NOVEL NEXT Vol. 1 - Ch. 380 - Reunion
"Her condition stems from severe exhaustion, coupled with prolonged starvation—her body is extremely weak. And from what I can tell, she's also sustained some injuries. Right now, what she needs most is complete rest," the doctor concluded after examining Kang Xin.
Standing off to the side, Han YunXi looked toward the unconscious girl lying on the bed, her face unconcealed in worry.
It had been two years—two whole years—and she never imagined the next time they'd see Kang Xin, she'd be in this state: so fragile, so pale.
Clearly, those years had been anything but kind to her.
HuMing once mentioned Kang Xin had gone off on a mission, but no one realized just how dangerous it was—dangerous enough to nearly cost her life.
HuMing came back battered, and now so had Kang Xin.
"Thank you, doctor," Han YunXi said, walking him out before quietly returning to the room.
Looking at Kang Xin's familiar face, she couldn't help thinking about HuMing, who was racing back now. When he saw Kang Xin like this, how would he react?
She couldn't say for sure—but one thing she knew well: Kang Xin held an irreplaceable place in HuMing's heart.
"Kang Xin, just rest. Leave everything else to us now."
The moment HuMing heard about Kang Xin, he practically flew back to the Han residence.
What concerned him more, though, was this—Han YunXi only mentioned seeing Kang Xin. But what about HuMin?
A gnawing unease clawed at the edge of his mind.
Beside him, Ye QiuXue gently squeezed his hand, her eyes steady with reassurance.
"It's going to be okay, HuMing. Don't panic just yet."
It was the first time she'd ever seen HuMing this frantic—on the verge of losing control.
Her voice anchored him, and slowly, that rising anxiety began to ebb.
These days, HuMing valued the people around him more than ever. That deepened concern had begun to change him—he hesitated more, second-guessed more. It wasn't who he used to be, but it was a change he'd seen coming.
He always thought he could stay calm. But he was wrong. Once something—or someone—became truly important, emotions didn't wait for permission.
The car sped through the gates of the Han estate.
Han YunXi was already waiting in the front hall. As soon as she saw him, a smile surfaced on her face.
HuMing reached out and ruffled her hair.
"You're here. Kang Xin's upstairs resting. The doctor said she hasn't slept properly in a long time. She's going to need time to recover."
HuMing nodded and followed her upstairs.
But the moment the door opened, he froze.
There she was—Kang Xin—lying in bed, her skin pale, her frame delicate.
Two years ago, the last time he saw her, she was in a hospital bed too. Weak. Barely hanging on.
And now… the same scene played out again.
His fists clenched. His face was calm, expressionless.
But those who knew him well would recognize that look: this was when HuMing was at his angriest.
Outside the room, Han YunXi and Ye QiuXue stood in silence. They shared the same worry—that HuMing might act rashly.
Ye QiuXue tugged Han YunXi's arm gently, then quietly closed the door.
HuMing needed time to process everything. And more importantly, he needed time alone with Kang Xin.
She understood HuMing. Just as she understood what Kang Xin meant to him.
Back when HuMing was at his lowest—when everything seemed to fall apart—it was Kang Xin who stayed by his side.
Ye QiuXue recalled the first time she met Kang Xin: a quiet, withdrawn girl who never left HuMing's side, helping him through everything.
If time and loyalty counted for anything, Kang Xin had already proven it all.
"YunXi," Ye QiuXue whispered, "tell me how you found her."
She needed to understand the full picture. Though deep down, she had a feeling this had everything to do with Shi Zhong.
…
Inside the room, HuMing quietly pulled over a chair and sat beside Kang Xin.
He reached out and held her hand.
But what he felt wasn't soft skin.
It was calloused. Hardened. The rough marks of countless fights.
As one of HuMin's students, HuMing knew exactly what those calluses meant.
Kang Xin could've lived a peaceful life—just like Ye QiuXue. But instead, she chose this path.
It was her decision, yes.
But even so, HuMing never wanted her to walk this road.
He brought her hand to his forehead, letting the silence stretch as memories flooded back. Their time together. Their battles. Their quiet moments.
He didn't know how long he sat there.
But suddenly, he felt a faint twitch in his palm.
His eyes snapped open.
Kang Xin was awake.
She was staring at him, silent as always, her face unreadable.
"You're awake. I thought you were going to sleep the whole day," he said with a faint smile.
"I didn't expect… to see you when I opened my eyes." Her voice was hoarse, and unsure.
Almost like she thought he was just a dream.
"Not happy to see me?" he teased, gently brushing aside a strand of hair on her forehead.
She instinctively turned away, her pale face now tinged with a blush.
Seeing her reaction, HuMing quietly withdrew his hand, assuming he had startled her.
But then he heard her murmur something.
"…That was nice."
HuMing froze—then broke into a helpless smile.
She was still the same.
Her body was slowly stabilizing, but the moment HuMin's name came up, a silence settled over her again.
Just from her expression, HuMing could already guess part of the truth.
"HuMin… was she captured?" he asked. "Unless Francis planned to kill her…"
Kang Xin nodded faintly.
"We were on a small island when it happened. I managed to escape—but only because of a mysterious stranger. When Shi Ren came after me, he appeared and helped."
"A stranger?" HuMing raised an eyebrow. "Do you know who it was?"
"No. But he said something I can't stop thinking about."
"What did he say?"
"He told me… to protect Han YunXi."
HuMing froze.
"Protect YunXi?" The words didn't make sense. He didn't know anyone who would relay such a cryptic warning—unless it was meant for him.
Was Shi Zhong going to target YunXi next?
He rubbed his temples, frustration building.
But Kang Xin continued.
"As for Shi Ren—when I saw him face to face, he didn't seem… conscious. It was like HuMin said—he wasn't acting of his own will."
HuMing's eyes widened. His whole body tensed.
"You mean… Francis completed the drug?"
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