The Salted Fish And Protagonist A Ended Up Together - Chapter 41.1

She shook her head slightly and replied hoarsely, “It’s nothing.”

Seeing that Wen Mian didn’t want to talk, Zhang Yunxi stopped asking. However, she felt indignant for her best friend. Even if they had a fight, Gu Man shouldn’t ignore Mianmian after she had been injured like this!

After helping Wen Mian sit on the sofa, Zhang Yunxi stayed by her side to keep her company.

Gu Man went to the kitchen and quietly prepared a cup of cold medicine. She placed it in front of Wen Mian and said softly, “Drink this so you don’t catch a cold.”

Wen Mian was startled for a moment, then nodded. She leaned forward, cradling the cup with both hands, and lowered her head to drink.

When she finished, she set the cup down and said, “Thank you.”

Gu Man shook her head gently. She sat on another sofa; her throat still pained her with a searing heat, and her every breath felt like scalding air.

The gland at the back of her neck was swollen due to her rut, looking like deep red glazed glass. Gu Man furrowed her brows, doing her best to endure the heat coursing through her body.

Soon, dinner was ready, and the six of them sat at the table.

After dinner, Zhang Yunxi helped Wen Mian upstairs, while Mu Ya and Gu Man followed silently behind.

At the bedroom door, Zhang Yunxi glanced back at the two followers and whispered to Wen Mian, “Then Mianmian, I’ll head back to my room first.”

Wen Mian hummed in response, gripping the doorknob as she waved goodbye to Zhang Yunxi.

As Zhang Yunxi turned to leave, she shot Gu Man a look that clearly meant: Go on, get in there!

Gu Man’s expression was cold and stagnant. She stared straight ahead, ignoring the look.

Zhang Yunxi gnashed her teeth, stamped her foot in frustration at Gu Man’s lack of initiative, and left.

For a moment, the hallway fell into a dead silence.

Wen Mian’s fingers lightly tapped the doorknob. She turned around slowly, forcing a smile. “Mu Ya, Gu Man, is there anything else?”

Mu Ya nodded, glancing at Gu Man with a hint of bashfulness.

Gu Man shook her head. The boiling heat was surging through her body, flushing the corners of her eyes a deep rouge. She felt as though she had been thrown into a spinning washing machine, her head was reeling in circles.

“Nothing. I’m going back,” Gu Man replied.

She walked forward step by step, passing by Wen Mian.

Wen Mian was stunned. She suddenly turned her head, her eyes filled with grievance and sorrow. Her throat bobbed, and her eyes felt dry and stinging.

She tried her best to suppress the bitterness, but bloodshot streaks appeared in her eyes. Her lips moved, but she found it difficult to speak.

As if sensing Wen Mian’s gaze, Gu Man suddenly stopped. She turned to meet Wen Mian’s eyes, her voice raspy. “Goodnight. Sweet dreams.”

Wen Mian’s mood felt like it was on a roller coaster, a violent ascent followed by a steep drop.

At this, Wen Mian couldn’t help but smile, her voice turning cheerful. “Mhm, goodnight.”

Gu Man nodded slightly, forcing herself through the dizziness to walk back to her room.

Watching Gu Man close her door, Wen Mian turned to Mu Ya and asked in confusion, “Mu Ya, why did you suddenly come to see me?”

Mu Ya took a step forward and stood before Wen Mian. She nervously fiddled with the hem of her shirt, her head bowed to reveal the soft crown of her hair.

“I’m sorry,” Mu Ya suddenly blurted out.

Wen Mian was taken aback but quickly shook her head. “This has nothing to do with you. It was my choice to go.”

Mu Ya still didn’t look up. She shook her head and continued, “But I was the one who told you about it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have gone.”

Wen Mian let out a soft chuckle. She leaned down slightly, her voice gentle. “Alright then, I forgive you. Can you be at peace now?”

Only then did Mu Ya lift her head, her eyes curving into crescents, her tone full of joy. “Then I’ll head back. Remember to rest well.”

Wen Mian hummed. Watching her walk away, she turned and pushed open her bedroom door.

Hopping on one foot, she made her way to the bathroom. She hissed in pain as she took off her clothes.

Considering the injury on her elbow, Wen Mian decided to shower with one arm held up.

After showering, she quickly wrapped her dripping hair in a towel, donned a bath towel, and hopped back out to lean against the headboard.

So… so hot! Gu Man tugged at the collar of her shirt, murmuring under her breath.

Whether it was the onset of her rut or a fever from the rain, the hair at Gu Man’s temples was soaked with perspiration.

Everything in front of her seemed shrouded in mist, blurred and unclear. Gu Man exhaled scorching breath, her consciousness vanishing at this moment.

She hunched over, moving step by step toward the door.

With a creak, the door opened. A staggering figure emerged, leaning against the wall.

Knock, knock… The sound of the door being knocked made Wen Mian open her eyes in confusion. Who is it?

Then another thought surfaced, and a look of joy colored her face. It’s Gu Man!

Wen Mian sprang up and dragged her right leg toward the door, her movements filled with urgency.

She swung the door open, her face beaming with delight. “Gu Man!”

It was indeed Gu Man. She was leaning against the wall, looking down at Wen Mian. Her face, usually so cold it seemed untouched by the mundane world, was flushed a deep red. Even her exposed skin was tinged with a faint pink.

Her eyes were crimson and moist, and the scent of sandalwood pheromones flooded the air. Her voice carried an imperceptible tremor.

Wen Mian heard her murmur, “Wenwen, do you really hate me that much?”

Wen Mian was stunned. Her gaze, which had been glued to Gu Man’s flushed face, snapped away as she instinctively countered, “I don’t hate you.”

Gu Man pulled her lips into a faint, self-deprecating smile. She whispered, “You’re lying.”

Wen Mian’s thoughts finally caught up. She stepped forward to support Gu Man’s arm, her voice soothing. “I’m not lying. I have never hated you.”

Gu Man suddenly broke into a silly smile. She leaned against Wen Mian, resting her chin on Wen Mian’s collarbone, and asked again, “Really?”

Her hot breath fanned across the hollow of Wen Mian’s neck, creating an itchy sensation.

Wen Mian withdrew her hand from Gu Man’s arm. After a slight tremble, she slowly placed it on the shoulder blade of Gu Man’s back, patting it gently.

She hummed, “I don’t hate you. In fact, I…”

Before she could finish, Gu Man interrupted. She suddenly straightened up and muttered to herself, “Wenwen is hurt. I can’t press against Wenwen.”

Wen Mian’s eyes glazed over for a moment, and then she burst into laughter, her eyes curving and her face blooming like a flower.

Gu Man’s fingers twitched and then reached out.

Wen Mian’s heart tightened, her body felt as if it were being bound tightly, unable to move. Her eyelashes fluttered violently as she slowly closed her eyes.

After waiting for a few minutes and not feeling the touch of Gu Man’s fingertips on her face, Wen Mian opened her eyes in confusion. She saw Gu Man’s finger.

It was hovering in the air, very close to Wen Mian’s face.

Wen Mian looked up and saw the swirling emotions in Gu Man’s eyes…fear, preciousness, and a heavy, unmistakable love…

She took the initiative to lean forward, pressing her cheek gently against the back of Gu Man’s hand. She whispered, “I’m sorry for these past two days.”

Sensing Wen Mian’s apology, Gu Man grew anxious. She wanted to pull her hand away but couldn’t bear to lose Wen Mian’s rare touch. She could only shake her head in panic. “It’s not Wenwen’s fault. It’s me! It’s me…”

As she spoke, she suddenly stopped.

Wen Mian looked up slightly to see that Gu Man had fallen back into confusion.

The back of Gu Man’s hand felt increasingly scalding against her face, as if it would burn them both to ashes.

Gu Man tried to tug at her collar, turning her neck uncomfortably as if she were restricted.

Wen Mian immediately frowned. She straightened up and quickly placed the back of her hand against Gu Man’s forehead.

As a trace of coolness was felt, Gu Man squinted her eyes in comfort and rubbed against the back of Wen Mian’s hand, her voice raspy. “I like you.”

So hot! Wen Mian gasped inwardly. Is she having a fever?!

All her scattered thoughts vanished, leaving only one: she had to get her to take medicine.

Wen Mian grabbed the hem of Gu Man’s shirt and pulled her into the room, her voice urgent. “Quick, come inside.”

Gu Man smiled foolishly with satisfaction and obediently followed Wen Mian’s lead into the room.

Suddenly, she stopped, her brow furrowing as she stared intently at Wen Mian’s limping right foot.

Wen Mian turned back in confusion, her eyes full of doubt. “What’s wrong?”