Watching Long Jinyu chat merrily with the three distinguished and powerful "big sisters," Ma Xiaotao leaned against the doorway, a faint ripple stirring inexplicably in her heart.
She could not help recalling the helplessness she had felt when he had completely suppressed her during their earlier spar, as well as the more than one occasion on which Long Jinyu had revealed his longing for Eldest Senior Sister's gentle strength...
An uncontrollable thought wormed its way into her mind: Did he really... prefer a perfect older sister like Sister Lexuan—exceptionally powerful, gentle in temperament, and thorough in all she did?
And she herself—not only was she weaker than the other woman, but even her martial soul went out of control from time to time. At crucial moments, she needed him to expend effort caring for her, and might even become a burden...
A trace of indescribable bitterness and panic quietly took root, but before it could spread, it was interrupted.
Long Jinyu: "!"
"Senior Sister! Why did you get up on your own? Why didn't you use the contract to contact me? Did we wake you with our talking? How do you feel? Are you still uncomfortable?"
Almost the instant she appeared, Long Jinyu sprang up from his seat. With a slight shift of his body, he was at her side the next moment, gently yet swiftly steadying her by the arm. His voice was full of unconcealed concern.
"I'm fine. I feel much better after sleeping for a while. I heard you all talking and couldn't stay in bed, so I came out."
Ma Xiaotao went along with it, leaning most of her body weight against him as though she were truly too weak to stand steadily.
She even raised her other hand and lightly rested it on the forearm