Chapter 435 - 424: Think Carefully for Yourself

The man’s deep voice was melodious, with a hint of weak hoarseness.

Shen Tang’s body stiffened slightly, and she turned to look at the man on the bed, not knowing when he had already awakened.

His long, charming fox-like eyes were staring straight at her, seemingly filled with a thousand words and many emotions that were hard to decipher, yet not knowing where to begin speaking.

Their gazes met in the air, seemingly stirring up a ripple.

In the next second, Shen Tang looked away, lowering her gaze to their linked hands, and frowned slightly as she withdrew her hand.

She pressed her lips together and greeted calmly, "You’re awake?"

"Yes, is this... home?" Shen Li looked at her, slowly retracting his fingers, his smile somewhat pale and illusory, "Just now, I thought I was dreaming again, but it’s really you."

"Don’t worry, you’re fine. After you fell into a coma due to serious injuries, I couldn’t just leave you in the mountain ditch, so I brought you back to heal."

Shen Tang’s tone was calm and detached, her gaze at him being no different from looking at an ordinary patient.

Perhaps, there was a slight ripple, but it was no longer important.

She said, "It’s late, get some rest."

"..."

When Shen Tang reached the door, she thought of something and turned to look back at Shen Li.

She found the man had been watching her, his gaze moving with her figure.

Shen Li met her gaze, smiled gently with a gentle curve of his eyes.

Shen Tang turned her face away and explained, "By the way, I heard about the matters over at the Yiyuan Empire. You left midway through your wedding and disappeared for several days, causing quite a commotion... If you feel better, you should hurry back and take a look."

She glanced back at the man’s slightly pale face, paused, and added,

"Of course, if you really can’t make it there, I’ll send Qiu Yang to help you arrange matters over there first."

"Cough cough..." Shen Li covered his mouth and coughed twice, awkwardly saying, "In my current condition, going back doesn’t seem appropriate. I may need to trouble you for a few more days."

Shen Tang smiled considerately, "It’s okay, you saved my life, I definitely need to help you recover your injuries. You can stay here and recuperate until you’re completely well before leaving."

Listening to her gentle yet detached attitude, Shen Li pressed his lips together, nodded, and softly said, "Thank you."

"You’re welcome." Shen Tang waved her hand, yawned sleepily, "Then I’ll go rest now, and heal you again tomorrow night."

"Okay."

Shen Li watched her figure disappear out the door, a trace of sadness flickering in his eyes.

He surveyed the room’s layout and furnishings; everything was familiar.

It was the room he used to live in, unchanged from when he left.

Although he had only been away for a few months, it felt familiar yet strange, like an affair from a past life.

...

After leaving Shen Li’s room, Shen Tang ran into Jia Lan.

"Tangtang, you haven’t slept yet?" Jia Lan walked over worriedly, seeing her eyes slightly shadowed from exhaustion, filled with concern.

Shen Tang yawned, "It was a late return from the battlefield, then healed Shen Li’s body and exchanged a few words. I was just about to rest in my room."

"Is he awake?"

"Yes, his condition is improving and seems fine, but his severed fox tail hasn’t grown back. I want him to stay a few more days for observation."

"I understand. You should go to sleep soon. I will help take care of him." Jia Lan looked at Shen Tang with concern, seeing how busy she’s been lately, she lost a lot of weight, "You’ve been very tired recently, take a good rest."

After exchanging a few words with Jia Lan, Shen Tang went back to her room to rest.

Jia Lan went to the kitchen to cook a bowl of meat soup and brought it to Shen Li’s room.

Shen Li was a bit surprised to see him coming, "Little prince, long time no see."

"Yes, I never thought I’d see you again in this lifetime." Jia Lan snorted coldly, placed the meat soup on the table, his tone unpleasant, "You’re in good hands, you don’t need me to feed you, do you?"

"...No."

Jia Lan looked at Shen Li with complex feelings.

There’s definitely dislike, but not exactly hatred.

They were comrades who shared hardships in the past, after all.

Impossible to treat him as a stranger completely.

If it weren’t for hearing that Shen Li was injured saving Shen Tang, he wouldn’t bother coming to care for him.

Shen Li picked up the meat soup and took a sip. He looked exquisite; any casual action could not be more pleasing and graceful.

He sighed, "Little prince’s cooking is truly getting better."

Jia Lan’s eyes moved slightly, tired of reminiscing, he got straight to the point, "I came to see you tonight to speak about something."

"Speak freely." Shen Li put down the bowl and looked at him.

Jia Lan pressed his lips together, speaking coldly, "In the past two days you were missing, the Yiyuan Empire was looking for you, and so was your fiancée, the second miss of the Wu Family you left at your wedding, she supposedly cried for days waiting for you to come back and comfort her."

He looked at the silent Shen Li, "You’re getting married now, it’s best not to have too many entanglements with Tangtang."

"The longer you stay here, the more trouble you get involved in."

"She’s very tired recently and has no time to be mixed up in your domestic affairs. You better hurry and sort out those messy things and not involve her."

Shen Li’s fingers clenched, but he said nothing.

Jia Lan had much to say, but speaking too much was pointless.

He said coldly, "Some things you should think through yourself, decide what you really want."

"Once you’ve truly thought through, made a decision, don’t look back, so others won’t be at a loss, unsure of how to face it."

After speaking, Jia Lan got up to leave, "I’m next door, call me if you need me."

Shen Li watched him, "Thank you."

"..."

Meanwhile, after returning to her room, Shen Tang stared at the night outside the window, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

She buried her head deeply in the quilt, a breath stuck in her chest, unable to release.

Her demeanor appeared calm facing Shen Li, but inside, she was far from as tranquil as she seemed, unsure of how to face him.

The two had experienced way too much.

There were feelings, betrayals, grudges, and lifesaving grace...

She truly didn’t know what to say to him, how to face him now, and couldn’t figure out their current relationship.

Since Shen Li was declared deceased, their marriage dissolved automatically, certainly not partners.

Especially now, he was to marry another female.

Shen Tang didn’t have feelings for him, not even an old lover.

After learning many things from Qiu Yang, she was not resentful toward Shen Li.

Honestly, she’s quite grateful to Shen Li for giving her the Blood Soul Pearl and saving her life.

But it’s merely gratitude, mixed with a slight guilt.

The best view is that they are benefactor and patient.

With that thought, Shen Tang’s chaotic thoughts cleared a lot, just a doctor-patient relationship.

Once she heals his body, the lifesaving debt will be repaid.

Afterward, they absolutely owe each other nothing.

After settling her thoughts, Shen Tang quickly fell asleep.

Unaware.

Someone watched the moonlit night, sleepless all night.