When the young woman saw Fang Chen, her clear eyes brightened slightly. She walked over with light, graceful steps and said softly, "You're awake!"
Her voice was lovely, light and gentle, like a spring breeze washing over him.
Fang Chen's gaze sharpened. She had to be the woman holding the Paper Umbrella whom he'd seen before he lost consciousness. He had thought she was a hallucination, but she was real.
He tried to sit up in bed, but there was no strength in his arms.
"Let me help you!"
She came to his side and helped him up, then tucked a pillow behind his back. A faint fragrance drifted into his nose, leaving him a little dazed.
Looking at the young woman in green, he said gratefully, "Thank you for saving me, miss!"
She smiled at him. "It was nothing worth mentioning!"
With that, she went to the Stone Table, turned over an upside-down porcelain bowl and filled it from a celadon kettle. She brought it to him. "Here, have some water!"
Fang Chen swallowed. He was thirsty, but when he reached for the bowl, his hands had no strength.
"Don't move. I'll help you drink."
She smiled as she spoke.
"Thank you," Fang Chen said weakly.
She smiled and held the bowl to his lips. He opened his mouth and drank, but he went too fast and started coughing.
"Slow down!"
She immediately patted his back. After a while, Fang Chen caught his breath and finished the water.
When he was done, he thanked her again. "My name is Fang Chen. I'll remember that you saved my life, miss, and I'll repay you one day. May I ask your name?"
She smiled. "I'm Ye Qingci. Saving you was no trouble at all. You don't need to repay me!"
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