Fang Chuning regretted bringing up these matters. The warm couch and the bed were separated only by a folding screen, and he could only see Xie Jue's shadow through the screen. His emotions were deeply conflicted.
Fever had ravaged him, leaving his mind in a haze, and he drifted off, unable to endure the discomfort. In his heavy sleep, it seemed that someone approached him and touched his cheek. Fang Chuning, utterly exhausted, fell into a dazed and disoriented slumber. His fevered, burning-hot face pressed against a cool hand, bringing him some semblance of relief.
In the deep of night, his fever subsided, yet his coughing intensified. Half-asleep and half-awake, he began to ramble incoherently. It seemed he dreamed of Xie Jue, calling his name over and over, giggling foolishly as he did so.
Xie Jue sat at the bedside, twisting a towel to wipe his sweat, unable to suppress a chuckle. "Fool!"
