Return to the City: The Strongest King
Chapter 967 - 968: Getting Up at Night

Chapter 967: Chapter 968: Getting Up at Night

"Cold! Cold! I’m freezing!" Wu Xiaoya curled up her body tightly, her teeth chattering uncontrollably, upper and lower teeth clacking together, making a rapid sound.

Miao Qingqing anxiously said, "Honey, what should we do now?"

Song Xiaodong responded, "There’s nothing else we can do for now. You two should hold her on either side; it might make her feel better."

Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan didn’t hesitate and immediately moved to embrace Wu Xiaoya.

Wu Xiaoya seemed to feel a bit better, but she kept trembling.

The entire day, Wu Xiaoya alternated between being cold and hot, leaving Song Xiaodong, Miao Qingqing, and Miao Xuanxuan utterly exhausted.

As darkness fell, Miao Qingqing suggested, "Honey, you should take a break for a bit, then come back to relieve us. None of us will manage to stay awake all night without resting."

Song Xiaodong didn’t resist. The second half of the night would undoubtedly be harder than the first. Letting Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan take over for a while while he caught a little sleep to preserve his strength was a good idea. Plus, he had to stay alert in case Li Fangding and his people dared to approach; he needed enough mental willpower to deal with them.

After sleeping for about three hours, Song Xiaodong woke up and called Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan to rest.

The two women were already thoroughly worn out, muttered a few words, and then huddled together to sleep.

Song Xiaodong sat beside Wu Xiaoya, touched her forehead, and noticed she didn’t seem as weak as before. The shivering had also subsided somewhat. These signs indicated she might be improving.

Song Xiaodong stayed beside her to ensure she didn’t face any sudden issues.

"Cold..." After a while, Wu Xiaoya began trembling again.

Song Xiaodong hesitated for a moment before lying down next to her to hold her. Waking up Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan would be reasonable, but he couldn’t bear to see them struggle after all their effort and needed to let them rest properly. Besides, Wu Xiaoya was a patient, so matters of gender differences weren’t as important now.

Perhaps it was due to his masculine warmth; after being embraced by Song Xiaodong for a while, Wu Xiaoya’s chills decreased noticeably, her breathing became steadier, and she clung closely to Song Xiaodong, refusing to let go.

Song Xiaodong continued holding her. Although he couldn’t sleep, at least he could rest with his eyes closed. Holding a beautiful woman, he maintained a serene composure.

After another hour or so, Wu Xiaoya murmured, "Thirsty... I’m so thirsty..."

Song Xiaodong quickly sat up, found some water from above, and helped Wu Xiaoya sit up and take a few sips.

"You... you’re Song Xiaodong?" Wu Xiaoya’s voice was soft but unmistakably clear.

"Yes, Qingqing and Xuanxuan are exhausted. I’m taking over for the second half of the night to care for you."

"Thank you all so much..." Wu Xiaoya’s voice quivered with emotion.

"It’s nothing; we’re in this together. Rest well; based on your condition, you should be fine by tomorrow."

"Yes. If it weren’t for your care, I might... I might have died here."

"It’s just a fever and cold, nothing to fear. Get some sleep." Song Xiaodong gently laid Wu Xiaoya down again.

Wu Xiaoya lay flat on the straw bedding, no longer clinging to Song Xiaodong.

Song Xiaodong kept his eyes closed to rest, but he noticed Wu Xiaoya tossed and turned five or six times within less than twenty minutes. He turned toward her and asked softly, "What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere?"

"I... I... it’s nothing." Wu Xiaoya replied softly.

"Oh, do you need to use the bathroom?" Song Xiaodong asked in a hushed voice.

"I... do..." Wu Xiaoya’s response was barely audible, caught in her throat. She hadn’t expected him to guess so quickly and ask so directly, leaving her feeling deeply embarrassed.

Song Xiaodong said, "I’ll carry you there. It’s too dark to let Qingqing or Xuanxuan go with you—it wouldn’t be safe."

"Ah... this..." Wu Xiaoya was speechless for a moment. Everyone had been supplementing their fluid intake mostly with fruit over the past few days, so there hadn’t been frequent bathroom trips. The routine had been to go before sleeping and again in the morning. She had only gone with either Miao Qingqing or Miao Xuanxuan and had never been out with Song Xiaodong.

Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "Let’s go. I promise I won’t look or take advantage of you. You forget—I have two wives here. If I dared do anything, wouldn’t they punish me?"

"I... I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just... so awkward." Wu Xiaoya felt even more embarrassed after he spoke.

"There’s nothing awkward about it. You’re sick, and I happen to be a doctor. Between doctors and patients, there are no gender distinctions." As he spoke, Song Xiaodong gently scooped Wu Xiaoya up.

Wu Xiaoya gasped softly, before biting her lip to avoid waking up Miao Qingqing and Miao Xuanxuan, which would only make things even more uncomfortable.

Song Xiaodong carried Wu Xiaoya out of the cave. Under the moonlight, he took her to a spot farther away from their camp. After all, even if they were living outdoors, women wouldn’t relieve themselves too close to their sleeping area—they always chose spots farther away.

He carefully set Wu Xiaoya down and softly remarked, "Can you manage by yourself?"

"I... I think so." Wu Xiaoya steadied herself against a tree and replied softly.

"Alright, I’ll stand behind the tree. Call me when you’re done." Saying this, Song Xiaodong moved behind the tree.

Wu Xiaoya listened to his footsteps and confirmed he was behind the tree. Instinctively glancing at the thick trunk, she judged it would block his view. It was completely dark under the tree; she couldn’t see anything, and knew he wouldn’t be able to see her either.

But the surrounding darkness made her feel an inexplicable fear. She hurriedly lowered her pants and relieved herself.

Song Xiaodong stood behind the tree, listening to the sound of running water. His thoughts wandered momentarily before shaking his head and smiling bitterly to himself. His True Qi hadn’t recovered, and his self-control wasn’t strong enough. Maintaining a clear state of mind like he had with Sun Yiyi was far more challenging now.

The sound of water ceased, immediately followed by a startled cry from Wu Xiaoya.

Song Xiaodong jumped in alarm, quickly turning and rushing over to her. Wu Xiaoya threw herself into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist.

"What happened?" Song Xiaodong asked hurriedly, instinctively holding her up.

"Something... something soft and fleshy, ahhh..." Wu Xiaoya clung tightly to Song Xiaodong’s neck, trembling all over.

Song Xiaodong was momentarily stunned because his hand inadvertently ended up touching something soft and fleshy—it was Wu Xiaoya’s behind. And under that skirt, apparently, there was nothing.