Chapter 54: don’t come in!
As the dream began to fade, the warmth stayed with her, lingering even as the edges of consciousness began to blur. Hua Jing’s lips curved into a faint smile, and her breathing remained steady and calm.
Even in the waking world, the remnants of the dream lingered. Her body instinctively pressed closer to the real warmth beside her, her fingers curling slightly as if holding onto something precious.
Zhao Yan, still wide awake and acutely aware of her every movement, glanced down at her sleeping form. A soft sigh escaped his lips, and he rested his head back against the pillow, his own thoughts swirling in the silence of the room.
...
he sun was high in the sky, its rays shimmering across the vast expanse of snow. Despite the icy cold that gripped the landscape, the sunlight gave the area a soft, ethereal glow. The snow sparkled like countless tiny diamonds, blanketing every inch of the ground and adding a serene beauty to the world. Birds chirped from the few trees that dotted the area, their melodies breaking the silence of the early morning.
In the shelter, some of the maids had already woken up, quietly bustling about to prepare for the day. Xia Lin, her leg feeling much better after being tended to, was up earlier than usual. Though she still walked with a slight limp, she insisted on being the one to care for Hua Jing. After all, Hua Jing had always been particular about who attended to her needs, and Xia Lin had been her closest confidante for as long as she could remember.
"Bring the water here," Xia Lin instructed a few maids, leading them toward the chamber where Hua Jing and Zhao Yan were staying. Despite the events of the previous night, Xia Lin wore a determined expression. She couldn’t bear the thought of anyone else caring for Hua Jing, especially not after everything they had been through.
Reaching the chamber, Xia Lin pushed the door open without much thought, her voice bright as she called out, "Young lady, I’ve brought water for you to—"
Her words died mid-sentence as her eyes landed on the scene before her.