Xi Zirui wakes up in stages. As his awareness returns he's relieved to discover that the unbearable heat is no longer clouding his senses.
He looks around at his surroundings, and comes to a chilling realisation. He's back in Peiya village, close to Physician Wei's practice, but the village looks nothing like he remembers it.
There's a thick miasma about the entire village, oppressive and grim like a bad omen.
He struggles up to his feet, checking himself for any injuries. He's at once relieved and confused not to find any.
Xi Zirui remembers vividly how smug Han Chang looked when he found him in such a compromising position with Han Yu.
In fact, it doesn't take a genius to realise that was probably his plan from the beginning. Maybe while he and Han Yu thought they were being discreet under the covers, Han Chang was already planning all this.
