Chapter 26.2

He wanted her to be obedient.

But did she really have to listen to him?

Absolutely not!

He clearly had no idea how bitter this Chinese medicine was, or he wouldn’t have been able to say those words with such a straight face.

After a moment of silence, Pei Yu said, “If you finish your medicine, I’ll take you out tomorrow.”

“Where?” Yun Yin asked instinctively.

“I recently invested in a hot spring villa that hasn’t officially opened yet. Would you like to go for a soak?” Pei Yu observed her expression as he spoke slowly.

“Hot springs?” Yun Yin repeated.

She hadn’t been out since transmigrating into this novel, and hot springs sounded wonderful.

“I want to go.”

Yun Yin looked up at him, her peach blossom eyes sparkling. When she looked at you like that, it was hard to refuse her anything.

“I have tomorrow off.”

Before Yun Yin could rejoice, Pei Yu paused, then added, “If you drink your medicine, I’ll take you tomorrow.”

The conversation had come full circle. After all that talk, Pei Yu’s sole purpose was to get her to drink the medicine.

But this medicine was truly bitter.

Yet the allure of hot springs was equally strong.

Yun Yin sighed deeply, pursing her lips in a final act of defiance. “Can’t I skip it?”

“Stop acting like a child.”

Yun Yin: “?”

When was I acting like a child? I just don’t want to drink this medicine…

In the end, Yun Yin relented. She really wanted to go to the hot springs.

When she came downstairs, Aunt Lin had already reheated the medicine.

Pei Yu: “Drink it while it’s hot.”

Yun Yin: “……”

The bowl was filled with a dark, murky liquid that reeked of a nauseating, fishy stench.

“Can’t I just skip it?” Yun Yin was on the verge of tears.

Even after transmigrating into a novel, I can’t escape the fate of drinking Chinese medicine.

It’s truly unbearable! Only those who’ve tasted it understand!

Pei Yu: “No.”

“Be obedient.” Seeing her hesitate, Pei Yu reached out and gently squeezed her wrist, his expression still tense.

How long has she been recovering? Her wrist is still so thin—no change at all.

“Of course you don’t mind—you’re not the one drinking it,” Yun Yin retorted, a hint of petulance in her voice.

“Is that so?” Pei Yu said, lifting the bowl to his lips and taking a sip.

Yun Yin stared in shock at Pei Yu’s impassive face, her eyes wide with disbelief. “It’s not bitter?”

Pei Yu’s expression remained unchanged. “It’s not bitter, just smells unpleasant.”

Yun Yin looked at the medicine in his hand, doubt in her eyes. Could this medicine really not be bitter?

Pei Yu handed her the bowl. “Drink it before it gets cold.”

Yun Yin stared at the dark liquid, mentally preparing herself. After repeated self-hypnosis, she finally mustered the courage to take her first sip.

The moment the liquid touched her tongue, she wanted to put the bowl down. But before she could, Pei Yu’s hand stopped her. Forced to finish the entire bowl, Yun Yin realized it was far more bitter than she had imagined.

She felt like vomiting.

“You lied!” Yun Yin accused, her eyes reddening. “This medicine is horribly bitter!”

She shouldn’t have believed him. How could traditional Chinese medicine ever not be bitter?

Seeing her teary eyes, Pei Yu’s gaze softened. With unwavering patience, he said gently, “Good medicine tastes bitter. It’s for your health.”

But…

It was truly unbearably bitter.

“It’s useless,” Yun Yin whispered.

Pei Yu’s brow furrowed sharply. “Who said it’s useless?”

“My illness is too difficult to treat. I don’t think I have much time left.”

Pei Yu thought she was unaware of her condition, but Yun Yin knew her body far better than he did.

She had tried every Chinese and Western treatment imaginable. The critical illness notices she had received could fill a book. In the end, she had died on the operating table.

Yun Yin had long accepted that she wouldn’t live much longer. Now, she had no desire to struggle any further.

It was simply too exhausting.

She had been in good spirits all day, but the bitterness of the medicine and Pei Yu’s words caused something inside her to suddenly collapse. Her mood sank to rock bottom.

Pei Yu’s fingers curled slightly at his side as he looked at her.

She was staring at the floor, unconsciously pursing her lips, looking utterly forlorn.

He hadn’t even gotten angry, yet she already looked so aggrieved.

After a brief silence, Pei Yu felt something tighten in his chest. He sighed softly. “You don’t have to drink it anymore.”

“Really?”

“Mm.” Pei Yu nodded, his eyes shadowed with unreadable emotion. “But don’t say things like ‘I won’t live long’ again.”

He couldn’t bear to hear her say such things.

Seeing her obvious reluctance, he decided she didn’t have to drink it. There were other ways to care for her health—he would find a better approach.

Thump—

Meeting Pei Yu’s almost pleading gaze, Yun Yin felt her heart skip a beat.

Her fingers paused, then she instinctively replied, “Okay.”

“Not angry anymore?” Pei Yu chuckled softly. “Hmm?”

His low laugh, like a subtle hook, gently tugged at her heartstrings.

Yun Yin turned her head slightly, her eyes flickering.

After a moment, she murmured softly, “Mm.”

Today was a rare sunny day, bathed in brilliant sunlight.

Eager to soak in the hot springs, Yun Yin woke up without needing Pei Yu to call her. She couldn’t wait to leave after breakfast and began preparing immediately.

The drive from Yunman Lake to the Hot Spring Villa took about two hours. As the initial excitement faded, Yun Yin grew restless, wondering when they would arrive.

Pei Yu, sitting beside her, remained calm, holding his tablet and occasionally glancing at her. “Just take a nap. We’ll be there soon.”

Yun Yin shook her head, gazing out the window. “I’m not tired.”

Since she insisted, Pei Yu let her be and focused on his reports.

Before long, a weight settled on his shoulder.

Pei Yu turned his head, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Yun Yin seemed oblivious, her eyes still closed as she nuzzled her forehead against his shoulder.

After a moment, Pei Yu set down his tablet, relaxed his shoulder to make her more comfortable, and Yun Yin finally settled into stillness.

By the time Yun Yin woke up, they had already arrived at the Hot Spring Villa.

The newly constructed resort boasted hundreds of hot spring pools of various sizes, each said to promote blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and boost metabolism. Different types of springs offered unique therapeutic benefits.

The attendant led them into a courtyard, explaining the features as they walked.

The courtyard was shrouded in mist. Upon entering, they saw a hot spring bubbling nearby, surrounded by flowers and trees that remained in full bloom despite the winter chill.

Once the attendant finished his explanation and saw they needed nothing further, he excused himself, leaving the couple to enjoy their privacy.

After a light meal, Yun Yin took a bath. Dressed in a bathrobe, her hair loose and bare feet padding softly, she emerged from the bathroom.

By the time she reached the hot spring, Pei Yu was already soaking in the pool.

Approaching the edge, Yun Yin dipped a toe into the water to test the temperature. Once she adjusted, she slowly descended the small stone steps into the spring.

As she lowered herself into the water, the spring surged around her, opening her pores completely. Every trace of fatigue vanished in that moment.

Pei Yu sat not far from her, leaning back against the spring wall. His dark bangs were swept back, revealing sharp eyebrows, piercing eyes, and a smooth jawline.

Yun Yin glanced up briefly and accidentally met his gaze.

“What are you looking at?” Pei Yu’s voice was low, muffled by the swirling mist.

Yun Yin felt inexplicably guilty. “Nothing.”

To hide her guilt, she averted her gaze.

The hot spring wall stretched upward, and a small table beside the pool held fresh seasonal fruits and drinks.

Yun Yin stole a glance at Pei Yu, who was feigning sleep with his eyes closed. She picked up a small bottle of wine and poured herself a glass. The bright red cherry wine swirled gently in the clear glass, its cloyingly sweet aroma masking the scent of alcohol.

This led her to believe it was cherry juice, not wine.

Seeing that Pei Yu remained comfortably soaking in the hot spring, his eyes still closed, Yun Yin confidently raised the glass to her lips and took a sip.

So sweet.

By the time Pei Yu opened his eyes, Yun Yin had drunk quite a bit, leaving only half a glass in her hand.

“What are you drinking?” Pei Yu asked, his gaze fixed on the crimson liquid in the glass. Something felt off.

“Cherry juice,” Yun Yin replied, sounding a little dizzy—perhaps from the heat.

She still hadn’t realized it wasn’t cherry juice, but cherry wine.

Pei Yu lowered his eyes to look at her, a hint of helplessness flickering in his gaze. After a few seconds, he snatched the glass from her hand. “You’re drunk.”

Drunk people never admit they’re drunk, and Yun Yin was no exception. She shook her head, staring at the glass in Pei Yu’s hand with certainty. “It’s cherry juice. It can’t make you drunk.”

As she spoke, Yun Yin reached for the cup, but Pei Yu lifted it out of her reach.

Startled, Yun Yin paused before reaching for his shoulder. Her body suddenly went limp, and she collapsed into his arms.

“I’m not drunk,” she mumbled.

Afraid she would fall, Pei Yu wrapped his arms around her.

Their faces were inches apart, and Pei Yu could clearly see every expression on her face.

His gaze lingered on her lips, glistening with cherry wine. His Adam’s apple bobbed involuntarily, a sudden thirst rising in his throat. He tilted his head back and drained the remaining cherry juice in one gulp.

Then, he dangled the empty cup in front of Yun Yin. “It’s gone.”

Yun Yin stared at the transparent cup and let out a soft “Ah.” Her delicate brows furrowed as she repeated his words, “Gone?” Her expression was crestfallen.

“Yes,” Pei Yu nodded. “All gone.”

Yun Yin’s eyelashes fluttered. Her hazy peach blossom eyes remained fixed on the cup.

Drunk, her mind seemed sluggish. It took her a moment to process his words before she finally murmured, “Okay.”

They continued to gaze at each other, Yun Yin’s long hair cascading over Pei Yu’s shoulders with her movements.

“Pei Yu,” Yun Yin said suddenly.

“Hmm.”

As they spoke, their breaths mingled.

Pei Yu caught the scent of cherry wine, and his gaze deepened.

Yun Yin, lost in thought, pursed her lips and grumbled, “You always tease me.”

“When have I ever teased you?” Pei Yu asked, his thin lips curving slightly. His grip tightened unconsciously, drawing her closer.

Yun Yin frowned, as if searching for the right words. Pei Yu waited patiently, not pressing her.

“You pinched my waist,” she mumbled. “It hurt.”

Pei Yu instinctively loosened his hold slightly, but still kept her firmly in his arms.

He sighed inwardly.

So delicate.