Heart Protection (Back from the Brink)

CHAPTER 79

The curtain of night lifted, and the dawn approached. Tian Yao slowly opened his eyes.

Birds were singing and chirping in the distance. It was a fresh and crisp morning that seemed to wash away the dark and murky night. There was an itching feeling on Tian Yao's face. He lightly brushed at it and discovered a strand of black hair wrapped around his fingers.

Tian Yao's eyes traveled up the strand of hair and saw Yan Hui's bright and clean chin. The early sunlight shone its warmth upon her face. It made her entire body seem to radiate a peaceful warmth.

Her back was propped up on a tree trunk, head slightly tilted back with mouth agape. Yan Hui's breath was slow and steady, which meant she was in a deep, peaceful dream. Tian Yao was startled. He sat up and looked around. He actually slept the entire night using Yan Hui's legs as his pillow.

His movements startled Yan Hui into waking up. Her hand first grasped the air and then almost automatically grabbed Tian Yao's hand: "What is it? Does it hurt again?"

Tian Yao looked at Yan Hui's hand. Then he again raised his head to look at Yan Hui's face.

He gazed for a long time at the sleepy-eyed Yan Hui. It took awhile before she fully woke up: "The sun is up?" She rubbed her eyes. "I finally managed to fall asleep."

She stretched and moved her leg to get up when she stifled a groan. She immediately hugged her legs and didn't say another word. When Tian Yao saw that, he silently turned around and squatted down with his back facing Yan Hui: "Get on."

Yan Hui stared blankly at his broad back. However, she didn't attempt to be courteous and instead climbed directly onto his back. When Yan Hui wrapped her arms around Tian Yao's neck, he happened to see the dried bloodstains on her wrist. They were from when she haphazardly bit and wounded herself.

His throat tightened and not a word could be let out.

When Yan Hui settled herself, Tian Yao steadily started to walk. They slowly headed back.

Yan Hui laid on his shoulders which have now grown broader. She absent-minded said: "Yesterday's Autumn Moon Festival......." She started but now stopped to think about how to phrase it, so it didn't poke at Tian Yao's wound. Tian Yao prompted her to continue.

"Were you scared?"

"No, not at all," she replied. "It's just that..........are you like that every year at this time?"

"Before was even worse."

Yan Hui was unexpectedly unable to reply at those words. She stayed silent for a long time. Then, she stroked his head: "It'll get better once we find your dragon heart. We're close."

She lightly caressed his head. In the thousand years Tian Yao lived, this touch was more gentle than any spring breeze he had felt before. 

Thus, under her unbelievably gentle touch, Tian Yao's eyes drooped down. His gaze was soft.

Although it was already autumn, he didn't feel the slightest bit of chill.

Before Tian Yao, still piggy-backing Yan Hui, reached Zhu Li's residence, they ran into Zhu Li himself. Zhu Li was wearing much more formal clothes than usual. He was leaving in a rush, but when he saw Tian Yao carrying Yan Hui, he immediately stopped: "What happened?" He asked more, "I didn't see you two at the Autumn Moon Festival. Now you're unexpectedly like this? Yan Hui, did your wounds get worse?"

Yan Hui smoothly lied: "I meditated for too long last night. My legs are numb."

Tian Yao's expression couldn't help freezing for an instant at those words. The base of his ears also flushed a little. He lightly coughed, swept his gaze over Zhu Li, and took the rare initiative to ask Zhu Li: "Why are you dressed like that?"