptly turned dark and profound.