Aftereffects!

Slowly letting go of his hand, she weakly took out her phone to call the police. The sound of sirens echoed in the air as police cars arrived swiftly. Yu and Xiao left a note and quietly slipped away from this place of trouble. The two walked in silence through the bustling, lively streets, suddenly feeling out of sync with the world.

Something was subtly changing between them, as if an invisible force was drawing them forward. After this incident, Yu and Xiao went everywhere together each day. Rumors began to circulate in their class that the two were in love. As for the truth, only they knew.

The car stopped in front of the Shangguan family home, and Han parked it carefully. He got out to help Xiao open the car door, but she remained seated inside, motionless and lost in thought. Han looked at her, sighed softly, and suppressed his worries. He spoke, “Xiao, we’re home. It’s time to get out.”

But Xiao still showed no sign of response. Han’s concern grew, remembering this had happened before. Afterward, Xiao would sleep for one or two months. The doctor said it seemed to be a lingering effect from nearly drowning as a child.

At the thought of this possibility, Han reached out anxiously to gently shake Xiao’s arm, his expression frantic, his words stumbling in distress. With a choked voice, he pleaded, “Xiao! What’s wrong? Wake up!” His motions became increasingly urgent.

Lost in her memories, Xiao heard her brother’s call and slowly opened her eyes, looking at Han in confusion. “Oh! Brother, we’re home already? Where’s Meng? Did we get back?”

She looked around in bewilderment, still seated in the car. The once blue sky was now tinged with the hues of sunset. The evening breeze whispered through the treetops, causing the leaves to collide and rustle together.

The sound of “sha sha” drifted through the air. Xiao gazed blankly at the scenery outside the car, wondering how long it had been since she’d quietly watched the sky like this—so long, she’d forgotten herself.

Leaning lazily against the seat, she acted spoiled and said to her brother, “Mmm! Brother, carry me, will you? I can’t walk anymore!” Her frail demeanor and charming expression made her doting brother pick her up without hesitation. As Han carried her, he watched her closely, considering whether to call the doctor to examine her.

Xiao nestled obediently in Han’s arms, her hands clinging tightly to his waist. The breeze gently tousled their hair and swept away their troubled feelings.

Han held Xiao as he walked into the Shangguan mansion. On the green trees, vibrant red blossoms had bloomed, and the wind kept blowing, causing petals to break free from their stems.

The liberated petals danced lightly on the breeze. One fell onto Xiao’s hair, making her already exquisite beauty even more enchanting.

Han looked at Xiao—sleeping peacefully, she resembled a Sleeping Beauty awaiting her prince’s return. He held her close with a sense of guilt, the wind disheveling his hair but unable to diminish his regal bearing. The kingly sense of guilt would become his eternal vow of protection for her. Yes, happiness now meant nothing more than Xiao’s safety.

Everything else had lost its importance. Calming himself, Han glanced at the sky once more before carrying Xiao through the woods and past carefully tended flowerbeds.

On a midsummer night, crickets and cicadas sang the songs of summer together. Entering the magnificent hall, the butler approached and respectfully said, “Welcome home...” He hadn’t finished his sentence when—

———Side note———

Happy Dragon Boat Festival! Is no one reading? Then I won’t update anymore!