Chapter 179 Companionship [Bonus]

Chapter 179: Company "Extra Chapter"

As this faint, breathless call faded, the palace door was gently pushed open. Yet the one who entered was not Lü Rou he had instinctively called out for.

Lin Nanshu, dressed in a light cyan casual robe, pushed the door open and walked in, the faint, bitter scent of herbs clinging to his sleeves.

He held a white jade medicine bowl steadily in his hands, the dark brown liquid within still giving off a warm, gentle steam.

He tiptoed over to the bedside, carefully placing the medicine bowl on the small bedside table.

Then he bent down, gently and expertly, supporting Cheng Ge's neck and shoulders.

He lifted the soft pillow slightly, adjusting it to a more comfortable position.

Cheng Ge's eyes were still blank and dazed, his unfocused pupils struggling to focus on Lin Nanshu, yet clearly unable to immediately recognize who was in front of him.

His mind felt like a bowl of completely scrambled mush, like his brain hadn't rebooted yet, leaving only the most primal, instinctual needs.

He instinctively opened his mouth, his dry tongue licking his chapped, peeling lips.

He reached out and tugged at the sleeve of the person in front of him and voiced his request: "Water... food... hungry... gonna starve to death..."

His tone carried a direct, almost childish whine, like a kid begging for food, a far cry from his usual demeanor.

The young eunuch standing at attention to the side immediately caught on.

He quickly poured a cup of warmed water. Lin Nanshu took it, carefully brought the silver spoon to Cheng Ge's lips.

Like a man dying of thirst, Cheng Ge eagerly sipped, his Adam's apple bobbing violently. A few drops of water slid down his gaunt jaw, disappearing into his collar.

After feeding him the water, the eunuch brought over a small bowl of pre-prepared meat congee, simmered to a soft, warm mush, its aroma light.

Lin Nanshu tested the temperature, then began feeding him patiently, spoonful by spoonful.

Cheng Ge wolfed it down, instinctively chasing each spoonful, looking utterly ravenous.

Afraid he might choke, Lin Nanshu gave him tiny amounts each time, feeding him with extra care.

Once the small bowl of congee was empty, Cheng Ge's complexion finally improved a little.

Though still weary and weak, at least he didn't look completely out of it anymore.

He leaned back on the pillow, panting a little, his eyes fell on Lin Nanshu again, as if trying to recognize him.

Lin Nanshu didn't push him. He just picked up a warm, damp cloth and carefully wiped the crumbs from the corner of Cheng Ge's mouth.

"...Yu... Li?" Cheng Ge stared at the hazy figure before him, finally forcing out two hoarse, hesitant words.

"Mm, it's me." Lin Nanshu's voice was gentle. He reached out and stroked the top of Cheng Ge's head, a gesture full of reassurance.

Cheng Ge instinctively moved, but was immediately hit by the soreness and dull ache throughout his body, sucking in a sharp breath and furrowing his brows.

Lin Nanshu reached over and brought the bowl of medicine that had been warming.

The moment Cheng Ge caught the strong bitter smell, his face scrunched up and he instinctively turned away.

But Lin Nanshu held the medicine bowl steady to his lips, his tone still gentle: "Just drink this and it'll be okay."

Cheng Ge looked at him, then obediently opened his mouth and downed it in one gulp.

The intense bitterness instantly overwhelmed his taste buds, triggering a violent coughing fit that almost made him cry.

Lin Nanshu immediately handed him water to rinse his mouth, then popped a small candied plum into his mouth.

The sweetness slightly suppressed the bitterness. Cheng Ge's eyelids drooped as he slumped back onto the pillow, feeling as if the last shred of strength had been drained from him. A heavy wave of exhaustion washed over him, and his eyelids started to flutter uncontrollably.

Lin Nanshu carefully lowered him back onto the bed. As Cheng Ge's consciousness sank back into darkness, his hand still clutching Lin Nanshu's sleeve.

Watching his breathing slowly even out and deepen, Lin Nanshu gently tucked the blanket around him.

Lin Nanshu started to get up and leave, but he saw that his light cyan sleeve was still tightly clutched by that weak but stubborn hand.

The knuckles were pale from weakness, as if clinging to a last lifeline.

He paused, looking at Cheng Ge's furrowed brow and restless face even in sleep, then slowly sat back down on the edge of the bed.

The hall was silent, broken only by Cheng Ge's quick, uneven breathing.

He seemed stuck in a nightmare, his body occasionally twitching slightly.

His dry, chapped lips moved, spilling out disjointed, garbled murmurs.

"...It hurts... so hot..." His voice cracked, on the verge of tears, as if still enduring some invisible torment.

Lin Nanshu's heart clenched.

He hesitated for a moment, then finally reached out and began to pat Cheng Ge's shoulder and back very gently, again and again.

The light and shadows moved slowly within the hall, time seeming to stand still in that corner, leaving only silent companionship.

...

And so it went, on and off, drifting in and out of consciousness on the bed for two more days, downing countless bowls of medicinal broth so bitter they numbed his tongue.

Only then did the thick fog in Cheng Ge's eyes finally start to clear, barely letting him regain some clarity.

"HOLY SHIT!!!!!!" A sharp, explosive shriek suddenly erupted from the hall.

"Thanks, everyone, for the Big God Verification, Explosion Confetti, Urgent Update Charm, Likes, and Love Donations. Since I really have no saved drafts, I can only put out one extra chapter. Thank you——"