Morning came slowly.
Zhao Han's eyes opened.
Pain greeted him first.
Sharp.
Heavy.
He didn't move at once.
Just listened.
Silence.
Then—
Something different.
Warm air.
Soft light.
The faint scent of herbs.
Not a prison.
His eyes narrowed instantly.
"…Where…"
His voice came out rough.
He tried to move—
Pain shot through his side.
His expression tightened.
Memories flooded back.
Chains.
Blood.
The prison.
And—
Li Xian.
Han's jaw clenched.
Betrayal burned in his chest.
"…Tch…"
His fingers curled slightly.
But something was wrong.
He paused.
His gaze lowered.
His body—
Already bandaged.
Carefully.
Clean.
"…?"
His eyes narrowed.
This wasn't a rushed job.
This was done by someone who knew exactly what they were doing.
Then—
The door creaked open.
Zhao Han's eyes snapped toward it instantly.
An old man stepped inside.
Carrying herbs.
He froze slightly when he saw Han awake.
"Oh… you're finally awake."
Zhao Han didn't relax.
"Where am I?"
The old man placed the herbs down gently.
"My house."
"I found you near the forest early this morning."
A pause.
"…You were badly injured."
Han's eyes flickered.
"…Forest…"
His mind worked quickly.
The old man continued, noticing his condition.
"…But…"
He hesitated slightly.
"…your wounds were already treated."
Han's gaze sharpened.
"…What?"
The old man nodded.
"Yes."
"I only changed the bandages and checked them."
A small pause.
"Whoever helped you before… did a very careful job."
Silence.
Zhao Han's expression darkened.
"…Someone… else…"
His fingers curled slightly against the bed.
"…Where are they?"
The old man shook his head.
"I didn't see anyone."
"You were alone when I found you."
Alone.
Han's eyes lowered slightly.
Thinking.
So someone treated him…
Then left.
Without being seen.
Without waiting.
His fingers brushed against the bandage again.
Careful.
Precise.
His gaze slowly turned colder.
"…Whoever it was…"
A low whisper.
"…doesn't matter."
A pause.
His eyes darkened.
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Unmoving.
But beneath that anger—
Something else flickered.
Something Han refused to acknowledge.