As dawn broke, Ran Weiyi awoke. After a restful night’s sleep, she stretched lazily, feeling every bone in her body relax.
The memory of last night’s kiss was still fresh in her mind. Subconsciously, she touched her lips, her heart still bubbling with sweetness.
After tidying herself up, she prepared to go downstairs for breakfast. Opening the door, she found a tall, upright figure standing as straight as a silent pine tree.
Ye Mochen had been standing there for who knows how long, carrying the cool, damp chill unique to early mornings.
He had clearly taken great care with his appearance, having changed into clean loungewear and combed his hair meticulously. Yet, beneath his deep-set eyes lingered dark circles that were impossible to hide.
Seeing her emerge, his slightly weary eyes instantly lit up, bursting with a scorching brilliance.
“Morning,” he spoke, his voice hoarse from staying up all night, yet carrying a hint of cautiousness upon seeing her.
Ran Weiyi was both annoyed and amused by his appearance. She reached out and poked his firm arm. “Are you a door god? Standing guard for me all night?”
“…” Ye Mochen remained silent, too guilty to meet her gaze, like a large dog that had done something wrong.
“I couldn’t sleep.”
He finally spoke in a muffled tone, his voice even tinged with a sense of righteous grievance.
Ran Weiyi’s frustration melted away entirely. She had intended to turn and head downstairs, but seeing the heavy exhaustion in his eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to take a step.
She sighed, resignedly turning back to him. Raising her hand, her cool fingertips gently brushed the dark circles beneath his eyes.
The skin beneath her touch felt slightly cold, and the weariness seemed to transmit through her fingertips, tugging at her heart.
It seemed that dealing with this clingy, stubborn man required more than just “orders.”
She withdrew her hand, watching as his gaze grew more focused and gentle from her touch. She needed to find a way to make him sleep properly.
Ye Mochen took her hand, the warmth of her palm delicate and soft. Instinctively, he tightened his grip, enveloping her small hand completely.
“I want to show you something.”
Holding her hand, he led her through the meticulously maintained gardens of the estate toward the tranquil bamboo grove in the eastern wing. Deep within the bamboo forest stood a quaint, elegant two-story building. With its upturned eaves and wooden structure, it exuded a serene, secluded aura in the morning light.
“Yiyi, this place is quiet. From now on, it’s yours.”
He looked at her as if presenting a treasure, his eyes brimming with anticipation. “Take a look at your new pharmacy. See if anything is missing.”
This place had originally been another cage he had prepared for himself—a more refined, more dignified prison.
But now, she was here.
She had barged in without hesitation, turning his cage into her domain, his place of rebirth.
Ran Weiyi glanced at him before walking over and pushing open the heavy wooden door. A faint scent of wood mixed with medicinal herbs wafted toward her.
The first floor had been completely renovated. One entire wall was lined with brand-new rosewood Hundred-Drawer Cabinets, each drawer neatly engraved with the names of medicinal herbs in small seal script, exuding an air of antiquity and luxury.
On the other side stood various modern, precision instruments gleaming with a metallic coldness, their glassware refracting icy light under the lamps. Everything was of immense value, and everything was meticulously arranged.Ye Mochen followed behind her, his tall figure completely enveloping her, the air thick with his restrained anticipation.
These were all the finest items he had ordered to be gathered based on his imagination; he didn’t know if she would be satisfied.
Ran Weiyi walked straight toward the row of Hundred-Drawer Cabinets, her fair fingertips lightly brushing over the drawers labeled with precious medicinal ingredients like “ginseng” and “deer antler,” without the slightest pause in her movements.
Finally, her fingers stopped on an empty drawer. She pulled it open—it was completely empty.
“Here, we’re missing licorice, atractylodes, and poria,” her voice was cool and clear, yet exceptionally distinct in the spacious room.
She then walked to the other side and pointed at the expensive instruments. “Those are for chemical analysis. What I need is a Jade Mortar for grinding herbs and a Purple Clay Pot for decoction.”
She turned around, her clear eyes meeting his focused gaze.
“Achen, your poison has its roots in your bloodline and hides within your mind.”
“Western medical instruments cannot detect the cause of your illness.”
“As for these precious tonics, for you, they are merely fuel to accelerate the toxicity.”
Ye Mochen’s breath hitched instantly. He thought giving her the best things in the world was how to be good to her.
Yet he didn’t realize that none of what she truly needed had been prepared. A wave of immense frustration and regret surged in his heart, and the faint redness that had just begun to fade from his eyes started to flicker once more.
“I…” His voice was hoarse, unable to utter a single word.
[Ding! The straight-man style of gift-giving has backfired! Sis, he looks like a big dog who spent a fortune on a cat tree only to find out you’re raising a fish.]
Doudou’s voice chimed in her mind at just the right moment, but Ran Weiyi seemed oblivious to his sudden change in mood. She walked up to him, tilting her head to look up at him.
She wasn’t particularly short, but standing before him, who was 1.9 meters tall, she still appeared petite.
“However, the location was chosen well.”
She shifted the topic, her tone carrying a hint of approval. “It’s very quiet here. The detoxification process must not be disturbed.”
Ye Mochen abruptly lifted his gaze, the storm in his eyes instantly calming because of her casual remark.
She wasn’t blaming him. She had even praised him.
Ran Weiyi reached out her hand—not to hold his, but to gently straighten his slightly disheveled collar. The gesture carried an intimate sense of comfort, her fingertips brushing against his scorching skin through the fabric of his clothes.
Ye Mochen’s body stiffened, ramrod straight. He lowered his eyes, greedily taking in her face so close to his, gazing at her long, thick eyelashes.
“I’ll write you a list later,” her voice was calm. “It will contain everything I need—herbs, tools, not a single item can be missing.”
“Okay.” The word escaped from deep within his throat, hoarse yet filled with absolute obedience.
His deity was planning his future. And all he had to do was obey, then offer everything he had.
Ye Mochen suddenly took a step forward, the oppressive presence of his tall frame instantly enveloping Ran Weiyi.
Her back pressed against the cool rosewood cabinet, emitting a soft “thud.”
He didn’t touch her, but his arms braced on either side of her, trapping her firmly between himself and the medicine cabinet in a wall-like stance, creating an airtight, confined space.
He leaned down, his strikingly handsome, aggressive face drawing closer and closer.Those eyes, which had just calmed the storm, now churned once more with deep, ink-like darkness. His gaze drifted slowly from her placid, unruffled face downward, finally settling with scorching intensity upon her full, tender lips.
The involuntary bob of his Adam’s apple appeared especially pronounced under her watchful eyes.
He leaned in close, his warm breath brushing against her lips, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible tremor—as if pleading, yet also demanding.