Chapter 34: A Strange Dream

He stepped lightly as he pushed open the door. Before his eyes lay the figure sleeping soundly on the bed. His cold, clear eyes were tinged with warmth as he watched her, silently and devotedly. Sunlight from outside the window played, slipping through the gaps in the curtains to fall into the room, adding a splash of color to the dim space.

"Brother Chen, Brother Chen..." she murmured, lost in her dreams. The man by the bedside felt a surge of ecstatic joy in his eyes. So, it was true...

Three-year-old Chu Yitong stood in the bustling street, shouting at the top of her lungs, "Brother Chen, Brother Chen, where are you? Yiyi is scared!"

But no matter how she cried out, the people around her remained indifferent. No one helped her; no one even looked her way, as if she did not exist at all. She waited in the same spot for a long time, but Brother Chen never appeared. She began to search everywhere, wandering further and further away into more desolate areas.

Passing by an alley, a scent wafted out that made her freeze. She knew what that was. She could see many strange things and smell many strange odors. Grandfather had told her it was her secret, that she must keep it and never tell a soul, so she had never spoken of it.

Blood was not a good thing, but could Brother Chen be inside? Unable to overcome the suspicion in her heart, she groped her way into the deep alley. The scent of blood grew thicker. She walked cautiously, calling out tentatively, "Brother Chen, Brother Chen..."

A large hand, reeking of blood, covered her small face. *Ugh, it’s so uncomfortable, so uncomfortable.* Let her go; she needed to find Brother Chen...

"Yiyi, Yiyi!" The eyes that had been filled with joy suddenly darkened. He bent down and called out softly, "Yiyi, wake up."

Chu Yitong slowly opened her eyes, her gaze filled with confusion, yet the moment she saw him, her face blossomed into a smile. She chirped sweetly, "Brother Chen, Yiyi found you!"

"Yiyi is such a good girl!" His heart felt as if it were being fiercely gripped, causing him such pain that he could hardly breathe. He held her hand tightly. Seeing her still bleary-eyed and not yet fully awake, he reached out to stroke her eyelids. "Be good, Yiyi. Sleep well. Brother Chen is here with you, holding your hand the whole time." And he would never let go again.

She nodded happily, her small face brimming with contentment. She obediently closed her eyes, and before long, her breathing returned to a steady rhythm.

Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, he let out a soft breath. His eyes, however, were clouded with a gathering storm, dark and turbulent. His voice was no louder than a mosquito's hum, yet cold enough to chill the bone: "I will not let them get away with this..."

Chu Yitong did not sleep much longer after drifting off again. About ten minutes later, she opened her eyes. After dazing for a moment, she prepared to get up, only to find she could not move her hand freely. Looking over in confusion, she saw that handsome face right before her, watching her with a smile in his eyes. Her hand was in his, and she wiggled it slightly, wanting to pull it away, not wishing to cause any displeasure.

"Yiyi, are you planning to turn your back on me the moment you wake up?" His cold voice carried an unmistakable tone of teasing and mockery.

"What did I do?" She had only been sleeping. She was just pulling her hand back; how was that turning her back on him?

"Hmm." He stared at her with burning eyes. After a long silence, he said unhurriedly, "Just a moment ago, someone was crying and wailing for me to stay with her, but as soon as she woke up..."

He left the sentence unfinished, the lingering, suggestive tone speaking volumes. The corners of Chu Yitong’s mouth twitched unnaturally. That "someone" clearly referred to her. She had been in such a deep sleep today that she hadn't even dreamed, so it was impossible for her to have cried and wailed for him. But since she was outnumbered, she decided to use the ultimate strategy: feign ignorance!

With eyes as clear as a mirror, she looked at him earnestly and said, word by word, "I don't dream when I sleep. Do you?"

Xie Chenjing raised an eyebrow at her words. If she didn't dream, then it must have been he who was dreaming!