(Pictures of Zhu Zhuqing)
Lin Jiang was far stronger than Zhu Zhuqing had imagined.
She had thought she could hold on, that her willpower was strong enough. But the truth was, before absolute strength, willpower was a joke.
If she hadn't grown a backbone through the brutal training of the Star Luo Imperial Family since childhood, she would have passed out long ago.
But she was still holding on.
At the edge of consciousness, she felt a roomy garment descend from above and drape over her.
The soft cotton carried a faint scent of soapberry and another, indescribable fragrance, like grass after a day in the sun, or pine trees deep in the mountains.
Lin Jiang took a loose short-sleeved shirt from his Storage Soul Tool, crouched down, and pulled it over her head. He guided her arms through the sleeves, then tugged the hem down.
The shirt was huge. Its hem covered the tops of her thighs, while the loose neckline hung off her collarbones, exposing one fair shoulder.
She felt much cooler.
Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head and looked at the oversized shirt. A tiny golden dragon was embroidered on the collar.
"...Thank you." Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.
Lin Jiang stood up.
"You're welcome. Ah Yin should be back soon."
When Ah Yin returned, she was carrying several broad leaves folded into bowl shapes, their centers filled with clear water.
She didn't ask a thing. She handed the leaves to Lin Jiang and Zhu Zhuqing, then crouched to one side and wiped the sweat from her forehead with a handkerchief.
Lin Jiang took the water and drained it in one go.
It was cool, with a faint, fresh scent of leaves and grass. It slid down his throat and cooled him all