Reduce fever
As the night deepened, the table lamp in the room emitted a warm yellow glow, like a layer of soft gauze, covering the person who fell asleep on the bed again.
Lin Xiyan didn't leave. He sat on the carpet beside the bed, his back against the edge, knees bent. This position was uncomfortable, but he seemed oblivious.
Jiang Yibai's breathing had become much more stable. Although he still had a slight wheeze from his illness, it was no longer that hot and rapid. The temperature of his forehead had also dropped to a level just above normal body temperature. However, his sleep was still restless, his brows slightly furrowed, as if he were dreaming. Occasionally, he would move unconsciously or utter indistinct mumblings.
Every slight movement made Lin Xiyan tense up immediately. She listened attentively and only relaxed slowly after confirming that it was just an unconscious action.
The room was very quiet, so quiet that one could hear the distant sound of the wind outside the window and the intertwining of their breathing. Time seemed to be stretched out, flowing slowly.
Lin Xiyan didn't feel sleepy. Her body was exhausted, her eyelids heavy, but her mind was remarkably clear. The scenes of the day replayed uncontrollably in her mind—the strong embrace Jiang Yibai had given her when he rushed through the school gate, the way he'd coquettishly rested his head on her legs, his feverish skin and fragile expression, and the pair of violet eyes he'd seen when he'd just woken up, frail yet filled with a soft smile...
Every expression, every moment, seemed to be deeply engraved in his memory with a chisel.
Along with it came a heavy sense of guilt that almost crushed him.
It's all because of me.
If it weren't for me, he wouldn't be exhausted or sick.
I'll only cause trouble.
These thoughts, like a cold tide, repeatedly tried to drown him. He clenched his fingers tightly, digging his nails into his palms, trying to use this slight pain to counter the greater bitterness and self-blame in his heart.
His eyes fell on Jiang Yibai's hand, which was resting outside the quilt. That hand had distinct joints and was usually warm and strong, but now it looked pale and weak.
As if possessed by some mysterious force, Lin Xiyan very gently extended her hand, and her fingertips carefully touched his fingers. The cold fingertips touched the other's warm skin, and it felt like being burned, and he suddenly wanted to pull back.
Just when his fingertips were about to leave, the sleeping Jiang Yibai seemed to sense something, and his fingers moved unconsciously, gently hooking his fingertips.
It was just an extremely weak force, not even a grip.
Lin Xiyan's body froze instantly, his blood seemingly frozen. He held his breath, not daring to move, only feeling the faint connection from his dream.
The temperature spread along the touching fingertips, little by little, like a subtle electric current, running through the arms and reaching the softest part of the heart.
The cold guilt and self-blame seemed to be quietly melted away by this unconscious dependence and warmth.
He maintained this awkward posture, letting the other person hook his fingertips, without moving, as if this was something extremely important that could not be disturbed.
In the second half of the night, Jiang Yibai's fever seemed to have finally subsided, and he slept much more soundly. His brows relaxed, his breathing was even and long, and he even let out a very light snore.
Lin Xiyan tentatively and extremely slowly withdrew her fingers. This time, Jiang Yibai did not move.
He stood up, stretched his stiff and numb limbs, went to the bathroom and washed his face with cold water. The cold water stimulated his skin and made him feel much more awake.
Returning to the bedside, he felt Jiang Yibai's forehead again. His temperature had basically returned to normal, with only a little sweat from the illness.
He breathed a sigh of relief, his tense nerves finally relaxing a bit. He wrung out a hot towel and carefully wiped the sweat off Jiang Yibai's forehead and neck. His movements were more skillful and gentle than before.
By the time I was done, the sky outside the window was already turning pale. Dawn was approaching.
Fatigue washed over him like a belated tide, and he could barely stand, his eyelids so heavy he could barely keep them open.
He glanced at the person sleeping soundly on the bed, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately did not leave. He simply lay down on his side, very carefully, at the outermost edge of the bed, with his back to Jiang Yibai.
The moment his body touched the soft bed, extreme fatigue immediately engulfed him. He didn't even have time to think before his consciousness quickly sank into darkness.
But he was not sleeping soundly. His subconscious mind seemed to be still tense, paying attention to the movements around him.
So when the person behind him turned over unconsciously and habitually put his arm over and held him in his arms, he woke up almost instantly.
His body suddenly stiffened.
Jiang Yibai's arms were heavy across his waist, his warm body pressed against his back, his chin unconsciously rested on the top of his head, and his breath evenly brushed against his ears.
It is a posture of complete possession and dependence. Even in sleep, it remains unchanged.
Lin Xiyan's body was as stiff as a stone, his heart pounding like a drum. He should have pushed him away. The patient needed to rest properly, and it wasn't good to crowd him like this.
But... that embrace was so warm, so familiar. That breathing was so comforting. The steady heartbeat behind me was like the perfect lullaby.
All the strength to struggle disappeared at this moment.
He took a very light breath, and his body slowly relaxed, bit by bit, like a tired bird that had finally found its nest and carefully nestled into it.
The eyelashes trembled and finally slowly closed.
This time, he fell into a deep sleep. No nightmares, no startling awakenings. Only the warmth of her body and the reassuring presence behind him, weaving an impenetrable net that held him securely within.
When the morning light completely illuminated the room, Jiang Yibai woke up first.
His body felt a little weak after the high fever subsided, but he felt much better. He blinked, adjusting to the light, and immediately felt the warm body in his arms and the furry back of his head.
Memories returned. He remembered that he seemed to be ill and confused yesterday, and it was Xiyan who had been taking care of him...
He lowered his head, watching the peaceful sleeping face of the person in his arms. Lin Xiyan's back was facing him, his body slightly curled up, and he seemed to be sleeping soundly, breathing shallowly. The sunlight fell on his white neck and soft hair, coating them with a soft golden light.
Jiang Yibai's heart instantly softened. An indescribable sense of satisfaction and happiness filled his chest.
He gently tightened his arms, holding her even tighter in his embrace, buried his face in the back of her neck, and took a deep breath. It was a clean and comforting smell.
The person in his arms seemed to be startled by his movements, her eyelashes trembled, and she made a very light, sleepy nasal sound, like an unconscious complaint, or like a act of coquettishness.
Jiang Yibai laughed softly, his chest vibrating. He couldn't help but place a very light, almost dragonfly-like kiss on the back of her neck.
"Good morning." He said in a low voice, his tone full of joy and tenderness.
Lin Xiyan seemed to sense something in her sleep. She moved very slightly and snuggled deeper into his arms, as if looking for a more comfortable position.
Jiang Yibai let him move, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise. He just held him quietly, watching the sunlight slowly move across the room, listening to the birds gradually waking up outside the window and the faint sound of traffic in the distance.
The world is both noisy and quiet.
The person in his arms is his whole world.
After an unknown amount of time, Lin Xiyan's breathing rate changed, as if he was about to wake up.
Jiang Yibai immediately closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep, but his arms were still wrapped around her stubbornly, not letting go.
Lin Xiyan slowly opened his eyes, still hazy. The first thing he felt was a warm chest pressed tightly against his back and a heavy arm around his waist. He was startled, and the memories of last night slowly returned.
His cheeks instantly began to heat up, and he subconsciously tried to break free.
The person behind him seemed to be startled, humming in dissatisfaction, tightening his arms, and rubbing his head against the back of his neck. His voice was filled with heavy, deliberately feigned sleepiness and coquettishness: "Hmm... Don't move... Sleep a little longer... I feel dizzy..."
His breath brushed against the sensitive skin, bringing a subtle tingling sensation.
Lin Xiyan's body froze and he didn't move. He couldn't tell if Jiang Yibai was really fainting or just pretending, but the weakness and dependence in his voice didn't sound fake.
He could only maintain this tightly held position, motionless, his heartbeat incredibly fast.
Jiang Yibai felt the stiffness and slight trembling of the person in his arms, and the corners of his mouth curved up in pride where the other person couldn't see.
very nice.
It’s nice to be sick.
You can give birth more times in the future.
This thought popped up, but he quickly suppressed it.
No, Xiyan will be worried and tired.
It’s better to get sick less and act more like a spoiled child.
He was secretly calculating in his mind, but his arms were folded with a clear conscience.
Warm sunlight streamed down the large bed. Two people and a cat (Bai Yan had somehow squeezed in at their feet) nestled in the soft blanket, like a tranquil and warm painting.
Time seems reluctant to go too fast.
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