Chapter 500 - 507: Severe Burning

Phantom took a stroll, realizing that the town was too small, with not many restaurants. Late at night, there really wasn’t much food available. Left with little choice, Phantom cooked two bowls of noodles at a roadside stand, consuming one and taking the other to go, without adding any meat. That day, after his bloody slaughter, although Su Wenyue showed no particular reaction, she had since refused to touch meat. Even a trace would cause Su Wenyue to vomit violently.

Looking at the bowl he had packed, Phantom muttered softly, “Fortunately, this woman, delicate in body but not in spirit, is quite easy to care for. She has followed me without a word of complaint, eating whatever is given to her, doing whatever she’s told. She really is obedient.”

If all women were as docile as Su Wenyue, then maybe it was indeed worthwhile for him to consider taking a wife someday; it’d be really hassle-free. With this thought, Phantom began to digress. Typically, secret guards like him couldn’t marry or have children, but his circumstances were different. If he wished to marry, his master wouldn’t object; it was just he, himself, who hadn’t been inclined to the idea.

But what Phantom didn’t realize was that Su Wenyue’s compliance wasn’t out of obedience but pragmatism. Knowing full well that her opinions wouldn’t affect this man or change anything, potentially bringing unforeseen danger, where would Su Wenyue be stubborn for her own sake? That was simply courting misery. Besides, to live and return to see her husband and child, enduring some hardship was trivial. She had resigned herself to certain death and was unexpectedly surviving, which was a blessing from heaven.

Phantom hastened his steps and returned to the house where they were staying. The first thing he did upon returning was unlock the door and enter the room where Su Wenyue stayed. As a secret guard accustomed to unsavory tasks, he lacked certain sensitivities and didn’t see anything inappropriate about a man entering a woman’s room late at night, especially since he harbored no ulterior motives.

“I was delayed with work today and couldn’t make it back in time. You must be hungry by now. I bought a bowl of noodles on the way. Make do with it for now,” Phantom spoke as he walked, his voice softening with a hint of apology. If those familiar with him heard this, they would be incredibly surprised. Is this still the same Phantom?

Having said so and seeing no response from Su Wenyue, Phantom assumed she was asleep. He casually placed the noodles on the table and only then noticed that the two steamed buns he left that morning were untouched and now cold and hard.

She hadn’t eaten anything in the morning either?

Seeing the two immovable cold steamed buns, Phantom wrinkled his brow unconsciously, pondering the reason. It didn’t make sense—this woman had followed him these past two days, eating whatever could fill her stomach. Could her silence be a sign of rebellion, provoked by anger that he had locked her in the room?

Rarely trying to fathom a woman’s mind, Phantom considered that perhaps Su Wenyue was angry because he was confining her. However, there was no helping it. Since he had saved her, he had no intention of returning her to Han Yu. If Han Yu was so incompetent that he couldn’t even protect his own woman, then it would be better to hand Su Wenyue over to his master, who surely wouldn’t refuse this time.

“You should eat something. Don’t be angry! If I don’t lock you up, you might go looking for your useless husband again, right? I can’t understand what’s so good about Han Yu that you are so devoted. My master is a thousand, no, a million times better than that useless Han Yu. There’s no need to mention my master’s abilities, and he’s gentle and considerate with women. Which woman in the mansion doesn’t hope for my master’s favor? It’s only you who is lucky enough to catch his eye. You should be happy! If there’s only one slight shortfall, it’s on the matter of formal status, but status is but a superficial thing. As long as a man dotes on you, are you afraid you won’t have good days to live? Don’t be so negative!”

At that time, Phantom did not know about Su Wenyue’s plunge off the cliff. He simply thought Han Yu had not protected her well, thus letting her be taken away by those five men. Thinking of this made Phantom despise Han Yu even more. He had had several dealings with Han Yu; to be so inept as to not protect one’s own wife was ridiculous!

Phantom blabbered on and on, revealing his true thoughts, attempting to persuade Su Wenyue, but for some reason, he felt a hint of loss inside.

Unfortunately, despite Phantom’s rare chatter and lengthy persuasion, Su Wenyue still showed no reaction at all, lying there motionless, disregarding him.

Phantom was also getting irked. This woman truly didn’t know what was good for her. If it hadn’t been for his master, would he have bothered to say all this? She was really taking him lightly.

“I’m telling you to get up and eat. Starving yourself won’t work. I’m determined to hand you over to my master, so forget about Han Yu. Don’t think that by lying there and ignoring me, I will have no way to deal with you. Don’t make me resort to measures; with your frail body, I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle it!” Seeing friendly persuasion was useless, Phantom resorted to threats.

Su Wenyue remained unmoved and silent. Losing his patience, Phantom reached out to lift her up, only to have her turn her back on him, revealing a face abnormal with burning crimson. It was only then that Phantom belatedly realized something was wrong.

“Hey, Miss Su, what’s the matter? Are you feeling unwell?” Phantom asked with concern, only then feeling foolish. How could she answer him when she was clearly in a deep slumber? He reached out to touch her forehead.

Feeling the scorching heat on his palm, Phantom was startled. How could the fever be so severe? She had seemed only pale and weak before; how could she have developed such a serious fever? Was it the shock she had experienced earlier? Only now did Phantom truly realize that Su Wenyue was, after all, a woman. She had been tough on the surface, silent and uncomplaining, but her body had succumbed.

As a secret guard raised through harsh training from a young age, familiar with injuries and sickness, Phantom knew instinctively that Su Wenyue’s condition was serious. Considering she hadn’t eaten breakfast, she must have already been sick by then and having lasted another day made Phantom reproach himself for his neglect. Had he noticed earlier, perhaps it wouldn’t have escalated so badly.

Being a man entering a woman’s room was one thing in the morning, and although he wasn’t too concerned about those conventional rules, nor was he a lowly human, it would have been improper to stare at a girl and, hence, he left soon after delivering the food.

In these circumstances, Phantom couldn’t delay. He needed to call a doctor immediately. However, even in his haste, he did not forget to lock the door behind him. With her still unconscious, she could escape if she woke up while he was gone, which would be bad. Moreover, if such a weak woman was left on her own outside, who knew what dangers she might encounter? He couldn’t be as negligent as Han Yu.