This night, Ji Qiuhan was completely exhausted.

The nightmare ended, and he felt like a giant stone tied to him, thrown into the still center of a silent lake, sinking into boundless darkness. In the endless descent, the water bobbed with pale and foamy limbs and arms, with women's hands and women's feet, until he faintly heard Jiang Zhan's voice in his ears. It felt like being pulled away, and his body fell into familiar embrace and warmth.

At that moment, he tightly gripped onto the floating wood but then released his fingers, surrendering himself to sink down.

Wei Wei was assigned "morning inspections" last night, so he arrived at the entrance of the room early in the morning. The servants nodded respectfully towards him.

The master is currently speaking with Mr. Ji. It's not convenient to interrupt them. Please wait a moment, Ms. Wei.

"Oh...okay, then I'll come over after I finish eating."

Wei Wei walked to the stairwell and hesitated, then awkwardly turned back.

"...Well, anyway, I'm not really hungry, so I'll just wait outside the door."

After all, there is still a mushroom of revolutionary friendship in the study that cannot be ignored.

Jiang Zhan and Ji Qiuhuan talked for a long time inside, making Wei Wei's feet go numb while waiting. Finally, the door opened.

Last night's unexpected car accident and the injuries on Ji Qiuhuan's back left Wei Wei, the curious little baby, with a belly full of questions. However, as soon as he went in, somehow, when he saw the person on the bed, he suddenly couldn't ask anything.

Ji Qiuh an calmly leaned against the head of the bed, his face pale. The high fever made his sharp facial features seem weaker, like a white butterfly landed on the roof on a rainy day. It made people unconsciously want to tread lightly, afraid of disturbing him.

"Ji Ge, how are you feeling now? Do you still have a fever?"

I won't burn it, Dr. Wei. Thank you for your help last night," Ji Qiuhan nodded lightly. In his hands, he held a half cup of hot water, and the steaming white vapor brought some color back to his pale face from the previous night.

"It's alright, it's alright! Brother Ji can just call me Wei Wei."

Wei Wei gave Ji Qiuhuan a basic examination. He felt that Ji Qiuhuan seemed very tired. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Zhan came out from the bathroom, wiping his hair and asking, "How is it?"

"Jiang-ge, good morning. Ji-ge is already fine, the fever has subsided. I got some medicine, and the dosage instructions are written on it. Be careful not to catch a cold or expose yourself to drafts in the next few days."

When Jiang Zhan heard the words "It's nothing", he immediately snatched the cup from Ji Qiuhán's hand.

"Ji-ge, your recent fever is related to your excessive fatigue. You must take more rest these next few days..." Wei Wei seized the opportunity and whispered, emphasizing, "--- It would be best if Jiang-ge could also rest properly. He hasn't had a good night's sleep in a long time. If it continues like this, his body won't be able to take it. Every time I mention it to him... Ah, Ji-ge, I've already had someone deliver the medicine. It should arrive shortly. Remember to take it on time."

A cup of hot water was added, and Jiang Zhan handed it to Ji Qiuhan, sitting by the edge of the bed.

"Drink it all, do you want to go down for breakfast or have it delivered?"

Ji Qiuhan turned his head to speak to Jiang Zhan in a low voice. Jiang Zhan gently leaned forward, and Wei Wei, not hearing clearly, self-consciously acted as a mushroom by the side, pretending not to look around.

On a spring day with clear skies after the rain, the sunlight poured out like it was being spilled from an upturned glass bottle. Through a gray curtain on one side, it streamed brightly, forming a river that stirred up tiny specks of dust in the beams of light, inexplicably bringing a refreshing warmth that seemed to rush towards one's face.

"Do you have any business standing here?"

Wei Dengpao, who was in the midst of planning a spring outing with his department, was suddenly called out, only then remembering that he had a side mission to save his teammates. "...Um, Jiang-ge, Aqian has been kneeling in the study all night. His face has turned pale, and he hasn't had breakfast. His stomach isn't well, so maybe..."

"Sure—"

With a sudden recollection, Jiang Zhan displayed an expression as if he had just remembered something.

"Why did you make Yi Qian kneel for a whole night?"

Wei Wei heard this sentence clearly, but the sentence that Jiang Ge explained to Ji Qiuhuan while turning his head, he didn't catch it. After Jiang Zhan finished speaking to Ji Qiuhuan, he said to Wei Wei, "Go wake him up."

"Sure, Brother Jiang! I'll go right now."

"Ah," Jiang Zhan called out to the person again, "have someone directly send breakfast to his room. You go over and check on him."

Wei Wei knew it all along and secretly laughed in her heart. Let him punish her by making her kneel, and now he's feeling remorse.

Ji Qiuhuan was not accustomed to having breakfast in bed. He was used to strict self-discipline. Although a high fever had left his muscles sore and weak, it was within his tolerance range. He changed his clothes and went downstairs with Jiang Zhan.

On a bright spring morning, accompanied by a Western-style breakfast, Ji Qiuhuan's hands were beautiful—slender, straight, and fair. At this moment, holding the silver glinting knife and fork with determination, it was hard to tell which one felt colder.

"I have already sent someone to deal with the accident, so you don't have to worry. However, the car definitely won't be repaired in a short time. For the next few days, let Fangbei give you a ride to and from work."

Ji Qiuhan absentmindedly responded with a "hmm," not paying attention to the meaning behind the words. Unconsciously, he furrowed his brow.

"Darling, what are you thinking? You want to eat until it reaches your nose!"

Jiang Zhan took a napkin and wiped off the sauce at the corners of Ji Qiuhuan's mouth.

Ji Qiuhao reached out and gently brushed his eyes with the palm of his hand, wiping away the redness that had faded away. He said, "...It's nothing. I was just thinking about how I managed to turn the steering wheel in the wrong direction, causing you to worry."

The matter of a bodyguard, I promised and then went back on my word. Now I agree, maybe... I really do need protection.

I haven't spoken yet, but you're already speaking my words first," Jiang Zhan put down his cutlery and seriously looked at Ji Qiuhan, "Darling, you really scared me last night. Promise me that you won't overspeed in any circumstance again."

Ji Qiuhan cleared his throat and couldn't refuse the concerned look from Jiang Zhan. "Alright, I won't exceed the speed limit anymore."

Jiang Zhan lifted his hand and caressed the back of his neck, planting a kiss on his forehead.

"You had nightmares all through last night,"

Ji Qiuhan seemed to have a sense of foreboding as he lowered his eyelashes, saying, "What did I say?"

Hearing his question, Jiang Zhan was rather surprised, "Darling, don't you remember what happened last night?"

Ji Qiuh an furrowed his brows lightly. After a while, he shook his head and said, "I only remember some things and forget others. I often do this... Did I tell you about Ji Xia?"

Seeing Jiang Zhan nod, Ji Qiuhao took a deep breath. After a while, he spoke slowly, "I'm sorry, I should have told you earlier. The mistakes in our previous actions and the recent accidents were all caused by one person. His name is Zhao Yonglin, the fugitive murderer from a homicide case sixteen years ago. Back then, he lured my sister Ji Xia and me into a car and killed thirty-six people in a rural house. I was rescued by the police, but Ji Xia died there."

Even though Yi Qian had already handed over the information about the brutal 5.23 tragedy from that year to Jiang Zhan last night, at this moment, hearing Ji Qiuhuan say it with his own mouth, Jiang Zhan couldn't believe what kind of cruel nightmare the young Ji Qiuhuan had actually experienced during that month.

"Qiu Han..." Jiang Zhan's eyes were filled with indescribable heartache. His tone was extremely gentle, "I promise, from now on, no one will ever hurt you again."

Jiang Zhan's delicate and gentle kisses fell softly, gradually smoothing away the uneasiness that had spread in his heart. Ji Qiuhan's eyes trembled slightly as he returned the kiss to Jiang Zhan.

"...It's okay, actually, I can't even remember that experience myself now. Yesterday's speed violation was probably because I caught the suspect involved in a cross-province trafficking case at the station earlier, who bears some resemblance to Zhao Yonglin. I interrogated him at the detention center but got nothing. ...Maybe I was too hasty, after all, it's an old case that happened sixteen years ago, it won't be so easy to catch the culprit."