Xiao Feng tightly shut his eyes, trying hard to fight the feeling that was infinitely close to "self-explosion."

At this moment, a layer of black grime gradually appeared on his body, somewhat sticky and exuding a pungent smell.

Sun Shijie slowly nodded, it was working, yeah, and he immediately exited the room, closing the door behind him.

As time passed, and Xiao Feng felt the pain gradually disappear, he opened his eyes and couldn't help but be startled.

The originally clear water had turned black and emitted a pungent stench, like it had fallen into the sewer.

Xiao Feng held his breath, crawled out of the bucket, and after getting dressed, ran into the bathroom for a shower.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Xiao Feng inexplicably thought his skin seemed better than before, even some scars seemed noticeably lighter.

Reflecting on it, Xiao Feng thought it might be related to the "purification" he just experienced.

After changing into clean clothes, Xiao Feng glanced at the time; it was already one in the morning.

Whether it's a psychological effect or not, after seeing that large bucket of pitch-black water, Xiao Feng felt light as if breathing was different from before.

However, the most pressing matter now was to find something to eat.

First, he had a fight with Hua Ling, and then was tormented by intense pain for most of the night, his energy was severely depleted, so naturally, he needed to replenish.

However, upon opening the door, Xiao Feng saw Lin Zhiyan standing in the yard, seemingly having stood there for a long time.

"You haven't slept yet?" Xiao Feng asked in surprise.

Lin Zhiyan shook her head: "Couldn't sleep, so I came out for some fresh air, you're... alright now?"

Xiao Feng smiled: "I'm alright now, just a bit hungry, I'm going to the kitchen to find something to eat."

"Didn't cook today," Lin Zhiyan said: "Did you forget? Dinner was Bi Quan's treat."

"Uh, then forget it, I'll eat tomorrow morning," Xiao Feng turned around, preparing to head back inside.

But before he could step away, he heard Lin Zhiyan say: "Why don't… I cook something simple for you?"

Xiao Feng was taken aback, then nodded: "Sure."

Lin Zhiyan returned to the room and came back out holding a pack of "crossing-the-bridge noodles," thinking to herself, how did this suggestion come out of her mouth?

But there was no choice, she had volunteered, and there was no backing out, so she braced herself and started cooking.

During this time, Xiao Feng poured the water from the bucket down the drain.

Getting hurt isn't something to be proud of, so naturally, the fewer people who know, the better.

After finishing up, Lin Zhiyan came out carrying the cooked noodles from the kitchen.

Xiao Feng, without any ceremony, sat on the step at the door and started eating with the bowl.

"Tastes good, honestly, you should consider being the head chef at my hotel, the pay would be excellent," Xiao Feng said as he ate.

Of course, Lin Zhiyan wouldn't take these words seriously, the noodles were a semi-finished product, and the seasoning packets were ready-made, just boil and scoop it out, similar to instant noodles.

These convenience foods are meant to be convenient, how tasty could they really be?

Yet it's strange, even knowing it was false, Lin Zhiyan still felt a warmth in her heart, a certain gratification.

After finishing the noodles, Xiao Feng placed the bowl and chopsticks at his feet, waved to Lin Zhiyan to sit down.

Lin Zhiyan shuddered slightly, her face slightly flushed, but she still sat down, keeping half an arm's length between them.

"What are your plans regarding your sister?" Xiao Feng asked.

Lin Zhiyan was silent for a moment, seemingly a bit dispirited as she replied: "I… haven't decided yet. The main thing is… to see what she thinks."

Xiao Feng nodded in understanding: "You're worried that if you ask directly, Lin Jiaxuan might overthink, and if you don't ask, it stabs like a thorn in your heart, always lingering."

Lin Zhiyan looked surprisingly at Xiao Feng; though he frequently claimed to understand her, it turns out he truly gets her too?

After a brief pause, Xiao Feng smiled: "For the sake of this bowl of noodles, I'll be the bad guy and ask her for you tomorrow."

"Thank you!" Lin Zhiyan said softly.

Xiao Feng stood up and waved his hand: "No problem."

Then, he went into the room.

Just as the door closed, he opened it again and said: "Oh, please take care of the dishes and get some sleep. Good night!"

After saying this, he closed the door without waiting for Lin Zhiyan to agree or refuse.

"Bang!"

Looking at the tightly closed door behind her, Lin Zhiyan shook her head with a smile, picked up the bowls and chopsticks on the ground, and headed towards the kitchen.

...

Early the next morning, the little girl yawned, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she stepped out of the room, and saw Xiao Feng sitting in the yard, holding a thread-bound book.

He read for a while, then closed the book and looked up at the sky, murmuring under his breath.

This scene was familiar to anyone who had been to school, it was obviously the appearance of memorizing a text.

"Xiao Feng, big brother, what are you doing?" the little girl asked curiously.

Xiao Feng seemed oblivious, still murmuring under his breath, occasionally consulting the book.

The little girl pouted, a bit displeased, but she didn't forcefully interrupt, instead, she lightly walked over to Xiao Feng, squatted down, and looked at the cover of the thread-bound book.

The cover prominently displayed: Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor·Lingshu.

Just at that moment, Zhao Guo'an came out of the room.

The little girl ran over and asked: "Old Zhao, Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor·Lingshu, what's this book about?"

Zhao Guo'an glanced at Xiao Feng who was earnestly studying, replying: "It's about acupuncture."

He could roughly guess that Xiao Feng was so diligent because of the injury from last night, but he didn't think Xiao Feng would discover anything from medical texts.

A quite simple principle, likening it to cooking, if reading recipes could turn one into a master chef, then wouldn't everyone literate be capable of cooking?

"Why did Xiao Feng suddenly become interested in acupuncture?" the little girl wondered out loud.

Zhao Guo'an shrugged: "You'll have to ask him yourself."

At this moment, Lu Yao and Lin Jiaxuan also emerged from their rooms, and upon seeing Xiao Feng nearly fanatically engrossed in study in the yard, they both froze momentarily.

After a brief daze, Lin Jiaxuan's gaze locked onto the teacup placed on the table to Xiao Feng's right.

She quietly approached the table, reaching out her small hand.

However, as soon as she touched the teacup, her wrist was firmly grasped by a large hand.

Xiao Feng set down the book, his expression wryly amused: "Little Xuan, your skill is slipping, not to mention, aren't you worried I might have put some laxative in the teacup?"

"…" Lin Jiaxuan.

She felt she had a right to suspect Xiao Feng of playing "bait and bust."

"I never intended to drink it; just knowing you couldn't makes me happy," Lin Jiaxuan retorted defiantly, showing no sign of guilt from being caught.

Xiao Feng ignored her provocation and went straight to the point: "Let's talk about a serious matter, Eternal Darkness Flower, what are your plans?"

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