Ning Wan Wan turned her head, gazing at the vast lake, and spoke softly, “If it weren’t for the Duke of Yi back then, I might have died. Everything I’m doing now doesn’t come close to what he did for me; it’s nothing.”
She lowered her eyes and said, “Because… you saved me…”
Suddenly looking up, she stared at Sihan seriously: “Because Uncle saved me.” Not just during the Lantern Festival, but in countless past lives.
It was Sihan who carried her out of that cold palace, stained his hands with blood for her, and transformed her from past hatred into a person of gratitude. He not only saved her life but also her heart, creating the unperturbed Ning Wanwan of today.
However, the smile on Sihan’s face gradually faded with her words. So, it was just repayment.
He smiled self-deprecatingly, lowering his eyes to the empty bowl, bitterness surging in his throat.
“Uncle, what’s wrong? Why are you sweating so much?” She took out a handkerchief, hesitating before handing it to Sihan.
“Please wipe yourself, Uncle.”
Sihan glanced at Ning Wanwan’s delicate hand holding the handkerchief, and his blocked emotions suddenly cleared. He realized that no matter her purpose, her care for him was sufficient. He had been too greedy and shouldn’t obsess over her feelings.
“I just drank some warming soup, probably dispersing the cold,” Sihan said as he took the handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his face.
After a brief conversation, Sihan got up to leave, knowing he should go first to avoid suspicion, with Ning Wanwan following afterward. However, he soon found another secluded spot and began to vomit again.
“Master, I seem to have left my money pouch in the pavilion. Please go ahead; I’ll be right back.”
“…Okay.” Sihan, having just finished, felt a bit breathless.
Ning Wanwan left the pavilion and was soon blocked by Yuan Bi. She hurried back to Chuyun Yuan, where she buried herself in medical books, piling them around her like small mountains.
Zhan Xiang entered the room, startled by the scene. “Miss, are you planning to become a doctor?”
Fu Yi glared fiercely at Zhan Xiang. “What nonsense are you talking about?”
Zhan Xiang quickly covered her mouth and cheerfully placed the dishes from the food box on the table.
