No one knew whether it was because he had been asleep for so long, but even though the hour had already reached well past midnight, Mu Mu was remarkably alert — not the slightest trace of drowsiness.

In fact, he seemed to be growing more and more energetic by the minute.

This was a good sign, naturally, and yet… Feng Jiu’er stifled a yawn, and very nearly could not hold herself together.

She was exhausted.

They had been traveling the entire day, and apart from Mu Mu, every single one of them was the same — there had been truly no opportunity to rest during daylight hours.

And now Mu Mu would not sleep, so she did not dare sleep either.

This was the very first night Mu Mu had woken up. They had not been awake for even two full hours, and she had no way of knowing whether his condition might not still shift unexpectedly. How could Jiu’er abandon him?

Earlier, the blood he had been expelling was stagnant blood — but regardless of what kind of blood it was, coughing blood was always something that took a tremendous toll on the body.

Jiu’er was frightened even now, afraid that something might yet change.

“The medicine is here.” There was a knock at the door. Xiao Yingtao entered with the medicine in hand.

The moment someone came through the door — and a young woman at that — the air around Mu Mu changed palpably.

Jiu’er went over and received the medicine with both hands. Xiao Yingtao knew Mu Mu had no memory of her, but she still could not help wanting to go in and see him, even if only to say a single word of greeting. She truly, truly wanted to exchange just a few words with Mu Mu. Or even just one — if he was unwilling to say more, one word would be enough.

“Mu Mu.” She walked over and watched as Jiu’er sat at the bedside carefully blowing the medicine cool, wanting to go closer but not quite daring. “Mu Mu, it’s me — Xiao Yingtao. Do you still remember me?”

Today’s events had truly given everyone a tremendous shock. He had recognized none of them — not a single person — not even Jiu’er.

Yet while he was guarded and wary toward everyone else, he alone was willing to trust Jiu’er.

Perhaps it was because he had loved Jiu’er so deeply all along that even now, without his memories, some part of him still chose to trust her.

But with everyone else — he refused them entirely.

Mu Mu gave her a brief, detached glance, shook his head, and then his gaze fell upon Jiu’er, paying Xiao Yingtao no further attention.

Jiu’er was still holding the medicine, ladling it up carefully with the spoon and blowing on it a little at a time to cool it.

Once it was cool enough, she brought the spoon to Mu Mu’s lips.

Mu Mu was not the least bit guarded. He seemed to have no wariness of Jiu’er whatsoever. Whatever Jiu’er gave him, he took without suspicion.

“Jiu’er, I’ve also cooked a small pot of plain congee. Shall I bring it over now?”

Xiao Yingtao did not feel too downcast. Just knowing that Mu Mu was willing to drink the medicine she had prepared was already enough to make her happy.

If he would also agree to drink the congee she had made later on, she felt she could be glad for the entire rest of the night.

Feng Jiu’er felt a helpless tenderness at the sight. Xiao Yingtao’s affection for Mu Mu had long since gone beyond what an ordinary young woman feels for a man.

It was completely and simply this: when Mu Mu was happy, she was happy. When Mu Mu was in pain, she was in even more pain.

She asked nothing from Mu Mu — just watching him was enough to lift her spirits.

What a devoted, foolish girl. If only Mu Mu could come to care for her — how wonderful that would be.

But alas, it was a hopeless wish. Fate had a way of toying with people.

“He cannot eat anything yet. He has been unconscious for so long — after waking, he needs to wait another three hours before food is appropriate.”

“Understood. It’s been a little over one hour now, so in a little over another hour, I’ll bring things over.” Xiao Yingtao responded promptly.

“No — go and rest now. I’ll go to the kitchen and get it myself when the time comes.” Since Jiu’er would not be sleeping tonight anyway — she had to keep watch over Mu Mu — there was no need to drag another person into it.

But Xiao Yingtao was not willing. “Let me bring it — I’m not sleepy anyway… that is, I’m not tired right now.”

Jiu’er understood her feelings perfectly well. She longed to stay at Mu Mu’s side every moment and not leave. But since Mu Mu did not want her here, it served no purpose for her to forgo sleep.

“There’s still the road ahead of us tomorrow — you should go and get some rest.” Knowing that framing it this way would not persuade her, Jiu’er added: “Someone will need to look after him during the day tomorrow. I don’t think I’ll have much energy left.”

After staying up the entire night, expecting to be clearheaded was out of the question.

Xiao Yingtao still lingered with reluctance, but Mu Mu’s patience was already running out.

Xiao Yingtao had no choice but to concede: “Well… all right then. I’ll go to sleep. You tonight…”

She stole another glance at Mu Mu. He had looked at her once, only once since she had come through the door, and had refused to spare her so much as another glance since.

Before all this, even if he had not particularly liked her, he had not disliked her either — at least he had not ignored her.

But now, with no memory of her, it was not merely indifference — she could sense that her very presence in the room made him uncomfortable.

If her being here unsettled him, she would do better to leave first, before she made him unhappy.

“Well then, I’ll be going. You take good care of him.”

“All right.” Of course it was Feng Jiu’er who answered. Mu Mu simply wanted her gone as quickly as possible.

After Xiao Yingtao stepped out, she pulled the door shut behind her. Mu Mu spoke at once: “I’m hungry.”

“Drink your medicine first.” Jiu’er knew perfectly well he was hungry. He had been unconscious for so long, sustained only by medicinal broth and ginseng — now that he was awake, of course that would never be enough to fill him.

“I really am hungry.” He continued to watch her steadily.

Jiu’er sighed with resignation. “Mu Mu, you were unconscious for a long time. You’ve only just woken up — your stomach and intestines need time to readjust.”

“Finish the medicine first. Once another hour or so passes, I’ll get you the plain congee. All right?”

“I want to eat now.”

“…” How had waking up turned Mu Mu into a completely different person? So stubborn, and even a little willful?

“That truly won’t do right now — it would be very hard on your stomach. Be good and listen — wait just one more hour, and I’ll get you something to eat right away. All right?”

With a Mu Mu this willful, even the tone one had to use to reason with him was like coaxing a small child. This, with Mu Mu, had never happened before.

He had always been so considerate, so tolerant, so patient — always appearing as though nothing mattered, as though he had no particular desires or things he wanted to pursue, even when he did. He never went after them openly.

Rather than saying the Mu Mu of before had been too perfect, it was more accurate to say that this Mu Mu felt more like a real person — at least he had a full range of feelings and desires now.

“Truly — just one more hour and I’ll go get the food and bring it back. I promise.”

Jiu’er scooped up another spoonful of medicine and brought it to his lips: “This medicine protects the internal organs, and its properties are mild — it will settle the stomach. You need to finish it.”

“I don’t want to drink it.” He looked thoroughly disdainful. The medicine was far too bitter.

Jiu’er was genuinely at a loss for words. Yes, a Mu Mu with more feelings and desires was reassuring — but did he have to have such a difficult temperament as well?

“This medicine is truly very good for your body. Even if you don’t want to drink it, you still have to finish it. All right?”

“Bitter.”

“I know it’s bitter, but…”

“Then you take a sip first and see.”

He continued to look thoroughly displeased.

Jiu’er drew a slow breath, very nearly glaring at him.

Goodness, Mu Mu — you only suffered through one bout of injury and illness. Did it have to change your entire personality as well? Heavens…