"Master, it's done!"
Qin Lan Shan said at once.
Only after saying it did she realize that what she had done seemed a little strange.
How should she put it?
It was like she had grabbed her best friend and offered her to her master. That was practically a crime!
Realizing this, she turned her head away, not daring to watch what would happen next.
Su Qing had already placed his hand on her and begun refining.
He was no longer the weakling he had been before, so naturally, this basic task was easy for him.
No one spoke in the room. It was completely silent.
Qin Lan Shan cautiously stole a glance in this direction.
Although she felt terribly guilty, this was ultimately to save her best friend's life.
If her best friend woke up, she would surely understand, right?
Come to think of it, she was really small...
No matter how one looked at it, there was no way she could arouse her master's interest.
The youth kept his gaze straight ahead and appeared extremely focused. He had not been distracted in the slightest.
When Qin Lan Shan realized this, she inexplicably let out a sigh of relief.
Then she felt that she probably should not be thinking that way, and her little face filled with conflict.
Half an hour later.
Chen Chu Ci, who was lying on the bed, slowly opened her eyes and exhaled a breath of cold air.
Her face was pale, and not the slightest trace of color remained in her delicate features.
Her willow-shaped brows were slightly furrowed, and even her thin lips looked faintly white.
Compared to before, her eyes now held a little more spirit.
They were filled with exhaustion and bewilderment, carrying a delicate weakness that made her seem utterly pitiable.
"Chu Ci, you're finally awake."
Qin Lan Shan had been pouring hot water. Hearing the voice, she hurried over.
Joy filled her eyes. She had clearly realized that her friend had regained consciousness.
"Sister Qin... Sister Qin?!"
After murmuring twice, Chen Chu Ci suddenly sat up.
She threw herself into the older girl's arms, her slender body holding her tightly.
"It's all right now. It's all right."
Qin Lan Shan spoke softly.
Her gaze was gentle as she lightly patted her best friend's back.
Her friend's body was still ice-cold and continued to tremble faintly.
What had she gone through during this time?
"Sister Qin, I... am I dreaming? I can't tell whether this is a dream anymore."
"For an entire week, I felt dazed and muddled. My body wasn't mine, and my memories weren't mine."
"Everything was dark... There was, there was someone I'd never seen before. He pulled me along..."
Chen Chu Ci's voice trembled as she spoke haltingly of her nightmare.
Qin Lan Shan listened patiently, her eyes carrying a trace of pity.
Fortunately, it was all over now.
This place was completely safe. What had happened before would never happen again.
"Sister Qin, is it really you...? Was the person who pulled me out of there a fake...?"
"I was so scared. I..."
Chen Chu Ci's halting account suddenly stopped at a certain moment.
Qin Lan Shan looked at her friend in confusion, only to find her gaze frozen.
Or rather, she was staring intently at the figure who had just entered from outside.
Could she have some lingering aftereffects?
Shopkeeper's eyes held a trace of worry as she looked at her master questioningly.
If there were any aftereffects, Master should have told her already.
"She should be fine now. Have her drink some hot water and rest. She'll recover completely soon enough."
Su Qing spoke calmly as he looked at Little Slave.
"You... you're the big brother from my dream?! You were the one who saved me!"
Chen Chu Ci's voice suddenly rose.
The instant her words fell, she broke free from her best friend's embrace without hesitation.
The next moment, she rushed toward Su Qing like a swallow returning to its nest.
In an instant, a koala was hanging from Su Qing's arms, rubbing against him incessantly.
A trace of helplessness inevitably appeared in the youth's eyes.
If you actually had something to offer, then performing this gesture of gratitude would be one thing.
But you were clearly unsuited for this sort of thing, so why force it?
You were practically about to rub sparks out of him!
Qin Lan Shan sat dumbly at the edge of the bed, watching the two people embracing.
Alone and forlorn, she felt that she had made a terribly unwise decision.
Surely... surely she was just overthinking it, right?
Her best friend was usually quite reserved. She had only just awakened from a nightmare.
After comforting herself for a while, she felt much better.
"All right, don't get so excited. Drink some hot water. It's good for your health."
Su Qing grabbed her by the back of the neck and placed her on a chair.
Chen Chu Ci picked up the teacup from the table and drank, her gaze still fixed on the youth.
"We still don't know how deeply the Chen Family has been infiltrated. It still needs to be investigated."
"Miss Chen, don't go back for the time being. Find somewhere safe to stay."
"Some Chen Family members have passed the inspection. You can stay with them for now."
Su Qing spoke as he looked at the talented woman whose face carried a faint blush.
When Qin Lan Shan heard this, she wanted to say something.
After all, it was unsafe outside, and staying here with her was also a good choice.
But her best friend's actions completely choked the words in her throat.
"I... I'm not going anywhere. I want to stay with my benefactor. It's safe here!"
Chen Chu Ci set down her teacup, pounced over again, and hugged his arm.
She raised her little face and gazed at the youth with an infatuated look.
Su Qing: "..."
He looked at Qin Lan Shan speechlessly.
This was your best friend?
Hurry up and do something about her!
Qin Lan Shan opened and closed her mouth, unable to say a word. Her heart was a tangled mess.
Her best friend hadn't been like this before!
Even when countless talented young men in the capital adored her, she had never shown them the slightest favor.
But now, she could not find even a trace of her former reserve.
She was full of scholarly refinement, yet she had transformed into a clingy creature who seemed eager to remain attached to him forever.
Chen Chu Ci seemed to realize that the atmosphere was somewhat off. She turned around nervously.
Her little face, which had only just regained some color, now carried a hint of pleading.
She clearly wanted her friend to help say a few words.
"Master... Chu Ci has been frightened and worried during this time. Let her stay here for now."
Qin Lan Shan forced down the strange feeling in her heart and spoke.
As a daughter of a great clan, she was naturally quite mature and level-headed.
Although she felt somewhat uncomfortable, she knew what kind of trauma her best friend had suffered.
As she spoke, her eyes held a trace of pleading as she looked at the youth.
Please... I'll make it up to you properly tonight!
Seeing that look in her eyes, Su Qing could only nod.
Little Slave had rarely made such a request. He had no reason not to satisfy her.
It had to be said that Shopkeeper truly cared about her best friend.
What a pity...
Before you continue