Zhu Qingyue lay sprawled on the floor, his face contorted in pain as he groaned aloud. A few planks broke off the wall, landing on his back with a solid impact.

Gazing at the sight before her, Li Meirong blinked her eyes twice, confusion gradually morphing into fear.

"Are you alright!?" Li Meirong shrieked in a bout of panic, sobering up completely. She shot out of the bed, darting straight towards him and kneeling at his side. She hastily removed the wooden boards off of him.

"It's not as bad as it seems." Zhu Qingyue whispered, letting out a low chuckle.

Seeing her panicked expression, he spoke in an obvious attempt to reassure her and waved his hands in haste, yet hissed in pain as he attempted to reposition himself. Pointing to his back, Senior Zhu gestured for Li Meirong to help him reach the bed.

Li Meirong immediately complied with his request, her slender arms carefully supporting Zhu Qingyue as she slowly helped the man lay down, pulling up a stool to sit by his side. The girl lowered her head in shame as guilt crossed her heart with each glance directed at him.

"I didn't know I could hurt you so badly. It was my fault, I'm so ashamed!" Li Meirong's voice sounded unsteady as she spoke, her lower lip trembled as she held Zhu Qingyue's palm with both her hands. Her anger now long forgotten, and she was left with the bitter taste of regret for her inconsiderate actions.

What was she thinking? Kicking a dying man! He seemed so strong only moments ago that she had totally forgotten about his terminal condition. And to think she just kicked her mentor with a move that he, himself had taught her...

After coughing a few times, Zhu Qingyue gave her palm a gentle squeeze, his golden eyes soft and warm as he gazed at her. "To have you become so worried for my sake is well worth the pain."

Li Meirong felt those incessant butterflies stir inside her stomach at full force. She stared at the man lying on her bed, looking at her with such tenderness and vulnerability, and felt the icy barrier constructed around her heart finally begin to thaw.

She wasn't sure when it had happened, but at some point, this man had managed to sneak his way into her soul. She felt as though he was somehow a part of her now, or perhaps she was a part of him.

He was brazen and odd, and clearly something of a pervert. His views and his lifestyle were undeniably different from her own, and yet despite all this, she had to admit he also had many qualities she could absolutely appreciate. He was capable of being righteous, honourable and kind. He was brave and honest, upfront about his feelings, which she greatly valued in any kind of relationship, and he wasn't ashamed of his poor upbringing, which told her that he was also grounded and secure in his identity.