“Okay, I’ll be fine at home,” Su Jin said, putting a sour plum in her mouth and smiling. “You must be careful outside. The baby and I will miss you.” She felt fortunate to have such a reliable partner, and they lived happily together.

Seeing Su Jin’s smile, Ke He fell into a trance, which made Su Jin even happier, feeling that the sour plum in her mouth had turned sweet.

In Yanhua Zui, the room in the corner of the second floor was cold despite the ambiance and the lit charcoal stove. The charcoal fire occasionally crackled. Incense floated in the room, and the man lying on the bed was covered in thick blankets yet felt no warmth, his gaze unfocused.

Ning Zhi brushed back his damp forehead and pushed aside the disheveled black hair on the pillow, which was dotted with water droplets. The servant had already cleaned his body and washed his hair.

Ning Zhi opened the bottle cap, picked up some medicine, and applied it to him. He rubbed medicine on the mottled rope marks on his wrists, gently lifting a corner of the blanket to reveal a body covered in wounds. Ning Zhi inhaled sharply.

Feeling his ice-cold body, Ning Zhi trembled, recalling the desperate suffering he had previously endured. The current Su Chen Bi had suffered even more cruelly. If not for the owner, Ning Zhi might still be under oppression.

Ning Zhi took a deep breath and continued applying medicine. “You don’t need to entertain guests tonight. Rest well.”

As expected, there was no response.

Since first seeing Su Chen Bi, Ning Zhi had hardly heard him speak.

Ning Zhi covered Su Chen Bi with a blanket, placed a warm pot inside, and noticed his unfocused gaze. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Do you regret what you did back then?”

Su Chen Bi’s long eyelashes trembled, and his gaze gradually focused on Ning Zhi, revealing misty eyes lost in memories.

Ning Zhi was accustomed to Fei’er’s caring nagging. He took off his clothes and got into bed, where a warm kettle awaited him, and the charcoal fire was lit. His heart warmed; despite changing circumstances, only Fei’er had remained loyal. He held Fei’er’s hand, comforting him, “I’m really fine. I’ll take care of myself, so don’t worry.”

Fei’er’s eyes turned slightly sour. “Young Master, please lie down and rest. Don’t do anything more.”

“Okay,” Ning Zhi smiled, lying down, “I’ll rest now. You should go rest too.”

“I’ll rest only after you fall asleep. What if you see Shen Bi again?” Fei’er said, displeased. His young master was already tired, yet he wanted to see Shen Bi, who had done something that despicable.

The young master shouldn’t have endured those hardships. Fei’er’s eyes felt sour knowing the young master empathized with Su Shen Bi’s suffering, which reminded him of his own past, leading him to care for her.

Having endured pain himself, the young master wished for someone to care for him. While Fei’er disapproved of the young master dragging himself to help Su Shen Bi, he refrained from stopping him.

Ning Zhi sensed Fei’er was lost in thought again. Though his eyes felt slightly sour, Feier’s presence brought warmth. Ning Zhi smiled, poked Fei’er’s forehead, and asked, “What are you thinking about now?”

Fei’er shook his head, letting the moisture in his eyes dissipate. “Nothing. Young Master, please rest.”

He pulled the blanket over Ning Zhi, lowered the bed curtains, and instructed him to rest well before preparing for his own rest.

#

The autumn wind blew strongly, emptying the streets as people hurried home and vendors packed up their stalls to return.

Jin Yu left Cloud Mei feeling frustrated. She recognized she had no feelings for Cloud Mei, though the original owner of this body had loved her deeply.

When she was reborn and first saw Cloud Mei, she felt intense emotions, knowing only deep love could create such intensity.

She forced back the tears in her eyes, avoiding Cloud Mei and deliberately ignoring her. Over time, those feelings diminished, and now Cloud Mei stirred barely any emotions. Today’s visit was to gauge Cloud Mei’s place in her heart.

Even though her body’s reaction was less intense than before, she still felt blocked and uncomfortable.

Two years had passed. Jin Yu had taken over the Jin family business, yet she had not truly integrated into the family, which remained cold and pitiful to her.

Jin Yu wandered aimlessly on the street, casually greeting acquaintances before her thoughts drifted.

“Why are you here again?” An unhappy voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see Xiao Lian’s angry face and realized she had unconsciously arrived at the Beauty Pavilion. Xiao Lian was furious, after tormenting her brother all night, how could Jin Yu still not be satisfied?

Looking into the courtyard, she noticed dim candlelight flickering inside, with shadowy figures seemingly waiting for her. Her heart stirred, and a soft warmth gradually rose within her—a feeling she had never experienced before, not even in her previous life.

Jin Yu looked at the still-angry little face and explained, “I’m just here to check.”

Xiao Lian snorted, “What’s there to see? Since you’re here, come in.” Although she didn’t like Jin Yu, her brother did and always waited for her. Plus, her brother believed she could sometimes be good to them.

Jin Yu was surprised by Xiao Lian’s invitation, as she had never seemed to like her before.

Xiao Lian glanced at her and turned to walk into the house. “It’s getting late. Come in quickly if you’re coming. I need to lock the door.”

Jin Yu followed into the courtyard, her gaze fixed on the slender figure in the room, ignoring Xiao Lian locking the gate.

Su Xi had set the dishes on the table and arranged the bowls and chopsticks. Turning around, he saw Jin Yu standing in the doorway, the wind lifting strands of her hair. This unreal scene made him pause, blinking to confirm what he was seeing.

Unsure if the figure at the door was real, Su Xi instinctively turned his head, clenching his clothing hem.

Just then, Xiao Lian ran in from behind Jin Yu, grabbing Su Xi’s hand. “She’s come to torment you. You’re happy, right?” He glared at Jin Yu.

Su Xi’s heart skipped a beat as he looked toward the doorway, uncertain if she was really there.

He thought he wouldn’t see her for another ten days after her visit last night.

Su Xi clenched his hand, subtle joy rising in his heart. Xiao Lian snorted, “She’s here to torment you again, and you’re actually happy? Wait until you’re crying out tonight to see if you’re still happy.”

Su Xi blushed, averting his gaze from Jin Yu. “Xiao Lian, don’t talk nonsense.”

“I’m not talking nonsense; every night she comes, you’re like that.”

Su Xi awkwardly fell silent, and Xiao Lian pulled him towards the table, avoiding Jin Yu. “We haven’t eaten yet. Even if you want brother to serve you, you’ll have to wait until he’s full.”

“Xiao Lian,” Su Xi stopped, somewhat angry, looking at Jin Yu hesitantly. “If you want…,” he lowered his eyes, his face heating up, “I don’t mind…”

Jin Yu’s eyes briefly flashed as her face softened. “Let’s eat first. I haven’t eaten either; it’s just right to eat together.”

Su Xi was stunned, realizing only after Jin Yu entered the room and closed the door. He panicked, “I’ll go get an extra set of bowls and chopsticks.”

Xiao Lian pushed Su Xi toward the table. “I’ll get the bowls and chopsticks. Brother, eat first. You’ll be tormented again tonight,” he glanced at Jin Yu with satisfaction. “At least you have a conscience, knowing to let brother eat before doing that.”

Jin Yu’s face remained gentle.

After Xiao Lian left, Su Xi sat down opposite Jin Yu.

In the flickering candlelight, Su Xi appeared fragile, his delicate features slightly weak. Jin Yu observed him quietly.

Su Xi nervously gripped his clothing hem, turning his head slightly as his face reddened. “You came last night…”