As Shen Xi followed Qin Si Ye to the second floor, she couldn't help but glance at the room where she had once lived. It held her despair, sorrow, gratitude, and even moments of joy. Though she had only stayed there for a few weeks, the memories were etched in her mind.
"What's wrong?" Qin Si Ye noticed her unusual behavior and followed her gaze.
"Nothing," Shen Xi immediately withdrew her gaze. "Let's go."
But Qin Si Ye took her hand and walked towards that room, gently pushing open the door. "Everything inside here, no one has touched it. It's exactly as it was when you left."
Standing at the doorway, Shen Xi's body stiffened slightly. She looked around the room, her thoughts drifting once again. In every corner of this room, she seemed to see her own reflection.
Half a minute later, she withdrew her gaze and turned, "Let's go quickly."
Qin Si Ye closed the door and followed her pace. "Are you in such a hurry to get to my bedroom?"
Pausing, Shen Xi turned her head and asked, "We could also use the room we just passed. There should be hot water and towels there too, right?"
"No. Let's go to my bedroom," Qin Si Ye's eyes darkened slightly, and he pulled her hand as they headed to the third floor.
Qin Si Ye's bedroom was located at the easternmost end of the third floor. It was about sixty to seventy square meters, likely the largest room in the villa. The interior space was vast, and both its functions and furnishings were top-of-the-line. The overall decor of the room was dominated by shades of gray, white, and blue, giving it a clean and elegant feel. Although Shen Xi had lived there for a period five years ago, she had never been to the third floor.
"Come in quickly, why are you standing there?" Qin Si Ye pulled her hand and walked towards the sofa. "I'll go get some hot water."
"Wait. You sit down, I'll go," Shen Xi suddenly stopped him and walked towards the washroom. Warm compresses required water at around 40 degrees Celsius, and Shen Xi felt it would be safer to fetch the water herself.
A few minutes later, she emerged with a new towel and a basin of warm water. "Close your eyes and lie down on the sofa."
"Okay." Qin Si Ye smiled faintly and obediently did as she asked. As the warm towel was placed on his stinging eyes, Qin Si Ye sighed, "This feels so good. Xi Xi, if you had treated me like this sooner, perhaps my eyes would have healed already."
Shen Xi glared at him slightly. "This might just be your punishment."
The man's body shifted slightly, and he opened one eye. "Xi Xi, what do you mean? Did you intentionally neglect me, wanting me to suffer like this?"
Shen Xi chuckled secretly. "You didn't seem that badly injured that day. Who knew it would have such after-effects? I mean to say, what goes around comes around. Heaven helps punish those who do wrong."
"Xi Xi, are you still angry?" Qin Si Ye grabbed her hand. "I've already received this punishment. Aren't you satisfied yet?"
"Don't move, close your eyes quickly. Otherwise, it might take longer for your eyes to heal," Shen Xi's tone suddenly became serious. Hearing this, Qin Si Ye immediately released his hand, closed his eyes, and stopped fidgeting.
"From now on, don't speak. Rest for a while, and open your eyes after twenty minutes." Seeing this, Shen Xi's lips curved upwards, and her voice became softer.
"Okay." Before long, Qin Si Ye actually fell asleep. He had been sleeping poorly these past few nights, troubled by both company and personal matters. It was only at this moment that he felt his heart truly settled.
About half an hour later, he slowly opened his eyes and found that Shen Xi was no longer in the room. "Xi Xi," he suddenly sat up from the sofa and called out.
Shen Xi quickly ran out from the washroom. "What is it?"
"Nothing... nothing," Qin Si Ye smiled sheepishly, then immediately walked over and pulled her into his embrace. "I thought you had left."
Shen Xi gently pushed him away. "I've already packed everything. I was just about to leave."
A sense of loss inexplicably arose in Qin Si Ye's heart. His gaze deepened, and he picked up her small hand, bringing it to his lips. "My eyes have improved quite a bit, but my lips were bitten by you. You have to be responsible for me."