Huang Rong from The Return of the Condor Heroes: Guo'er, calm down.

As night fell as dark as ink, Shuangqiao Town gradually quieted down.

In the top-class room of the inn, a single oil lamp cast a dim, flickering light.

On the large bed in the inner room, Guo Fu was already fast asleep. The girl had been playing wildly all day, and now she was hugging the corner of the blanket, breathing heavily, and occasionally smacking her lips.

Huang Rong, however, could not sleep.

She turned to the side, her gaze somewhat fixed on the thin paper window.

On the daybed in the outer room, the figure of the boy was vaguely visible.

Although the effects of the alcohol had worn off somewhat, the burning sensation seemed to have taken root and was thriving throughout my body.

Huang Rong turned over.

The brocade quilt beneath her made a slight rustling sound.

Her mind was in complete turmoil.

One moment it's the feeling of my chest being squeezed after the fall in the cabin during the day; the next it's the bold hug from that kid during dinner.

"Brother Jing..."

She closed her eyes, trying to use her husband's honest face to dispel the image of the boy in her mind.

But the more I thought about it, the clearer the image became.

Those peach blossom eyes, with a hint of wickedness, seemed to steal people's souls when they looked at them.

And those hands.

Huang Rong subconsciously touched her lower back.

"enemy."

Huang Rong spat inwardly, her face flushing slightly.

What's wrong with me?

That's Yang Guo, Guo Jing's nephew.

Although... this child is indeed quite tall and sturdy.

The outer room.

Yang Guo didn't sleep either.

He lay cross-legged on the daybed, covered with the worn-out cotton quilt.

He was practicing his martial arts.

Ouyang Feng taught him the Toad Skill, which emphasizes seeking movement within stillness and accumulating internal strength.

He practiced diligently every night without ever stopping.

He adjusted his breathing, tried his best to lower his voice, and let his breath flow slowly through his meridians.

Although this Toad Style Kung Fu is powerful, it has a drawback: when practicing it, the body will feel cold and the limbs will involuntarily spasm.

Yang Guo has a keen sense of hearing.

He could hear the commotion inside the room clearly.

It seems our Aunt Guo will be having a sleepless night.

Yang Guo's lips curled into a wicked smile.

If you can't sleep, then don't try to sleep.

Let's all have some fun together.

He finished his practice, his internal energy dissipated, but the icy feeling in his body had not completely subsided.

He deliberately kicked the blanket halfway away.

He curled up completely.

The teeth tapped together gently, making a soft "clucking" sound.

The inner room.

Huang Rong was feeling thirsty and parched.

The braised lion's head meatballs for dinner were a bit salty, and with those few cups of Shaoxing wine, my throat felt like it was on fire.

She got up quietly.

Afraid of waking Guo Fu, she didn't wear shoes, only white socks on the carpet.

We went around the screen and entered the outer room.

The teapot on the table was still warm.

Huang Rong poured herself a glass of water, and just as she brought it to her lips, she caught a glimpse of the scene on the daybed out of the corner of her eye.

By the moonlight streaming in through the window, she saw Yang Guo huddled up in a ball.

Most of the blankets covering her had fallen to the ground.

The boy's body trembled slightly, his brows furrowed, as if he were in great pain.

"This child..."

Huang Rong's heart tightened.

I noticed he was dressed too lightly while we were eating, and now that it's late and the dew is heavy, I'm afraid he's caught a chill.

She put down her teacup and went over to pick up the blanket from the ground.

Upon closer inspection, it became clear that Yang Guo's forehead was covered in cold sweat and his face was pale.

"Guo'er?"

Huang Rong called out softly.

no response.

Yang Guo closed his eyes, his eyelashes trembled, and his breathing became rapid.

Was I having a nightmare?

Or is he sick?

Huang Rong reached out, wanting to touch his forehead.

Just as she bent down...

Yang Guo opened his eyes a crack.

That one glance almost made his blood boil again.

Huang Rong was only wearing a moon-white undergarment.

Because I was sleeping, two buttons on my collar were undone.

As she bent over, her neckline naturally fell down.

The moonlight shone directly on her chest.

That splash of snow-white entered Yang Guo's vision without reservation.

Bottomless.

You could even see the exquisite embroidery on the edge of the bodice, which rose and fell gently with her breath, trembling slightly.

The delicate fragrance of orchids, mixed with her unique body scent, wafted straight into Yang Guo's nose.

It's huge.

truth.

Yang Guo bit his tongue hard to keep himself from swallowing.

He suppressed his physical urges and continued to pretend.

His body trembled even more violently.

"cold……"

His voice was hoarse, tinged with a sense of desolation.

Huang Rong touched his forehead.

It's cold.

I was covered in cold sweat.

"Why is it so cold?"

Huang Rong was startled.

Without thinking twice, she quickly covered him with the blanket and then reached out to tuck the corner of the blanket in.

With that, he lowered his body even further.

The view inside the collar was practically right in Yang Guo's face.

Yang Guo could even feel the heat emanating from her skin.

Who can stand this?

We have to take action.

Just as Huang Rong's fingers brushed against his cheek.

Yang Guo suddenly reached out.

He grabbed Huang Rong's wrist.

"what!"

Huang Rong gasped softly, instinctively trying to break free.

But the boy's grip was incredibly strong, and Huang Rong couldn't pull it out for a moment.

"Guo'er, let go, it's me."

Huang Rong whispered, and used her other hand to pry his fingers open.

"mother……"

A murmur, filled with endless grievances, came from Yang Guo's mouth.

Huang Rong froze.

The action of counting on his fingers stopped in mid-air.

"Mother...don't go..."

Yang Guo closed his eyes, and a tear squeezed out from the corner of his eye.

"Guo'er is scared... Don't leave Guo'er behind..."

"It's so cold... Mother, I'm so cold..."

Each cry of "Mother" sent a shiver down Huang Rong's spine.

She looked at the boy in front of her.

The glib-tongued hoodlum who used to be so talkative has disappeared.

Sister Mu died young.

Yang Kang was that kind of person.

I've never cared about him all these years; Brother Jing doesn't know how to take care of people at all.

Do you spend countless nights like this, crying out for your mother in your dreams?

Huang Rong's heart melted instantly.

"Guo'er..."

Huang Rong sighed, her voice gentle.

"Don't be afraid... Aunt Guo is here."

She stopped struggling and let Yang Guo hold her hand.

She even gently patted Yang Guo's hand with her other hand, as if she were coaxing a baby.

"It's not cold anymore, it's not cold anymore."

Yang Guo seemed to feel the warmth.

He grabbed Huang Rong's hand and pulled her closer to him.

She pressed that little hand directly onto her chest.

"Mom...it's so warm..."

He muttered something and rubbed his cheek against Huang Rong's hand.

The rough stubble pricked Huang Rong's hand, making it both itchy and numb.

This sensation traveled down her arm and into Huang Rong's heart.

She sat on the footstool beside the tatami mat.

Watching Yang Guo's breathing gradually calm down.

He held her hand tightly, and she couldn't pull it away.

I don't want to take it out either.

The night was darker.

The moonlight, like water, shone down on the two of them.

Yang Guo was overjoyed.

It feels so soft.

This smells so good.

Although his eyes were closed, he could feel Huang Rong's gaze fixed on his face.

Although he really wanted to directly deduce Aunt Guo's identity, reason suppressed his desire.

I had only just dispelled Huang Rong's wariness yesterday, and her current attitude towards me is merely pitying without dislike; it's far from the point where I can do whatever I want with her.

He adjusted his posture slightly, allowing Huang Rong's hand to press closer to his.

She even deliberately made her heart beat a little faster.

"Thump, thump, thump."

The strong heartbeat traveled through his palm to Huang Rong.

This is a man's heartbeat.

Strong and powerful.

Huang Rong's face turned slightly red.

She tried to pull her hand back, but as soon as she did, Yang Guo frowned and started grumbling.

She had no choice but to give up.

"That's enough."

Huang Rong comforted herself, "Just consider it doing good deeds and accumulating merit."

She adjusted her posture to make herself more comfortable.

The night is long.

She actually stayed by his side for half the night.

It wasn't until dawn that Huang Rong finally couldn't stay awake any longer and drifted off to sleep, leaning against the edge of the bed.