Ning Hongzhuang slept, unsure how long she had been asleep, but she slept soundly.
This was the best sleep she had had all week, free from fear or unease, only relaxation.
When Ning Hongzhuang woke, she found sunlight streaming through the window onto the bed, onto her face.
This time, there was no burning pain on her face, her skin wasn't rotting. She only felt the warmth of the sun, more than ever before.
Looking at her hands and arms, which had been rotting due to the sun's exposure, Ning Hongzhuang found they had recovered. No, they were even whiter and more delicate than before recovery.
"Am I dreaming?"
Ever since she contracted this "strange illness," Ning Hongzhuang had been constantly fearful and uneasy. Now, seeing herself healed, she found it hard to believe it was real, muttering to herself.
"Yo, Miss Ning, awake?"
As Ning Hongzhuang finished speaking, Shen Lang, who was sitting by the bedside, smiled and said.
"Shen Lang, you cured me?"
Ning Hongzhuang finally remembered hearing Shen Lang's voice before she fainted. Seeing Shen Lang's smiling face again, she was overjoyed and said.
"It's no big deal, no need to mention it."
Shen Lang held a bowl of medicine in his hand, blew on it, and then handed it to Ning Hongzhuang. "You haven't been out of your room for a week and kept the air conditioning on. Drink this medicine to dispel the cold from your body."
"Thank you—"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Ning Hongzhuang took the bowl.
However, as she took the bowl, Ning Hongzhuang realized that her pink sleep dress had been changed into a black one. She was startled. "Shen Lang, did you change my clothes?"
"Of course not. Men and women should not touch. How could I change your clothes? Your family's nanny, Sun Ma, changed them for you."
Shen Lang smiled reassuringly at Ning Hongzhuang.
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Ning Hongzhuang breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Shen Lang's next words made Ning Hongzhuang's eyes widen.
"Although Sun Ma changed your clothes, I was present and watched when she did..."
Shen Lang said playfully.
"You..."
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Ning Hongzhuang's face turned crimson.
"Alright, don't be shy. When I was treating you just now, you were already completely exposed to me. What's there to be shy about?"
Shen Lang stood up and said, "Drink your medicine and take a bath. You haven't left your room for a week, and you smell quite strongly."
"In movies, they say 'smell the fragrance to know the beauty.' Don't let it be 'smell the stench' when it comes to you. Go."
After speaking, Shen Lang turned and walked out of the room.
"This guy... he's such a straight man."
Looking at Shen Lang's retreating back, Ning Hongzhuang gritted her teeth in anger.
However, Ning Hongzhuang sniffed herself and found there was indeed a smell. So she found a set of clean clothes and headed towards the bathroom.
While Ning Hongzhuang was washing up, Shen Lang went to the living room, where Lin Danqing had already brewed tea and was waiting.
"Mr. Shen, I am immensely grateful for your great kindness today. Please do not hesitate to ask if you ever need my help. I will do my utmost."
After Shen Lang sat down, Lin Danqing respectfully offered him a cup of hot tea.
"Elder Lin, there's no need for such politeness. It was just a small effort."
Shen Lang took the hot tea with both hands, blew on the steam, and took a sip.
"Haha, Mr. Shen, at such a young age, not only is your martial arts cultivation profound, but your medical skills are also unfathomable. Your future is boundless. It is the honor of my life to know such a prodigy as Mr. Shen."
Lin Danqing looked at Shen Lang, becoming more amazed the more he looked. With such achievements and disposition at this age, how far would Shen Lang grow in the future?
Suddenly, a bold idea flashed in Lin Danqing's mind.
"Elder Lin flatters me."
Facing Lin Danqing's praise, Shen Lang waved his hand and chuckled, "It's not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning at all."
Shen Lang and Lin Danqing drank tea for an hour, discussing topics across various fields. Lin Danqing found that Shen Lang had his own unique insights into every area, and he was constantly amazed.
An hour later, Ning Hongzhuang also finished her ablutions and emerged from the bathroom.
Ning Hongzhuang wore short shorts that reached mid-thigh, paired with a white shirt. Her long black hair cascaded over her shoulders and down to her waist, looking both intelligent and alluring.
"What, do I look good?"
Seeing Shen Lang staring, Ning Hongzhuang said with a hint of pride.
Shen Lang said with interest, "It's okay. You're a bit less beautiful than my sister Gu Qinghan, but still pretty."
"Hmph—"
Shen Lang's words made Ning Hongzhuang snort. She then left the room and reappeared in a black long dress, her hair styled up.
No woman wants to be outdone, and Ning Hongzhuang was no exception. She had seen Gu Qinghan before, and she wasn't any better.
She didn't know what Shen Lang's taste was to say she was slightly less beautiful than Gu Qinghan. So, she not only changed into a beautiful dress but also put on light makeup.
However, just as Ning Hongzhuang was about to find Shen Lang to further display her charm, she discovered that Shen Lang was no longer in the living room.
"Uncle, where did Shen Lang go?"
Only Lin Danqing was left in the living room, drinking tea. Ning Hongzhuang asked with curiosity.
"Mr. Shen? He's left."
Lin Danqing smiled slightly and said.
"He left in such a hurry?"
Ning Hongzhuang looked surprised. Then she thought of Wang Yuyan by Shen Lang's side and secretly thought, "Could this guy be going to find Wang Yuyan?"
"Hongzhuang, Mr. Shen is a very good man, impeccable in my eyes at least. If you like him, I encourage you to pursue him."
Looking at his only niece, Lin Danqing said earnestly.
"Don't worry, I will."
Ning Hongzhuang said with a smile, "He is the chosen one by Master Mingyue, how could I miss him."
Shen Lang was unaware of who Master Mingyue was or what Ning Hongzhuang meant by her words. At the same time, Shen Lang had returned to his villa.
However, upon arriving home, Shen Lang found that Gu Qinghan and Ye Shishi had not yet returned. He leaned on the sofa, watching television, intending to take a short nap.
Just then, Shen Lang's WeChat notification pinged.
The sender was none other than Shen Lang's "old friend" whom he had never met, the mysterious "Bing."
Bing's message was as usual, simple and direct, containing only one sentence: "My friend has arrived in Nanling," followed by a phone number sent to Shen Lang.
Shen Lang wanted to ask "Bing" who this friend was, but he withdrew the message after sending it because he knew it would be in vain. He would receive no response.