Chapter 111

Xiao Qiyun put down his teacup, walked to Su Zhelan, bent down, reached out to touch his forehead, and gently squeezed his slightly cool fingers: "The water is getting cold, get up, I'll help you." His voice was deep, with a gentle tone that brooked no refusal.

Su Zhelan looked into Xiao Qiyun's calm eyes, which were so close to hers. The warm light of the candlelight reflected in them, as did her own weary shadow.

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded and stood up with the help of Xiao Qiyun's arm. As soon as he stood up, his legs went weak, but fortunately Xiao Qiyun's arm was firmly wrapped around his waist.

"Hey! Me too!" Sheng Xuan immediately stepped forward and grabbed Su Zhelan's other arm without saying a word.

"Two people holding her steady!" He moved quickly and with enough strength, and in one go he "snatched" half of Su Zhelan from Xiao Qiyun's arms.

Xiao Qiyun's arm was suddenly free, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he didn't say anything. He simply cooperated with Sheng Xuan's actions, and the two of them, one on each side, half-carried Su Zhelan behind the screen.

The water in the bathtub was at the perfect temperature, and the delicate fragrance of herbs filled the air with the steam.

Su Zhelan looked at the bucket of water, then at the two people beside her, and her ears began to burn again: "I... I can do it myself..."

"What do you mean 'get it done'! You can barely stand up straight!" Sheng Xuan started untying the belt of Su Zhelan's outer robe without saying a word. Although his movements were rough, he softened his grip considerably. "Hurry up! Don't dawdle!"

Xiao Qiyun didn't speak, but quietly helped Su Zhelan take off her outer garment, his movements gentle and efficient. His fingertips occasionally brushed against Su Zhelan's skin, bringing a subtle warmth.

After removing her outer clothes, Su Zhelan, who was only wearing a thin undergarment, was carefully helped into the bathtub by the two men.

The warm water instantly enveloped him, carrying the soothing aroma of herbs, making him sigh with comfort as his tense muscles gradually relaxed.

He leaned against the tub, closed his eyes, and his cheeks were flushed from the steam.

Sheng Xuan moved a small stool and sat by the bathtub. Looking at Su Zhelan's tired yet relaxed appearance, his earlier fussiness subsided.

He picked up a cloth, dampened it, and gently wiped Su Zhelan's shoulders and arms, muttering softly, "You must be exhausted?"

Xiao Qiyun picked up a ladle, scooped up warm water, and gently poured it over Su Zhelan's neck and shoulders. The water, with its perfect temperature, washed away her tired muscles.

Occasionally, his fingers would gently massage the stiff muscles in Su Zhelan's shoulders and neck with the flowing water, the pressure just right, carrying an irresistible tenderness.

Su Zhelan closed her eyes, feeling the warm water and the care from the two men. Sheng Xuan's towel brushed against her skin with a slightly rough friction, while Xiao Qiyun's fingers massaged her with a soothing force.

The two seemed to have divided up his territory, each taking care of one side, not interfering with each other, yet subtly competing with one another.

The fatigue gradually dissipated as she soaked in the hot water and the two of them silently "competed." Her body became softer and softer, and her consciousness gradually blurred. She could only vaguely respond to the two of them's movements and make soft, satisfied nasal sounds.

The only sounds in the room were the sounds of water, wiping with a cloth, and Su Zhelan's even, long breaths. The candlelight cast the flickering shadows of the three people on the screen; Xiao Qiyun's movements were steady and focused, while Sheng Xuan's movements carried a hint of competitive impatience.

After soaking for about fifteen minutes, Su Zhelan's breathing became increasingly long and even, and she actually fell asleep leaning against the side of the tub, a few strands of her black hair, damp with steam, sticking to her flushed cheeks.

Xiao Qiyun gently touched Su Zhelan's shoulder and whispered, "Zhelan? The water's getting cold, get up."

Su Zhelan mumbled an "Mmm" in a daze, but didn't move.

Sheng Xuan also came over and whispered, "Asleep? So fast?" He reached out to wipe Su Zhelan's face.

Xiao Qiyun, however, took a dry towel first and gently placed it on Su Zhelan's face, carefully absorbing the water droplets with gentle movements. He glanced at Sheng Xuan, his eyes calm and unwavering.

Sheng Xuan pouted and stopped arguing. She simply picked up the clean undergarments that had been prepared beside her and said, "The clothes are here! I'll help him put them on!"

"He's asleep, so be quiet," Xiao Qiyun reminded him, his tone calm but his meaning clear.

"I know! It's not like I've never taken care of anyone before!" Sheng Xuan retorted defiantly, but still made her movements even gentler.

Xiao Qiyun carefully lifted Su Zhelan out of the water.

Su Zhelan's body was warm and soft, carrying the scent of moisture and herbs. She leaned against him unconsciously, her head resting on his shoulder, emitting soft snores.

Sheng Xuan quickly brought over a large dry cloth, and Xiao Qiyun wrapped Su Zhelan up tightly with the cloth, gently wiping the water droplets off his body.

Sheng Xuan helped hand over the clothes, and seeing Xiao Qiyun's careful manner, she couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "Is it really necessary...? He's not made of mud..." But she quickly handed over the clothes.

After drying her body, Sheng Xuan quickly grabbed the inner garment and clumsily but carefully helped Su Zhelan put on the sleeves.

Xiao Qiyun didn't stop him, but instead helped support Su Zhelan's body to ensure he wouldn't wake up. The two worked together seamlessly and quickly changed Su Zhelan into clean, soft undergarments.

After changing into clean, soft undergarments, Su Zhelan was gently placed on the bed by Xiao Qiyun.

The bed was already made, soft and warm. As soon as Su Zhelan touched the pillow, she curled up on her own, rubbed her cheek against the soft pillow, and fell into a deeper sleep.

Xiao Qiyun tucked him in, then checked his forehead temperature to make sure there was nothing wrong before straightening up.

Sheng Xuan looked at Su Zhelan sleeping soundly on the bed, then at Xiao Qiyun standing by the bed, scratched his head, and revealed a hint of cunning on his face.

He deliberately sighed, pointed to the narrow daybed against the wall outside the screen, and said in a tone that seemed to suggest he was "making concessions."

"Oh well, never mind, judging by his attitude... I'll just make do on the couch in the outer room for the night. That way I won't crowd Su Zhelan and keep him from getting a good night's sleep."

As he spoke, he stole a glance at Xiao Qiyun's reaction, but deliberately lingered on his feet. He was calculating in his mind: as long as Xiao Qiyun didn't object, he could stay in Shuyu Courtyard legitimately and sleep under the same roof, which was better than going back to his own courtyard.

As for sleeping on a couch or a bed... Hmph, once Xiao Qiyun leaves, he can sneak into Su Zhelan's bed again!

Xiao Qiyun's gaze swept over the narrow daybed, then looked at Su Zhelan sleeping peacefully on the bed, and finally landed on Sheng Xuan's face, which was full of "I am very sensible but I am very wronged".

A knowing glint flashed in his deep eyes, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards almost imperceptibly, so quickly that one might mistake it for an illusion.

He paused for a moment before speaking, his voice low and calm, yet like a pebble dropped into a still lake: "The bed is big enough."

He said it so casually, as if he were merely stating an objective fact, but the subtext was: Stop pretending, I know you want to stay. Rather than letting you sneak up here in the middle of the night, it's better to lay it all out now.

Sheng Xuan was just planning his "night raid" when he suddenly heard this and was completely stunned.

He suddenly looked up at Xiao Qiyun, his eyes wide open, as if he couldn't believe his ears: "Huh? You...you mean...?"

He subconsciously pointed to the bed, then to himself, and the slight "grievance" on his face was instantly replaced by immense surprise, almost making him unable to suppress his voice.

"Hmm." Xiao Qiyun responded lightly, without saying anything more or looking at Sheng Xuan. He walked straight to the bedside, took off his outer robe with a deft movement, leaving only his inner garment, lifted a corner of the quilt, and lay down next to Su Zhelan.

He moved very quietly, barely disturbing the sleeping person. But he lay down precisely on the inside of the bed, shielding Su Zhelan between himself and the wall.

Sheng Xuan watched as Xiao Qiyun lay down, taking the innermost position closest to Su Zhelan. The initial elation in her heart was instantly replaced by annoyance at being "seen through" and resentment at having her "position taken away".

His little scheme was completely exposed in front of Xiao Qiyun! This guy did it on purpose! His suggestion to sleep in the outer room was a feigned concession, while Xiao Qiyun's offer that "the bed is big enough" was the real tactic of retreating to advance, luring him into the trap! Now, he has no choice but to sleep on the outside!

What annoyed him even more was that Xiao Qiyun not only took the best spot, but also held Su Zhelan tightly in his arms!

"Hmph!" Sheng Xuan snorted in dissatisfaction, but his movements were not slow at all. He quickly took off his outer clothes and almost pounced on the bed, his movements much larger than Xiao Qiyun's, creating a gust of wind.

He disregarded everything and tried to lie down between Su Zhelan and Xiao Qiyun, attempting to pull Su Zhelan out of Xiao Qiyun's arms.

Xiao Qiyun looked up at him, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable air: "You're a restless sleeper, the outside is more spacious." He was referring to the area near the edge of the bed, his reason seemingly legitimate.

Sheng Xuan stopped moving, and retorted with a stiff neck, "I'm a very good sleeping person! You can ask Zhe Lan if you don't believe me!"

He lowered his voice, but the resentment in his tone was obvious. His gaze was fixed on Su Zhelan's peaceful sleeping face, with a hint of urgency.

“He’s fast asleep.” Xiao Qiyun stated the facts calmly, looking at Sheng Xuan with a serene gaze that seemed to say: Either sleep outside, or go back to your couch.

Looking at Xiao Qiyun's expression, then at Su Zhelan's peaceful sleeping face, and then at Xiao Qiyun's posture of firmly occupying the inner position and half-embracing Su Zhelan, Sheng Xuan felt a surge of anger in her chest.

His earlier joy at "success" had vanished, replaced by resentment at being schemed against and suppressed by Xiao Qiyun, and intense dissatisfaction with Xiao Qiyun monopolizing Su Zhelan.

But to ask him to sleep on that hard, rickety daybed now? No way!

In the end, he could only grunt reluctantly and slowly lay down on the outer side of the bed, muttering under his breath, "...You win."

After lying down, he immediately stretched out his arm and carefully wrapped it around Su Zhelan's body, trying to put it on Su Zhelan's waist as well, forming a symmetrical posture with Xiao Qiyun and asserting his presence.

The bed is indeed quite large; although it's a bit cramped for three people, it's still barely enough.

Sheng Xuan lay on his side, looking at Su Zhelan's peaceful sleeping face so close to his, and couldn't help but reach out his finger, wanting to gently touch his slightly flushed cheek.

His gaze was focused and gentle, filled with undisguised affection and possessiveness.

Xiao Qiyun's gaze swept over indifferently, carrying a silent prohibition.

Sheng Xuan's fingers froze in mid-air. She glared at Xiao Qiyun angrily, but eventually withdrew her hand reluctantly. However, the arm around Su Zhelan's waist stubbornly refused to retract, instead tightening its grip and pulling Su Zhelan closer to her.

Xiao Qiyun lay on the other side of Su Zhelan, able to clearly feel the boy's warm body temperature and even breathing brush against his neck. He reached out and gently wrapped his arm around Su Zhelan's waist, holding him more securely in his embrace.

His movements were natural, carrying a silent sense of possession and protection. At the same time, his body leaned slightly to the side, and his arm exerted force imperceptibly, pulling Su Zhelan back a little towards him, offsetting Sheng Xuan's pull and just enough to stop Sheng Xuan from pulling Su Zhelan completely towards him.

But how could Sheng Xuan possibly be truly "honest"?

He hadn't been quiet for long before he started fidgeting restlessly. He first deliberately moved his hand, which was on Su Zhelan's waist, up a little, gently stroking her back with a clumsy yet tender gesture, trying to get her attention.

He felt Xiao Qiyun's arm tighten, and a surge of smugness rose within him. Hmph, if he won't let him touch his face, a little patting is fine, right?

Xiao Qiyun did not push him away immediately, but instead used a little force to pull Su Zhelan closer to him. At the same time, he subtly nudged Sheng Xuan's arm with his elbow, the force was not strong, but it carried a clear sense of expulsion.

Sheng Xuan's arm went numb from the push, and he clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, reluctantly moving his hand back down to his waist, but not removing it.

After a while, he started to "turn over" again, with a large movement. First, he turned his back to the two of them, then suddenly rolled over to face Su Zhelan, pressing his whole body against her, almost half-embracing her. He even deliberately rubbed his chin against the top of Su Zhelan's head, and whispered in her ear, "Zhelan, are you cold? I'm holding you..."

In the darkness, Xiao Qiyun's hand moved with lightning speed, grabbing Sheng Xuan's arm as he tried to wrap his arms around Su Zhelan's shoulders with considerable force. Sheng Xuan felt his arm tighten as if it were being clamped by iron clamps, and the pain almost made him cry out.

"Don't move." Xiao Qiyun's voice rang out in a low tone, carrying a cold warning that was particularly clear in the quiet night. "You'll wake him up."

Sheng Xuan winced in pain, but dared not raise her voice, so she could only protest in a low voice, "What are you doing! What's wrong with me hugging him?! He'll be cold!"

“He’s not cold.” Xiao Qiyun’s voice was flat, but the grip on Sheng Xuan’s arm did not loosen at all. “If you stay away, he will sleep more soundly.”

Sheng Xuan struggled for a moment but couldn't break free. Afraid of waking Su Zhelan, she could only mutter in a frustrated voice, "...Let go! I won't hug you anymore, okay!"

He angrily withdrew his arm, but stubbornly maintained the posture of facing Su Zhelan, his eyes fixed on Su Zhelan's face in the darkness, as if trying to draw Su Zhelan away from Xiao Qiyun's embrace with his gaze.

Perhaps it was because Sheng Xuan's struggles were too intense, or perhaps it was because their silent argument disturbed the air, but Su Zhelan, who had been asleep, suddenly hummed softly in her sleep, her brows furrowed slightly, and her body unconsciously twisted.

He seemed uncomfortable being squeezed, or perhaps he felt the position was not stable enough, so he slowly turned from lying on his side to lying flat on his back between the two of them.

This sudden change forced Sheng Xuan and Xiao Qiyun, who were originally close to him, to adjust their postures slightly.

Xiao Qiyun immediately released his grip on Sheng Xuan, giving him a sharp look with a silent warning: Behave yourself! Try moving again!

Sheng Xuan also noticed Su Zhelan's slightly furrowed brows and dared not make any further moves.

Both of them held their breath and watched as Su Zhelan lay down, her brows gradually relaxed, and her breathing became long and even again, clearly indicating that she had fallen into a deeper sleep.

For a moment, only Su Zhelan's steady breathing could be heard in the room.

Xiao Qiyun was the first to move.

He carefully adjusted his posture, turned to the side, and faced Su Zelan.

Instead of pulling Su Zhelan into his arms as before, he stretched out an arm and gently wrapped it around Su Zhelan's waist, placing his hand lightly on her side to form a protective gesture.

Seeing this, Sheng Xuan was not to be outdone and immediately turned to face Su Zhelan.

He hesitated for a moment, then carefully extended an arm and gently placed it on Su Zhelan's shoulder. The weight of his arm was very light, more like a silent companionship and declaration.

Xiao Qiyun's gaze swept over Sheng Xuan's hand on Su Zhelan's shoulder again, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly, but he ultimately did not speak up to stop him.

He closed his eyes, feeling the steady breathing and warm body temperature of the person beside him, and his heart was at peace. As long as Su Zhelan could sleep peacefully, everything else... could be tolerated for the time being.

Sheng Xuan felt Xiao Qiyun's final, warning glance and pursed her lips.

He closed his eyes, feeling the warmth of Su Zhelan's shoulder beneath his arm, and the resentment in his heart was gradually replaced by a strange sense of satisfaction. Although he couldn't hold him, at least... he was so close, able to watch over him and protect him like this.

The room fell completely silent, with only the soft, intertwined breathing of the three people, which sounded exceptionally peaceful in the quiet night.

The air was filled with the faint scent of herbs and the clean aura of the boy, as well as a subtle balance that seemed to exist after a silent contest between the two.