After she finished speaking, she cautiously glanced at Yue Linze. Seeing his grim expression, her heart sank. She quickly added, “But my feelings have changed. Really!”

Yue Linze stared intently at her, his voice hoarse. “So, your previous patients…”

“No! You’re the first patient I’ve treated like this!” Tao Yu interrupted before he could finish, knowing exactly what he was about to say.

The turbulent air around Yue Linze calmed instantly. He looked at her anxious expression and asked softly, “Why?”

“Because you’re special. Different from the others.” Tao Yu chose her words carefully, striving for both honesty and appeasement.

He was the first patient she'd treated alone, and the most challenging. Of course, he was special.

Yue Linze saw the truth in her words. After a long silence, he gave a cynical laugh. “That’s… good.” As long as he remained the only “special” patient in her life, he would always be unique.

“I’m sorry for lying to you.” Tao Yu looked at him cautiously, an idea forming in her mind. “Can you give me another chance?”

Yue Linze’s initial resentment had been resolved. His current anger stemmed solely from her lies. Even if her mission failed, she couldn't allow him to suffer lasting psychological damage because of her.

If intimacy could heal his psychological wounds, what reason did she have, as his doctor, to refuse?

Yue Linze looked down, not answering directly. “Do you remember the supplementary agreement you signed when you first arrived?”

Tao Yu was initially puzzled by his sudden shift in topic, then a knot formed in her stomach. She looked at him uneasily. “…Yes.”

Desperate to stay, she had boasted that she could cure him, pledging her life if she failed. But she knew Yue Linze’s leg injury was permanent, incurable. Why was he bringing this up now? Could his love have curdled into such extreme hatred that he wanted her dead?

Yue Linze recalled the scene, his mood lightening slightly. “The contract states that if you can’t cure my leg, your life is mine to dispose of. So…”

Terrified he might make some drastic decision, Tao Yu, who had nearly frozen to death once, didn't want to hear any more. Before he could finish, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him, silencing him.

Yue Linze was momentarily stunned, then he embraced her, deepening the kiss.

The kiss continued until Tao Yu, breathless, pushed him away.

Yue Linze gazed at her slightly swollen lips, his eyes gleaming.

When her breathing had steadied, he spoke. “Do you plan on treating all your patients this way? Perhaps I was right to chain you up.”

“What kind of person do you think I am?” Tao Yu gave him an exasperated look.

Yue Linze stared at her pouting expression for a moment, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “I apologize.”

“What do you mean?” Tao Yu narrowed her eyes suspiciously. She didn't believe a casual remark could elicit an apology from this man. He must be thinking of something else entirely.

As expected, Yue Linze looked at her with a knowing glint in his eyes. “Keep it up, and I’ll release you soon.”

Tao Yu was even more bewildered. Just as she was about to question him, his actions caught her attention.

Yue Linze took her right hand, toying with the ‘bracelet’ before bringing her wrist to his lips. Tao Yu knew what he intended to do. Despite her mental preparation, she couldn't help but tense.

He gazed at her intently, then gently nipped her wrist. He hadn't used any force; there wasn't even a mark. Yet, the sensation lingered, a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins. By the time she recovered, he was already lying in bed.

“Turn off the lights,” he instructed calmly.

“…Seriously?” He’d just flirted and run. Clearly, a man of questionable character.

Tao Yu stared blankly at her wrist, trying to ignore the lingering tingling sensation. Obediently, she went and turned off the lights.

The moment the room was plunged into darkness, she climbed into bed. As Yue Linze reached for her, she snuggled into his embrace.

As they lay comfortably intertwined, Tao Yu suddenly fell silent. After a moment, she murmured, “We’ve only slept together for one day, but why does it feel like we’re an old married couple?”

They’d just had such a serious conversation, yet now they were cuddling like nothing had happened, as if their earlier confessions hadn't impacted their relationship at all.

If their relationship was still valid, they were certainly the strangest couple.

Yue Linze chuckled softly in the darkness, tightening his embrace. “Goodnight.”