I blinked groggily, my vision adjusting to the soft light filtering through unfamiliar surroundings. I was lying on a bed, its covers surprisingly plush, the room dimly lit by a lantern hanging near the door. The faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air. My mind reeled. The last thing I remembered was dozing off inside the carriage. Yet, here I was, in an unfamiliar room.
I tried to sit up, but a sharp ache shot through my muscles, a reminder of my fight with that level-three brat. My joints protested as I forced myself upright.
Luck had been on my side that day. If my opponent hadn't been so reckless, I wouldn't have lived to see another sunrise. Of course, if I hadn't survived, Ruan Yanjun would likely have painted the streets of that town crimson in retaliation.
A shiver ran through me as I became acutely aware of my attire. Or rather, the lack thereof. I was dressed in nothing but my sleeping robe. My face burned as realization struck. Who else could have undressed me but him?
I swallowed hard, the thought of Ruan Yanjun's hands on me—aiding me, undressing me—sending my mind into a spiral of mortifying scenarios. That devil had a knack for toeing the line between propriety and chaos, and I had no idea which side he had chosen this time.
"No," I muttered to myself, shaking my head vigorously. I wouldn't let my mind wander down that path. Whether he'd done anything improper or not, it was better left unexamined.
The soft creak of a door opening snapped me out of my thoughts.
"You're awake," came the familiar, smug tone of Ruan Yanjun as he entered the room.
I stiffened as he approached, carrying a small bowl in his hands. My stomach churned at the sight.
Bitter medicine. Again.
"What happened?" I asked, forcing my voice to remain steady.
He placed the bowl on the stand beside the bed, his expression unreadable but for the faintest trace of amusement in his eyes. "You fell asleep in the carriage and wouldn't wake up, so I carried you here."
Carried me. Again. Like I was some fragile maiden.
My fists clenched beneath the covers.
"And where is 'here'?" I asked, doing my best to keep my tone even.
"In an inn along the road," he replied. "In two days, we'll reach my residence in Liuye City. You can finally rest properly."
The promise of respite was tempting, almost enough to make me forget the ordeal of the last two months. Almost.
"Drink your medicine," he instructed, already turning to leave. "I'll inform the innkeeper to prepare your breakfast."
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving me alone with the dreaded bowl. I stared at it, the dark liquid inside threatening to churn my already unsettled stomach. Two months of incessant training and unpalatable brews, all under the watchful eye of that devil. He claimed it was for my health, for my progress, but his methods were merciless.
Since our departure from Henmei District, Ruan Yanjun had pushed me to my limits and beyond. Whenever the carriage passed a clearing, he'd have the coachman stop so he could drag me out for impromptu training sessions. At first, they lasted an hour. By the time we crossed into Wun Empire, he had escalated to two grueling hours at dawn and another two at night. My protests about my failing health fell on deaf ears.
"You'll endure," he'd say. "Your will is stronger than your body."
But was it? Each session left me crumpled on the ground, coughing violently, only to be carried back to my room like a maiden, which according to him was a punishment for failing to complete my training hours. Then came the endless stream of bitter medicines he forced down my throat, claiming they were the result of his extensive research.
I turned my head away from the bowl, my resolve firm. Not this time.
The door opened again, and Ruan Yanjun stepped in. His sharp gaze fell immediately on me, then on the untouched bowl. "Does A-Fan want to take his medicine from my mouth?" he asked, his tone laced with warning.
I shuddered but chose to ignore his threat. "I'll drink it later."
His lips twitched, though whether in amusement or frustration, I couldn't tell. "And by 'later,' you mean never?"
I didn't answer, but my silence was answer enough.
He sighed dramatically, shaking his head as though dealing with a particularly stubborn child. "If you don't need the medicine, then let's not waste time. Get up. We'll train now."
I froze, staring at him in disbelief. "What?"
"You heard me. If you're strong enough to refuse the medicine, then you're strong enough to spar."
"Wait, wait, wait!" I said, scrambling to reach for the bowl. "I'll drink it."
I tipped the bitter concoction back in one gulp, grimacing as the taste assaulted my tongue. He smirked, his victory clear.
Satisfied, he leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed. "Good. That's my obedient A-Fan."
I glared at him, the fiery retort on my tongue dying as his smirk deepened. This devil always had a way of twisting everything to his advantage.
How much longer could I endure this torment? As I wiped the bitterness from my lips, I wondered if Ruan Yanjun enjoyed watching me suffer—or if there was something deeper behind that infuriating smirk.