"Knock, knock, knock."
I stood outside the study door, trying my best to keep my voice as gentle as possible. "Captain, I brought you the egg-and-meat congee."
There was a very brief pause inside, then his voice sounded low, but the coldness from earlier completely gone.
"Come in."
The moment the door opened, the heavy stench of blood hit my nose head-on. I froze reflexively, my heart feeling as if someone had clenched it tight. My eyes swept the room without thinking and then I saw Logan kneeling in the middle of the study, his entire body soaked in blood. His clothes were torn apart across his back and shoulders, flesh split open in strips, the blood not even dry yet.
My eyes widened. My hands trembled so badly I almost spilled the bowl of congee. Even though I'd prepared myself mentally for something, I hadn't expected it to be this brutal. If the beating continued… he really would die.
"Captain… what's going on?"
My voice went pale. I couldn't move forward, and I didn't dare retreat either. In an instant, all the warmth drained from my body.
Captain frowned and immediately signaled Ronan to stop. Ronan dropped the whip as if relieved, even shooting me a grateful look.
"Take him out," Captain waved his hand.
Ronan and Hunter quickly helped Logan to his feet. Just before they left the room, Captain's voice dropped, hoarse, cold, and unmistakably clear:
"You're alive this time because of her. Remember that. If you dare act on your own again, get out."
Logan's steps faltered, his body going limp. I knew he understood very clearly who "her" referred to.
The door closed, but the smell of blood lingered in the room. The whip lay motionless on the floor, making me swallow hard. Just looking at it made my scalp tingle, if that thing landed on me, my bones would probably shatter.
"Scared?" Captain put the whip away, his tone calm, as if nothing had happened.
I walked over and set the bowl of congee on the table. "I'm fine… I just wasn't mentally prepared. What did Logan do?"
"Acted on his own," he replied with a cold smile, offering no further explanation.
I didn't ask more. My instincts told me that knowing too much was not a good thing.
"Eat," I pushed the bowl toward him. "It's still hot."
The atmosphere around him visibly softened, like a feral beast retracting its claws. He lifted the bowl and took a sip. Steam rose, the warm scent of congee spreading through the room, easing the oppressive heaviness a little.
I secretly observed his expression. When I saw the tension on his face ease slightly, I finally let out a quiet breath of relief.
"Eat slowly. I'll come back later to collect the bowl."
I backed toward the door, adding casually, "We used up quite a bit of medicine on this trip. I need to restock."
He didn't reply silent consent. I relaxed and stepped out, pulling out my phone as I walked and calling Hezze.
She answered almost immediately, her voice as cheerful as ever.
"Rosy! You finally decided to call me? Was your trip to Ravenholm fun?"
I paused. Images of blood, cold rain, and deep forests flashed through my mind. I decided to swallow it all down.
"It wasn't a trip. Captain was on a business trip," I said lightly. "There was no signal there."
"No signal?" Hezze laughed loudly. "What, did you go deep into the mountains?"
My eyebrow twitched. Deep mountains… I'd nearly lost my life there.
"Pretty much," I forced a smile.
Then Hezze's voice softened. "Oh right, the hospital has found a new traditional medicine doctor. Rosy… don't be upset, okay?"
My heart skipped a beat. So there was no place for me anymore?
"It's fine," I replied quickly, keeping my tone light. "I was only filling in temporarily anyway."
"But the patients were all asking for you," Hezze hurried to add. "It's just that you're still a student, we didn't dare keep you long-term."
I smiled, but didn't say anything more.
"When are you coming back? I really miss you."
"I just got back today."
"What?!" Hezze shouted. "Come out and see me!"
I glanced at my ankle and winced slightly. "I sprained it. Let me rest another day or two, let's meet the day after tomorrow."
She could only tell me to rest well before hanging up.
I lay flat on the bed, staring at the ceiling. It really did feel… like I'd just lost my job. The thought made me laugh a little. I lightly patted my cheek, forcing myself to stay alert.
A while later, I carried the empty bowl back to the study. Captain took one look and immediately knew my mood wasn't good. He set the documents down, his eyes fixing on me.
"Not happy?"
I instinctively touched my face. "Is it that obvious?"
Then I pressed my lips together. "Captain… I'm unemployed now."
"Then that's even better," he smiled faintly, unable to hide his satisfaction. "Focus on your studies."
I choked, staring at him in disbelief. Did he really have to look that pleased? Annoyed, I hugged the bowl and walked away.
Behind me, unseen, his gaze followed deep and dangerously heated.
After washing the dishes, I saw Ronan standing outside the villa smoking, his expression weary.
"How's Logan?" I asked curiously.
"He looks terrible," Ronan stubbed out his cigarette, "but they're just surface wounds."
My eyes widened. Surface wounds looking like that?
"So what did he actually do?"
Ronan gave a dry laugh. "Just… made people uncomfortable."
The absurd explanation made the corner of my mouth twitch. I didn't bother asking further. Just as I turned my head, I saw a familiar black car stop at the gate.
The car door opened, and an elderly couple with silver hair stepped out. Their demeanor was gentle, but their eyes were bright and sharp. My heart jumped, it was Mr. and Mrs. Moore.
I immediately ran over and opened the door, putting on my brightest smile.
"Mr. Moore, Mrs. Moana Moore, what brings you here?"
Mrs. Moore smiled kindly, her voice warm.
"We came especially… to see you."