Those children who were taken away would no longer be subjected to cruel training, but would be given more foul-smelling drugs every day until their bodies recovered and they were taken away again until they died in the dark prison, or they were never brought back after being taken away once.
Six-year-old Shang Xiye hadn't yet learned how to control his dreams. His cries of pain in his dream were still heard, and people barged in with torches, questioning him one by one. When they grabbed his arm to touch his stomach, he was terrified and cowered in a dirty corner, struggling desperately.
At this moment, Hei Xiao, who was next to Shang Xiye, suddenly clutched his stomach and groaned. The others then released him, massaged Hei Xiao's stomach a few times, and then carried away Hei Xiao, who was a year older than Shang Xiye.
Three days later, Black Owl was brought back, covered in wounds and almost lifeless.
Young Shang Xiye held the equally young Black Owl and cried all night.
It was then that Shang Xiye said to Hei Xiao, "From now on, whatever you want, I will give it to you."
It was from that time that Shang Xiye learned to control the depth of her sleep.
"Hmm..." The little female bandit in his arms hummed softly like a kitten, waking Shang Xiye from his memories. Judging from her movements, she seemed to be uncomfortable sleeping in one position for too long and wanted to turn over.
After Shang Xiye waited for her to turn her back in his arms, he gently pulled her back into his embrace.
Her small, soft back pressed against his chest, a position that brought them closer, and the warmth of her body almost soothed his cold heart in the darkness.
Shang Xiye understood that Hei Xiao's words to him were not out of resentment, but rather out of empathy, hesitation, and worry.
People like them, who have witnessed the darkest side of the world, will never let go of a glimmer of light and warmth in their lives, even unto death. Black Owl was worried that he would be deceived and hurt again.
So even if he and Black Owl could never be openly friends in this lifetime, he trusted Black Owl as much as he trusted himself. Because in the darkest nights, they had relied on each other for warmth, and Black Owl had shielded him from harm that he still didn't fully understand.
He gently stroked the little bandit's soft hair with his chin and whispered in his heart, "If I get close to you, don't be like them, treating me gently when I'm good, but abandoning me when they know I'm dirty."
Ji Fengyao woke up feeling a bit hot and rubbed herself uncomfortably, when suddenly something gritty hit her.
At the same time, the soft "pillow" she was resting on suddenly tightened, and the heat source behind her became even hotter.
This feeling... this is fucking...
Ji Fengyao suddenly opened her eyes, scrambled to her feet, and met Shang Xiye's captivating, half-smiling eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes: "Your Highness, I clearly slept on the couch last night, and I don't have a habit of sleepwalking..."
"I seem to be unable to walk properly," Shang Xiye said, a hint of unease flashing across his face as he denied it outright.
Ji Fengyao scratched her head in frustration; of course she knew he was disabled.
If he were a good man, she wouldn't have slept in the same room with him; she would have sent him back to his study long ago!
"Your Highness, I don't know why I've suddenly developed this strange habit. To show my determination and sincerity, I'll have them prepare a side room today. From now on, we'll have acupuncture done in the side room, and after the acupuncture, I'll immediately go back to my own room. What do you think?" Ji Fengyao said sincerely, trying her best to please.
Should we let him sleep in the side room?
Shang Xiye's face instantly turned ashen: "This king suffers from a condition of being unable to choose where to sit."
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