Chapter 88: Pain

“Sister Qiu, wake up.”

A soft, gentle voice called by her ear, and Liu Qiu opened her eyes groggily.

Her blurred vision gradually cleared, and Liu Feng’s fair face came into view.

“Come eat something.”

Liu Qiu rubbed her eyes, becoming more awake, and the first thing she did upon waking was question her.

“Liu Feng, did you drug me?”

She had only just woken up—how could she have fallen asleep again for no reason, especially with that medicinal scent she had smelled before losing consciousness?

Liu Feng’s eyes curved slightly.

“I thought someone as slow as Sister Qiu wouldn’t notice.”

There was not the slightest trace of guilt on her face for drugging someone.

Liu Qiu pressed her lips together and turned her head away from Liu Feng.

When her gaze shifted, she saw the dishes laid out on the wooden table, along with two plates of beautifully made pastries.

Right on cue, her stomach let out a rumbling sound.

The tips of her ears reddened faintly.

That feeling of hunger had returned.

Liu Feng let out a soft laugh, scooped up a spoonful of meat porridge, and brought it to Liu Qiu’s lips.

“Sister Qiu, eat.”

Liu Qiu reached out and grasped Liu Feng’s wrist.

“There’s no need to feed me. I can eat by myself.”

She shifted her legs, trying to get down from Liu Feng’s lap.

The moment she had woken up, she had already been sitting there, and she had no idea how long Liu Feng had been holding her.

Her body felt slightly numb.

Liu Feng did not force her.

She set the spoon down and held Liu Qiu by the waist, helping her stand steadily.

“I thought Sister Qiu might ask where we’ve arrived.”

The moment her feet touched the ground, a wave of pins and needles spread from her soles throughout her entire body.

Liu Qiu had to bend over and brace herself against the table before slowly sitting down on the stool beside Liu Feng.

As expected, maintaining one posture for too long hindered blood circulation.

Her body was already weak; after that, even the faint redness on her ears faded pale.

“I’m not stupid,” she murmured softly.

“We must have arrived at another village or town.”

The candles lit in the room meant it was already evening.

The carriage had not been traveling slowly; they must have already entered a populated area.

She had not asked earlier because even if she knew the place name, she would not recognize it.

The door creaked open.

Liu Huang entered, carrying a packet of medicine.

Seeing the untouched food on the table, she frowned.

“Just woke up?”

Liu Feng nodded.

Liu Huang stepped closer, hovering her hand above the dishes to feel the warmth.

Liu Feng smiled gently.

“I had them replaced not long ago. It’s still hot.”

Liu Huang’s gaze shifted to Liu Qiu.

She sat down beside her, placed the medicine packet on the table, and stared at her.

She quickly ladled a bowl of porridge and set it in front of her.

“Sickly one, hurry and eat.”

Liu Qiu had already grown used to that nickname.

She lowered her long lashes and stared at the steaming food.

It smelled fragrant, and she was hungry, but she had no appetite.

Her silence made Liu Huang frown.

“Are you still angry about not being allowed to return to Liu Family Village?”

Liu Qiu raised her eyes and glanced at her in confusion.

When had she been angry?

But her eyes were large, her lashes long and straight, her dark hair softly curled, and the downward curve of her eyes made her look innocent and pitiful—like a curly-haired puppy.

Liu Huang did not perceive confusion in that glance; she only saw vulnerability.

She narrowed her eyes slightly.

“Sickly one, do you want to stay in Liu Family Village because of Su Li?”

“Su Li is just a little behind us. Elder Sister and I have already sent someone to fetch her.”

Liu Feng’s lips curved upward faintly, her smile gentle and warm, her voice soft.

“Yes, Huang’er is right.”

“By the time we reach the capital, Sister-in-law should be arriving as well.”

Liu Qiu lowered her head and began eating the porridge in small mouthfuls.

[System, do you think what they’re saying is believable?]

The System replied: [Zero percent credibility.]

The porcelain spoon clinked against the bowl.

Liu Qiu looked up at the two sisters who were watching her eat and said calmly, “I’m full.”

[Yes, not believable. Most likely they’re just trying to stabilize you. But you can wait and see.]

She was not waiting for Liu Huang and Liu Feng to bring Su Li.

She was waiting for Su Li to find her.

The System sounded puzzled.

[Host, why are you so certain that fox spirit will come looking for you?]

Liu Qiu answered without hesitation: [Because she likes me.]

The System was shocked.

[Host, how do you know that?]

Its host had always been slow when it came to emotions—how had she concluded that the fox spirit liked her?

Liu Qiu blinked.

[She said it herself.]

And more than once.

“Why have you only eaten so little?”

Liu Huang frowned at the bowl, which was only a third finished.

No wonder her body never improved if she ate so little.

Liu Qiu stopped chatting with the System and pushed the small bowl away.

“I can’t eat anymore.”

That was true.

She had little appetite and ate sparingly.

Liu Huang took a deep breath, picked up the bowl Liu Qiu had left, scooped another spoonful of porridge, and brought it to her lips, lowering her voice.

Liu Qiu pressed her lips together but eventually ate it.

A faint smile appeared on Liu Huang’s face.

“That’s right. Just like that. Have a few more bites.”

But when she scooped a third spoonful, Liu Qiu turned her head away.

“No more. I really can’t eat.”

“Huang’er, don’t force Sister Qiu. If she doesn’t want to eat, then leave it.”

Liu Feng’s voice was always like this—unhurried, like a gentle breeze, soft and steady.

At that moment, a voice sounded from outside.

“Guest, the water you requested has been brought.”

Liu Huang set the bowl down.

The door opened again, and four people carried in a wooden tub.

Steam rose from it—it was clearly hot.

After placing it down steadily, the four left, closing the door behind them.

Liu Huang untied the medicine packet and poured its contents into the tub.

“Perfect. Since you’re done eating, come take a medicinal bath.”

Liu Qiu frowned slightly.

Suddenly she realized something—why were Liu Huang and Liu Feng not surprised at all about her coming back to life?

Had they not considered how to explain it to their parents?

A corpse that had been buried in the ground now standing perfectly fine—wasn’t that terrifying?

The thought only passed briefly through her mind.

She did not dwell on it.

These two sisters were not simple people; they likely had their own methods.

Time passed slowly.

The water in the tub seemed to cool slightly.

Liu Qiu took off her clothes on her own and stepped into the tub.

This medicinal bath was probably unavoidable.

If she refused, Liu Huang would very likely strip her and carry her into it herself.

The medicated water made her body warm and comfortable, and drowsiness crept over her.

Was her body becoming weaker and weaker?

Liu Huang did not disturb her, simply watching quietly with Liu Feng from the side.

Before long, Liu Huang reached in and lifted her out of the water.

That startled Liu Qiu fully awake.

Why was she being carried out without warning?

Her body was still completely bare.

With her skin still damp, she was placed directly onto the bed.

She looked stunned, facing Liu Huang, her legs curled slightly, her chest rising and falling gently with her breathing.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m not finished bathing.”

Liu Huang’s expression remained calm.

She did not want to be impatient, but the conspicuous marks covering Liu Qiu’s body only amplified the emotions in her heart.

“It’s time to apply medicine.”

Hearing those words, Liu Qiu frowned even deeper.

Apply what medicine?

Liu Feng walked over gracefully and climbed onto the bed, positioning herself behind Liu Qiu’s head.

She lifted Liu Qiu into her arms so that she leaned back against her chest.

Her gaze traveled downward—from Liu Qiu’s delicate nose, over the proud curves of her chest, down to her slender waist, and finally to her legs.

Everywhere her eyes fell was covered in red marks.

She had applied medicine once before, but it had only lightened slightly.

“Sister Qiu, look at your body,” Liu Feng murmured by her ear.

Liu Qiu lowered her eyes and glanced down.

Of course she knew what her body looked like.

Foxes were canines after all—fond of licking and biting.

From head to toe, she looked rather miserable.

But those marks would fade in a few days.

There was no need for medicine.

Suddenly, she felt her legs being parted.

Liu Qiu immediately lifted her head, panic flashing in her eyes as she looked at Liu Huang.

“I don’t need medicine.”

Liu Huang let out a scoff and swatted down with her hand.

The force was not heavy, but the dull sound was unmistakable.

Liu Qiu’s eyes flew wide open, her toes curling involuntarily as she let out a small cry.

Tears welled up instantly.

“Liu Huang, how can you hit me there?”

It had not felt like much before, but that slap brought both pain and tingling sensation.

Was Liu Huang a pervert?

No matter what, she was their elder sister.

Her skin was still damp from the bath.

Liu Huang lowered her head and looked at her.

“Does it hurt?”

Liu Qiu’s stomach tightened, her chest rising more sharply.

Anger flickered within her.

She was trapped in Liu Feng’s embrace, her waist encircled, unable to break free.

She could only kick her legs.

She lifted one foot and pressed it against Liu Huang’s collarbone, trying to push her away.

But Liu Huang’s physical strength was not something Liu Qiu could compete with.

No matter how hard she pushed, she could not move her in the slightest.

Instead, because she had lifted her leg, her posture opened even more.

Liu Huang saw everything clearly, and a trace of damp desire flickered in her eyes.

Liu Qiu did not notice.

She kept pushing with her foot.

“It hurts. You can’t do this.”

Liu Huang pinched the bridge of her nose, then grabbed Liu Qiu’s ankle and firmly moved it away from her collarbone, placing it down at her waist.

She was not so desperate as to do anything to something already swollen like this.

It had been a full day, and it still had not subsided.

She had been played with too fiercely.

If she touched her now, Liu Feng would not stand idly by.

The two of them together might truly rub the place raw and ruin it.

Liu Qiu’s body was clean and bare, without any unnecessary hair, making it impossible not to see that it was swollen entirely, from top to bottom.

Too bad she had not been the one to cause it.

At that thought, Liu Huang’s gaze darkened, and she swatted her again.

Liu Qiu trembled, tears spilling out as her voice shook.

“Don’t… don’t hit me. It hurts.”

Behind her, Liu Feng chuckled softly.

“It hurts? I think Sister Qiu looks quite pleased.”

Her arm moved forward, gripping Liu Qiu’s leg and pulling it upward.

“Huang’er, take a careful look to see if she’s hurt anywhere else. We must apply the medicine properly.”

Liu Qiu grabbed at Liu Feng’s arm, her voice hoarse.

“Don’t do this.”

She was no match for the two of them.

Struggling was useless.

Why was it always like this?

This position was far too shameful.

“I’m your elder sister, not a child. You can’t treat me like this.”

Liu Feng lowered her head and kissed the top of Liu Qiu’s head.

“Sister, what are you thinking? We’re only applying medicine.”

“After we’re done below, there’s still above.”

The kiss atop her head was subtle enough that Liu Qiu did not even notice.

Her mind was entirely occupied with her exposed posture.

There was no concealment at all.

It was unbearably embarrassing.

“I can apply the medicine myself.”

Her eyes were moist, her lowered gaze and long lashes making her look both pitiful and adorable.

Liu Feng looked down at her increasingly heaving chest and tightened her fingers slightly, enjoying the smooth sensation beneath her palm.

“Sister Qiu can’t even see herself. How could you apply it properly?”

Liu Huang let out a low laugh as she took out the medicine box.

“Elder Sister is right. Sickly one, you can’t see it yourself.”

Liu Qiu pressed her lips together.

How had she forgotten that both sisters were slightly mad?

What normal person applied medicine like this?

“What if… it goes inside?” she asked, her damp eyes wide.

Liu Huang’s grip on the medicine box tightened abruptly.

If it went inside, then it went inside.

She could take it out.

This sickly one truly spoke without thinking.

Liu Huang took a deep breath, her expression returning to calm, though a burning heat lingered deep in her eyes.

“It won’t.”

At least not today.

Her body was too weak.

That place was already swollen enough.

If they continued, she would end up crying without end.

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