Seeing Zhou Lian's pale face, which still held a faint smile, Li Xiu suddenly composed himself. He gently cupped her face and said, "Bao'er, I'm going to get someone. I'll be back soon." After kissing her sweat-dampened forehead, he wrapped her in the quilt and carried her, quilt and all, to the heated bed in the east wing. Noticing Sister Fang busying herself in an orderly fashion, Li Xiu called out to her and then hurried away.
Watching Li Xiu's retreating figure, Sister Fang continued her work without pause, remarking to Zhou Lian, "So, Nuonuo's father can get this flustered! You don't see that every day."
A fine sheen of sweat coated Zhou Lian's face from the pain. She managed a smile at the comment, but before she could reply, Ping'an's voice came from outside the door. "Sister-in-law, are you okay?"
She shot Sister Fang a meaningful glance. When Sister Fang nodded in understanding, Zhou Lian raised her voice. "I'm fine, don't worry. Just help watch Nuonuo for me!"
