The spaceship sliced through the depths of the cosmos, the Autumn Glow trailing a brilliant ribbon of multicolored light from its stern. Like a lively streamer in the Milky Way, it traced a dreamlike path through the silent stars.
A faint medicinal fragrance filled the cabin. Warm light fell softly across Qian Fan's pale face, illuminating the layers of bandages wrapped around him. Those white strips of varying shades silently told of the heart-stopping brutality of that battle.
"Qian Fan, come on, open wide... ah~" Xu Yuan'er knelt beside the bed, a spoon like mutton-fat jade holding steaming medicinal broth, wisps of white mist curling around her fingertips.
The ends of her hair brushed her flushed cheeks and swayed gently with her movements, while her pale pink gauze dress rippled softly.
Qian Fan leaned against the soft cushions and smiled helplessly, though traces of warmth lay hidden in his deep eyes.
He opened his mouth slightly and let Xu Yuan'er feed him the broth. Its rich medicinal fragrance spread over his tongue. "Yuan'er, I can eat by myself. You don't have to take such good care of me."
He spoke softly, his voice tinged with weakness, his pale lips curving into a tender smile.
Xu Yuan'er pursed her rosy lips and puffed out her cheeks like a little hamster. "Qian Fan, stop refusing," she protested. "You're so badly hurt. Just let me take care of you."
As she spoke, she scooped up another spoonful of broth and gently blew on it. The silver bells in her hair chimed crisply with the movement.
"You're being so naughty! What will our child do?" Her words were coaxing, with a faint hint of shyness, and a lovely crimson blush spread over her earlobes.
Qian Fan froze for a moment. He gazed softly at