The grip on her wrist was cold yet powerful, his knuckles slightly white from the force. Even while unconscious, the man exuded an undeniable dominance that refused to be broken.
Su Wan didn't move immediately.
She remained in her half-leaning position, allowing him to hold her. However, her cool eyes, like high-precision scanners, rapidly reassessed the man before her.
His pulse was even more erratic than before; his qi and blood had surged rebelliously due to the brief awakening and emotional turmoil, yet that strange vitality still tenaciously persisted. This wasn't a natural awakening but更像 a defensive instinct triggered by a strong external stimulus.
What had stimulated him? Her proximity? Her voice? Or perhaps… some scent on her that his subconscious identified as a threat or something familiar?
Su Wan's eyes darkened. The situation was more complicated and more intriguing than she had anticipated.
She attempted to move her wrist slightly. The large hand instantly tightened its grip unconsciously, as if afraid of losing something important. The force made her frown slightly.
"Leng Yecheng," she called to him in a low, steady voice, carrying a strange, calming power. "Let go. You need to rest."
The sleeping man showed no reaction, only an almost imperceptible furrow of his brow.
Words were ineffective, it seemed.
Su Wan hesitated no longer. Her free hand turned over, fingertips flashing with a cold light—a silver needle, fine as a strand of hair, appeared from nowhere. Her movement was so fast it left only an afterimage.
She didn't attack. Instead, she accurately inserted the needle into the Hegu point (LI4) on the back of his hand between the thumb and index finger.
A light, precise insertion, carrying a subtle, skillful force.
Almost immediately, the tight grip of his five fingers loosened.
Su Wan swiftly and deftly withdrew her wrist. A clear red mark was already visible on her fair skin, evidence of the strength he had used.
She stood up, rubbed her reddened wrist, and looked at the man on the bed, now deeply asleep again, her expression complex. Wariness, inquiry, and a spark of competitive spirit stirred in a strong opponent.
He suspected her. He might even be certain she wasn't Su Qianqian.
The difficulty level of this act had just increased significantly.
But "Wraith" never shied away from a challenge.
Su Wan quickly collected herself, transforming back into the calm, professional healer. Now wasn't the time to dwell on identity; his physical condition was the priority. That forced awakening must have加重了他的负担 (increased his burden).
She carefully took his pulse again, lifted his eyelids to check his pupillary light reflex, her movements professional and swift.
Within the deep, sluggish, and obstructed pulse, there seemed to be a hint of… unusual stagnation? Like traces of long-term erosion by some kind of poison, yet suppressed极力 by a powerful metabolism.
Poisoned?
Su Wan's heart sank. If it were just brain damage, she was eighty percent confident. But if it involved complex neurotoxins…
It seemed the waters of the Leng family were very deep. And for him to maintain such alertness and strength under the double torment of poison and brain injury… his willpower and physical constitution were terrifying.
She opened a small suitcase she had brought. It didn't contain ordinary clothes but rows of carefully arranged silver needles, small porcelain bottles, and some precision instruments of unknown use.
She took a needle, sterilized it.
Her slender fingers twirled the long, thin silver needle, her gaze focused and sharp. The next moment, the needle accurately pierced the Baihui (DU20), Shenting (DU24), and Taiyang (EX-HN5) acupoints on Leng Yecheng's head. The tails of the needles quivered slightly, as if moved by an invisible energy.
Her needling technique was unique—fast, accurate, steady, carrying an ancient and mysterious rhythm, completely different from the timid persona she had伪装 (feigned) earlier.
After completing the set of acupuncture, the slight frown on Leng Yecheng's brow seemed to relax a little, and his complexion wasn't quite as frighteningly pale.
Su Wan let out a soft sigh, fine sweat beading on her temples. This set of needles was mentally draining.
She was about to remove the needles when her gaze inadvertently swept over his exposed neck and the skin beneath his slightly open pajama collar. There, a very faint old scar seemed to extend along the direction of his collarbone.
Almost as if bewitched, she reached out a finger, intending to gently touch the scar, to judge its cause—
"What are you doing?"
A cold, hoarse voice, filled with extreme fatigue yet异常清晰 (exceptionally clear), suddenly rang out!
Su Wan's finger froze mid-air, her heart nearly skipping a beat.
Her head snapped up, meeting those eyes that had opened yet again!
This time, there was no initial confusion or涣散 (scatteriness) in his gaze. Though still bloodshot and filled with exhaustion, the core of sharpness and ice within them was like a blade tempered in frost, pointed directly at her finger hovering over his neck.
How was he awake again?! She hadn't stimulated him this time!
Su Wan quickly concealed her shock, her mind racing. She couldn't show a hint of guilt.
She very naturally lowered her suspended finger—not to touch the scar, but to lightly pick up a non-existent wrinkle on his pajama collar, smoothing it out meticulously, as if she had merely been trying to straighten his clothes.
Then, she met his gaze, forcing a weak, pleasantly surprised smile reminiscent of "Su Qianqian," her tone carrying a hint of嗔怪 (feigned annoyance) at being startled by his sudden speech. "Husband, you scared me to death! You seemed uncomfortable before, sweating a lot. I… I just wanted to wipe your sweat and tidy your clothes."
Leng Yecheng didn't speak. He just stared at her with those bottomless dark eyes, as if judging the truth of her words. An immense pressure filled the silent room.
After a long moment, he blinked very slowly, his voice raspy and dry. "Water."
Su Wan immediately turned to pour a glass of warm water. She carefully supported his head and brought the cup to his lips.
Leng Yecheng drank a few sips slowly from her hand. His movements were labored, but his eyes never left her face. The scrutinizing gaze was almost enough to melt Su Wan's disguise.
After drinking, he lay back down and closed his eyes, as if maintaining consciousness was incredibly difficult.
Just as Su Wan thought he had fallen asleep again, he spoke, his voice so low it was almost inaudible, yet carrying an unmistakable hardness:
"Whoever you are… behave… Before I find out…"
The sentence remained unfinished, his breathing already becoming even and long.
He had fallen into a deep sleep once more.
Su Wan stood still, holding the empty glass, her fingertips slightly cool.
He果然 (果然 - indeed, as expected) didn't believe her.
This brief交锋 (confrontation), occurring on the edge of stupor and consciousness, had silently commenced.
She looked at the sleeping profile of the man on the bed, a faint, sharp curve slowly appearing at the corner of her mouth.
"Investigate me?" she whispered softly, her eyes sparkling with the light of meeting a worthy rival. "Leng Yecheng, let's see then. Will you uncover my secrets first, or will I… heal you and get what I want first."
She suddenly found herself eagerly anticipating what it would be like when this sleeping lion awoke completely.