It seemed that he had had a very long dream. The dream was full of strange things, but he always felt as if he was really there.
He only remembered that there was a blurry figure. He tried desperately to chase after it but always missed it by a little.
The blurry figure kept turning back and waiting for him. It was so warm, so very warm.
Finally, run faster, just a bit faster. He caught it!
But suddenly everything in front of him disappeared. Duan Qinghuai felt a bit annoyed.
When he slowly opened his eyes, all he could see was white. Where was this?
Ouch, it hurt so much.
Duan Qinghuai couldn't help but touch his head. Only then did he see the whole room clearly. Why was he in the hospital?
Wasn't he in Glamis Castle last?
Then his gaze shifted, and he saw Ning Yitao sleeping beside the bed. The sunlight from outside the window shone on her face, and the gentle breeze blew.
Her delicate facial features were like a porcelain doll. Her originally neat hair was scattered here and there. Without her usual spot - less aura, she had an irresistible charm. He just wanted to get closer and look at the person in front of him.
He couldn't help but reach out his hand and trace her face in the air.
She was like an angel who had accidentally fallen into the mortal world, pure and holy.
Her bright red lips were like ripe cherries.
He really wanted to kiss her. This thought quickly occupied Duan Qinghuai's mind.
A blush gradually crept up his ears.
As if sensing something, Ning Yitao woke up.
She sat up lazily, yawned, and there were water droplets on her curly eyelashes.
There were still imprints on her face from being pressed. Her usually lively eyes were now hazy and dreamy. She was so cute.
Still sleepy, she rubbed her eyes and asked, "Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?"
"N - no." Duan Qinghuai didn't dare to look Ning Yitao in the eye because of the thought that had just popped up.
"Why is he stuttering again?" Ning Yitao wondered.
Afraid that she would dig deeper, Duan Qinghuai quickly changed the subject, "Why are we in the hospital?"
Ning Yitao explained,
"The energy that suddenly burst out this time exceeded the capacity of your body. That's why you fainted from exhaustion. If you keep up with your cultivation, you'll surely be able to tap into greater potential in the future."
The subject was successfully changed.
Ning Yitao's eyes sparkled, "Moreover, you were taught by me."
She was already feeling proud. She had full confidence in Duan Qinghuai's abilities.
Although she didn't know Duan Qinghuai's real identity, it was definitely right to protect him for now. She could gain a bit of merit from him.
"Then, will you be my master from now on?" Duan Qinghuai asked devoutly.
This question stumped Ning Yitao. Thinking carefully, she had never taken on a disciple before.
She was stunned for a moment. This feeling was a bit strange. She shifted her body slightly. Maybe it wouldn't be bad to have a disciple:
"Yes, if you want."
Duan Qinghuai's eyes flashed. Finally, he had an official identity to stay by her side without any guilt. He immediately flattered her and called out, "Master."
It was the first time Ning Yitao had been called like this. She felt a bit embarrassed, but she still straightened her back silently, lifted her chin slightly, and proudly replied with a soft "hmm".
The atmosphere between the two became a bit strange.
Duan Qinghuai wanted to say something else.
But he was interrupted by Ji Wangqiu, who suddenly rushed in.
He stared closely at the two of them, patrolling them like a hound. If he saw anything wrong, he would definitely jump up and kill Duan Qinghuai.
But his haughty posture didn't last long before Ning Yitao slapped him on the head.
"Don't stare around. You'll scare him. How's the thing I told you to do?"
Seeing that she was protecting Duan Qinghuai again, Ji Wangqiu, like a wronged child, raised his eyebrows high and threw a tantrum:
"Of course I've done what you told me, unlike someone who only drags you down."
He said pitifully, "Taotao, am I not your most important person anymore? Why do you always protect this weak - looking guy?"
Ning Yitao raised an eyebrow. She found it interesting. Pointing at Duan Qinghuai, she said with a smile,
"Do you mean he's weak? He was able to hurt Lady Alexia on his own. Can you do that?"
"He's full of merit. Do you have any?"
These two rhetorical questions left him speechless. Ji Wangqiu knew he had lost the argument. He stared at Duan Qinghuai resentfully, wishing he could eat him alive.
As soon as he was resurrected, he had contacted Zhaocai to look for Taotao. How could there be someone cheating and cutting in line?
Ning Yitao felt that if she let the two of them stay together any longer, she would definitely have to comfort Duan Qinghuai, the walking merit ATM.
"Alright, can you go and find Zhaocai for me? Thank you."
Ji Wangqiu knew that after this joint battle with her, her attitude towards him had improved a lot. She was no longer as tough and averse as before.
Of course, he knew when to stop while he was ahead. He scurried off to do Ning Yitao's bidding.
Before leaving, he didn't forget to make a throat - slitting gesture at Duan Qinghuai as a threat.
Ning Yitao quickly pushed him out of the door and finally got rid of him.
Duan Qinghuai didn't really want to see Ji Wangqiu either. "When are we going back to China?"
"Hmm? We'll go back when you're better."
Duan Qinghuai immediately sat up and said eagerly, "I'm better now. Let's go back right away." And then get rid of that Ji Wangqiu.
Of course, he didn't dare to say the last part out loud.
Ning Yitao was surprised, "So soon? Your body was depleted at that time. If you really want to go back, that's okay, but we still have to wait a bit, until Zhaocai comes back."
Since seeing Ji Wangqiu, Duan Qinghuai had been full of a sense of crisis. Although Ning Yitao always protected him, they had a past that he wasn't a part of.
After all, he wasn't completely sure.
As if thinking of something, Duan Qinghuai suddenly covered his chest and looked in pain, "It hurts so much, Master, it hurts so much."
Ning Yitao immediately panicked. She felt all over his body and asked where it hurt, thinking that Lady Alexia had caused some internal injuries that she hadn't noticed.
But in a corner where Ning Yitao didn't notice, a victorious smile appeared on Duan Qinghuai's face.
Duan Qinghuai couldn't help but despise himself. He had finally become the kind of person he hated the most.
But if he could win Taotao's heart, it would all be worth it.
********
Meanwhile, the hard - working Ji Wangqiu was still looking for Zhaocai.
He kept sending messages to Zhaocai, but it ignored him. He could only follow its trail.
Sure enough, he found it in Glamis Castle.
He quietly appeared behind it and suddenly kicked it,
"I said, stop eating. Taotao doesn't like you eating these evil spirits."
Zhaocai tried to whip him with its tail, but he dodged,
"You don't understand. This is the evil energy left over from thousands of years ago. It's a great tonic. Do you understand? I'm just trying to improve myself so that I can help Taotao better in the future."
"And you're saying this to me? Have you done what Taotao told you?"
Ji Wangqiu frowned and asked doubtfully,
"You should trust my work. But I'm still not sure. I've already compiled the list. Taotao said she found that there was a spiritual medium who watched the whole thing in our room. Who on earth is so bold?"
Zhaocai's mouth was full of evil energy, and it said in a slurred voice, "Anyway, no matter who it is, that person must have discovered the matter of the golden blood. It should be the one who killed Taotao's previous self."
Ji Wangqiu was silent for a moment,
"The few people outside the door are the most suspect. Actually, I don't want to suspect them, but you can never know a person's heart. I hope it's not them."