Chapter 71: No Intention to Take Advantage of Him

Nangong Ao had not yet finished his work; he was resting in an armchair near the balcony, his long legs casually crossed, eyes gazing at the stars outside. The vast, boundless night sky was sometimes ablaze with shimmering stars, sometimes shrouded in darkness. Yet, whatever the weather, whatever the day, he had grown accustomed to lifting his gaze to the heavens in the quiet depth of night. It was as though somewhere up there lay a place he longed for.

In the world today, there were always those who ceaselessly explored and studied the mysterious realms beyond the stars. Perhaps, in the not so distant future, humanity would discover a path to the unknown. When that time came, what would people find? The marvels of a new civilization, or the ruins of an ancient world?

Suddenly, the sound of knocking at the door interrupted Nangong Ao's thoughts. He straightened in his seat, just a little. “Come in.”

Xianyu Qing opened the door, poking her small head inside. “Big brother, aren’t you going to rest yet?” For some reason, seeing her always lightened Nangong Ao’s mood.

“Soon,” he replied.

Xianyu Qing knew that “soon” meant at least another hour or two. She stepped inside, took the folder from his side, and spoke in a housekeeper’s tone, “Work never ends! When it’s time to rest, you must rest.”

It was something Ning Wenyen often said to Xianyu Feng, only she’d substitute “work” with “homework.” Nangong Ao, having gotten used to such advice these days, stood and walked back to his bed, sitting down. He asked, “Qingqing, does your brother contact you often?”

Xianyu Qing’s little face turned forlorn. “Now he rarely has time to reply to messages.” Even on calls, he’d say barely a word before hanging up, claiming he needed to finish his work quickly so he could come back sooner.

Nangong Ao pondered; it seemed something had indeed happened with Xianyu Feng. He was keeping it from his family, not wanting them to worry. Not wishing for Xianyu Qing to fret, Nangong Ao changed the subject. “Grandmother wants you back at the villa on Sunday. Help me keep it secret, will you? She’s old now, and I don’t want her to worry about me.”

Xianyu Qing was hesitant. She wasn’t good at lying, but she nodded. “Alright.”

“And lately, have you had any nightmares?” Nangong Ao was worried she might have an episode when she returned.

Xianyu Qing answered, “Much better these past few days.” She didn’t know why, but she’d gotten better on her own.

“That’s good! There are classes tomorrow, so rest early.”

Nangong Ao spoke as he took off his jacket, lying down in his dark grey striped pajamas, paying no mind to Xianyu Qing’s presence. She was used to it by now. She’d seen the young master at his most disheveled, so this was nothing. Perhaps because she had no other feelings for him, it felt perfectly proper.

As soon as Nangong Ao lay down and closed his eyes, he fell quickly into sleep. Xianyu Qing turned off the lights and closed the door for him, then went downstairs to fetch a glass of water.

As she entered the kitchen, a shadow startled her. When she saw it was Jiang Mohe, she sighed in relief. He had just opened the refrigerator and taken out a box of ice cubes. Seeing Xianyu Qing, he didn’t bother with greetings, grabbed a handful of ice, and swiftly pressed it against his left arm.

By the light spilling in from the living room, Xianyu Qing saw that his entire left sleeve had been torn off, and a swollen black streak stretched from his left shoulder down to his hand. Jiang Mohe, with only one hand free, couldn’t manage to cover the whole area with ice. Xianyu Qing stepped forward to help, but he stopped her sharply, “Don’t touch!”

She froze. Jiang Mohe took a deep breath and muttered, “It’s poison.”

Xianyu Qing dared not move, afraid she’d inadvertently worsen his condition. Jiang Mohe grimaced, pressing the ice methodically over the black streak, until the color faded and the swelling subsided. By then, his forehead was drenched in cold sweat, though his expression was less grim.

Xianyu Qing handed him some tissues; Jiang Mohe took them, wiped his brow, and asked, “Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

Xianyu Qing asked in return, “How were you poisoned? Is it resolved now?” Normally, wouldn’t you let blood in emergencies like this? Would ice really help?

Jiang Mohe saw her confusion and explained, “This is a special chemical toxin. Ice can prevent it from spreading.”

“How do you detoxify it then?”

Jiang Mohe didn’t answer, only said, “It’s late. Get some rest.” He turned to leave.

At the kitchen door, he suddenly staggered, clutching the doorframe and gasping for breath. He had underestimated those people! Ordinary chemical poisons couldn’t harm him. There must have been a delayed-effect agent mixed in. Now, even making it back to his room was a struggle. The world spun before his eyes, rushing past like a roller coaster, leaving him dizzy and unable to move forward.

“Are you alright?”

Xianyu Qing noticed he was unwell, unsure whether to help him. Jiang Mohe couldn’t utter a word; his hand trembled violently as he gripped the doorframe, using all his strength. He couldn’t lose consciousness, for who knew what might happen or what he might do?

Jiang Mohe shakily drew a dagger from his waist, intending to stab his thigh, but Xianyu Qing stopped him.

“What are you doing?” she exclaimed in astonishment.

Jiang Mohe, still gripping the dagger, gritted his teeth, “Let go…”

“No!” Xianyu Qing held tight to his wrist. She didn’t know what was happening, but she couldn’t let him hurt himself.

Jiang Mohe felt the heat inside him swelling, almost unbearable. He flung Xianyu Qing aside, raised the dagger, but as he was about to strike, she collided with him in her panic.

Jiang Mohe, already weak, was knocked clear out of the kitchen, falling hard onto the living room floor, his head hitting the stone tiles with a thud. Xianyu Qing fell beside him. She rose and looked at Jiang Mohe, catching a glimpse of one eye, which had turned red!

She had barely taken it in before he lost consciousness. Xianyu Qing reached for his pulse, finding his blood roiling and his temperature alarmingly high. Fearing the poison would spread, she mimicked his earlier actions, applying more ice cubes to his arm, as well as his forehead and body.

After about a quarter of an hour, with several rounds of ice melting away, Jiang Mohe finally opened his eyes and regained consciousness.

Xianyu Qing studied his eyes closely, seeing nothing unusual now. Jiang Mohe looked at her too, his head still spinning, but his memory of what had happened before fainting was returning. He was grateful for her intervention that prevented the worst.

“Thank you,” he said, sitting up and realizing that his black fitted shirt had been pulled up. Xianyu Qing shyly averted her gaze, feeling awkward. She had only loosened his clothing to save him, never intending to take advantage.