In a daze, I felt something moving in my abdomen. I opened my eyes, and what came into view was Gu Yuan's incredibly handsome face.
At this moment, I was no longer at Long Lin's place but lying in my own bed at home.
Gu Yuan's hand was gently rubbing on my abdomen. That cool sensation could really relieve the pain, and most of the previous pain had disappeared.
Gu Yuan gently stroked my abdomen. His expression looked even more painful than when I was injured. He was heart - broken.
I curled the corner of my mouth and feebly teased him, "What's that expression of yours? Did you eat a sour plum? It's not cool at all."
Gu Yuan didn't find my joke funny.
"I failed to protect you well."
Seeing his self - reproachful look, I raised my hand to wrap around his neck and said, "It was you who protected me. If it weren't for it, I might be dead by now."
I shook the silver bell and smiled sweetly. Although my whole body still ached, the pain was accompanied by happiness.
Gu Yuan held the hand that was shaking the bell and rubbed it against his face.
At this moment, it was all worth it.
"Are you not angry?"
Gu Yuan's deep eyes met mine. He didn't understand why I asked him this.
"Actually, I really didn't call Long Lin this time. I don't know why he showed up." I didn't want to have any more misunderstandings with Gu Yuan, so I had to make things clear first.
"I know." Gu Yuan didn't mean to blame either. He replied gently.
"So... stop frowning. Be happy." I reached out my hand to rub the space between his eyebrows.
One second it was still peaceful and harmonious, and the next second, Long Lin's words suddenly flashed through my mind: "If it's not treated in time, there will be scars."
Just thinking about having scars on my body, I suddenly sat up in bed.
I quickly lifted my clothes to take a look at my chest. It was still fair, smooth, and as delicate as fat.
The stone in my heart finally dropped. There were no scars. That was great.
Gu Yuan's expression was really strange at this moment. Seeing his wolf - like look, I let out a scream and covered myself with my clothes.
"Don't look, you pervert."
Gu Yuan looked helpless and said wrongfully, "It was you who lifted your clothes for me to see."
"Still, you're not allowed to look, pervert." I was so ashamed that I wished I could find a hole to hide in.
"You call me a pervert. Let me ask you then. You're covered in wounds. Why didn't you check the wounds on your neck and abdomen first? Instead, you first checked your..." His eyes slid down to below my neck.
I quickly covered my chest to prevent him from looking around.
"Ah, stop talking." Was this guy going to keep this up? I fell back on the bed and covered my blushing face with the quilt. I was too embarrassed to face anyone.
At this time, Gu Yuan still didn't let it go. He got into my quilt and said he wanted to check carefully to see if there were any missed wounds on my body.
I was so ticklish that I screamed wildly in the quilt.
"You still say you have no other intentions. You're clearly flirting with me. Quickly tell me what you learned from that ghostly temptress?"
Me: "..."
...
The next day, thanks to Gu Yuan, my body had recovered almost completely. However, the issue of Su Xiaoxiao hadn't been resolved yet.
Previously, Gu Yuan didn't want to get involved. After all, Su Xiaoxiao had made a promise first. But now it was different. That ghostly temptress had set her eyes on my yin bones.
Bai Qi wasn't by my side. If that thing got out, it would surely be harmful to me.
So Gu Yuan definitely couldn't stand by anymore.
But the seal was set by Long Lin. If Gu Yuan went rashly, the two of them would surely clash.
Long Lin alone couldn't handle that ghostly temptress. So the situation was really tricky now.
If I could get the two of them to work together, it would be much easier. The most headache - inducing thing for me was how to get them to put aside their personal grudges and cooperate.
If this ghostly temptress wasn't eliminated, she would surely be a thorn in my side. It was really difficult to be on guard against her all the time.
However, Gu Yuan compromised for my sake.
I wanted to persuade Long Lin and promised again and again that I was absolutely loyal to Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan hooked his lips and said confidently without any worry, "Because you're the one destined for me. No one can take you away."
Such confidence would only sound charming when spoken by a man as charismatic as Gu Yuan.
He was absolutely right. He really had me wrapped around his finger.
At noon that day, I went to the restaurant alone and found a private room on the first floor by the window.
Firstly, I didn't want the restaurant staff to see me summoning a celestial being in public. I was afraid they would think I was a fortune - teller.
Secondly, the room was on the first floor by the window. In case of an emergency, I could jump out of the window and run. To be honest, I still had some reservations about Long Lin.
After entering the private room, I took out the incense and lit it. Then I started to chant the incantation of the shaman to summon Long Lin.
This Long Lin just didn't play by the rules. When I was halfway through chanting, he broke the incense in the middle. I suddenly turned around, and he was just about to cover my eyes.
I frowned and said, "Stop joking. I have something serious to talk to you about."
"Is the little lady thinking of marrying me? Then I won't decline." He was still as talkative as ever. I was too lazy to correct him.
"You saved me, and I saved you. Can we be considered friends who have shared hardships?" I sat by the window and said.
"More than just friends. We should be very intimate friends."
I was completely immune to his flirting. Anyway, he just wanted to have his fun with words. It wouldn't hurt me.
"I'm here today to talk to you about Su Xiaoxiao. How long can that house suppress her?"
Seeing my serious expression, Long Lin stopped joking and said, "That thing is too evil. It will probably break through my seal soon. However, the barrier can still hold it back for a while."
"But this is not a long - term solution. Can't you, a celestial being from above, subdue it?"
"It had an agreement with Su Xiaoxiao first. Su Xiaoxiao agreed. Now it's just taking back what belongs to it. That's normal."
"Killing people is not normal. So whether they had a deal or not, evil things shouldn't stay in this world."
Long Lin let out a heavy sigh, seemingly having no good solution.
"If you're feeling overwhelmed, I can find you a helper."
My tone was very gentle. He should have understood what I meant immediately, but he just didn't play by the rules.
"How am I overwhelmed? I'm very strong. Little lady, do you want to try? I guarantee I'll make you feel on top of the world." As he spoke, he winked and showed a charming smile.
He always got vulgar when talking. If I didn't need his help, I would pour the water in front of me on his face right now and call him a hooligan.
"Can you be more serious? I'm married. I have a husband, and his name is Gu Yuan. Do you understand?" I emphasized seriously again.
The smile on Long Lin's face faded. A look of loss flashed across his eyes.
"It seems you really forgot our promise under the red plum tree."
Red plum tree? Promise?
I suddenly remembered the first time I met Long Lin. He conjured up a tree full of red flowers while holding a white oil - paper umbrella in his hand. And there was also the red plum tree in my dream yesterday. The man in the dream also held an oil - paper umbrella.
Recalling the man in the dream, no wonder I thought he looked so familiar. He was clearly the man in front of me.
I stared intently at Long Lin's well - defined face, finding it hard to believe. Could I really have known him in my past life?
Seeing my expression, Long Lin hooked his lips and asked, "Do you remember?"
"The person I bumped into under the red plum tree in the snow was you?"
"Who else?"
"So... are you the heir of the Liang Kingdom?" My voice was trembling.
He hooked his lips, neither confirming nor denying.
"Then who was I in my past life..." I paused and didn't dare to say it directly.
After a lot of mental preparation, I finally said it word by word.