A faint wind drifted through the clearing as a small figure stepped forward. Before Li Xuan's body could hit the ground, she caught him, her slender arms trembling as she lowered him gently. Her palms pressed against his back, holding him tight .
"How dare you hurt him," a soft yet furious voice cut through the air.
The two men turned slowly, not even alarmed. They were the Zhao family's little minions, arrogance was in their blood and who would dare questions their actions in a land they calm to be theirs,let alone a little girl barely nine years old.
Her hair fluttered in the wind, her eyes bright and burning with anger like two suns .
"Brother Mu, let's go. We're done here," the other man said casually, glancing at Li Xuan's unconscious form.
Zhao Mu swung his sword up to his shoulder and smirked. " hope that was a lesson to those who mess with my Zhao family "
The two walked away without another look back. Their steps faded into the distance, leaving only the sound of the wind and the faint rustle of leaves.
Her heart twisted.
She fell to her knees beside him, hands shaking as she brushed the dirt from his cheek. His skin was cold. For a second, she thought he was gone, and her throat closed with a pain she didn't recognize.
"Li Xuan…Can you hear me?"
He blinked weakly, eyes hazy, the faintest shadow of a smile tugging at his lips.
The familiar outline of Xiao Fengqi slowly sharpened in Li Xuan's fading vision
Xiao Fengqi, you are here ", Li Xuan said softly. If he was in his normal state ,the little miss of the Xiao family would definitely be taken back by his soft helpless tone .
That simple word cracked something open inside her. She had never seen him this way: no sharp words, no guarded stare, no teasing smirk. Just a boy barely clinging to life, trusting her enough to fall apart.
"Of course I am here," she said, forcing a laugh, though her voice broke halfway. "You think I'd let you die before paying me back for all those insults?"
Her joke hung in the air, thin and fragile. He tried to chuckle, but only blood escaped the corner of his mouth. She caught it with her thumb, wiping it away gently.
"Don't talk," she murmured. "Save your strength."
His gaze flickered to her face ,those sharp beautiful eyes now softened.
You're crying just for me like my mother .
She blinked, startled, and only then felt the tears spilling down her cheeks. "No I'm not," she said quickly, shaking her head, "it's just… dust."
A faint breath left his lips that might've been a laugh. Then his hand twitched, reaching weakly for hers.
"Stay with me, Li Xuan," she whispered, leaning close, her forehead brushing his. "You always act so tough… then you go and scare me like this."
He tried to speak, but no sound came.
"Listen to me," she said softly, almost pleading now. "You're not dying here. Not while I'm still standing. Not when you haven't even apologized for calling me a spoiled brat."
Her voice cracked again, but she didn't care. She slipped her arms beneath his shoulders and pulled him against her chest, holding him as if her heartbeat could replace his. His head rested against her collarbone, his breath shallow against her neck.
She could feel his heartbeat falter, then steady again, weak but stubborn. Just like him.
"Idiot," she whispered, her voice trembling between anger and fear. "Always trying to act like you don't need anyone… and now look at you."
Her fingers brushed through his hair, sticky with sweat and dirt. "You're going to be fine," she said, as though saying it could make it true. "You hear me? You're going to be fine."
His lips moved faintly, the words barely forming. "You… really talk too much…"
Her arms tightened around him. "Don't worry,"
"Li Xuan…" Xiao Fengqi whispered, her voice trembling as she cradled his head. She placed two fingers on his forehead, closed her eyes, and released a soft stream of spiritual energy into his body. Her own pulse quickened the moment she sensed it.
"Your soul is…"
Leaning down, she pressed her ear against his chest. The heartbeat was faint, still there beating against his chest in a slow rhythm. Relief broke across her face.
With a flick of her wrist, the ring on her hand glowed. A beam of light shot out from the ring and formed a jade bottle in her palm. She opened it quickly and poured a clear liquid between his lips.
She placed her arms around his waist, adjusting his body as he struggled to lift him from the ground .
"You stubborn fool… why are you so heavy," she murmured, half laughing, half crying .
Her knees wobbled, her breath came in gasps, yet she didn't stop. Step by step, she moved down the rough path, her small frame bearing the full weight of his body.A girl her age carrying someone like li Xuan would be no less of a struggle,she could barely hold on tight but kept on moving
Xiao Fengqi was the type of arrogant spoiled brat who cared less about other people but today as she watched li Xuan close to his death . It felt like she had completely turned into human who didn't depend on her father and maids to carry her weight around ,this time she was carrying the weight of another person in her jelly arms .
The road was silent except for the sound of her strained breathing and the faint jingle of the bottle still in her hand. Every few steps, she stumbled, but each time she caught herself, tightening her grip on him.
After what felt like forever, the outline of a small house appeared ahead — faintly lit by the moon. Her heart instantly leapt with hope.
She tried to hurry, but exhaustion made her legs give way. She fell to her knees, pain cutting through her, yet she refused to let him fall. She set him gently down, gasping, and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
Removing her shoes, she crouched, slid between his legs, and lifted him onto her back again. His head rested on her shoulder like a small child .
This time it felt easier. She found a rhythm — slow, steady, determined.
When she reached the small house, she saw Li Mei pacing outside, her hands clenched together in worry. The woman froze at the sight of them.
"Li… Li Xuan!" she cried, rushing forward.
"Get him inside," Xiao Fengqi said breathlessly.
Li Mei hurried to take him, her heart pounding as she felt how limp he was. Inside, she laid him gently on the bed and turned, her face pale.
"What happened to my son?" she asked, voice breaking like glass.
"He was attacked," Xiao Fengqi said quickly. "Two strange men . I arrived just in time, or…" Her words caught in her throat.
Li Mei reached for Li Xuan's arm, and her expression changed the moment she touched it. The bones beneath her fingers felt broken, crushed. "His bones… they're shattered ."
"So is his soul," Xiao Fengqi said quietly. "I gave him a healing pill, but it won't work unless I help it circulate through his body."
"Please… save him," Li Mei begged, tears streaking her cheeks.
"You don't have to worry, Aunt," Xiao Fengqi said softly. She pressed her fingers together, releasing a gentle glow between them. "We need to sit him upright, or the healing energy won't flow properly."
Li Mei helped him out of his torn clothes and propped him up cross-legged. Xiao Fengqi sat behind him in the same posture, placing both palms on his back. His skin was hot to the touch, pulsing faintly with broken energy.
The girl closed her eyes and focused. A pale silver light began to form beneath her hands, weaving into Li Xuan's body in thin threads. The air in the room trembled slightly.
Moonlight spilled through the open window, glinting off Xiao Fengqi's sweat-covered face. Her expression stayed calm, but her breathing grew shallow as time passed.
Li Mei stood nearby, silent. She didn't know who this girl was, but the sincerity in her eyes eased every doubt she could have had.
Hours passed. The moon faded behind clouds, and the candles burned low. Xiao Fengqi never moved, her hands glowing softly against his back.
By dawn, the birds began to sing. The silver glow faded, replaced by the soft orange of sunrise.
Li Mei quietly wiped the blood and sweat from Li Xuan's chest with a damp towel.
Xiao Fengqi's strength finally gave out. Her hands slipped, and her small body leaned forward, falling softly against Li Xuan's back.
"Little miss!" Li Mei cried, catching her in time.
For a moment, the room was still then Li Xuan's fingers twitched.