The rain fell heavily, yet it couldn’t drown out Yun Mingxin’s ragged breathing beside her.

*He really is dead on his feet.*

Zhan Mengxi’s left side was soaked through, but she didn’t seem to care.

"Hey, Xin," she suddenly asked, "do you remember?"

No reply came from beside her.

He’d already fallen into a deep sleep.

Unbothered by the lack of response, she continued on her own.

"Xin, do you know why I came here? That little stream nearby—it’s the source of a tributary feeding into Quanjiang River."

"That very tributary flows right past our house. When we were kids, our parents washed clothes and drew water there for cooking."

"There used to be so many fish. Just like you said—I was such a wild monkey. Seeing fish, I always wanted to catch them."

As she spoke, her hand drifted to Yun Mingxin’s face, gently tracing his skin.

"Back then, I jumped into the water. It wasn’t deep—barely reached my thighs—but the riverbed was slippery. I didn’t catch any fish. Instead, the current knocked me over. My face plunged straight into the water, and I drifted helplessly downstream."

Zhan Mengxi gazed at Yun Mingxin’s peaceful face, the tenderness in her eyes outshining the sun itself.

"I choked, my mind going blank, until I heard that voice: *Grab the stone steps along the bank.*"

"Only then did I realize how far the current had carried me. Instinctively, I thrashed and grabbed the steps, pulling my face above water, dragging myself back up."

"And there you were. You laughed, calling me a drowned chicken. But I felt your worry."

"Thank you… for being in my life."

"Sleep now. Rest easy."

She shifted his head, tucking his face against her chest.

Yun Mingxin seemed to sense the warmth. His breathing deepened, his mouth parting slightly as he nuzzled unconsciously.

"*Ah~*"

"*Mmm~*"

Zhan Mengxi’s face flushed crimson, but she held him tighter, refusing to let go.

"*Hmph~*"

Time slipped by. Yun Mingxin stirred awake, his body deliciously relaxed.

He’d slept in a place that smelled sweet—so sweet he’d dreamed of a cow grazing nearby.

He’d drunk two full cups of fresh milk in that dream.

*Why on earth did I dream that?*

The rain had nearly stopped, only a few stray drops falling—nothing to worry about.

A damp leather coat slid off his body.

"Mengxi?" he murmured to himself, picking up the coat and setting it aside.

He tried to move.

"*Ow!*"

A sharp cry escaped him. Every muscle protested, especially his arms—numb and heavy.

He fumbled out his phone with trembling hands. 5 PM.

"*WeChat messages?*"

Just as he spotted the notification, the screen went dark—battery dead.

*Why did it drain so fast today?*

In another hour or two, night would fall completely. Wildlife and insects would emerge. They couldn’t stay here.

He scanned the area.

There she was—Mengxi curled up on another stone bench like an abandoned puppy.

His brow furrowed as he took in her drenched clothes.

"*Why is she so soaked?*"

"*It poured rain, yet I’m barely wet.*"

"*This silly girl… getting herself sick just to take care of me. As if I’d be burdened nursing her back to health.*"

He didn’t notice the softening in his tone as he complained about his childhood friend.

He walked over and gently tapped her head.

"*Mmm? What is it?*"

Zhan Mengxi blinked awake, rubbing her eyes. Damp clothes clung to her childlike face and mature figure—a natural scene straight out of a manga panel.

Luckily, Yun Mingxin had built up resistance.

He pulled out a bottle of analgesic oil from his bag.

Crouching down, he scolded half-heartedly, half-worried: "You fool. Your ankle’s already injured. Why not take care of yourself instead of fussing over me? I’m a man—I can handle a little rain."

"*Pfft—*"

Zhan Mengxi stuck out her tongue, trying to charm her way out of trouble.

Seeing that, Yun Mingxin couldn’t stay angry. He shot her a look. "Foot out. I’m putting medicine on it."

"*Okay!*"

No hesitation—only pure delight. She kicked off her shoes and socks eagerly.

Yun Mingxin didn’t flinch. He cradled her small foot in his palm.

Women’s feet were always delicate, but Mengxi’s was exquisitely tiny—a perfect handful, smooth and flawless as jade.

*This ultimate foot fetishist is struggling,* he admitted inwardly.

But the sight of the swollen, purplish bruise on her ankle snapped him back to focus.

That injury marred her flawless skin like a flaw in perfect porcelain.

He poured Honghua oil into his hands, rubbed them together, then pressed firmly onto her ankle.

"*Hss—*"

A strange mix of sting and relief shot through her.

"*Ugh, it stinks!*" She pinched her nose—the pungent herbal scent overwhelming.

"Be patient," he said. "Good medicine tastes bitter. This stuff works wonders for sprains."

*Applied within 24 hours, but not when swelling peaks.*

His hands moved in firm circles, covering every inch.

Seeing his determined expression, Zhan Mengxi bit her lip.

"Alright… I’ll endure it."

"*Ah! Too hard! It feels… weird. Not as harsh as alcohol, though.*"

"*Hurts at first… then gets kind of nice.*"

"*You can go faster.*"

"*Mmm… ngh~*"

Yun Mingxin’s face darkened at the sounds in his ear.

"*Enough!*" he snapped. "*Rubbing hard disperses the bruising faster.*"

*Since when did applying oil sound like she’d been drugged?*

Finally done, he flicked her ear lightly in mock punishment.

Instantly, a snowy foot darted toward his face, toes wiggling toward his lips.

Yun Mingxin caught her ankle and scribbled his fingers against her sole.

She yanked her foot back with a squeal.

"*Hehe…*"

Zhan Mengxi grinned, flashing perfect white teeth, utterly unashamed.

"*You—!*"

Playfulness sparked in Yun Mingxin’s eyes. He leered, cracking his knuckles. "*Did you forget? You can’t run away right now.*"

"*Such boldness… Time for your punishment.*"

"*Eh?*"

Zhan Mengxi’s smile froze.

Yun Mingxin’s grin turned wicked. He flexed his fingers, the joints popping.

As those two ominous hands drew nearer, Zhan Mengxi threw her head back with a wail.

"*NOOOO!*"