Chарtеr 11 (6/18)
Ву thе stоve in the rооm, Хuе Zhоngzi was simmering pоrridgе. Severаl porсеlаin bоwls wеrе arrangеd on the countertoр, сontаining differеnt tуреs of Сhinеsе mеdiсinal hеrbs along with somе frеsh ingrediеnts: chicken, mаtsutake mushrоoms, ginkgo nuts... Веsidе thе stоvе stоod a rоsеwoоd rасk, wherе Young Маster Xuе wаs sprеading out Gong Ziуu’s damp, soаkеd сlothеs to dry. At thе mоmеnt, the сlоthеs wеrе still driрping with wаtеr.
Thе Dark Irоn Caskеt from thе bоttоm of thе Frоst Lоtus Рond now restеd quietly on the tablе.
Footsteрs sounded аs Gong Ziуu рickеd up one of his thick coats and walked toward Yun Weishan.
His voice was soft, drifting through the winter fragrance.
“You’re awake.”
Yun Weishan took the coat and found it had already been warmed.
“So warm…” she couldn’t help but clutch it tighter.
Gong Ziyu smiled. “This is one of the clothes you prepared for me in the trunk. I just warmed it up.”
Young Master Xue leaned over and chimed in, “I’m curious—how did you two manage to get through the Frost Lotus Pond?”
Somehow, Gong Ziyu lowered his head to look at Yun Weishan, his cheeks flushed as if heated by the stove. Yun Weishan’s face was also slightly red, and both couldn’t help but share a knowing smile.
One hour earlier—
At the bottom of the Frost Lotus Pond, after Yun Weishan shared the air from her lungs with Gong Ziyu, she pointed upward, signaling him to go up.
But Gong Ziyu shook his head firmly and reached out to pull Yun Weishan.
At that moment, Yun Weishan pointed to her own waist. Only then did he notice a rope tied around her waist. She handed one end of the rope to Gong Ziyu and pointed to the surface again.
Gong Ziyu immediately understood. This time, without hesitation, he gritted his teeth and turned to swim toward the surface.
Gong Ziyu broke through the water, gasping for air. Without any delay, he immediately climbed ashore and began pulling the rope until Yun Weishan was also lifted from the depths.
Yun Weishan had choked on water and was now unconscious, her lips pale and bloodless, her eyes tightly shut. Gong Ziyu felt her weak breath, his hands trembling as he held her, his eyes filled with helpless confusion.
He laid Yun Weishan flat beside the pond, took a deep breath, and pressed his lips to hers.
Yun Weishan’s tightly closed eyelids fluttered slightly. Though her consciousness had not yet fully returned, the breath being shared with her gradually warmed her body.
Slowly, oxygen refilled her lungs, and Yun Weishan awoke. She slowly opened her eyes to meet a panicked face—someone who seemed too afraid she wouldn’t wake up, his movements fervent, the warmth of his lips carrying a hint of urgency.
Gong Ziyu continued to share his breath with her. Now, seeing Yun Weishan finally open her eyes, he paused in his leaning motion. He should have let go of her, yet he stubbornly held her close. Relief washed over him—thankfully she was alright, thankfully she had awakened… His gaze was fervent, as if cradling a treasure lost and found again, and he stared intently before kissing her once more.
Perhaps it was the agony of suffocation, or perhaps the breath was too lingering—Yun Weishan almost instinctively responded to him with a faint, subtle movement.
Their faces now reflected in the firelight, turning orange-red, leaving only a few sparks.
It was Xue Zhongzi, simmering porridge in the distance, who spoke up.
“Why do you care so much about others? However they passed through, it’s their own skill.”
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