132 Hopeless Little Strategis (2/2)

Manchu's face showed a hint of surprise. ”Sun, you mean…”

”Achoo--!”

Both men's faces froze and shifted their gazes on the small figure holding a hand to their mouth. Rin's eyes fluttered open, and she noticed the men's eyes on her. She looked at their bewildered expressions and cleared her throat.

”My apologies, please continue…” Rin suddenly inhaled sharply before letting out another sneeze.

An Sun sighed. He stood up from his mat and walked toward the corner of the tent. When Rin opened her eyes again, she suddenly felt something heavy wrap around her shoulders.

Rin was startled. She looked up and saw the patient look in the man's face as he bent over to drape a blanket over her. A warming feeling bloomed in her heart, her almond-shaped eyes wide as she stared at the tall commander.

Rin coughed and clumsily lowered her head, ”Thank you. I suppose my body is sensitive to the cold like you said.”

An Sun's brows drew together, as he didn't bother to hide his scowl, ”That's why I told to wear more clothing. This body of yours is already fragile enough, you shouldn't worsen it with indigent care.”

Although his voice sounded the same and his tone seemed as cold as usual, Rin could detect the shred of concern in it.

Rin softened her gaze and nodded her head. ”Yes, I will do so from now on.”

An Sun stared at her deeply with a grim expression and huffed before sitting back down on his mat. Manchu observed the two's interactions and snickered.

”Careful Sun, if you treat the little strategist like an adolescent child any longer, the troops might start naming you his mother.”

An Sun swept his dead eyes toward the man and twitched his brows.

”What nonsense are you spewing?” An Sun scowled. ”I wouldn't need to take care of him if he knew how to do it himself. You would think with a smart mind and delicate features, he'd know how to take care of his well-being.”

Manchu hummed thoughtfully in agreement. ”Hmm, that's right. When we first met the little strategist, his health was also rather poor. He's rather hopeless without us.”

An Sun silently nodded in agreement.

Rin: ”…”

Rin's hands holding her chopsticks stiffened. Her mouth twitched involuntarily.

The way they were talking…it was as if she wasn't even here!

She sighed heavily and continued to eat her rice quietly, the blanket wrapped around her small, frail frame.

An Sun raised his cup and took a sip of his tea, a faint crease in his brows. He swirled the cup's contents - his cool, handsome face exuding a lazy appearance.

”Even though I won't stay idle if my brother attacks, I still hold no interest in becoming the clan's head.”

Manchu smiled bitterly and said, ”Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to matter to him one way or another.”

An Sun lowered his eyes, hiding the lethal glance that flashed briefly in his eyes. The hand holding his cup tightened as he stared emotionlessly at a burning brazier.

Though the changes in An Sun's expression weren't apparent, Rin had been observing the man the entire time, and she perceived the darkness in his eyes brewing.

Rin recalled their previous conversation in the hot springs and the corner of her lips tugged downwards. An Sun asked whether she chose to stay with the Bai family out of obligation.

This question was most likely how he felt being raised as an adopted member in the An Clan.

His father was suppressing him, and his brother wanted him dead.

Thinking this, her chest felt heavy for some reason and her chewing motions lagged.

Despite An Sun's eyes being lowered, he had been watching Rin's movements from the corner of his vision. He watched as the boy looked at him thoughtfully, then returned his gaze to express a clouded pout - his white cheeks puffed out from the rice in his mouth.

The corner of An Sun's lips slowly rose. He tilted his head and gazed over at Manchu.

”Back to the discussion at hand…”

While the two conversed with another, Rin ate her rice absentmindedly. When Rin was blankly chewing on a piece of reserved meat, she suddenly felt a light pat on her thigh.

Rin's body stilled. Her eyes glanced over to the side and saw An Sun continuing to speak to Manchu, however, his hand hidden beneath the table stretched out to pat her on her folded leg in a reassuring gesture.

After a while, his hand withdrew and returned to his side. It was brief but made the place he touched feel warm.

Rin was stunned.

She reverted her gaze quickly and felt her movements become slower. Feeling a slight chill, Rin drew the blanket closer to her body.

There was a slight fragrance coming from the blanket – it was a warm musk, with the slightest scent of wine. It made Rin's nose twitch slightly, but it was still somewhat calming.

A sudden thought appeared in the back of her mind. Rin peeks her eyes to the side and noticed the blanket from An Sun's mat was missing.

This was An Sun's blanket.

At that moment, while An Sun and Manchu chatted among themselves, the boy sat with his head lowered to conceal the faint gentle smile blooming on his lips.

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