16 Protective (1/2)

Am I dead?

Did I die again?

Oh well, at least I did something...I guess.

What is this light?

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Light penetrated through Mingxia's eyelids as she slowly opened them. She lifted her hand to shield her eyes from the light when she realized she was still alive.

'I didn't travel back in time again right?'

She moved her head to see a surprising sight. To her right Zong Qiu sat with his head leaned against the bedpost fast asleep.

”What-” Mingxia's voice came out surprisingly hoarse and deep.

She coughed a bit to recover her voice when Zong Qiu woke up from his sleep. His eyes immediately settled on Mingxia's and softened.

”Where am I?” She asked as she slowly got up.

Zong Qiu helped Mingxia up by holding onto her waist and on her shoulder. He passed her a cup of warm water, which Mingxia took with both hands holding it.

”You're in my quarters.” He delivered his statement simply even though it can be easily misunderstood.

Mingxia spit out the water she just drunk and coughed out loudly.

”Hey!” Zong Qiu patted her back as she calmed down and wiped her mouth with her sleeve.

Zong Qiu was holding a handkerchief for her and pushed it to her.

”Be more ladylike.” Mingxia burst out laughing again and coughed even more.

”Ladylike? Very funny.” She took the handkerchief and gently wiped her mouth.

She wanted to get down when she realized that she was not in the green dress but in a thin white outfit. She immediately pulled the blanket over her shoulders and blushed from embarrassment.

”Wh-who helped me change?” She asked quietly.

Zong Qiu smiled a bit and answered in a playful tone. ”Hmmm. What if I said it was me?”

Mingxia's blush grew from pink to deep red.

”Y-You-Yo-” She grabbed the nearest thing she can throw, the pillow, and threw it at him.

He laughed and caught it before placing it back down. Mingxia turned away pouting with a humph.

”Ok, ok, it was your sister Mingxue.” He stood up and nodded to a servant.