After Being Entangled By the Obsessive Heroine [Quick Wear] - Chapter 28.1

Her organs felt as if they’d been shifted out of place, burning and searing with pain. Every breath made her feel like she might faint, so all she could do was hold back, keep herself steady, and cling to life.

Her mind remained clear, yet her eyes refused to open. Around her, voices buzzed—not many people talking, just one person who’s speaking endlessly.

The voice was faintly recognizable as Li Zhao’s, rapid and relentless, as if he were scolding someone.

Was he berating Qin Rong? That wouldn’t be surprising.

Xian Ning wanted to explain, but she was too weak to speak. Her chest already ached unbearably, and the moment her emotions flared, the fragile balance snapped. A sharp crack ran through her bones and then everything went dark.

That’s it. She might not be able to hold on anymore.

She didn’t know how much time had passed before awareness returned. This time there were no noisy voices, only the soft rustling of wind through bamboo.

Finally quiet, she thought.

Her world was still pitch black. She waited a long time, but no light appeared. Am I still unconscious?

Perplexed, she pushed herself up halfway, only for her chest to start throbbing again. Each breath sharpened the pain until she was forced to lie back down.

From the door came the clear chime of a bell, and soon after, a familiar voice rang in her ear.

“Junior Sister, you’re awake!”

Fan Hua’s tone held a rare note of excitement, not the calm gentleness Xian Ning was used to.

Sensing something was wrong, Xian Ning asked softly, “Senior Sister… did something happen to my eyes?”

The beast’s claws had ravaged her heart meridian, but her eyes had been unharmed. Fan Hua walked to the bedside, waved a hand before Xian Ning’s face, and saw her beautiful almond eyes wide open yet blank, without focus, without light.

Empty. No pupils, no direction.

She was blind.

Fan Hua turned toward Qin Rong. For once, that perpetually indifferent face flickered with shock and disarray.

She clearly hadn’t expected this either.

She had thought that saving Xian Ning with everything she had would clear her debt once the wounds healed. Instead…

She owed her even more.

Fan Hua pulled her gaze back, stroked Xian Ning’s head, and said gently, “Your eyes aren’t damaged. You’ve just been bedridden for too long. They’ll take time to recover. Give it a few days.”

Xian Ning turned her face toward her, bewildered. “Really?”

Really? That innocent, confused expression left Fan Hua at a loss for words, eloquence failing her for the first time.

“You have my word. I’ll heal your eyes,” Qin Rong spoke then, her voice betraying her emotions.

Xian Ning shifted her gaze toward her, as though looking. “So you’re here too, Junior Sister Qin? You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

Caught off guard by her concern, Qin Rong faltered. The truth was, during the days Xian Ning lay unconscious, she had been in turmoil. She couldn’t fathom why Xian Ning had chosen to save her.

Hadn’t she always schemed against her? Ambushing her, poisoning her and eager to see her dead? In that moment, shouldn’t she have abandoned her to escape alone?

Even without malicious intent, Xian Ning had every advantage. No one would have blamed her for leaving Qin Rong behind.

So why…

She wanted to ask, but facing those damp, lost eyes, the words caught in her throat.

“I… I’m fine,” she finally said.

Xian Ning sighed in relief. “Good. I passed out so quickly soI wasn’t sure what happened afterward. As long as I didn’t trouble you.”

Her words only twisted Qin Rong’s heart tighter. Muttering something about brewing medicine, she excused herself and left.

Xian Ning could guess at her thoughts and found nothing wrong with them.

Not long ago Qin Rong had tried to poison her. Now she had risked her life to shield her from a beast’s blow. Of course her mind was in chaos.

Fan Hua, meanwhile, watched Xian Ning intently, calculating how to heal those ruined eyes. This was the vessel she had chosen after millennia of searching. There could be no flaws.

Only when Xian Ning could not see did Fan Hua’s true gaze show. To her, she was still the gentle, dependable senior sister.

Feeling sticky all over, Xian Ning groped along the bedside, wanting to get up and wash.

“What is it? Do you need something? Let me help you.”

Fan Hua took her hand and asked softly.

Embarrassed, Xian Ning smiled faintly. “I want to bathe.”

Fan Hua chuckled. “Junior Sister Qin has been tending you all this time. She must not have thought to clean you properly.”

Xian Ning startled. “Then while I was unconscious, was it you, Senior Sister, who…?”

Fan Hua flicked her forehead with a laugh. “What nonsense. Didn’t you wake every two or three days before? It wasn’t needed.”

“…Then how long was unconscious this time?”

“Eight full days,” Fan Hua answered. “Junior Sister Qin used up every rare treasure her clan sent, or you’d never have woken so soon.”

Xian Ning froze. The thought of that massive beast’s strike made her shiver. Surviving at all was already fortune enough.

Ever since coming to this world, she realized, she’d spent more time unconscious than awake. No wonder her sudden blindness didn’t shake her—it was just another thing to accept.

She gave a wry smile. Fan Hua’s eyes flickered, then softened further.

“What’s so funny?”

“Just that I’m too weak… always troubling you.”

Fan Hua’s gaze darkened. Leaning closer, she murmured, “What trouble? I’m willing.”

The words made Xian Ning’s breath hitch. She fell silent. Fan Hua didn’t seem to notice her dismay; she only guided her to the edge of the bed, crouched, and slipped shoes onto her feet.

At that moment, Qin Rong entered with a bowl of medicine. The scene before her made her pause—something clicked in her mind.

So that’s why Senior Sister treats her so well…

She didn’t want to believe it, but the way Fan Hua looked at Xian Ning was far from innocent.

Xian Ning’s feet were small, delicate as jade, her toes pearly and soft. Fan Hua cradled them gently as she dressed her.

The ticklish touch made Xian Ning shrink back. “I can do it myself.”

Fan Hua handed her the socks and shoes. Blind eyes wide and searching, Xian Ning fumbled clumsily, her helplessness tugging at the heart.

From the doorway, Qin Rong felt a strange surge of emotion. For some reason, she couldn’t stand to watch them so close.

“The medicine’s ready,” she said abruptly, breaking the quiet.

Xian Ning turned toward her voice, smiling sweetly. “Thank you, Junior Sister Qin, for taking care of me.”

The gratitude unsettled Qin Rong all the more. Avoiding her gaze, she set the bowl down. “It’s nothing. What I should do.”

Because of her, Xian Ning was injured. This was simply repayment. Yet being thanked only sharpened her guilt.

If only Xian Ning would treat her with disdain or cold words like before—she might feel less burdened. But this warmth… it tied her in knots.

Xian Ning knew exactly what she was doing. The more Qin Rong’s thoughts tangled, the less room she’d have left for hatred. In time, feelings might shift. And when they did, her own mission would be easier.

A little too pleased with herself, she stood abruptly—only to misstep.

She stumbled forward. Fan Hua caught her hand, Qin Rong her waist.

Xian Ning inhaled sharply. Qin Rong’s scent was like drifting snow in the wind, cold and lonely. The fragrance steadied her, made her heart fall silent, as though she had transcended mortal dust.

After thanking them both, she reached out and clasped one of their hands. “I’m sorry for the trouble.”

Qin Rong blinked, stunned by the warmth of her palm. She had never imagined holding Xian Ning’s hand.

After a quick wash, she downed the bitter medicine. Half her life felt drained away. If Fan Hua had been here, she would have demanded candy after but Qin Rong, rigid as ever, would never think of it.

Still, the medicine worked fast. The ache in her chest eased, her breathing smoothed.

She turned toward Qin Rong. “Could I trouble you to heat some water for a bath?”

Better to keep her busy, Xian Ning thought. Guilt needed an outlet.

Qin Rong hesitated, then remembered Xian Ning’s cultivation lag. Unlike higher adepts, she couldn’t yet keep her body cleansed with moonlight alone.

Fan Hua interjected, “Why bother? Doesn’t Junior Sister Qin have a spirit spring right at her residence?”

Xian Ning thought for sure Qin Rong would refuse—how could she let someone taint her sacred spring? Yet to her surprise, she agreed.

What? Has she been pushed this far already?

That spring hadn’t existed naturally. The Qin clan had spent immeasurable effort and rare treasures to forge it for her cultivation.

And now Xian Ning would be the only other person to use it.

She felt oddly proud. Grinning, she took Qin Rong’s offered arm. “Then I’ll trouble you, Junior Sister.”

Without a word, Qin Rong led her out. Fan Hua followed behind, eyes dark and watchful. The forgetting curse she’d placed on Xian Ning hadn’t been reinforced in days. If this went on, who knew what might “awaken” in her?

Her gaze sharpened toward Qin Rong. Not yet. For now, she can stay the naïve little sister.

Qin Rong valued quiet, her home nestled away from others, surrounded only by birds and flowers. As they descended the mountain, Fan Hua split off. She knew Qin Rong wouldn’t allow her inside.

The path grew ever more silent. “Are we close?” Xian Ning asked. “Feels like not even the birds call here. Just the sort of place you’d like.”

The original owner had never come here and never allowed Qin Rong into her domain either.

Both of their moods were complicated. Xian Ning’s was a secret thrill at soaking in a spirit spring. Qin Rong’s stemmed from Xian Ning herself.

Blind, Xian Ning’s expressions had become more vivid, her gestures larger, as if to compensate. Twice already Qin Rong had been struck by her smile, and though she knew Xian Ning couldn’t see her, she still found herself looking away.

It was a strange feeling—like standing in sunlight, warmed and soothed.

When she looked again, she realized Xian Ning truly seemed more beautiful than before.

Meanwhile, Xian Ning’s focus stayed on her steps. Sightless, she was terrified of stumbling into a hole.

Qin Rong remained quiet until Xian Ning finally asked, “Did I say something wrong? If you didn’t like what I said earlier, I can apologize.”

Their relationship wasn’t yet close enough for casual teasing. She had let Qin Rong’s fleeting gentleness fool her.

But Qin Rong only felt this way out of guilt. Once she healed, things would go back to how they were.

Don’t mistake it for more, Xian Ning warned herself.

She knew it well in her head, yet her heart still dipped with disappointment. At this rate, when will I ever start my mission?

She kept her eyes fixed ahead, even though she couldn’t see. From the side, her profile was delicate, lashes fluttering like small fans, her lowered lids carrying a trace of grievance.

Grievance? Because I didn’t answer her?

Qin Rong’s heart skipped. She pressed the feeling down and said quickly, “No, I was just watching the path so you wouldn’t fall. I forgot to answer. Sorry.”

Xian Ning broke into a bright smile. “There’s nothing to apologize for. Letting me use your spirit spring is more than enough.”

The radiance of it dazzled Qin Rong, who once again turned her eyes away.

The gentle ding-dong of spring water reached their ears. They had arrived.

And then Xian Ning realized a problem.

“Um… I’m a little scared. Would you bathe with me?”

It wasn’t coyness—she genuinely didn’t know how deep the water was, afraid of slipping under.

Qin Rong froze. “With you… bathe?”

Xian Ning saw no issue. “Mm. Or at least stay nearby and watch.”

She crouched, hands searching for the edge of the pool. Qin Rong had meant to refuse, but seeing her like this… the words died.

If not for saving her, Xian Ning wouldn’t be so helpless.

“The water isn’t cold. Take off your clothes and get in—I’ll be right here.”

Xian Ning turned toward her, smiling wide. “Thank you.”

Again with that smile. Qin Rong shifted her gaze, letting complicated feelings churn inside.

Xian Ning, unbothered, slipped in. They were both women—nothing strange about it.

The spring was cool and clear, its touch like silk across her skin. Every pore seemed to open in relief.

She sighed, calling toward Qin Rong’s direction, “Junior Sister, are you sure you don’t want to join me?”

Her voice drew Qin Rong’s eyes unwillingly. Through the rippling water, the outline of her graceful body shimmered faintly. Heat crept up Qin Rong’s ears.

“No… no, just call me when you’re done.”

Qin Rong took a few steps to the side, silently reciting the Clear Heart Mantra, trying to shut out the distracting sounds around her.

It didn’t work. If anything, the trickle of water grew sharper, and she could even hear Xian Ning’s faint breaths.

She had never experienced anything so absurd. Confused, she stopped paying attention to Xian Ning.

The spirit spring was indeed remarkable. After soaking only a few minutes, Xian Ning already felt lighter—her chest no longer hurt, and she could breathe freely again. Far better than that bitter, tear-inducing medicine.

If I could soak here every day, wouldn’t that save me from drinking those awful brews?

She made a mental note: later she’d mention it to Qin Rong. If Qin Rong agreed, wonderful. If not, she lost nothing.

Lost in her pleasant little fantasy, she failed to notice the changes happening to her body—until pain erupted, spreading everywhere.

Wherever the water touched, agony flared, as though her skin were being peeled away, leaving only raw, bleeding flesh.

The spring that moments ago had been a healing gift now felt like a demon bent on tearing her apart.

Cold sweat drenched her instantly. Her teeth chattered so hard she could barely form words.

“Qin… Junior Sister…”

She forced out the cry, then her mind fogged, pain drilling into her skull like an auger. It wasn’t like the beast’s wounds.

That had been physical pain. This was something else—magical, invasive. Waves of torment roared through her head, threatening to split it open.

Qin Rong, still murmuring her mantra, paused. It took her a moment to register Xian Ning’s call. When she turned, her breath caught.

Xian Ning’s face was white as paper. Her eyes, already blank, had fluttered shut—unconscious.

Panic struck Qin Rong’s chest. Without hesitation, she plunged into the spring and pulled her out.

The moment her body left the water, the pain eased somewhat, though her mind remained muddled. Strange images flickered in her head.

Qin Rong’s eyes darkened. Something was wrong.

“How could this be…”

There was sorcery on her body.

Xian Ning bit down hard, teeth clicking audibly. She clutched Qin Rong’s robes, but the fear of hurting her made her pull back at once.

“Junior Sister… stay away from me, or I’ll hurt you.”

Qin Rong brushed her palm across Xian Ning’s forehead, channeling power to ease the pain, then carried her out of the spring.

The torment dulled. Xian Ning’s consciousness returned slightly, but she still clung to Qin Rong as if afraid she might vanish.

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