I knew after calling my mother and brothers, they were definitely going to do something.
My eldest brother, Junhao, the one who brought this shaman home, suddenly stepped between me and that man. His eyes were cold as ice.
"Enough," he said firmly. "Leave."
The shaman tried to protest, saying he could treat me, but Junhao's tone turned even sharper.
"She'll be fine. The physician said it's just exhaustion. We don't need your tricks."
The other two brothers nodded in agreement.
Slowly, my nerves began to relax.
Junhao helped me up and guided me back to my room. When I sat down, he tucked the blanket around me gently, his voice soft but commanding.
"Rest, little one. Your brothers will always protect you."
I blinked rapidly, my throat tightening.
"Thanks..."
And suddenly-my tears came rushing out.
Junhao immediately panicked, looking around like tears were some kind of emergency alarm.
"What happened? Why are you crying?"
I shook my head, unable to explain. Maybe I saw my real brother in him-the one I used to fight with constantly, drove me insane but always had my back when things got tough.
For the first time since I arrived here, I missed him.
Junhao watched me quietly for a few moments before speaking.
"Sleep."
I was too tired to argue. Everything that had happened was spinning inside my head like a bad dream. I closed my eyes, hoping that when I opened them again, I'd be back in my own bed... in my own world.
With that thought, I drifted into sleep.
When I woke up, the world was still ancient.
The same ornate room. The same strange clothes. And Junhao still sitting beside me, holding my hand as if afraid I might vanish.He noticed I was awake and looked at me calmly. Then offer a gentle smile that made him look nothing like the cold man from earlier.
"You woke up early," he said softly.
I smiled back awkwardly. "How long was I sleeping?"
"Not long," he replied. "You should eat something. You haven't had a single bite since morning."
The moment he said eat, my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl.
Junhao blinked, then burst into laughter. "I'll ask Xiaomei to bring food."
He left, and a few minutes later, Xiaomei entered carrying a small tray. I smiled politely at her.
She carefully placed a bowl in front of me, and I leaned forward curiously. "What's this?" I asked.
"It's porridge," she replied sweetly. "Madam said this is all you're allowed to eat until you feel better."
I stared at the bowl for a long second, then sighed internally.
"This will make me worse."
I stared at the porridge, my stomach betraying me with another growl.
Xiaomei looked at me with concern. "Madam, please eat before it turns cold."
I picked up the spoon, sighed, and whispered, "It's not like I have much choice, do I?"
The porridge looked harmless, but somehow, I had a feeling it would taste exactly like my mood-bland, confused, and a little salty from holding back tears.
Still, I took a bite.
Warm, soft, and surprisingly... comforting.
Maybe it wasn't that bad.
Or maybe I was just to tired to fight anymore.
As I sat there, surrounded by strangers calling "Madam," I couldn't help but think-
"If this really is a dream, please... someone wake me up now. "