Everyone in the hospital was stunned.
They had all thought Xiao Jin was beyond saving, even the sedatives were ineffective, and the military had surrounded the hospital ready for a firing squad. Who would have thought there would be a sudden turn of events!
Shen Tang looked at the shocked crowd and the chaotic ward, apologizing, "Thereâs no need to be afraid, itâs all over now. Tomorrow, Iâll arrange for a construction team to rebuild the hospital, and all injured will be compensated."
"Fortunately, Your Majesty arrived in time; there were no casualties," Doctor Goya exhaled in relief, quickly calling two Beastmen to lift the unconscious Xiao Jin onto the bed.
Shen Tang said softly, "You may go and rest now, leave this to me."
"Well then, be careful, Your Majesty. We wonât disturb you," Goya, being perceptive, noticed the two needed some alone time. After surviving a crisis, comfort and dependency were needed, so he led the other Beastmen out.
Outside the hospital, military forces surrounded it completely.
In the corridor, Goya encountered the hastily arriving Lu Xiao, Xue Yinzhou, and Jia Lan.
Goya quickly reported, "Please rest assured, Major General Xiao Jin is out of danger, and the hospital crisis has been resolved. Thank you for bringing the military support."
Lu Xiao nodded, "No problem, itâs part of our duty. We should go in and check."
Goya reached out to stop them, "That shouldnât be necessary! Your Majesty is here, accompanying Major General Xiao Jin in the ward, not wanting to be disturbed."
Jia Lan was puzzled, "Tangtang? Isnât she resting in the room? How did she end up at the hospital?"
Xue Yinzhou frowned as well.
The trio hadnât noticed her slipping out in the middle of the night.
Whatâs stranger is that Xiao Jin, who was sentenced to "death," suddenly improved?
Lu Xiao looked up at the light of the ward on the sixth floor, his deep blue-gray eyes reflecting a hint of contemplation.
The Female Master indeed hides many secrets.
...
In the hospital ward, Shen Tang was entirely unaware that Lu Xiao and the others had arrived. Her entire focus was on the man on the bed, her fingers gently brushing his gaunt cheek, "Ah Jin, get well soon..."
At this moment, he looked pale and haggard, nowhere near the vivacious energy he usually displayed. The leopard who always shamelessly clung to her now lay quietly, making oneâs heart ache.
If such a cost is required for peace, she would rather he always remain noisy and lively.
"Why hasnât he woken up yet..." she murmured softly, leaning down to leave a gentle kiss on his lips.
Then, she brought warm water, using a towel to meticulously wipe the blood and grime off his face and body.
Until the latter half of the night, the man remained unconscious. Shen Tangâs anxious heart refused to settle, eventually succumbing to exhaustion and falling asleep at the bedside.
"Uh..."
Before the break of dawn, Xiao Jin gradually awoke, his whole body aching as if crushed.
But he heard the familiar sound of breathing beside him and turned his head to see the sleeping female at the bedside, his breath caught, "Tangtang..."
Moonlight gently bestowed warmth on her serene sleeping visage, her ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall, stunningly beautiful.
Xiao Jin even softened his breaths, fearing he might disturb her sleep. His gaze fell upon the basin and towel at the bedside, recalling the events during his unconscious state, his heart filled with bittersweet yet indescribable happiness.
He carefully dressed in his medical gown, tiptoed to the floor, and gently lifted the sleeping female onto the bed.
Silly Tangtang, sleeping here must be uncomfortable.
In her sleep, Shen Tang vaguely sensed herself falling into a warm, solid embrace.
A warm touch gently landed on her forehead, tender enough to make oneâs heart tremble, then drifted to her nose before finally kissing her lips.
"Stop it..." Shen Tang, too sleepy to open her eyes, softly mumbled, snuggling further into the embrace.
Xiao Jin gently wrapped his arms around her waist, his chin resting atop her fluffy head, gazing at the femaleâs sleeping face in his arms, unable to resist leaning down to kiss her lips once more, his eyes brimming with rare tenderness and love.
The near-death experience always felt particularly familiar.
It seemed he had once again dreamed that nightmare, falling into a cold, dark abyss, as hopeless as Hell.
Until a sudden light descended in the darkness, she tore open the void, extending her arms to redeem him from the depths.
Each time, it was she who pulled him back to the world.
His Tangtang, was heavenâs most precious gift to him.
Xiao Jin instinctively tightened his embrace around her, wishing he could meld her into his bones.
If only she could belong to him alone forever.
Yet, being able to stay with her like this, forever and ever, he was satisfied.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host, Xiao Jinâs affinity has increased by 30!]
Shen Tang was startled awake by the system prompt, opening her eyes to meet those deep, golden pupils, akin to the brightest spring sun, absorbing oneâs soul.
She blinked, swiftly returning to her senses, overjoyed to tears, "Ah Jin, you finally woke up! This is wonderful, youâre alive!"
"Thank you, Tangtang." Xiao Jin held her tightly, "You saved me once again."
Shen Tang returned his embrace, gently kissed his chin, choked up, "I love you, itâs all worth it."
Xiao Jinâs heart nearly melted, how could his Tangtang be so wonderful?
The leopard fearless of heaven and earth, after living muddled for over twenty years, felt reluctant and fearful toward life for the first time.
If one day he were to lose her... he dared not even imagine.
"Your Majesty, the hospital has no vacant rooms for now, would you like to go back and rest?" Lu Xiao knocked on the door and came in, seeing the two embracing, he lightly coughed against his lips.
Shen Tang blushed, releasing Xiao Jin, and only then noticed that Xue Yinzhou and Jia Lan had also joined them. Their meaningful gazes landed on her, causing the roomâs atmosphere to subtly stagnate.
Xiao Jin shot a cold glance at these oblivious fellowsâdidnât they see he wanted to linger with Tangtang a bit longer?
Shen Tang swiftly broke the awkwardness, "Since youâre here and Xiao Jin is better, Iâll have a construction team come for repairs tomorrow. Letâs return for now!"
After leaving the hospital, Lu Xiao was about to return to the Lu Family, but suddenly called out to Shen Tang, "Your Majesty, could you come with me for a bit?"
Shen Tang assumed something had happened at the Lu Family, so she instructed the other Beastmen to return to the palace, following him alone.
Arriving at the Lu Familyâs study, Lu Xiao casually closed the door, carefully drawing the curtains.
This sudden move made Shen Tang inexplicably anxious, she subconsciously swallowed, "Ah Xiao, whatâs up? Is there something important to discuss?"
Lu Xiaoâs deep gaze fell on her, smiling slightly, "Yes, thereâs indeed something crucial."
Shen Tang grew more anxious, blinking she asked, "Is it concerning the Lu Family? Or..."
"Itâs concerning you."
"Huh?"
"I want to know, how many secrets are you still hiding, Your Majesty?"
Lu Xiao strode over to her, his towering figure completely enveloping her. He reached out to gently caress her cheek, his voice low and tender, "Where were you tonight?"
Alarm bells rang loudly in Shen Tangâs mind, staring blankly at the man before her. He remained just as gentle and composed as always, yet a hint of scrutiny flickered in his deep blue-gray eyes.
In this moment, Shen Tang suddenly recalled the Lu Xiao from before.
He wasnât nearly as approachable or compassionate as he appeared.
He was always a rational and aloof person.
When he chose to assist her and follow her, he saw her value, maybe even just found her... intriguing?
Since falling in love, Lu Xiao always appeared courteous and composed, making Shen Tang almost forget his true natureâLu Xiao, skilled in observation and inquiry.
She was supposed to be resting in her room tonight, yet she suddenly appeared at the hospital, cured Xiao Jin when even the doctors were helpless.
This fact was exceedingly curious.
If it were Xue Yinzhou, he probably wouldnât care.
If it were Jia Lan, he might wonder but wouldnât investigate.
But Lu Xiao would want to know the answer.