Later that night, the fever claimed Wenzhi.
His temperature spiked so high it nearly sent Xinyuan into a frenzy before he forced himself to calm down, pressing a damp cloth to Wenzhi's forehead in an attempt to bring it down.
Duan Ze stayed. He moved in and out, bringing medication, water, anything he could find.
Watching him, how attentive he was, and how naturally he took care of Wenzhi, Xinyuan had to acknowledge it.
The guide cared.
Hours passed.
At some point, Duan Ze fell asleep on the opposite sofa.
Xinyuan didn't.
Wenzhi kept shifting restlessly, his body overheating and unsteady, almost rolling off the sofa more than once.
So Xinyuan sat cross-legged on the floor, watching. Ready to catch him.
The door swung open without warning, and a new presence swept into the room, shifting the heavy atmosphere instantly.
