After the "torture," Ye Shikai collapsed on the bed. The medication was even more bitter than he imagined, and Zi Yun, that little girl, was laughing heartlessly.
"Alright, brother, this painkiller should make you feel a bit better," Zi Yun said with a smile.
"I hope so," Ye Shikai said, his face lined with frustration. If the medication was useless, he swore he would make Zi Yun taste this painkiller as well, but if it truly worked, it could be considered a good medicine. Compared to the severe pain that could knock him unconscious, what was a bitter taste in his mouth?
"What exactly is wrong with my body?" Ye Shikai muttered to himself, puzzled. He had never experienced anything before. Could it be a lingering ailment from the severe injury he suffered last time? But why would the severe pain occur daily? And even if it was an internal injury, Zi Yun should have been able to detect it, so why was it now?
Ye Shikai felt even more regret that his honeymoon trip had been interrupted by such an incident. Seeing Su Qingyu’s attitude, without understanding the root of his illness, she had no interest in continuing their fun. This made Ye Shikai blame himself even more; they could have enjoyed themselves thoroughly, yet it was delayed because of him.
What depressed Ye Shikai even more was the complete absence of any news from Assassin. It seemed as if Assassin had vanished completely—no matter how much he called, there was no response.
"How are you feeling, any better?" At night, Su Qingyu walked into the hospital room to visit Ye Shikai.
"It’s not too bad. After taking Zi Yun’s painkiller, it seems to be somewhat effective," Ye Shikai sighed. In fact, just a while ago, the severe pain had hit him again. Perhaps it was psychological, but Ye Shikai did feel slightly less pain. However, what worried him was that the duration of the pain seemed to be increasing, and the affected areas were creeping upward. Initially, the pain was where the assassin had injured him, but now it had moved to a higher position in his abdomen.
"Qingyu, I think I’m feeling a bit better lately. The honeymoon isn’t over yet; let’s continue it."
"No, we are pausing the honeymoon until your illness is cured. We can always make up for it later," Su Qingyu decisively refused.
"Your current condition really worries me," Su Qingyu said faintly. "You don’t need to worry about me. As long as you are here, every day is like a honeymoon." As she finished speaking, Ye Shikai felt a warmth in his heart, pleasantly surprised that Su Qingyu could also speak such sweet words. Ye Shikai felt comforted.
Without realizing it, a month had passed. Every day, Ye Shikai suffered from "severe pain," which was very punctual, occurring almost every night. Gradually, it seemed he had started to adapt. According to their previous arrangement, they should also be heading back to Yanjing now.
"My lord, maybe I should return to Yanjing too. There’s not much going on here, but in Yanjing..."
"No need, Nightmare. With Ghost not around during this period, the headquarters still needs you to hold the fort," Ye Shikai shook his head and said lightly, "Zeus has been silent, and I don’t believe he’ll just let things be. Moreover, according to Ghost’s report, the newly risen Fire God, the newly risen Sun God, are all moving closer to Zeus. I suspect trouble is brewing here soon."
"If that’s the case, I’ll stay."
Ye Shikai turned his head and glanced at Su Qingyu. They had come to Europe, and all he had managed to do was accompany her to the amusement park. It was a pity.
"The luggage is ready; let’s go," Su Qingyu said, pushing a suitcase and wearing a sun hat as she strode over.
"Alright, be careful here," Ye Shikai cautioned before their departure.
"How’s your health?" On the way to the airport, Su Qingyu continued to check on Ye Shikai. Since the last time he passed out from the pain, Su Qingyu had been extremely cautious, keeping an eye on him every night and not letting Ye Shikai out of her sight.
"It’s alright," Ye Shikai replied with a faint smile. Over the past month, he had always carried a marker with him. Each time the severe pain struck, he endured the pain and marked the spot with the marker. Over these ten or so days, he was amazed to find that these marks vaguely formed a line, and if it continued upwards, it would reach the position of his heart.
If something went wrong with his heart, even gods wouldn’t be able to save him.
"Let’s just stay at home once we get back to Yanjing," Su Qingyu said with concern. However, such words were hard for any man to hear. Generally, it’s men who work outside while women handle the home affairs. Men who stayed at home were often perceived as living off their wives. Though Ye Shikai’s pride wasn’t that strong, he still had it. He appreciated Su Qingyu’s good intentions, but he was still bothered by the idea of always staying at home, as it could lead to idle gossip.
"Don’t worry about me."
"By the way, do you know about Miss Ji’s background? I remember there are four big families in Yanjing, and the Ji Family is one of them. Miss Ji wouldn’t be..."
"She is the Lady Ji, the sister of Ji Yu," Ye Shikai said straightforwardly.
"What? She is Lady Ji." Su Qingyu was shocked by this revelation. The Ji Family’s power was unshakable. In Yanjing, the four big families had branches everywhere, like large trees with roots deeply embedded in the ground, complex and intricate. And just being Lady Ji already represented power and wealth.
"What’s wrong?" Ye Shikai turned his head and noticed that Su Qingyu looked somewhat upset.
"Miss Ji is so powerful, no wonder..." Su Qingyu muttered, her face showing reluctance and displeasure. Ye Shikai finally understood—Su Qingyu was shocked by Ji Qian’s background.
"But it seems she doesn’t like the Ji Family. Besides, unless it’s an emergency, she never goes back," Ye Shikai continued.
"I don’t know. She never talks about it, and whenever I ask her, she gets angry. Over time, I just stopped asking," Ye Shikai said with a helpless gesture. This reason, Ji Yu never discussed with him either.
"Despite being so close to her before, you never asked?"
"Qingyu, it’s because I was close to her that I couldn’t bring myself to ask. Besides, it’s her privacy, and I respect that," Ye Shikai continued. Even between spouses, there should be some privacy. Ye Shikai was never one to gossip or pry, so if Ji Qian didn’t want to discuss it, he wouldn’t ask.
"That is indeed strange," Su Qingyu said, puzzled. "There shouldn’t have been any major incidents within the Ji Family. I only heard that Lady Ji left the family, and then I didn’t know what happened next."