Niu Shurui was different. Judging by Ye Li's attentiveness, even if she were confined to the villa, she was safe. It was clear to anyone who cared to look that Niu Shurui, not Ye Li, held the reins in this relationship.

Liang Yan helped Niu Shurui sit up, handed her the water, and left.

Ye Li rushed in, his anxiety only easing when he confirmed Niu Shurui was truly alright. He took the glass from her hand, intending to help her drink, but she shook her head and asked, "Are you afraid of blood?"

Ye Li froze, his expression hardening. He stared at her for a long moment before pulling her into a tight embrace. "I'm afraid you'll… disappear." He trembled, holding her close, his fear palpable, yet his embrace remained restrained, encompassing only her upper body.

This confirmed Niu Shurui's suspicions. She'd been pondering it earlier. Under normal circumstances, this amount of bleeding wouldn't cause such panic. She was almost certain that blood was the trigger for Ye Li's episodes. It seemed to be deeply connected to death in his mind.

Had he witnessed someone die as a child?

Considering Ye Li's state and the age of onset, it could only be his mother. After all, for most children, their mother is their most important and relied-upon figure during their formative years.

But some pieces didn't fit. If Ye Li saw her as a mother substitute, why would he… do this to her? And when did he start viewing her that way? Such shifts take time. There had to be details she was missing.

Or perhaps the situation was more complex than she imagined. The latter seemed more likely. How else could she explain Ye Yanhui's secrecy?

Niu Shurui looked at Ye Li, silent and still in her arms. His hair was even damper than before, not as soft to the touch.

He remained motionless, as if holding his breath, until Niu Shurui stirred. He looked up, head c0cked, basking in her touch.

Finally, Niu Shurui spoke. "Dry your hair. You'll catch a cold."

Seemingly remembering the earlier events, Ye Li abruptly sat up. "I'll dry yours."

Niu Shurui, still numb from the waist down, could only lean against the headboard. She tried to turn her head, but Ye Li lifted her into his lap, facing his chest. She had no choice but to rest against him.

It should have been a tender scene, but their silence as he dried her hair made the atmosphere strangely tense. He wasn't his usual self, fidgeting and chattering. His eyes remained fixed on her, as if she might vanish with a single blink.

Only when they were settled in bed, ready to sleep, did he speak, his hand caressing her face. "Niuniu, I'm sorry. I won't do that again. Please forgive me. I promise, I'll be gentle."

"If I'm not, you can yell at me… or hit me… Just don't leave me. Anything, okay?" He leaned close, his hand trembling against her cheek. Tears welled in his eyes, overflowing and spilling down his face.

Normally, he would have pulled her into a tight embrace, seeking reassurance in physical contact. But tonight, he remained facing her, his gaze unwavering. Even as his vision blurred with tears, he refused to blink, afraid to miss a flicker of her expression. It was as if he wouldn't close his eyes until she agreed.

Niu Shurui reached up and wiped his tears. He parted his lips, as if to kiss her, then stopped himself. When she was done, she patted his back gently. "Sleep."

He finally closed his tear-filled eyes and drifted off, holding her close.

***

Niu Shurui slept soundly, only to be jolted awake by a sharp pain. She gasped, grateful she hadn't woken up during the night.

As she stared at the ceiling, Ye Li stirred beside her. He propped himself up on one elbow. "Niuniu, what's wrong?"

"Pain," she said.

His expression shifted from sleepy to panicked in an instant.

Niu Shurui gestured towards the nightstand. "I asked Dr. Liang for pain medication."

He shook his head. "You can't take it yet… I'll have them bring breakfast soon. Just bear with it a little longer, okay?"