Chapter 31: You Must Trust Me

Chapter 31: You Must Trust Me

Human hearts lean in one direction or another, thus favoritism exists, only differing in whom it favors.

At this moment, my heart leaned towards Li Fan. That little fox was simply too pitiful! There was none more unfortunate than him.

Yang Ling'er got up from the ground and staggered forward a few steps before throwing herself at Li Fan with outstretched arms.

I furrowed my brow. This scene seemed familiar. Why would this girl use the same tactic twice?

Once again, Yang Ling'er missed her target. Li Fan vanished from his spot and reappeared on the other side of me.

"Sir, my legs are weak. Can't you just lend me a hand?" Yang Ling'er pleaded, her eyes misting over as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"No," Li Fan replied promptly. "Also, if your legs are weak, cut them off and donate them to those in need. It'll save space."

Without waiting for Yang Ling'er's response, Li Fan turned and walked back into the house.

In a panic, Yang Ling'er reached for his arm, but before she could touch him, an invisible force hurled her away.

"Scram." Li Fan's cold voice echoed within the room. "If this happens again, you won't see tomorrow."

Yang Ling'er stumbled to the ground, stunned for a moment before she covered her face and ran away in tears.

I didn't bother with her. I didn't think Yang Ling'er would do anything reckless after being rejected by Li Fan. Even if she did, it wasn't my concern.

It was better to spend the time checking on Li Fan. The little fox had endured a great injustice today and needed comforting.

Opening the door, I entered the room to find Li Fan leaning against the bed, one leg bent while the other dangled down.

His shirt was open, exposing half his chest and taut, fair shoulders. On his shoulder was a grotesque wound.

Seeing me, Li Fan lifted his head and gestured for me to come closer.

Without hesitation, I eagerly rushed over. Li Fan then handed me a small white medicine bottle.

"Help me apply some medicine. I can't quite reach my back," he said, turning around to reveal his lean back.

The wound on his shoulder was a through-and-through injury, not yet fully healed. I could still see the raw, crimson flesh inside. Perhaps due to his recent activity, the wound had reopened.

I knew when he sustained the injury – it was during our first encounter when he pushed me out of Bai Rou's and Aunt's memorial hall to confront that enigmatic black shadow alone.

Back then, I had run like a startled rabbit, not daring to look back to see if he had won or lost.

Yet, after all this time, the wound still hadn't healed.

Judging from this, the black shadow must have been slightly stronger than Li Fan; otherwise, how could it have inflicted such severe injuries upon him?

"I asked, is that person very powerful?" I inquired, feeling an inexplicable unease.

Li Fan seemed puzzled. "Who are you referring to?"

"That day when the fire broke out at Bai Rou's memorial hall, when we met for the first time."

His voice remained indifferent. "It doesn't matter."

Anxiety gripped me. How could it not matter?

If that individual was capable of harming Li Fan, they posed a certain level of threat.

What if we encounter it again in the future?

What if it doesn't abide by the code of honor and strikes from behind?

What if it summons a group to gang up on us?

Wouldn't that put us in grave danger then? We should prepare accordingly.

Li Fan smiled slightly and suddenly turned around. "Are you worried about me?"

What kind of question is that? Isn't my worry obvious enough?

I nodded hastily. "Of course I am. Wouldn't I be an ungrateful person if I wasn't?"

Li Fan's eyelids drooped, his eyes unbelievably tender. "Is that true? After all these years, you finally worry about me."

I quickly averted my gaze. Li Fan was so close that I could see my reflection in his eyes.

But his voice was raspy and slightly trembling, as if he were beholding something precious. It felt like my concern had directly touched the softest part of his heart.

"Please be quiet, you're about to shake the medicine off your wound," I couldn't bear the current atmosphere and quickly changed the subject.

Li Fan was now very obedient; I told him to turn around, and he did so promptly.

I started re-applying the medicine on his shoulder. The wound was horrifying, and just looking at it made me wince in pain. Yet, Li Fan remained silent throughout.

After applying the medicine, I pointed at his tattoo and asked, "Aren't you coming in? You should rest properly."

Li Fan shook his head and then laid down on the bed, "I don't want to go in, I want to sleep outside tonight."

The guest room's bed wasn't large, just barely big enough for two. It seemed that Li Fan intended to share the same bed with me.

"It wouldn't be appropriate, Li Fan. Be a good boy, why don't you go back into the tattoo and sleep?" I stroked his hair, attempting to coax him.

When the little fox gets hurt, a bit of coaxing usually does the trick.

Li Fan didn't respond, so I tried another approach, "How about you transform back to your true form? I'd be happy to sleep with a cuddly little fox."

"I won't, I'll sleep like this."

Li Fan rolled onto his side, facing me. His narrow eyes held an innate charm, and his gaze seemed to sparkle like stardust.

Well, well, well... This little fox is quite skilled.

Forget it, let him sleep however he likes.

I climbed back into bed, shook out the covers, and nestled against the wall as I draped them over myself.

There was no help for it—the bed wasn't large. With Li Fan on the outside, I had to stick to the wall; otherwise, I'd end up pressed against him.

Thus, we unintentionally created a space between us that could fit another person.

As my body clock dictated, sleepiness soon overtook me. Just as I was drifting off, I heard Li Fan's voice, faint but distinct, calling my name.

"Bai Ci, do you trust me?"

I murmured in response, yearning to return to slumber.

But moments later, I felt a tickling sensation near my ear, followed by Li Fan's whisper right next to my ear.

"I mean trust without reservation, in any setting. No matter what others say to you, you believe in me and only me. I promise, I'll never hurt you."

I let out another soft murmur.

In truth, my consciousness was on the verge of complete oblivion, and I had little control over my words.

As I was drifting off to sleep, I felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist, pulling me backward, until my back rested against a warm, solid chest.

Li Fan sighed softly and nestled his head into the crook of my neck, whispering a thank you.

I didn't sleep particularly well that night. I dreamt of standing in a charred landscape, flames engulfing everything around me.

Before me stood a figure dressed all in white, wielding a long sword as it approached. Though I couldn't make out its face, I could sense its fierce, icy glare.

"Why are you doing this..." I heard myself say.

"Because you deserve it!"

Suddenly, a searing pain shot through my chest as the sword pierced my heart. Blood spewed out like a fountain, and as I fell backward, I saw the lifeless sky above me.

The agony of despair and pain tugged at my nerves, the source of my torment not death itself, but the one who dealt it. And then, I jolted awake.

I sat up, gasping for air, my back drenched in cold sweat. The images from the dream remained vividly etched in my mind.

I gradually calmed my racing heart, reaching to touch my chest. It throbbed subtly, as if the scenes from just now were more than mere illusions.

What frightened me even more was the realization that I did not awaken in the familiar guest room, but in an unfamiliar place.