Chapter 15: You Are My Cure

Damn that original book—why did it never mention he suffered from any hidden illness? He no longer gasped for breath, lying quietly on the ground with a face tinged purple. Tears streamed uncontrollably down Qian Lai’s cheeks, an inexplicable sadness swelling in her heart.

She began desperately pressing on his chest, then supported the back of his neck, her movements faltering... Farewell, first kiss of this body! Taking a deep breath, her soft lips met his. Again!

“One, two, three—exhale...” After several rounds, just as their lips were about to touch once more, the man slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the girl with deep affection, though red veins marred his gaze. Fragile, sickly, and heartbreakingly pitiful.

Qian Lai’s hands froze mid-air, and their eyes locked, sending a shiver through her heart. Before she could react, the man moved closer, his eyes full of pleading. “Please, I beg you—save me, will you?” He grabbed her arm, trying to pull her closer, but lacked the strength, his body slumping again.

Pulled forward by him, the girl toppled onto his chest, her rosy lips pressed against his once more, her heart pounding wildly. Their eyes met again, feelings surging in both.

She hurriedly sat up, only to discover an invisible thread seemed to bind them, lifting the man along with her. His gaze followed her cherry lips, and he couldn't discern whether it was physical need or something stirring within—only that a wild desire now gave him courage.

Suddenly, like a mountain, he enveloped her, pressing her close, heart to heart, lips locked fiercely. There was a rush of excitement, a hint of sweetness—what was happening?

Qian Lai, from the modern era, had never experienced such passionate intensity. Though she had longed for it, every encounter was with men harboring motives, leaving her uninterested. In her eyes, those men were inferior even to the obedient test subjects—loyal and pure, while men were merely toys for her needs. Who they were didn’t matter; if they didn’t suit, she replaced them.

She cared nothing for their feelings; their concern for her was merely transactional. Without true affection, even the closest contact was mere physical exercise. Yet this man’s kiss—why did it feel so different?

Her mind raced, movements stiffening, which in Qiao Muting’s eyes appeared as innocent shyness. The more she seemed pure and bashful, the stronger his desire became.

...

The next morning, when Qiao Muting fully awoke from sleep, the girl was gone, leaving only lingering fragrance on his skin.

“Uncle Qiao, you’re awake?” Wen Nuan, warming up a hot spring, ran to the bedside when she saw him stir. “Come quickly, have some porridge.”

On the table, beside a steaming bowl of porridge, sat two plates of side dishes.

“Where did these come from?” Qiao Muting asked Wen Nuan, a trace of expectation in his voice.

“The lady we ate with yesterday brought them. She also got buns for my brother and me. But she said you can only have porridge now, so we didn’t leave you any. Uncle Qiao, those buns were delicious—each bite had a meatball inside. We’ve never had buns with so much meat.”

Wen Nuan reminisced, licking her lips. Qiao Muting’s lips curled unconsciously into a smile.

He tried to rise, but his body was weak and sore—the aftereffects of each episode. Forcing himself up, he wanted to find Qian Lai; there were words he needed to say.

Just then, the conductor entered the compartment with the railway police.

“Comrade, I heard you bravely subdued that madwoman yesterday and then fell ill. We came to check on you—how are you feeling?”

Qiao Muting outwardly responded to their concern, inwardly irritated by their untimely arrival.

“...Ah! That woman is actually a pitiable soul,” he caught only the conductor’s sigh, having missed the preceding words.

“When her child was this age, he disappeared on this very train—likely abducted by traffickers. She reports it every year, but there’s never been a clue. Eventually, no one investigated anymore. She started searching on her own, riding this route every month. Over time, her mind began to unravel. But last night’s incident was the first of its kind. Sorry you had to be the ones to encounter it—apologies! Are the children alright?”

Wen Quan hid behind his sister, half-understanding the conductor’s words. Remembering last night, he pursed his lips.

Seeing this, the conductor quickly took his leave, asking Qiao Muting as he departed, “The train will arrive in three or four hours. Should we alert medical staff ahead of time?”

“I’m fine now. My friend will pick us up. Thank you.”

“In that case, when we arrive, don’t hurry off the train. I’ll have him board directly to collect you.”

“Alright.”

Qiao Muting sat in the compartment, but his mind had already wandered far.

...

That night, lost in a muddled sleep, his dreams played out like a grand drama—scene after scene, each one thrilling him. His mind, overworked, felt utterly exhausted.

He couldn’t shake the image: the “little white rabbit,” clad in drenched pajamas, kneeling to rescue him. Innocent yet seductive, and she had no idea. Not only was her appearance exquisite, but her figure as well...

Last night, she had easily ignited him. She probably didn’t realize that her soaked appearance had been etched in his memory like a photograph. Countless times, he recalled the scene, savoring every detail.

He suddenly realized something and suppressed his smile.

What was wrong with him! Disgusting and depraved!

But he never expected that after their parting last night, all the way to the new city, he couldn’t find her again. From carriage one to carriage ten, and back again, the “little white rabbit” had vanished as if into thin air.

...

The events of that night also left Qian Lai tossing and turning. Repeated recollections brought a persistent blush to her cheeks. After a long while, she finally calmed, gazing at the ceiling and pondering: why had the space suddenly “taken the liberty” of ejecting her?

Could Wen Quan’s crying have triggered some hidden mechanism? But he was merely a stranger child, just a little more fond of her than others.

Had the space assigned her a mission? Was last night’s protection of Wen Quan the task given to her? What connection did she have with Wen Quan?

As she drifted, unable to find an answer, a man’s voice suddenly sounded in her ear.

[Congratulations on completing the task! Progress bar advanced by 10%. Reach 100%, and the character will receive one hundred million yuan in cash and return to the real world!]

Just complete the tasks and she could go home!?

Qian Lai was overjoyed!