The pungent smell of disinfectant penetrated her nose, bringing with it a cold, familiar feeling. Ning Xiwan's eyelashes trembled a few times, and she struggled to open her heavy eyelids a crack.
The blurry off-white ceiling filled my vision, the light so soft it felt unreal. Every bone in my body screamed with soreness and fatigue, and the tiny arrow mark on the side of my neck sent a burning sting.
Consciousness slowly rose like a sinking ship.
"woke up?"
The voice was extremely low and hoarse, yet with a certain cautious and gentle tone, brushing past my ears like a feather.
Ning Xiwan turned her head with difficulty.
Duan Shuce sat in a chair beside the bed, his expensive suit jacket casually draped over the back of the chair, and he wore only a crisp white shirt with two buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows.
There were terrifying bloodshot eyes, a dark blue tint under his eyes, and blue stubble on his chin.
The gaze behind the gold-rimmed glasses was like a searchlight, locked on her tightly, surging with immense relief at having lost something and regained it, a deep and insoluble heartache, and a trace of violent embers that was suppressed but still leaked out, enough to freeze the air.
"Shu Ce..." The voice was dry and hoarse.
Duan Shuce immediately leaned forward, his movements swift but incredibly gentle. He picked up the warm cup and carefully passed the straw to her lips.
"Drink some water first, go slowly."
The warm water moistened my throat.
Ning Xiwan looked at Duan Shuce's bloodshot eyes, and her heart felt like it was gently squeezed by an invisible hand.
"How long have I slept?"
"Sixteen hours." Duan Shuce put down the water cup and held her slightly cold hand very naturally, wrapping it with his warm palm, and rubbing his fingertips very gently around the red and swollen wounds on her knuckles.
"The doctor said you were mainly exhausted, had a mild concussion, and suffered skin injuries. The wound on the side of your neck has been treated."
He paused, the suppressed chill in his voice surging again, "The crossbowman... the body was found downstream."
Ning Xiwan felt the warmth from his palm and the undisguised heartache, and the cold murderous intent in the cave seemed to melt away bit by bit.
She turned her hand back and shook it with weak strength.
"Where's the box?"
Duan Shuce's eyes suddenly became extremely sharp, like a blade tempered by ice.
"I have it. The military advisor's words…" He took a deep breath, "'This cargo isn't for some rich old geezer waiting for a kidney or liver transplant'…" are like a poisonous sting. The box is under strict protection, and the experts from the National Security Agency's Special Operations Division are on their way."
"Until the results come out, no one, including my nominal superiors, can have any private contact."
Ning Xiwan's heart sank. The military advisor's strange smile before his death was like an ominous cloud.
"My parents...and my older brothers..."
"Director Ning and Madam Ji came last night and stayed until three in the morning. I asked them to go back first. Ning Xiuyuan is abroad. After hearing the news, he booked the earliest flight back. Ning Xiuyan..."
When Duan Shuce mentioned this name, a trace of cold disgust flashed across his eyes, "He didn't show up."
Ning Xiwan twitched the corners of her mouth.
Duan Shuce leaned down and gently rested his forehead against hers. The cold frames of his gold-rimmed glasses touched her skin, and his breath brushed her cheek.
"Wanwan..." Her voice was low and almost whispered, "Promise me that from now on... don't go to such a dangerous place alone again. If you do that again, I'll go crazy."
He raised his head and looked at her deeply. His eyes, which usually saw through everything, now reflected her shadow clearly, with unquestionable possessiveness and almost paranoid protection.
"You are my life. Whoever dares to touch you will be doomed to eternal damnation."
This straightforward and passionate declaration was like a warm current flowing into Ning Xiwan's cold heart.
"By the way, don't tell Qingliu and the others yet."
Duan Shuce nodded, indicating that he understood.
She hummed softly, closed her eyes, and soon fell asleep under Duan Shuce's protective gaze.
A week later, Ning Xiwan was discharged from the hospital.
The car drove into the Ning family's Banshan Manor. The housekeeper bowed and waited, "Miss, you're back! The master and mistress are waiting for you in the living room."
Walking into the spacious and bright living room, the air is filled with the scent of expensive cigars and perfume.
Ning Yuanshan and Ji Qinglan immediately came forward to greet them.
Ning Yuanshan was handsome and elegant, his face filled with genuine worry and heartache: "Wanwan! You're finally back! Your mother and I were so worried!"
He stretched out his hand to pat his daughter's shoulder, but when his eyes fell on the scar on her neck, his hand stopped in mid-air and his eyes were filled with regret.
Ji Qinglan's eyes instantly turned red, and she rushed over and hugged Ning Xiwan tightly: "My precious daughter! You've suffered so much! You scared your mother to death! I'm glad you're back!"
She caressed Ning Xiwan's cheek with heartache, tears streaming down her face.
Being held by her mother's soft and fragrant body and listening to her words full of love, Ning Xiwan's body stiffened for a moment.
The two young women with empty and desperate eyes deep in the cave... their mother... She gently broke free from Ji Qinglan's arms.
"Dad, Mom, I'm fine." The voice was calm, with a barely perceptible hint of detachment.
Ji Qinglan was slightly startled, and then his eyes turned red again: "You kid... Shu Ce, this time it's really thanks to you!"
"Aunt Ji, you're too kind." Duan Shuce bowed slightly, his tone polite but distant, and his eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses swept over sharply.
"It's good that you're back. Safety is a blessing." Ning Yuanshan spoke at the right time with a gentle smile on his face.
"Wanwan, go upstairs and rest first. Eat something to replenish your body. There's no rush for work or cases."
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