45: Chapter 45 My mind is in turmoil

The first ray of morning sunlight shone through the curtains, illuminating Ye Qingxue's pale face.

She slowly opened her eyes.

What met her eyes was her sister's tear-streaked face.

"Sister! You're finally awake!"

Ye Qingyue threw herself onto her sister, her tears flowing uncontrollably like a burst dam.

"I was so scared... I was so afraid you wouldn't wake up..."

Her voice trembled, filled with the relief of having survived a disaster.

Ye Qingxue weakly raised her hand to stroke her sister's hair.

"Don't cry... Sister is fine..."

Her voice was hoarse, but her tone remained gentle.

Ye Qingyue lifted her head, tears still hanging on her face.

"Sister, do you know? To save you, Brother Lin Yuan used up a seven-colored snowflake!"

She said, sobbing.

"That's a seven-colored snowflake! The most precious thing in the Apocalypse!"

"Brother Lin Yuan said that thing can make ordinary people stronger instantly, more precious than any medicine..."

"But he used it on you without a moment's hesitation..."

Ye Qingxue's body trembled slightly.

A seven-colored snowflake...

She certainly knew what that was.

Lin Yuan had once told them that it was the only way to obtain magical Superpower in the Apocalypse!

One could see how precious it was.

And he... actually used such a precious item to save her?

An indescribable emotion welled up in Ye Qingxue's heart.

Shock, gratitude, guilt, and also...

Other things she couldn't quite name.

She thought back to her past resistance and indifference toward Lin Yuan.

She remembered how many times she had cursed him in her heart.

She recalled the reluctance and humiliation she felt every time she was forced to obey.

But now...

He had used the most precious item to save her.

"I..."

Ye Qingxue opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

A complex emotion surged in her chest, making it hard for her to breathe.

Just then.

The door was pushed open.

Lin Yuan walked in.

Seeing that Ye Qingxue was awake, a trace of imperceptible relief flashed in his eyes.

"Awake?"

He asked indifferently, his tone still cold.

But for some reason, Ye Qingxue caught a hint of... care, in those two short words.

"Mm..."

She responded softly.

Lin Yuan walked to the bedside and leaned over to check her wound.

"How does your body feel?"

Ye Qingxue only felt a stifling sensation in her heart, her chest felt tight, and breathing was somewhat difficult.

But looking at her sister's worried face, she didn't want to cause her any concern.

"I... I'm fine..."

She forced herself to say.

Lin Yuan looked at her pale complexion, his eyes darkening slightly.

He certainly knew that Ye Qingxue was lying.

The seven-colored snowflake and the antidote had only suppressed the poison; they hadn't completely eradicated it.

Lin Yuan couldn't say for sure when the poison would flare up again.

He could only take it one step at a time...

Ye Qingxue's current physical condition was far from as good as she claimed.

But Lin Yuan didn't expose her.

He simply stood up and said indifferently:

"Then prepare to head back. It's not safe here; that evolved plant might come back."

Ye Qingxue nodded.

...

Half an hour later.

The three of them packed their things and prepared to return to Cloud Top Villa.

Lin Yuan walked in front, vigilantly observing the surroundings.

Ye Qingyue carefully supported her sister, walking forward step by step.

But they hadn't walked even ten minutes.

Ye Qingxue's face became increasingly pale.

Beads of sweat the size of peas rolled down her forehead.

She gritted her teeth, stubbornly refusing to speak.

But her body had reached its limit.

"Ah—"

Her legs went weak, and she stumbled, nearly falling.

"Sister!"

Ye Qingyue exclaimed.

Lin Yuan turned around instantly and caught Ye Qingxue.

"You..."

He looked at her pale, almost translucent face, his brows knitted tightly.

"I'm fine... I can still walk..."

Ye Qingxue said stubbornly.

But her body was trembling; clearly, she could no longer hold on.

Lin Yuan said nothing.

He turned around directly and crouched down.

"Get on."

He said indifferently.

"I..."

Ye Qingxue wanted to refuse.

But Lin Yuan grabbed her hand and forcibly pulled her onto his back.

"Don't talk nonsense."

He said coldly, then stood up and easily carried her on his back.

Ye Qingxue lay on Lin Yuan's broad back, her whole body stiffening.

This was her first time...

Being carried like this by a man.

Lin Yuan's back was very broad and very warm.

She could clearly feel his body temperature, transmitted through his clothes.

And that strong, powerful heartbeat.

"Thump... thump... thump..."

Rhythmic and steady.

It inexplicably made one feel at ease.

There was a faint scent on Lin Yuan, mixed with the smell of sweat and the coldness of snow, but it made her feel... it smelled very good.

Ye Qingxue's face unconsciously pressed closer to Lin Yuan's neck.

She closed her eyes, feeling this warmth.

An emotion she had never felt before arose in her heart.

Reliance.

Heart-flutter.

Even... infatuation.

Her heart began to race.

Her cheeks gradually grew hot.

"What is... happening to me..."

She muttered to herself in her heart.

But she didn't struggle, nor did she refuse.

She just lay quietly on Lin Yuan's back, enjoying this rare tenderness.

Carrying Ye Qingxue, Lin Yuan deliberately detoured around the purple snow-mist area where the Insect Mother was located.

He couldn't deal with that monster yet.

When he got stronger in the future, he would definitely come back to kill it.

The journey was smooth, and they didn't encounter any danger.

Ye Qingyue followed alongside, watching her sister lying on Brother Lin Yuan's back; she felt both happy and somewhat... jealous?

"Sister is so happy..."

She muttered softly.

...

Two hours later.

The journey was surprisingly free of accidents.

Therefore, their speed was much faster than usual.

The three of them finally returned to Cloud Top Villa.

Hearing the commotion, Bai Xingli immediately came out to greet them.

"You're back! Ye Qingxue, she..."

Seeing Ye Qingxue on Lin Yuan's back, worry flashed in her eyes.

"It's nothing, just physical weakness."

Lin Yuan said indifferently, then walked into the villa, preparing to put Ye Qingxue down.

But just as he was about to put her down.

Ye Qingxue was still immersed in the feeling from just now.

She unconsciously took a deep breath.

Wanting to deeply imprint the scent on Lin Yuan into her heart.

That scent that made her feel at ease...

"Sister?"

Ye Qingyue looked at her sister in confusion.

Bai Xingli was also stunned.

Is this still the aloof Ye Qingxue?

Ye Qingxue suddenly realized.

She lifted her head and discovered that her sister and Bai Xingli were both looking at her.

In an instant.

Her face turned red in a "whoosh".

It turned red from her earlobes all the way to her neck.

"I... I'm going to my room to rest!"

She hurriedly jumped down from Lin Yuan's back and ran toward her room as if fleeing.

"Bang—"

The door was slammed shut.

Leaving Ye Qingyue and Bai Xingli looking at each other.

"Sister... is so strange..."

Ye Qingyue said softly.

Watching Ye Qingxue's fleeing figure, a meaningful smile flashed in Bai Xingli's eyes.

Although she hadn't been in a relationship, she was a teacher after all, so she could naturally tell.

Ye Qingxue had fallen for him.

...

Night fell.

After dinner, Lin Yuan looked at Ye Qingxue and Ye Qingyue.

"You two sisters rest well tonight, don't run around."

He said indifferently, then looked at Bai Xingli.

Bai Xingli understood and followed Lin Yuan toward the master bedroom.

The door closed.

Ye Qingxue and Ye Qingyue returned to their room.

Ye Qingyue soon fell asleep, emitting the sound of even breathing.

But Ye Qingxue tossed and turned, unable to sleep at all.

She lay on the bed, eyes open, staring at the ceiling.

The scenes from the day kept replaying in her mind.

Lin Yuan's broad back.

Warm body temperature.

Powerful heartbeat.

And that scent that made one feel at ease...

She covered her face with her hands.

Feeling her cheeks burning and her heart racing.

"What is wrong with me..."

She muttered softly.

"Why do I keep thinking about him..."

"Why did I feel so at ease when he was carrying me..."

"Why... did I not want to leave his back..."

She remembered Lin Yuan using the precious seven-colored snowflake for her.

She remembered that when he carried her, although his words were cold, his actions were very gentle.

She remembered the trace of care that occasionally flashed in his eyes...

An emotion she had never felt before surged in her heart.

Sweetness.

Warmth.

And... happiness?

"Could it be that I..."

Ye Qingxue bit her lip, her heart beating like a drum.

"Could it be that I... have fallen for him?"

Once this thought emerged, her whole body stiffened.

Like Lin Yuan?

How is that possible!

He is so domineering, so forceful, so cold-blooded...

But... he also risked his life for her.

He also saved her using the most precious thing.

He also would carry her without hesitation when she was weak...

Ye Qingxue turned over and buried her face in the pillow.

"Have I really... fallen for him..."

She muttered to herself.

The answer in her heart, however, was becoming clearer and clearer.

Yes.

She had fallen for him.

This man who once made her both hate and fear him.

This man who forcibly possessed her body.

This cold-blooded and ruthless man.

Was also the man who protected her in times of crisis.

The man willing to give everything for her.

The man who made her feel at ease.

At this moment, strong emotions surged in Ye Qingxue's heart.

She wanted to tell him.

She liked him.

But... she didn't dare.

She was afraid she would die one day.

Moreover, the stifling feeling in Ye Qingxue's heart grew heavier.

Possessing a woman's intuition, she felt inexplicably flustered in her heart...

Ye Qingxue closed her eyes.

She was quite afraid originally, but when her mind was full of Lin Yuan's image.

Unknowingly, she fell into a deep sleep with a sweet smile on her face.