Shen Xuan stood rooted to the spot, one hand pressed against her forehead.
After a long moment, she let out an exaggerated sigh that seemed far too old for a ten-year-old child.
"Aiya..."
She pinched the bridge of her nose before looking helplessly at the unconscious youth lying beneath her window.
"This heroine halo is still as unreasonable as ever."
"I already changed my route."
"I deliberately avoided the injured person."
"I even hurried back before anyone noticed."
"In the end..."
"The plot simply climbed into my room by itself."
The more she thought about it, the more wronged she felt.
The heavens were simply bullying an honest little salted fish.
After lamenting for a while, Shen Xuan crouched down beside him.
Only now did she properly examine the stranger.
He appeared to be around eighteen years old.
Although his face was slightly pale from blood loss, it did little to diminish his striking appearance.
His eyebrows were sharp as though carved by an artist’s hand.
His nose was straight.
His lips were thin and naturally tinged with a faint rosy color.
A few loose strands of black hair had fallen across his forehead, making him appear both dangerous and strangely elegant.
Even unconscious...
He possessed an oppressive presence.
Shen Xuan unconsciously rested her chin in her hands as she stared.
"...He’s really handsome."
"No wonder he’s one of the male leads."
"This face could probably make countless young ladies lose sleep."
Her gaze slowly wandered from his face to his shoulders.
Then to his long fingers.
Finally...
She swallowed.
"Such a handsome face..."
"It’s almost unfair."
Without realizing it...
A tiny trail of drool escaped the corner of her lips.
She hurriedly wiped it away with her sleeve.
"Cough..."
"I was merely appreciating beautiful scenery."
"There are no improper thoughts."
Absolutely none.
After admiring him for another brief moment, Shen Xuan suddenly remembered something far more important.
"...Right."
"He’s still dying."
She looked down at the blood staining the wooden floor.
Then at the youth.
Then back at the blood.
Her little brows gradually knitted together.
"Oh well..."
"I definitely can’t just leave him here."
"Even if I wanted to..."
"He’s lying in my room."
She slowly stood up and began pacing around the room with both hands clasped behind her back.
"Should I save him?"
"No..."
"I don’t even know how."
"I’ve never studied medicine."
"I don’t have miraculous pills."
"I certainly don’t have one of those legendary spiritual springs."
"What if I make things worse?"
After thinking for quite some time, Shen Xuan suddenly clapped her hands together.
"I know!"
"I’ll tell Father and Mother."
Her eyes immediately brightened.
"Father is the Grand Chancellor."
"Mother is the daughter of Grand Protector Gu."
"They definitely know what to do."
"As expected..."
"I really am a genius."
She nodded approvingly to herself.
"It’s always best to leave difficult matters to the adults."
"I just want to be a salted fish."
"There is absolutely no need for me to act like the heroine and personally nurse him back to health."
Having reached a conclusion, Shen Xuan walked toward the door.
Before leaving, however, she crouched beside him one last time.
She gently poked his shoulder.
"Hey."
"Can you hear me?"
No response.
Only shallow breathing answered her.
Seeing that he remained unconscious, Shen Xuan sighed softly.
"I’m going to call someone."
"You should hold on."
She turned around.
Just as her fingers touched the door...
A weak voice suddenly sounded behind her.
"...Don’t..."
"...go..."
The voice was barely louder than a whisper.
Yet it was enough to make Shen Xuan freeze completely.
She slowly turned around.
The young man’s eyes had opened ever so slightly.
Their color was unusually dark.
Like the endless night.
He looked directly at her.
Although his consciousness was fading, his gaze remained firmly fixed upon her small figure.
Shen Xuan blinked.
Then pointed at herself.
"...Me?"
The young man did not answer.
Instead, he struggled to lift his hand.
His fingers trembled before falling weakly back onto the floor.
Shen Xuan’s little face immediately scrunched together.
"This event is far too powerful!"
"It’s not even giving me a chance to run away!"
"Dear Author..."
"Couldn’t you let me be a salted fish in peace?"
After inwardly complaining to the heavens, Shen Xuan reluctantly walked back toward him.
She folded her arms before looking down at him with as much dignity as a ten-year-old child could muster.
"So."
"Who are you?"
She paused.
"...Actually, never mind."
"I don’t really care who you are."
"What are you doing in my room?"
The young man slightly parted his lips.
"I..."
Before another word could leave his mouth...
His eyes rolled back.
His body completely relaxed.
He fainted once more.
Shen Xuan stared at him silently.
"..."
"..."
"...You woke up just to stop me from leaving?"
Before she could continue complaining—
Bang!
The wooden door was suddenly pushed open.
"Young Miss!"
Xia Cao’s anxious voice rang throughout the room.
The moment she saw the unfamiliar man lying on the floor, her expression changed drastically.
Without the slightest hesitation...
She rushed forward.
Her movements were so swift that Shen Xuan only felt a gust of wind brush past her.
In the blink of an eye...
Xia Cao had already pulled Shen Xuan behind her own body.
One hand shielded her young mistress.
The other rested upon the hilt of the short sword hidden beneath her sleeve.
Her sharp eyes never left the unconscious youth.
Her entire posture resembled a tigress protecting her cub.
Shen Xuan blinked repeatedly.
"So fast..."
"Is this what a combat maid can do?"
"She’s usually carrying pastries around all day..."
"Who knew she was this amazing?"
Only then did Shen Xuan realize why her mother had insisted on assigning Xia Cao to her years ago.
While Xia Cao remained on guard...
Xiao Mei hurried over and knelt before Shen Xuan.
Her hands gently checked Shen Xuan from head to toe.
"Young Miss..."
"Are you hurt?"
"Did he attack you?"
"Were you frightened?"
Concern filled her eyes.
Shen Xuan quickly shook her head.
"I’m fine."
"I’m really fine."
Seeing that her young miss was indeed unharmed, Xiao Mei finally relaxed slightly.
Only then did Shen Xuan point toward the unconscious youth.
"I entered my room and found him lying beside the window."
"He’s badly injured."
"I think Father and Mother should know immediately."
Xiao Mei nodded firmly.
"I’ll inform the Master and Madam at once."
Without wasting another second, she hurriedly ran out of the courtyard.
Not long afterward...
The peaceful atmosphere of the Shen Residence disappeared once again.
Three days later.
Warm sunlight filtered gently through the blooming crabapple tree inside Shen Xuan’s courtyard.
The snow from several days earlier had mostly melted.
Birds chirped softly among the branches.
Everything had finally returned to its usual tranquility.
Shen Xuan lazily reclined upon a bamboo lounge chair beneath the tree.
A storybook rested in one hand.
The other occasionally reached toward a plate of osmanthus pastries and candied fruits beside her.
Every now and then...
She happily stuffed another snack into her mouth.
Life...
Was peaceful once again.
Exactly the kind of life a salted fish should enjoy.
Three days earlier, after Xiao Mei informed Shen Ruiwen and Madam Gu, they had hurried over immediately.
The moment Shen Ruiwen saw the unconscious youth...
His expression had changed noticeably.
Without asking a single unnecessary question, he had immediately ordered for the residence physician to be summoned.
Even after the physician arrived...
Father had remained unusually serious.
Not once had he explained the youth’s identity to Shen Xuan.
Naturally...
Shen Xuan wisely chose not to ask.
"The less I know..."
"The safer this salted fish will be."
She happily turned another page of her book.
Just then...
A deep yet pleasant voice interrupted the quiet afternoon.
"Little Sister."
"I’m back."
Shen Xuan slowly lowered her book.
Standing only a few steps away...
Was the very youth who had collapsed inside her room three days ago.
He had changed into a clean dark-blue robe provided by the Shen Residence.
Although his complexion remained slightly pale, he looked far healthier than before.
The moment their eyes met...
He smiled.
Shen Xuan returned the smile politely.
"Welcome back."
Outwardly...
She appeared perfectly calm.
Inwardly...
She sighed dramatically.
"There goes my peaceful salted-fish life..."
Ever since regaining consciousness yesterday...
This person had practically attached himself to her.
No matter where she went...
He somehow appeared nearby.
More strangely...
He insisted on calling her "Little Sister."
He had even granted her what countless heroines in romance novels would consider a special privilege.
"You may call me Yichen."
The memory alone made Shen Xuan roll her eyes inwardly.
"Who wants your heroine-exclusive privilege?"
"I don’t."
"Absolutely not."
Just then...
Xiao Mei approached carrying a freshly brewed pot of tea.
"Young Miss..."
She had barely spoken two words when her voice abruptly stopped.
A chill quietly spread across the courtyard.
Yichen slowly lifted his eyes.
He looked directly at Xiao Mei.
His expression remained gentle.
Yet...
The look within his eyes caused Xiao Mei’s entire body to stiffen.
Those eyes...
Were no longer warm.
Nor were they indifferent.
They resembled a wild beast silently watching an intruder who had stepped into its territory.
For the briefest moment...
Xiao Mei felt as though a sharp blade had been placed against her neck.
She instinctively lowered her gaze.
Even the tray in her hands trembled almost imperceptibly.