The man is a monk in the inside, and he starts by giving his wife a crown.

Now, that unease has returned.

Ellie lay quietly for a while, listening to her sister's even breathing. After making sure that she was asleep, she quietly got up.

She picked up her pillow and tiptoed towards the door.

"Just go and see Big Brother Xiuyuan."

Ellie said to herself, as if this could justify her behavior.

She pushed the door open carefully, making sure not to make any noise.

The corridor was silent, with only moonlight streaming through the window onto the floor.

Ai Li held the pillow and walked along the light strips towards Xiu Yuan's room.

Her steps were very light, like a kitten, and she took every step carefully, for fear of disturbing anyone.

Her heart was beating fast, partly from nervousness and partly from anticipation.

When she thought about being able to stay with Brother Xiuyuan, she felt an inexplicable sense of security.

Finally, she arrived at Xiuyuan's door.

Ellie took a deep breath, slowly reached out her hand, and knocked gently on the door.

no respond.

She knocked again, a little louder this time.

Still no movement.

Ellie stood at the door, biting her lower lip, struggling for a moment. She put her hand on the doorknob and turned it gently.

To her relief, the door was not locked.

She gently pushed the door open and looked inside.

The room was dark, with only a nightlight emitting a soft glow.

The light was enough for her to see what was going on inside the room, but not too bright.

Xiuyuan was sitting cross-legged on the bed in meditation, his eyes slightly closed, a peaceful expression on his face.

Ai Li walked to the bed carefully and looked at Xiu Yuan.

Under the soft light of the night lamp, Xiuyuan's outline appeared particularly soft, and his handsome face made Ai Li unconsciously take a few more glances.

She stood by the bed, holding her pillow, wondering whether to wake him up or quietly climb into bed.

Just when she was hesitating, Xiu Yuan seemed to sense something and opened his eyes slightly.

"Ellie?" His voice was a little doubtful.

Ellie was so startled that she almost dropped her pillow.

"I...I can't sleep." She whispered, with a hint of shyness and uneasiness in her voice.

Xiuyuan glanced at her, seemed to understand something, and moved slightly to make room for her.

Ai Li's eyes lit up, and she climbed onto the bed carefully and placed the pillow next to Xiu Yuan.

She lay down, feeling the warmth and sense of security coming from Xiuyuan.

"Go to sleep, it's okay."

Xiu Yuan said softly, his voice gentle yet firm.

Ellie nodded and closed her eyes.

With Xiuyuan by my side, all the anxiety and irritability seemed to disappear.

She soon fell asleep.

Shortly after Airi left the room, Marina quietly opened her eyes.

The moonlight shone on her face, reflecting her clear eyes. She stared at the ceiling quietly, listening to Ellie's footsteps disappearing at the end of the corridor.

She had long noticed her sister's uneasiness and anticipated that she might go to Xiu Yuan.

Marina didn't stop him, but just lay there silently, her mind full of thoughts.

She rolled over, her eyes falling on Ellie's empty bed.

Ellie's warmth and breath are still there.

Marina sighed quietly, closed her eyes, and tried to fall asleep again.

However, the scene of Xiuyuan killing the demon tonight emerged in his mind.

The terrifying appearance of those demons had long been imprinted in her mind.

In fact, she was also a little scared, but she didn't show it in front of her sister.

Now that Ellie was not in the room, she became even more frightened.

Chapter 33: Insomnia Mitsuko

On the other side, Mitsuko also couldn't sleep.

These past two days, whenever she closed her eyes, Xiuyuan's figure would appear in her mind.

Whenever she thought of Xiu Yuan, her heart began to beat uncontrollably.

Even when her husband, Ichiro Takayanagi, came over to her tonight and wanted to fulfill their obligations as husband and wife, she felt annoyed.

"No." Mitsuko pushed her husband's hand away coldly.

Takayanagi Ichiro stood there in a daze, his eyes full of confusion.

"What's wrong? Were you still here yesterday?" he asked with a frown.

Mitsuko didn't answer, turned over and got out of bed, and walked towards the bathroom without looking back.

"I'm going to take a shower."

The bathroom door was slammed shut, and a look of relief crossed Takayanagi Ichiro's face.

Since he took over the family business, he has been getting busier day by day.

When it comes to paying public grain, people are beginning to feel powerless.

I originally brought up this matter today because I wanted to make up for my attitude yesterday.

As a result, his wife was not interested.

This is great!

No need to pay public grain!

Hot water gushed out from the shower head and hit Mitsuko's smooth skin.

The water flowed down her body and disappeared into the floor drain.

Mitsuko closed her eyes and let the hot water wash over her, hoping to wash away the strange feeling in her heart.

But things backfired.

Xiuyuan's figure became clearer in his mind.

She opened her eyes suddenly, walked to the sink and wiped the mist off the mirror.

The woman in the mirror was only in her twenties, with smooth and delicate skin and almost invisible fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

"What am I doing?" Mitsuko asked softly, looking at herself in the mirror.

Ever since she met Xiu Yuan, her life has become less peaceful.

The ordinary married life suddenly became boring.

Doing the same things and saying the same words every day, it feels like living in a cycle.

Until Xiuyuan appeared and broke this cycle.

Mitsuko took a deep breath and made up her mind.

Tomorrow, she will contact Xiuyuan.

She quickly gathered her thoughts and came up with a perfect excuse.

Her father-in-law, Mr. Gao Liu, has been bedridden for many years and has been in poor health.

If we could invite a high monk like Xiuyuan to our home to perform a blessing ceremony for the old man, no one would object.

This way, she could see Xiuyuan without raising her husband's suspicion. Perfect.

"Yes, let's do it." Mitsuko nodded at the mirror, and the corners of her mouth rose unconsciously.

She quickly showered, dried herself, and changed into her pajamas. The entire time, her thoughts revolved around her plan to meet Xiu Yuan tomorrow.

When I returned to the bedroom, Ichiro Takayanagi was still awake and was leaning against the head of the bed reading a book.

Mitsuko took a deep breath, walked to the bed and sat down.

"Ichiro, I want to discuss something with you."

She said softly, a hint of caution in her tone.

Takayanagi Ichiro put down the book and looked at his wife.

"what's up?"

"I recently met a great monk who is said to have profound magical powers."

Mitsuko tried her best to make her voice sound calm.

"Why did you suddenly mention this?" Takayanagi Ichiro was a little confused.

"I was wondering if I should invite him home to perform a blessing ritual for my father."

Mitsuko lowered her head and pretended to adjust the hem of her pajamas.

"Father has been bedridden for so many years, and the doctors can't think of anything to help."

Takayanagi Ichiro was silent for a while, as if weighing the pros and cons.

"What's the reputation of this eminent monk? He's not the kind of person who would scam people out of money, is he?"

"Of course not!" Mitsuko retorted hastily, her voice louder than she had intended.

She quickly adjusted her tone. "He is truly talented and well-known in the Buddhist community."

Ichiro Takayanagi looked at his wife's excitement and raised his eyebrows slightly.

Mitsuko realized that she was overreacting and quickly added:

"I just don't want you to misunderstand him. A great monk like him wouldn't care about money. He performs rituals purely out of compassion."

Takayanagi Ichiro thought for a while and finally nodded.

"Well, since you recommend it, please come and have a look. Father's condition can't get any worse anyway."

Mitsuko was ecstatic in her heart, but on the surface she just smiled faintly.

"Thank you, Ichiro." She said softly, already looking forward to meeting Xiuyuan again.

Mitsuko breathed a sigh of relief and lay back on the bed.

She closed her eyes and a smile played on her lips.

Tomorrow, she will be able to see Xiuyuan again.

The thought made her heart beat faster, and a long-lost feeling of anticipation came over her.

She told herself that she did this entirely for her father-in-law's health and for the sake of the family.

But deep down, she knew that was not the truth.

However, at this moment, Mitsuko chose to ignore the voice and immersed herself in the joy of reuniting with Xiuyuan.

Mr. Gao Liu has been ill for so many years, and the doctors are helpless.

What's wrong with inviting a high monk to perform a ritual?

The next day, in the dim morning light, Xiuyuan slowly opened his eyes.

The room was filled with soft morning light, and the birds outside the window chirped sweetly. He looked down and found Ellie sleeping soundly with her head resting on his lap.