Special Thanks to these patrons for their support!

S T E L L A R C L O U D

[Celeste S.] [Christine G.-L.]

O R A N G E S T A R

[Fazzienaz] [K.Rom] [Reece P.] [Suong D.] [Tori D.] [Ziana K.-P.]

Y E L L O W S T A R

[Chlaudette P.] [Gwyneth T.] [Manon] [Passerby] [Xena]

G O L D S T A R

[Lord_Wolve] [Nanashi D. Y.] [Nevy]

R A I N B O W S T A R

[Allie] [Debra W] [Kiiayame] [Peggy F.]

T H E S U N

[Amy K.] [Ava C.] [Caroline] [Galetron] [Kaylee3150] [kuroneko_chan] [Lily J.]

[Malinkat] [Michelle K.] [onepiece] [Scorpion Princess] [Smurfinbatik] [Sophia W.]

Also, many thanks to everyone who bought me coffee (*≧∀≦*)

"Not awake? Hmm?"

Xiao Heng raised an eyebrow, making a muffled sound from between his teeth.

However, the individual caught seemed unaware of any guilt as her chilly fingertips continued to steadily move downwards.

Her antics made Xiao Heng almost burst into laughter, exasperatingly so.

Who in this world had the thickest skin? It must be this girl here.

Xiao Heng, at his core, was a naturally shy individual, often blushing and experiencing prolonged heartbeats even at the simple act of holding hands on ordinary days. However, he found himself repeatedly taken advantage of by a certain person, who shamelessly continued to do so with an air of absolute justification.

Did this girl really think he wouldn't dare do anything to her?

He pinched her smooth chin and with a hint of a veiled threat, said, "You don't want to sleep, do you?"

Gu Jiao's mischievous little hand paused. Still keeping her eyes closed, she said, "I do."

"No, you don't."

After saying this, Xiao Heng flipped over with a swift movement, his elbows resting on her sides, lightly pressing her beneath him.

She was the one who provoked him first, so she couldn’t blame him for not letting her sleep peacefully.

He lowered his head and covered her soft lips.

From the moment she appeared in front of him after rushing back in the wind and snow, saying "Happy Birthday, Lord Xiao," he had wanted to do this.

He struggled to restrain himself, but this girl, who had no idea how hard he had to work to maintain that restraint, effortlessly shattered all of his self-control.

After resting at home for a few days, her lips, cracked by the wind and snow, regained their moisture and softness.

His breath became erratic, his heart almost jumping out of his chest.

He briefly released her just before the last bit of him collapsed.

"Your face is red." Gu Jiao said.

"No talking!" He buried his head in her neck.

"Your ears are red too." Gu Jiao added.

"Gu JiaoJiao!" His voice sounded hoarse and husky.

Gu Jiao slightly tilted her head, positioning her small mouth toward his reddening ears and whispering, "Even your voice isn't your own~"

Xiao Heng's breath hitched, "...Gu JiaoJiao!"

"I’m here." Gu Jiao obediently responded.

The utterance instantly melted Xiao Heng's heart, extinguishing the flames of embarrassment and indignation within him as if doused by a bucket of ice-cold water. He looked at the person beneath him, amused and exasperated.

The person remained unfazed, still calmly keeping her eyes closed.

Xiao Heng shifted his elbows inward, holding her tighter. Then, raising the corner of his lips, he smirked and said, "Aren't you still asleep? How come you can see it?"

Let's see if being stubborn still works.

Xiao Heng saw her pupils move under her tightly closed eyelids.

Xiao Heng chuckled, resting his forehead against hers. Using an extremely tempting voice, he softly said, "Can't speak anymore, hmm?"

His voice was so alluring that Gu Jiao's ears tingled.

Gu Jiao paused, "You taste really good."

Xiao Heng: "..."

How did the topic change so quickly?

Fine, let's play along and have a chit-chat today.

Xiao Heng looked at the person who stubbornly kept her eyes closed and laughed, "Really? You haven't even tasted it, how can you tell it’s good?"

"I have." Gu Jiao blindly raised her hand, reaching his cheek and tapping his lips.

Even when things were like this, she could still pretend to be asleep with her eyes closed. Xiao Heng admired her determination.

In ancient times, there were petty thieves covering their ears to steal bells. Today, there was Gu Jiao messing with her husband with her eyes closed.

Xiao Heng felt like laughing as he whispered in her ear, "Gu Jiao, this isn't called eating yet."

He spoke hastily and regretted it immediately afterward.

This statement... was a bit too bold.

Perhaps afraid of an awkward reaction, he quickly changed the subject, "At what age do girls undergo the coming-of-age ceremony in your hometown?"

She knew she wasn't the real Gu Jiao, and she also admitted that she wasn't Gu Jiao. Since that was the case, there was no need to pretend not to understand anything anymore.

Though, in reality, there were indeed too many things he didn't understand.

For example, her origin, and why she became Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao didn't know that in that brief moment, so many things flashed through Xiao Heng's mind. She honestly replied, "Girls reach adulthood at eighteen and enter matrimony at twenties."

Reaching adulthood was reaching marriageable age and entering matrimony was getting married. Xiao Heng understood these.

Xiao Heng caressed the top of her head gently and asked softly, "So, should I wait for you to grow up till you're twenty, or just until eighteen?"

Gu Jiao, with her eyes closed, was about to open her mouth to respond.

Xiao Heng suddenly said with a husky voice, "Eighteen."

Gu Jiao: "I didn't say that."

Xiao Heng: "You did, I heard it."

Gu Jiao: "You're being unfair."

Xiao Heng chuckled softly and lightly touched her cheek, "Well, I am being unfair. But, Physician Gu, are you even sure you can wait till eighteen?"

Gu Jiao earnestly said, "Of course, I can!"

Xiao Heng grinned at her, "Shouldn’t you take your hand out before you say that?"

Gu Jiao tilted her head, "I'm asleep."

Xiao Heng: "..."

Xiao Heng chuckled softly, "Okay, I got it."

He leaned down and kissed her again, lingering yet restrained, domineering yet gentle.

Gu Jiao drifted into a great pleasure while sleeping and woke up feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Xiao Heng was no longer there, leaving a note on the bedside table. He explained that he went to the Ministry of Justice to assist with a case.

The note was strictly businesslike, devoid of any hint of ambiguity. However, he also left some snacks and jerky that Gu Jiao loved on the table.

Gu Jiao tasted a piece of the snack.

Hmm, it's really sweet.

After tidying up, Gu Jiao went to the neighboring room, which was Mo Qianxue's sickroom.

Speaking of this room being converted into a sickroom, it was all thanks to Gu Chenglin. During the days when Gu Chenglin refused to leave, Gu Jiao had transformed the room by adding an operation table while keeping the original canopy bed.

Physician Tong had guarded overnight, and Physician Song arrived to take over his shift.

At this moment, it was Physician Song in the room.

Physician Song wasn't idle while looking after Mo Qianxue. He was reviewing the medical records from these days, hoping to improve his medical skills as soon as possible.

Gu Jiao entered the room.

Hearing the movement, Physician Song stood up and greeted Gu Jiao, "Physician Gu."

"How is her condition?" Gu Jiao asked.

Physician Song replied, "For now, there are no major issues. There hasn't been any postoperative infection, and the drainage of the chest fluid and gas seems to be good."

During the battles in Yuegu City, Physician Song had performed a few cases of pneumothorax surgery under Gu Jiao's guidance and knew what to pay attention to.

Gu Jiao nodded, "You can take a break. I'll take over."

Physician Song didn't refuse.

Gu Jiao didn't like superficial efforts, such as pretending to be diligent. A person's diligence was reflected in their medical skills and ethics, not in these small things.

"I'll grab a meal and come back." Physician Song said.

Raz P.'s Thoughts

To read advance GSPW chapters! Updates 7x a week (daily).

You can read up to 30 advance chapters in our patreon so you should go check it out. ^^

No patreon but want to support us? Then,

OR if you can't support us in money, you can always support us emotionally -just hope into . Hehehe~