The General Said She Would Not Take a Wife

Chapter 45: Healing

Lin Aoxue's injuries were severe, and after sustaining two arrow wounds earlier, she had fled the entire day, forcibly pulling out the arrows and continuing to escape. She lost a lot of blood, leaving her body especially weak.

Although Yun Yan had carefully tended to her wounds, stopping the bleeding and administering medicine, Lin Aoxue seemed much better and more energetic, but true recovery would still take a long time.

Yun Yan checked her pulse again, her face full of concern. She wracked her brain, trying to think of a way to restore Lin Aoxue's body. At this rate, ordinary medicine would not suffice. Lin Aoxue's body, already frail, had been further weakened by these grave injuries, and without proper rest, her life would be greatly shortened.

This dilemma made Yun Yan feel as though she were pulling her hair out. She told Lin Aoxue to rest and, holding the basin of water stained with blood, prepared to go out and personally cook some nourishing medicinal food for Lin Aoxue.

But just as she stood up, someone grabbed the corner of her sleeve. She was startled for a moment and turned her head to look. There, Lin Aoxue had extended a hand and clutched the corner of her dress, her face buried in the pillow, only her red ears exposed. She looked shy, awkward, and reluctant to let Yun Yan leave—an expression of helplessness.

Lin Aoxue's sudden grasp made Yun Yan's heart melt. She quickly set the water basin down, leaned over, and gently covered Lin Aoxue's hand with her own, her voice soft and tender as she asked:

"Aoxue? What's wrong?"

Lin Aoxue's face remained hidden in the pillow as she muffled her reply:

"Don't go yet."

Yun Yan couldn't hide her smile, taking another step toward the bed. She sat beside Lin Aoxue and tucked her arm back under the blanket, asking again:

"What's wrong?"

Lin Aoxue still didn't answer, silently shaking her head. But her ears, still flushed, showed no sign of cooling down. Yun Yan found it increasingly adorable and couldn't resist gently pinching Lin Aoxue's ear.

The sudden coolness of Yun Yan's fingers on her ear made Lin Aoxue shudder, but her body lacked strength due to the excessive blood loss. It would take days to restore her strength.

Taking advantage of Lin Aoxue's weakness, Yun Yan continued to hold and play with her ear for a while before releasing it. Lin Aoxue turned her head and glared at her with embarrassment and anger, but Yun Yan remained unphased, smiling as she pushed a strand of Lin Aoxue's long hair that had fallen across her forehead. Noticing the bloodstains in the hair, Yun Yan spoke up:

"Once you're better, I'll wash your hair for you."

Lin Aoxue's heart trembled, and her eyes seemed to shimmer with a misty glow.

Seeing Lin Aoxue like this, so weak and vulnerable, Yun Yan's heart nearly shattered. This was no longer the fierce Lin Qianhu from before, but rather a wounded little dog abandoned by its owner.

"Yan'er."

Lin Aoxue's throat moved as she hoarsely called her name.

"Hmm?"

Yun Yan hummed lightly in response, acknowledging Lin Aoxue's call.

"...It's nothing."

Lin Aoxue mustered up all her courage, but the moment she felt Yun Yan's warm, soft gaze on her, all her resolve crumbled, leaving her with nothing to say.

Yun Yan, bewildered by Lin Aoxue's indecision, shook her head, no longer expecting any heartfelt words. She gently tapped Lin Aoxue's forehead and said: