Chapter 9: Soft and Tender

None of her business?

She wished it weren’t.

Once she’d earned enough life points, she’d definitely stay far away from that Pei Yan bastard.

Song Huan, despite her gentle appearance, had a temper of her own—especially when matters of life and death were at stake.

Given Pei Yan’s reckless disregard for his own life, wouldn’t she have to constantly worry about him courting death in the future?

Song Huan’s composure was fraying, but the vast disparity in their martial prowess forced her to suppress her inner rage. “Where are the bandages and hemostatic supplies?”

Few women confined to their chambers would know how to stop bleeding and apply bandages. Pei Yan set down his chopsticks, his dark gaze pressing down on Song Huan. “In just a few days apart, your skills have improved considerably.”

Song Huan froze, torn between anger and amusement at Pei Yan’s audacity.

She glanced at the [Affection +8] flashing above his head and mustered her courage. “I’m truly ashamed. Your wound is bleeding, yet you say nothing, still managing to tease me, make me taste dishes, and cause me trouble… When it comes to skill, I’m no match for your prowess.”

“Song Huan!” Pei Yan’s brows furrowed sharply, his face darkening with each word. Yet his fury twisted into a sinister smile, his eyes narrowing. “Who gave you the audacity to meddle in this Marquis’s affairs? Just because I spared your life today doesn’t mean you’re my wife. You’re not worthy.”

“Song Huan, remember your place and the promise you made to this Marquis.”

“The rest is none of your concern.”

Song Huan: “……” How infuriating!

How could this bastard insist on seeing her as some scheming vixen when she was such a pure and innocent soul?

Just because he’s a conniving dog doesn’t mean everyone else is as dark-hearted as him!

Yes, the original owner had lied to Pei Yan to escape the Song Family. She had promised to commit suicide by poison on the day of their wedding. After her death, Pei Yan would use it as an excuse to strike back, fulfilling her wish to kill Song Chenghai and her Second Madam.

But the original owner never truly wanted to die, she simply wanted to escape the Song Family.

Pei Yan was the only lifeline she could see. Having spotted it, she naturally clung to it with all her might.

Could Pei Yan really have been blind to her intentions? Song Huan didn’t believe it.

He probably not only saw through her scheme but even used it against her.

The original owner hadn’t kept her promise to take poison, but the black-clad assassins who suddenly appeared at Marquis Pei’s Residence that night had nearly taken her life anyway.

Song Huan firmly believed that even if Pei Yan’s claim outside Mingsong Hall—that he had already killed “Song Chenghai and the Song Family’s Second Madam”—were true, the original owner no longer owed him anything.

She was indeed dead, though Song Huan still didn’t know the exact cause of her death.

However, Song Huan couldn’t possibly reveal all the reasons behind this matter to Pei Yan at this moment.

Besides, she was too lazy to argue with him further. Even if she came up with an explanation, Pei Yan’s suspicious nature would likely prevent him from believing it.

Song Huan simply grabbed Pei Yan’s right hand and dragged him into the bedroom.

Pei Yan never expected Song Huan to be so bold. Caught off guard, the sudden pull aggravated his wounds, causing him to groan softly. In his momentary daze, Song Huan actually managed to drag him into the bedroom.

The scrutiny in Pei Yan’s eyes deepened, his gaze flickering between light and shadow. This woman… what kind of person is she, really?

Since she had married him, he found himself understanding her less and less.

“Take off your clothes first,” Song Huan said, releasing Pei Yan and turning to rummage through the bedroom for a medicine chest. Someone like Pei Yan, who fought on battlefields, should have things like hemostatic wound medicine, iodine, and gauze readily available.

After searching near the bed, Song Huan found a small wooden box hidden beneath it.

This must be the medicine chest.

As she reached for the box, her hand barely touching its edge, someone suddenly yanked her up by the back of her collar. “Hey—!”

The sudden force vanished, and Song Huan stumbled to the ground.

“The medicine chest is on the table beneath the window, the second box from the right,” Pei Yan said, deliberately testing Song Huan by giving her clear instructions.

Standing with his back to the light, Song Huan wecouldn’t see his expression, but she felt both annoyed and amused. Is this guy just a childish brat? Always saying one thing and meaning another.

One moment he’s saying no, the next his mind has completely changed.

It seems a man’s heart is as elusive as a needle at the bottom of the sea.

Song Huan stood up, deciding not to argue, and walked over to the table to retrieve the medicine chest.

Pei Yan stood by the bed with his hands clasped behind his back. As Song Huan approached, she noticed his lips were unusually pale.

“Why haven’t you taken off your clothes yet? Hurry up and get them off.”

Or does your arm still hurt too much to undress?

Hearing her casual and practiced tone, Pei Yan’s suspicion deepened. “You do it,” he said.

Song Huan hadn’t intended to let her mind wander into romantic territory, but Pei Yan’s deep, resonant voice suddenly charged the atmosphere with an undeniable tension.

She placed the medicine chest on the bed, her gaze involuntarily drifting to Pei Yan’s jawline. How can a man’s jawline be so perfect?

Her eyes slowly traced the line down to his Adam’s apple, his fair neck, and those alluring, irresistible collarbones…

Song Huan abruptly lowered her head.

No, I can’t look anymore…

If I keep looking, I’ll be tempted to complete the mission!

“Besides your left arm, are you injured anywhere else?” Song Huan circled behind Pei Yan, touched her slightly flushed cheeks, and then reached out to help him remove his outer robe.

“No,” Pei Yan replied, his back still turned to her.

Song Huan felt a wave of relief. “That’s good.”

Pei Yan paused, that inexplicable emotion surging through his chest once more.

Years of warfare had honed Pei Yan’s instincts to a razor’s edge. His intuition told him that if Song Huan survived, she would undoubtedly become a major problem in the future.

And he loathed problems.

Pei Yan had always believed that the best way to deal with a problem was to eliminate it completely before it could take root.

A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

Song Huan had just removed her outer robe and her hand was reaching for Pei Yan’s waist sash when the System’s notification suddenly blared in her mind:

[Your favorability rating has changed.]

[Favorability rating: 0.]

[Your favorability rating has changed.]

[Favorability rating: -3.]

[Your favorability rating has changed.]

[Favorability rating: -10.]

[Your…]

Song Huan’s face paled instantly, all her romantic thoughts vanishing like smoke. Furious, she slammed the System shut!

What had she done wrong?!

She had been trying to bandage his wounds out of kindness, and this bastard was already plotting to kill her?!

Fuck you.

With a cold expression, Song Huan withdrew her hands from Pei Yan’s waist sash.

Pei Yan turned, noticing her sudden retreat. “What’s wrong?” he asked, genuinely puzzled.

You have the nerve to ask what’s wrong?!

Song Huan felt like this bastard would drive her to an early grave.

How many times had this happened in just two hours?

Twice she had been dragged through life and death. Now, for the third time, Pei Yan was harboring murderous intent toward her.

Song Huan was utterly exhausted.

She even considered: What’s the difference between escaping dinosaurs and escaping zombies? If I’m going to die anyway, I’ll definitely avoid trying to win over Pei Yan next time.

Why bother dealing with people? Humans are the most complicated and incomprehensible creatures in the world. Dinosaurs and zombies are so much simpler and straightforward…

Yet, the moment Pei Yan turned around, Song Huan’s anger vanished like smoke at the sight of his face.

When it came to looks, dinosaurs and zombies couldn’t even compete.

“What are you thinking about?” Pei Yan asked.

Thinking about how handsome you are, Song Huan teased him inwardly, feeling a bit cowardly.

Her watery eyes, however, drifted down to Pei Yan’s waist and abdomen. Lowering her lashes, she said softly and shyly, “I’m not very good at untying your waist sash.”

Pei Yan’s heart softened further, as if soaking in a pool of spring water.

This isn’t like me, he thought, clenching his fists warily.

The wound on his left arm tore open wider, and the slow drip of blood suddenly quickened.

Song Huan’s eyes sharpened. Forgetting her earlier teasing, her expression turned serious in an instant. “Relax your hand. Don’t strain it.”

As she spoke, she leaned closer to Pei Yan and began untying his waist sash, seemingly forgetting her earlier claim of not knowing how.

A dark glint flickered in Pei Yan’s eyes.

Is this woman too clever or too foolish?

“Lift your arm slightly. The wound has been delayed too long, and the blood has stuck to your clothes. It might hurt a bit.”

Song Huan swiftly stripped Pei Yan down to his inner robe, which clung tightly to his skin. The blood around the wound had congealed, binding the robe to the wound itself.

Pei Yan said in a muffled voice, “It’s fine. Just take it off.”

Song Huan’s hand, which had been gently prying open his collar, paused. She glanced at Pei Yan, whose forehead was beaded with sweat and lips pressed into a thin line, and said helplessly, “I meant, if it hurts, just shout. Don’t hold it in.”

Pei Yan: “…This Marquis feels no pain.”