A faint wind drifted through the clearing as a small figure stepped forward. Before Li Xuan's body could hit the ground, she caught him, her slender arms trembling as she lowered him gently.
"How dare you hurt him," a soft yet furious voice cut through the air.
The two men turned slowly, not even alarmed. They were the Zhao family's little minions, arrogance was in their blood and who would dare questions their actions in a land they calm to be theirs,let alone a little girl barely nine years old but still recognition of the little miss struck them
Her hair fluttered in the wind, her eyes bright and burning with anger like two suns .
"Brother Mu, let's go. We're done here,"
The other man said casually, glancing at Li Xuan's unconscious form.
Zhao Mu swung his sword up to his shoulder and smirked.
" hope that was a lesson to those who mess with my Zhao family "
The two walked away without another look back. Their steps faded into the distance, leaving only the sound of the wind and the faint rustle of leaves.
Xiao Fengqi's heart twisted.
She fell to her knees beside him, hands shaking as she brushed the dirt from his cheek. His skin was cold. For a second, she thought he was gone, and her throat closed with a pain she didn't recognize.
" Mr Li Xuan…Can you hear me?"
Li Xuan blinked weakly , the faintest shadow of a smile tugging at his lips.
The familiar outline of Xiao Fengqi slowly sharpened in Li Xuan's fading vision
" little miss of the Xiao family, you are here ,"Li Xuan said softly.
If he was in his normal state ,the little miss of the Xiao family would definitely be taken back by his soft helpless tone.
Those simple words cracked something open inside her. She had never seen him this way: no sharp words and no teasing smirk. Just a boy barely clinging to life, trusting her enough to fall apart.
"Of course I am here," she said, forcing a laugh, though her voice broke halfway.
"You think I'd let you die before paying me back for all those insults?"
Her joke hung in the air . Li Xuan tried to chuckle but only blood escaped the corner of his mouth. She caught it with her thumb, wiping it away gently.
"Don't talk bullshit,save your strength."
His gaze flickered to her face ,those sharp beautiful eyes now softened.
" why are you crying? Do you think ,I am going to die?"
She blinked, startled, and only then felt the tears spilling down her cheeks.
"No I'm not," she said quickly, shaking her head, "it's just… dust."
A faint breath left his lips that might've been a laugh.
" Mr Li Xuan, let's take you home."
She slipped her arms beneath his shoulders and pulled him against her chest, holding him as if her heartbeat could replace his. His head rested against her collarbone .
Li Xuan's breath was shallow and his heartbeat kept on faltering,then steadying again .
Idiot!
her voice trembled between anger and fear as she spoke .
"Always trying to act like you don't need anyone… and now look at you."
Xiao Fengqi's fingers brushed through his sticky hair full of sweat and dirt.
Li Xuan's lips moved faintly, the words barely forming.
"You… really talk too much…"
Her voice trembling as she cradled his head. She placed two fingers on his forehead, closed her eyes, and released a soft stream of spiritual energy into his body. Her own pulse quickened the moment she sensed it.
"Your soul is…"
Leaning down, she pressed her ear against his chest. Li Xuan's heartbeat was faint but still there beating against his chest in a slow rhythm.
With a flick of her wrist, the ring on her hand glowed and a beam of light shot out from the ring and formed a jade bottle in her palm. She opened it quickly and poured a clear liquid between his lips.
She placed her arms around his waist, adjusting his body as he struggled to lift him from the ground .
"You stubborn fool… why are you so heavy," she said , almost crying but trying to keep the situation calm.
Her knees wobbled under li Xuan's weight, yet she didn't stop. Step by step, she moved down the rough path, her small frame bearing the full weight of his body.
A girl her age carrying someone like li Xuan would be no less of a struggle,she could barely hold on tight but kept on moving
Xiao Fengqi was the type of arrogant spoiled brat who cared less about other people but today as she watched li Xuan close to his death . It felt like she had completely turned into human who didn't depend on her father and maids to carry her weight around ,this time she was carrying the weight of another person in her jelly arms .
The road was silent except for the sound of her strained breathing and the faint jingle of the bottle still in her hand. Every few steps, she stumbled, but each time she caught herself, tightening her grip on him.
After what felt like forever, the outline of a small house appeared ahead . It was faintly lit by the moon and some light from the back .
Li Xuan would never dare to tell anyone where he stayed but somehow she knew the exact route towards li Xuan's small house .
Her heart instantly leapt with hope.
She tried to hurry, but exhaustion made her legs give way. She fell to her knees, pain cutting through her, yet she refused to let him fall. She set him gently down, gasping, and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
Removing her shoes, she crouched down and slid between his legs, lifting him onto her back this time . His head rested on her shoulder like a small child .
This time it felt easier to carry li Xuan and she quickly covered up the remaining distance .
When she reached the small house, she saw Li Mei pacing outside, her hands clenched together in worry. The woman froze at the sight of them.
"Li… Li Xuan!" she cried, rushing forward.
"Get him inside," Xiao Fengqi said breathlessly.
Li Mei hurried to take him, her heart pounding as she felt how limp he was. Inside, she laid him gently on the bed and turned towards Xiao Fengqi .
Just looking at her , Xiao Fengqi could sense the boiling anger within her as if she was about to explode but her calm beauty hid it all .
"Who hurt him?" she asked ,her voice coming out harsher than intended .
"He was attacked," Xiao Fengqi said quickly. "Two strange men . I arrived just in time, or…" Her words caught in her throat.
Li Mei reached for Li Xuan's arm, and her expression changed the moment she touched it. The bones beneath her fingers felt as if crushed to a thousand pieces.
"His bones… they're shattered ."
"So is his soul," Xiao Fengqi said quietly. "I gave him a healing pill, but it won't work unless I help it circulate through his body."
" Cursed Zhao family ,just wait a little longer ," she said through clenched teeth .
"Please… save him,"
If Xiao Fengqi had taken better notice, her words sounded more of a command than a plead but she cared no less about them .
"You don't have to worry, Aunt," Xiao Fengqi said softly.
She pressed her fingers together, releasing a gentle glow between them. "We need to sit him upright, or the healing energy won't flow properly."
Li Mei helped him out of his torn clothes and propped him up cross-legged. Xiao Fengqi sat behind him in the same posture, placing both palms on his back. His skin was hot to the touch, pulsing faintly with broken energy.
The girl closed her eyes and focused. A pale silver light began to form beneath her hands, seeping into Li Xuan's body in thin threads.
Moonlight spilled through the open window, glinting off Xiao Fengqi's sweat-covered face. Her expression stayed calm, but her breathing grew shallow as time passed.
Li Mei stood nearby, silent. She didn't know who this girl was but the sincerity in her eyes eased every doubt she could have had.
Hours passed. The moon faded behind clouds and the candles burned low. Xiao Fengqi never moved but her hands kept on glowing softly against Li Xuan's back.
By dawn, the birds began to sing. The silver glow faded, replaced by the soft orange of sunrise.
Li Mei quietly wiped the blood and sweat from Li Xuan's chest with a damp towel.
Xiao Fengqi's strength finally gave out. Her hands slipped and her small body leaned forward, falling softly against Li Xuan's back.
"Little miss!" Li Mei cried, catching her in time.
For a moment, the room was still then Li Xuan's fingers twitched.