The sky was approaching dusk.
The distant setting sun hung low, casting an orange-yellow glow that covered the windowsills and bed edges, and fell on the boy's dense, long eyelashes.
As if sensing the light, the boy furrowed his brows and opened his eyes.
That familiar chaos once again enveloped You Su's vision, as he tried to focus, the darkness did not dissipate; the powerful force, like an eternal flame, also vanished.
As if the previous regained sight was just a joke from the heavens, he was still that ordinary blind boy in the small town, Mr. Ling, the strange junior sister and master, the Lantern Ghost were all just a long dream he had.
But the intense pain all over his body told him that it all truly happened.
He stacked the pillows behind him, trying with difficulty to sit up, and after several attempts, he still couldn't manage.
You Su secretly clenched his fists, for the first time in eighteen years, he suffered such a severe injury, he resented and detested this deep sense of powerlessness.
Blind people are naturally sensitive and lack a sense of security.
"What are you doing?"
Ji Lingruo hurriedly ran in with a food basket, quickly reaching out to press You Su down, and even helped adjust his pillow.
"Lie back down quickly, the doctor said you shouldn't move much yet."
Hearing the familiar voice, You Su felt much more at ease.
"Junior sister, how long have I slept?"
"You dare to ask, you've been sleeping for almost two days!" Ji Lingruo brought over a stool, smoothed her skirt over her shapely hips, and sat down, "You fainted at the door yesterday morning, and now it's the second evening."
"I've slept so long."
You Su pondered the length of time, trying to recall the scene before he fainted, that smooth, flawless white was...
The white lotus root he had cleaned a few days ago but forgot to eat!
As for his junior sister, You Su swore it was barely dawn at the time, he didn't see a thing!
Junior sister, you can't seriously not know that your senior brother is blind, right?
"Oh! Why are you bleeding again?" Ji Lingruo was anxious, hurriedly pulling out a fragrant handkerchief.
"Really? Where am I bleeding?"
Besides feeling a bit of blood energy surging, You Su didn't notice anything unusual.
It wasn't until his dry lips tasted a sweet and salty tang that he realized he pathetically had a nosebleed.
You Su felt ashamed, embarrassed that he prided himself as a seasoned veteran in a past life.
Ji Lingruo leaned closer, carefully wiping his nosebleed.
You Su inhaled the elegant, refreshing scent from the young girl, involuntarily smiling.
She hadn't lied to him, that brief glimpse was enough to prove, the junior sister truly was the most beautiful girl in the world.
And her meticulous care for him was enough to prove that his desperate protection was worth it.
Ji Lingruo looked at the smile on You Su's lips, feeling a bit angry, she furrowed her delicate brows:
"What on earth were you doing that day? Do you know, when you came back that day, you almost scared me to death? You were covered in blood, like... like a living corpse..."
"Just went to handle a small matter." You Su's tone was calm.
"What 'small matter' leaves you drenched in blood?" Ji Lingruo lightly bit her lip, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction, just like a wife catching her husband sneaking out but with no evidence, "Even though the doctor said you have no external wounds, you hurt your organs, obviously fought with someone. You must tell me honestly."
You Su sweated a bit, urgently brainstorming an excuse.
Seeing You Su hesitating to speak, Ji Lingruo angrily said, "Did you secretly arrange a fight with those people?"
"Those...people?"
"The young cultivators in the city always blocking your way on the street, a bunch of idiots who aren't even worthy of being called ruffians, always thinking they're so amazing."
Ji Lingruo clenched her small fists, indignant, then softened her tone:
"I told you to fight back, but I didn't say you had to get so battered. What if you couldn't win and something really happened?"
Ah, my junior sister, why didn't I realize before, you're actually so wise, you're a true genius!
You Su spread his mouth into a grin, putting on a nauseating expression of "I'm perfectly fine, I'm definitely listening to you," softly saying:
"It's alright, I won, didn't I? They won't dare come looking for trouble again for a while. Since junior sister told me to teach them a lesson, I won't hide anymore, they must see what we're capable of."
You Su didn't claim all the credit, instead cleverly attributing this imaginary victory to "us."
Ji Lingruo seemed to appreciate this, smoothing her hair behind her ear, feeling sweetness in her heart, she softly said:
"Why didn't I see you listening to me before? No more next time, understand? Fighting so many, what's the heroism in that? Don't you know how to take them down one by one in secret?"
For You Su to get beaten this badly in a solo fight with others his age in Chuyun City, Ji Lingruo didn't believe it.
This seemingly humble yet actually proud and arrogant senior brother, he's definitely the type who'd say 'you all come at once' or 'I'm going to fight ten of you,' such foolish nonsense. What good does it do other than make them hit harder?
As if remembering something, she earnestly added:
"No matter how well you can fight, they can just play dirty. You must be sneakier than them, that's when they'll be afraid of you, understand?"
You Su paused for a bit, puzzled how this naïve girl could have such insights:
"Junior sister teaches well, I'll remember this, next time I pledge not to show off."
"That's my good boy, drink the soup now."
Ji Lingruo's eyes were filled with indulgence, she opened the food box and took out a bowl of broth, gently blowing it cool before bringing it to You Su's lips.
You Su obediently opened his mouth to take it, as if drinking sweet spring water.
"Junior sister, which shop did you buy this yam and pork rib soup from? How is it so delicious?"
Ji Lingruo rolled her pretty eyes at his words, though she indeed bought it, she felt that You Su's direct question was too rude, as if he considered it impossible that she made it herself?
Reflecting on the noodles she made for You Su that day, the more she thought about it, the more she felt his words were full of innuendo and sarcasm.
"This was personally made by Miss me!"
You Su was perceptive, immediately understanding what Ji Lingruo was thinking, quickly coaxing:
"Really? Is junior sister actually this good at making soup? I'm really lucky then."
"Hmph, at least you have some sense, open your mouth."
Coaxing his junior sister never became a chore for You Su, rather seeing her fooled into happiness made him happy as well.
He lifted his head, opening his mouth to take the spoon, moving slightly, unintentionally lifting some of the blanket and exposing his broad shoulders.
It was only then You Su noticed how clean his body was, even smoothly bare:
"Junior sister."
"What is it?"
"Where are my clothes?"
Ji Lingruo recalled something unspeakable, her heart racing, her chest rising and falling, her ears suddenly turned red.
"How...how should I know? Drink up!"
"Oh..."