Zisu had the ice water ready, but Ning Chen took no notice of her at all. He only kept his head down and worked.

Zisu could do nothing but cover her ears and wait outside.

First, she was worried about Ning Chen's condition.

Second, she was worried about Yudie.

And her worry was right. Four hours later, Yudie began calling for help.

"Sister Zisu, help... come in and help me, quickly. I can't hold out..."

Zisu was struck perfectly dumb.

How was she supposed to help with this? Should she put a needle in and cripple him and have done with it?

"Sister Zisu, help..."

Zisu touched her scalding cheeks, not knowing what to do with her hands or her feet.

In the end she set her teeth and went in.

The next day, early morning.

Ning Chen opened his eyes. He remembered everything about the night before.

He turned his head to look. Yudie was not awake yet and sleeping heavily... Last night had been hard on her, and on Zisu too, of course.

Zisu had not been man and wife in fact with him, but her mouth was probably swollen and her hand had certainly cramped.

Ning Chen got up quietly.

After all that madness in the night he did not feel the least bit tired. He felt full of energy instead.

Zisu was wrapped in Ning Chen's cloak, sound asleep on the couch outside.

Ning Chen's footsteps must have woken her. She opened her eyes.

Seeing Ning Chen, her fair, delicate cheeks flushed crimson at once.

Seeing Ning Chen a hundred times more alive, with the spring of it all over him, made her angry... She and Yudie were half dead with tiredness.

Ning Chen looked at her, the corner of his mouth lifting. "Thank you. It was hard work."

Zisu's pretty face went so red it was nearly dripping blood.

She glared at Ning Chen. "How do you feel now?"

Ning Chen felt a pang for her and poured her a cup of water. Zisu's voice had gone hoarse.

"I feel very well. Full of energy,…