Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 245 Night Watch in the Deep Clouds

Wei Qingyi listened calmly as they finished speaking, her arm firmly supporting Chen Anran without loosening its grip. She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over the anxious faces of the Feng brothers.

"The innocent are innocent, why fear what others say? Anran is my junior brother, he was injured for my sake, so I should take care of him. The hotel suite has inner and outer rooms, so there's no inconvenience." She paused, then looked at Feng Changyuan, "Fellow Daoist Feng's medical skills are superb. Now that Anran's life is no longer in danger, please prescribe a formula for his subsequent recuperation and conditioning. I will take care of him accordingly. If there is anything you don't understand, you can call me anytime."

"This..." Feng Changyuan was speechless. He hadn't expected Wei Qingyi to be so resolute, and he couldn't find any flaws in her reasoning.

Feng Lie stamped his feet in frustration, blurting out, "Senior Sister Wei! You...you're putting us in a difficult position! Xiao Lu, she..."

"Feng Lie!" Feng Changyuan suddenly stopped his younger brother, a vein throbbing on his forehead. Some things are fine to think about, but saying them aloud is another matter entirely.

Wei Qingyi glanced at the two of them, puzzled. "Xiao Lu is An Ran's senior sister and also a member of the Yunyin Sect. If she knew what I did, she would definitely agree."

After saying that, she didn't give the Feng brothers a chance to dissuade her. She half-supported, half-carried Chen Anran to her feet, while Huiming silently stepped forward to help stabilize Chen Anran's other side. The three of them, along with Fatty Li, walked towards the door.

…………

As night deepened, the landscape lights along the main road of the resort emitted a soft glow, elongating the shadows of the group.

Wei Qingyi supported Chen Anran, Huiming assisted from the other side, while Fatty Li walked quickly ahead to lead the way, glancing back anxiously every now and then. Chen Anran leaned most of her weight on Wei Qingyi, still not fully conscious.

Feng Changyuan stood at the entrance of Baicao Pavilion, watching their receding figures, his brows furrowed.

Feng Lie leaned closer, lowered his voice, and said with a worried expression, "Brother Changyuan, how... how are we going to explain this to Xiaolu? What if she finds out that Senior Sister Wei and Junior Brother Chen are alone together in a room..."

"Don't panic yet." Feng Changyuan rubbed his temples. "What Fellow Daoist Wei said makes sense. The hotel suite does have inner and outer rooms. She was only taking care of the injured and had no other thoughts. Besides..." He paused, his gaze deep, "Junior Brother Chen's injuries are indeed not suitable for him to travel back to the mountain. It's best if you and I know this, and don't go and say anything to Xiao Lu."

Feng Lie opened his mouth, but could only sigh heavily in the end: "That's all we can do. I hope Junior Brother Chen recovers quickly and nothing goes wrong."

……

The front desk of the international hot spring hotel was brightly lit. The duty manager recognized Wei Qingyi and saw her helping a pale-faced, obviously unwell young man into the hotel. Behind her were a monk and a chubby young man. Although the manager was surprised, his professionalism made him immediately go to greet her.

"Miss Wei, how can I help you?"

"I need a suite, it has to be quiet, and preferably with a private hot spring."

"Okay, please wait a moment."

After quickly working on the computer, the manager looked up and said, "Perfect timing! The 'Cloud Retreat' suite is still available. It's on the top floor, at the very back, very quiet, and has a private hot spring pool and sauna." He quickly completed the check-in process and handed two room keys to Wei Qingyi.

The elevator ascends silently, its numbers flashing.

Wei Qingyi let him lean most of his body on her shoulder, wrapped one arm around his back, and supported him steadily. Her expression was calm, as if she were just supporting a drunk friend. Only when you got close could you feel the slight tension in her body and the barely controlled trembling that could be felt through her clothes.

The suite was spacious.

The design blends Chinese and modern minimalist styles. The outer room is the living room, furnished with a sofa and coffee table, while the inner room is the bedroom, separated by a custom-made wooden door. At the far end is the hot spring area, separated by a full-wall glass partition, with a separate sauna and relaxation tatami room next to it.

Fatty Li and Huiming stood outside the suite door, watching Wei Qingyi help Chen Anran into the bedroom. Fatty Li rubbed his hands, hesitant to speak, but Huiming gently pulled him aside and said with his palms together, "Benefactor Wei, please contact us anytime if needed."

"Okay, but you've all worked hard today, so go back and get some rest."

The door closed gently, shutting out the outside world.

Wei Qingyi helped Chen Anran through the quiet living room and into the bedroom. The bedroom lights were dimmed, and the large bed with dark gray velvet sheets looked spacious and comfortable. She carefully settled Chen Anran on the bed, letting him lie flat, and gently pulled the thin blanket over his chest.

After doing all this, she straightened up, stood quietly by the bed, and looked at Chen Anran's face.

The room was at a constant temperature, but fine beads of cold sweat still seeped from his forehead. Wei Qingyi turned and went to the bathroom, soaked a soft white towel in hot water, wrung it out until it was half-dry, and sat down on the edge of the bed. She reached out and gently wiped the sweat from his forehead with the warm towel.

Her fingertips occasionally brushed against his skin unintentionally, and the coolness made her heart tighten. Remembering Feng Changyuan's instructions, she got up and went to the living room to find the hotel's spare electric blanket, laid it under the sheets, and turned it to the lowest setting.

Back in the bedroom, Wei Qingyi dragged a single sofa to the bedside and sat down. She didn't turn on the main light, only leaving a warm yellow reading lamp on the bedside table.

Back in the bedroom, Wei Qingyi dragged a single sofa to the bedside and sat down. She didn't turn on the main light, only leaving a warm yellow reading lamp on the bedside table.

In the stillness of the night, the only sounds in the suite were the faint hum of the humidifier and Chen Anran's gradually steady breathing.

Wei Qingyi wasn't sleepy. She sat quietly, watching over him, her gaze lingering on Chen Anran's face. From his handsome brow bone to his tightly closed eyelashes, and then to his pale lips. She had seen this face for many years, from his childishness to his youthful innocence, and now to his handsome and composed appearance. She was familiar with every subtle change in his expression, and could even imagine how his always gentle and calm eyes would look at her when he woke up.

Time slips away quietly, and the night outside the window is at its darkest.

Chen Anran's brows furrowed slightly, a muffled groan escaped his throat, and his body shifted slightly, as if he were not sleeping soundly.

Wei Qingyi immediately leaned forward and softly called, "Anran?"

Chen Anran didn't wake up, but her lips moved, and she mumbled a few syllables: "...cold..."

Wei Qingyi reached out and touched his forehead; it was still ice-cold. The warmth of the electric blanket seemed insufficient. She hesitated for a moment, then her gaze fell on his slightly trembling fingertips.

She remembered how he clumsily cared for her when she was sick as a child; she remembered the wild fruits and pastries he quietly placed in front of her door; she remembered his quiet figure as he cultivated himself during the countless austere but peaceful days on Yunyin Mountain.

At this moment, a string that had been taut in my heart quietly loosened in the still of the night, unseen by anyone.

Wei Qingyi stood up, walked to the other side of the bed, took off her coat and shoes and socks, lifted a corner of the quilt, her movements were very light and almost made no sound, and then she carefully lay down beside him.

The bed was spacious, and there was still some distance between the two of them. But as soon as she lay down, Chen Anran seemed to instinctively sense the heat source and unconsciously moved closer to her.

Wei Qingyi's body stiffened slightly, but she did not move.

The next moment, a cold hand groped under the blanket, touched her arm, and then stopped moving, just resting there loosely, as if grasping something for support.