Redemption 02

It was strange.

Xu Mingyao didn't know what was going on either.

She had clearly suffered all night, trying everything possible to fall asleep and gather enough energy to carry out her daytime plans.

But she just couldn't fall asleep no matter what.

It felt as if her soul was being slowly roasted by an invisible, low-temperature flame.

Even though her body was already so exhausted that she couldn't even keep her eyes open.

She was still kept awake by her soul, which was tormented by a smoldering frustration, unable to find sleep.

And yet, now.

After Tao Yaoyao gently tucked her in.

Xu Mingyao suddenly felt as if her soul had calmed down.

Even her freezing hands and feet could once again feel the warmth brought by the bedding.

The missing piece in her heart seemed to have suddenly been filled by something.

Drowsiness descended at this moment like a form of salvation.

By this time, Xu Mingyao no longer had the mind to pay attention to Tao Yaoyao's next moves.

She lay on her side on the bed.

Laying in the warm bed that Tao Yaoyao had carefully tucked her into.

She fell asleep peacefully...

...

"Sister Yaoyao?"

"Sister Yaoyao?"

The continuous soft voice echoing in her ears dragged Xu Mingyao out of her slumber.

Fighting the drowsiness, she struggled to open her eyes just a crack, through which she saw Tao Yaoyao's gentle face.

"Sister Yaoyao."

"I've finished cooking the food."

"Get up and let's eat together."

"Mmh..."

Xu Mingyao let out a resistant, lazy nasal sound.

Having stayed up all night.

She had slept for less than an hour.

Now, she didn't want to do anything at all.

She just wanted to sleep properly.

"I'm not eating."

"I don't feel well."

"Eat by yourself."

Xu Mingyao casually made up an excuse and then immediately closed her eyes.

Tao Yaoyao's voice didn't disappear because of her casual, brush-off excuse; instead, it rang in her ears again, the tone nervous and concerned.

"You don't feel well?"

"Sister Yaoyao, where does it hurt?"

"Should we go to the hospital to get it checked?"

As the voice sounded, Xu Mingyao felt a slightly cool hand press against her forehead.

"No need."

Xu Mingyao was utterly exhausted, too lazy to even muster the strength to speak.

"Hmm..."

"Your forehead seems a little hot?"

"Sister Yaoyao, wait a moment."

"I'll go get a thermometer to take your temperature."

"Mmh..."

Tao Yaoyao's footsteps gradually faded away.

Xu Mingyao didn't try to stop Tao Yaoyao. She was so sleepy that her consciousness began to blur, or rather, she hadn't even fully woken up in the first place.

She just let out a casual hum and fell asleep again...

...

In her blurry consciousness, Xu Mingyao felt something cold pressing against her lips.

She subconsciously pursed her lips tightly in defense, while letting out a resistant, coquettish hum.

"Mmh."

"Be a good girl, keep the thermometer in your mouth."

Hearing the familiar, gentle tone in her ear, Xu Mingyao subconsciously opened her mouth and obediently held the thermometer.

A moment later, Xu Mingyao felt a tug on the thermometer in her mouth.

She cooperatively opened her mouth.

Immediately after, she heard Tao Yaoyao's voice again.

"This temperature is fine."

"Sister Yaoyao, where exactly do you feel unwell?"

Having her sweet dreams interrupted time and time again, Xu Mingyao was already getting a bit irritated. She frowned, her tone weak but full of morning crankiness as she brushed her off:

"I don't know!"

"Then should we go to the hospital to have a look?"

"No!"

Xu Mingyao refused with a series of grumbles.

This time, Tao Yaoyao's voice didn't sound again.

Just when Xu Mingyao thought that her ears were finally at peace and she could get a good sleep.

In less than a minute or two, before she could even fall back asleep, Tao Yaoyao's voice appeared once more.

"Sister Yaoyao, drink this bowl of egg water before you sleep."

Xu Mingyao was both annoyed and helpless. She simply turned over and buried her face in the pillow, putting on a resolute posture of wanting to cut off all ties with the outside world.

"Sister Yaoyao."

"Be good."

"Drink the egg water before going back to sleep."

"Listen to me."

In her heart, Xu Mingyao was originally resistant.

Having her sleep interrupted over and over, she was already someone with quite a bad temper when waking up.

Being able to endure it until now without throwing things, swearing, or losing her temper was already a very rare thing.

But listening to Tao Yaoyao's gentle tone by her ear, like she was coaxing a child, Xu Mingyao inexplicably wanted to be a bit more well-behaved, and wanted to listen to her.

She sat up with a displeased look on her face.

"Careful, it's hot."

Xu Mingyao took the egg water Tao Yaoyao handed over. Amidst her reminders, she slowly drank the entire bowl, and then plunged headfirst back onto the bed.

After this series of tossing and turning, although Xu Mingyao was still very sleepy, she had sobered up quite a bit.

She was no longer like before.

Her body half-awake, while her soul was completely asleep.

She kept her eyes open. Having woken up, she remembered the sleep-talking she had heard last night. Her gaze subconsciously darkened, and a trace of coldness involuntarily dyed her eyes.

She just quietly watched Tao Yaoyao, letting her busy herself within her line of sight.

Tao Yaoyao first walked around the bed to the headboard, placing the empty bowl in her hand on the small nightstand right next to the bed.

Then she returned the way she came, coming to the other side of the bed, right next to Xu Mingyao, and thoughtfully covered her with the blanket.

Finally, she walked back again.

She half-sat on the empty side of the bed, leaning her body with one hand propped on the mattress, while the other hand reached out to test the temperature on Xu Mingyao's forehead.

Her delicate willow brows furrowed slightly, her eyes filled with concern and gentleness.

"How do you feel?"

"Do you feel any better?"

As she spoke, Tao Yaoyao's palm moved down, her palm pressing snugly against Xu Mingyao's cheek as she said worriedly:

"How about I take a day off today."

"I'll stay home and keep you company, okay?"

Xu Mingyao didn't answer.

She looked at Tao Yaoyao in front of her, who had become completely tense and worried just because of her casual remark, and suddenly felt her heart calm down a lot.

The suspicious details in her memory were like sharp thumbtacks piercing her heart.

But at this moment, Xu Mingyao suddenly felt that her heart didn't hurt as much anymore.

Those sharp thumbtacks seemed to have been softened by Tao Yaoyao's gentleness.

They still bothered her.

But they were no longer as sharp and hurtful as blades.

"No need."

"I'm much better."

"Go to work."

"I'll be fine after I sleep a little longer."

Xu Mingyao lowered her voice and said softly.

"Really?"

"If you feel unwell anywhere, tell me."

"Don't just endure it by yourself."

Tao Yaoyao was still somewhat uneasy.

"I'm really fine."

Xu Mingyao affirmed once again.

"..."

"Alright then."

"I'm going to work."

"If you feel uncomfortable anywhere, remember to call me."

Tao Yaoyao withdrew her hand and straightened up.

"Mmh."

Xu Mingyao gave a soft hum of agreement.