The frail counselor you said, you fight against three heroes alone?

The peaceful house was as quiet as a grave.

The air seemed to solidify into a block, making it hard to breathe.

Only the occasional faint sound of breathing proved that this was not a dead place.

Xiaohong curled up in the quilt, wrapping herself like a silkworm cocoon.

The soft quilt pressed against her hot skin, but it could not dispel her inner restlessness and anxiety.

Luo Xiaoyu's words were like sharp thorns, piercing her heart and making her unable to calm down.

She closed her eyes tightly, trying to drive those annoying words out of her mind, but to no avail.

Those words seemed to have taken root, lingering in her mind and making her feel confused.

Outside the door, Luo Xiaoyu stood like a sculpture.

She pressed tightly against the door, as if she wanted to feel Xiaohong's emotions at the moment through this thin wooden board.

Her heart was like a swing hanging in the air, swinging sometimes to worry, sometimes to self-blame.

She regretted her impulsiveness just now and wished she could turn back time and take back those hurtful words.

She pricked up her ears and listened carefully to the movements coming from inside the house, afraid of missing any movement.

"Hey, what are you doing, Xiaoyu, in the middle of the day? Why are you standing next to Xiaohong's door?" A slightly old but kind voice broke the frozen silence.

Luo Xiaoyu was startled and turned around quickly like a guilty thief. What came into her eyes was Granny Lin's face full of traces of time.

Granny Lin was hunched over, holding a basket of fresh vegetables just picked from the fields, and looking at her with a smile.

Luo Xiaoyu was a little at a loss, her cheeks slightly flushed, and she stammered, "No...nothing, I just..." She racked her brains but couldn't think of a suitable reason.

Inside the house, Xiaohong heard Grandma Lin's voice and sat up suddenly.

She opened her eyes wide, her heart filled with tension and anxiety.

She hurriedly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and pricked up her ears, trying to hear what was happening outside.

Her heart was beating like a frightened deer, and she was afraid that Granny Lin would discover her miserable state.

Luo Xiaoyu didn't know how to answer, and Granny Lin seemed to have noticed something.

She put down the basket in her hand and slowly walked towards Luo Xiaoyu with a concerned smile on her face.

At this moment, there was a creaky sound and the door was pushed open.

Granny Lin pushed the door open and a fresh scent of food wafted into the house.

She looked at Xiaohong with a smile and said kindly, "Xiaohong, what are you doing in the house? Come out and get some sun, it's good for your health." When Xiaohong saw Granny Lin, a trace of embarrassment flashed across her face. She hurriedly tidied up her messy hair and forced a smile, "Granny Lin, I'm fine, just a little tired."

Luo Xiaoyu followed behind Grandma Lin and cautiously poked her head in, with a hint of apology and uneasiness in her eyes.

She secretly glanced at Xiaohong and was slightly relieved when she saw that she did not show any obvious hostility.

Granny Lin looked around the room and saw the slightly messy bed. She mistakenly thought that the two had just quarreled over some small item, so she smiled and joked, "You two girls, are you quarreling over some small item again? It's not a big deal. Is it worth getting upset about it?"

"No!" Xiaohong and Luo Xiaoyu denied it in unison, their tones were surprisingly consistent.

Granny Lin looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression on her face. She put the basket in her hand on the table, walked to Xiaohong's bed and sat down, and asked with concern: "Are you really okay? Xiaohong, you don't look well, are you feeling unwell?"

Xiaohong shook her head, her eyes slightly reddened, "Granny Lin, I..." She hesitated to speak, with mixed feelings in her heart.

Seeing this, Luo Xiaoyu also walked to the bedside silently, gently pulled the corner of Xiaohong's clothes, and whispered: "Xiaohong, I'm sorry, I..."

Xiaohong took a deep breath and finally mustered up the courage. She said with a sob: "Granny Lin, actually..." She paused, her eyes fell on Luo Xiaoyu, "Actually, I..." Xiaohong choked up, and tears as big as beans slid down her cheeks and dripped onto the quilt, leaving dark marks.

"Granny Lin, Luo Xiaoyu...she always says that I'm spoiled, that I'm troublesome, and that I..." Xiaohong's voice became smaller and smaller, and finally turned into almost silent sobs.

She bit her lower lip tightly, trying to control her emotions, but she couldn't stop the tears from pouring out.

She felt like a child abandoned by the whole world, lonely, helpless and extremely aggrieved.

Luo Xiaoyu stood aside, listening to Xiaohong's intermittent crying, and her eyes gradually turned red.

She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her flesh, but she felt no pain at all.

She regretted her previous outspokenness and regretted her misunderstanding and hurt to Xiaohong.

How she wanted to rush up and hug Xiaohong, telling her that she didn't really hate her, but she didn't dare.

She was afraid that Xiaohong would reject her hug and would hate her even more.

Granny Lin looked at the scene and sighed deeply.

She reached out and gently stroked Xiaohong's hair, her tone gentle and loving, "Child, don't cry, tell your mother-in-law if you have any grievances."

Luo Xiaoyu took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to explain, "Xiaohong, I'm not..."

"You don't have to say anything!" Xiao Hong raised her head suddenly and interrupted Luo Xiaoyu's words. Her eyes were red and she was a little angry. "I know you hate me. You don't have to pretend to be a good person!"

Luo Xiaoyu stamped her feet anxiously, "I didn't! Let me explain..."

"Okay, okay, stop talking!" Granny Lin raised her voice to stop the quarrel that was about to break out. "If you have anything to say, just talk it over. Don't quarrel all the time." She turned to look at Luo Xiaoyu. "Xiaoyu, go out for a while. I want to talk to Xiaohong alone."

Although Luo Xiaoyu was unwilling, she still obediently retreated and gently closed the door.

She leaned against the door, waiting anxiously, feeling uneasy.

Inside the house, Granny Lin held Xiaohong's hand and comforted her in a soft voice.

After a while, Granny Lin opened the door and came out, waving at Luo Xiaoyu, "Xiaoyu, come in."

Luo Xiaoyu walked into the room nervously and saw that Xiaohong had stopped crying, but her face was still pale.

She hesitated for a moment, walked to Xiaohong, slowly stretched out her hand, and gently held Xiaohong's hand, "Xiaohong..."

Luo Xiaoyu's hands were warm and dry, tightly wrapping Xiaohong's cold little hands.

Xiaohong felt a warm current flowing slowly from her fingertips into her heart, dispelling some of the coldness in her heart.

She instinctively wanted to break free, but she didn't use much force, just struggled slightly.

Luo Xiaoyu felt Xiaohong's resistance, but did not let go. Instead, she held her hand even tighter. Granny Lin looked at this scene and smiled with relief. The wrinkles on her face stretched out like a blooming chrysanthemum.

"Silly girl," Granny Lin looked at Xiaohong lovingly, her tone as gentle as a spring breeze blowing across her face, "Xiaoyu is a girl with a sharp tongue but a soft heart, don't take it to heart."

Xiaohong bit her lip, said nothing, and her eyes flickered.

Luo Xiaoyu's hand was still holding her hand tightly, as if conveying silent comfort and encouragement.

The house was quiet and silent, with only the occasional bird song outside the window breaking the tranquility.

Suddenly, Xiaohong shook off Luo Xiaoyu's hand and quickly pulled her hand back into the quilt as if she had been electrocuted.

Luo Xiaoyu's hand froze in mid-air, and the smile on her face froze instantly. The smile on Grandma Lin's face also disappeared, replaced by a look of deep worry. She frowned, her eyes fixed on Xiaohong.

"I... I'm tired and want to rest." Xiaohong's voice was as thin as a mosquito and almost inaudible.

She buried her head deeply in the quilt, not daring to look into the eyes of Grandma Lin and Luo Xiaoyu.

Luo Xiaoyu stood there in a daze, like a sculpture, motionless.

She didn't understand why Xiaohong suddenly became like this?

Everything was fine just now, why did you suddenly become hostile?
She felt as if her heart was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, making it difficult for her to breathe.

Granny Lin sighed deeply. She walked to the bedside and gently patted Xiaohong's quilt. "Xiaohong, you..."

"Don't touch me!" Xiao Hong suddenly threw back the quilt and sat up abruptly, her tone sharp and a little hysterical, "All of you go out and leave me alone!"

Luo Xiaoyu's face was pale and her lips trembled slightly. She wanted to say something but didn't know where to start.

Granny Lin frowned, looked at Xiaohong deeply, and said in a serious tone, "Xiaohong, you..."

Granny Lin frowned even more, her wrinkled face full of worry. She stared at Xiaohong, but Xiaohong turned her head away, stubbornly refusing to look at Luo Xiaoyu, as if Luo Xiaoyu was some kind of monster. Luo Xiaoyu stood aside, biting her lower lip, her eyes slightly red, and aggrieved emotions spread across her face.

"Xiaohong, why did you suddenly..." Grandma Lin sighed and reached out to touch Xiaohong's head, but Xiaohong dodged her hand.

"Mother-in-law, I want to be alone for a while. You and Miss Luo can go out first." Xiaohong's voice was muffled and choked with sobs.

Granny Lin shook her head helplessly. "My child, I'm afraid you are ill. I'll go get Doctor Zhang to check you out."

"No need, mother-in-law, I'm fine." Xiaohong refused without thinking. She just wanted to be alone and didn't want to face anyone, especially Luo Xiaoyu.

Luo Xiaoyu stood aside, nodding and shaking her head, hesitant to speak. She wanted to persuade Xiaohong to see a doctor, but didn't know how to start.

She knew Xiaohong was in a bad mood and didn't want to be disturbed, but she was worried that Xiaohong's condition would get worse.

"Xiaohong, listen to your mother-in-law and let Doctor Zhang take a look at you. You don't look well." Grandma Lin advised earnestly.

"Really, there's no need, mother-in-law." Xiaohong's voice was filled with a hint of impatience.

"This..." Granny Lin wanted to persuade her further but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Aunt Lin, are you home?" A steady male voice came from outside the door.

Granny Lin was stunned for a moment, then she realized, "It's Doctor Zhang! Why did this kid come uninvited..."

Granny Lin quickly opened the door, and a man in a blue shirt carrying a medicine box walked in. It was Doctor Zhang.

He is tall and thin, with a calm and wise look in his eyes.

Doctor Zhang came uninvited, which surprised Grandma Lin.

"Doctor Zhang, why are you here? Please come in, please come in!" Granny Lin greeted him warmly, and the worry on her face faded a lot.

Xiaohong and Luo Xiaoyu were both stunned. They didn't expect Doctor Zhang to appear suddenly.

Xiaohong felt even more panicked. She subconsciously wanted to hide, but was grabbed by Grandma Lin.

"Xiaohong, Doctor Zhang is here. It's just right for him to check on your illness."

Doctor Zhang put down the medicine box, walked up to Xiaohong and asked with concern: "Girl, Aunt Lin told me that you are not feeling well. Can I treat you?" His voice was gentle and magnetic, making people unconsciously let down their guard.

Xiaohong's originally tense nerves gradually relaxed. She nodded gently and let Doctor Zhang take her pulse.

Luo Xiaoyu stood aside, watching the scene quietly, with a gratified smile on her face.

She knew that Doctor Zhang's arrival would definitely make Xiaohong feel much better.

After checking the girl's pulse, Doctor Zhang paused for a moment and said, "The girl is fine. She is just a little upset, which has caused poor blood circulation. I will prescribe some medicine. If the girl takes it on time, she will recover soon."

Xiao Hong looked at Doctor Zhang gratefully and said softly, "Thank you, Doctor Zhang."

Doctor Zhang smiled and began to write a prescription.

Seeing this, Luo Xiaoyu hurried forward to help grind the herbs.

Granny Lin was busy boiling water and preparing medicine.

Xiaohong looked at the three busy people and felt a warm feeling in her heart.

She suddenly felt that her previous actions had been a bit excessive and she shouldn't have been so cold to Luo Xiaoyu.

"Miss Luo..." Xiaohong hesitated for a moment and finally spoke.

Luo Xiaoyu raised her head and looked at Xiaohong in confusion, "What's wrong?"

Xiao Hong took a deep breath, "Actually..."

"Actually... I was wrong about what happened before." Xiaohong's voice was very soft, but it was clearly heard by Luo Xiaoyu and Doctor Zhang.

She lowered her head, clasped her hands tightly together, and her heart was filled with confusion and anxiety.

A faint scent of jasmine emanated from her, which was the scent of the sachet she usually used.

When Luo Xiaoyu heard Xiaohong's words, she paused for a moment, then slowly lowered her head.

Her long eyelashes covered her eyes, making it impossible to see her expression.

She bit her lower lip, feeling filled with self-blame and guilt.

A faint scent of sandalwood wafted from her body, which was the scent of the incense she usually used.

Doctor Zhang listened quietly, with the pen in his hand suspended in mid-air.

His eyes were deep and calm, as if he could see through everything.

There was a faint herbal scent in the air, which was the smell coming from his medicine box.

"That day, I actually wanted to find you and tell you..." Luo Xiaoyu raised her head, eager to explain, but didn't know how to start.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. "That day, I saw that person sneaking towards your room. I was worried that you would be in danger, so I..."

Xiaohong's expression kept changing as she listened to Luo Xiaoyu's explanation.

From the initial suspicion and dissatisfaction, to the later surprise and confusion, it finally turned into an indescribable complex emotion.

Her heartbeat began to speed up and her breathing became rapid.

Doctor Zhang nodded at the right time and said affirmatively: "The girl's explanation is reasonable."

Luo Xiaoyu looked at Doctor Zhang gratefully, then turned to Xiaohong and said sincerely: "Xiaohong, I'm sorry, I should have explained it to you first, instead of..."

Xiaohong looked at Luo Xiaoyu's sincere eyes, and the doubts in her heart gradually dissipated.

She took a deep breath and tried to control her emotions. "Actually, I was also wrong. I shouldn't have..."

"Xiaohong," Luo Xiaoyu interrupted Xiaohong, "I know you are doing this for my own good."

The two looked at each other and smiled, saying nothing.

Doctor Zhang looked at the two people reconciling and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

He handed the written prescription to Granny Lin, "Aunt Lin, please keep this prescription. Take it three times a day after meals."

Granny Lin took the prescription and said gratefully, "Thank you, Doctor Zhang."

Doctor Zhang packed up his medicine box and prepared to leave.

"Doctor Zhang, please have dinner before you leave." Granny Lin warmly urged him to stay.

"No, Aunt Lin, I have other patients to see." Doctor Zhang declined Aunt Lin's kindness and turned away.

"Xiaohong," Luo Xiaoyu looked at Doctor Zhang's departing back and suddenly said, "I..."

The tense lines on Xiaohong's face finally softened, and a faint smile bloomed on her lips, like a rainbow after the rain, dispelling the previous haze.

"Xiao Yu, actually I have figured it out a long time ago. I was too sensitive and wrongly blamed you." Her eyes were slightly moist and she let out a breath as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. A faint scent of jasmine also wafted away.

Luo Xiaoyu was overjoyed to see Xiaohong finally let go. She hugged Xiaohong tightly and spoke incoherently with excitement, "That's great, Xiaohong, I knew you would understand! I... I'm so happy!" She hugged Xiaohong tightly, as if she was a treasure that had been lost and recovered. A faint scent of sandalwood emanated from Xiaohong, mixed with the scent of jasmine, and diffused in the air.

Granny Lin looked at the two girls reconciling and she started smiling too. The wrinkles on her face seemed to relax. She looked at them kindly and nodded with satisfaction.

Doctor Zhang, who was standing at the door, also smiled knowingly. He and Grandma Lin smiled at each other, and a warm atmosphere spread in the house.

However, in this cheerful atmosphere, Doctor Zhang suddenly remembered something. His smile gradually froze, his brows furrowed, and his eyes became deep and complicated.

He remembered that when he was treating a patient a few days ago, he discovered a rare disease whose symptoms were very similar to what Xiaohong had described before.

"Wait," Doctor Zhang suddenly spoke up, interrupting the laughter in the room. His voice was low and solemn, with a barely perceptible tremor. "Miss Xiaohong, can you describe the symptoms you mentioned earlier in more detail?"

Xiaohong, Luo Xiaoyu and Grandma Lin were all stunned. They looked at Doctor Zhang in confusion, not understanding why he suddenly became so serious.

Xiaohong felt a little uneasy. She looked at Luo Xiaoyu, then at Granny Lin, hesitated for a moment, and described the previous symptoms again in detail. (End of this chapter)