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Li Lianhua stumbles, and instead of righting himself, he starts to fall towards the ground. Di Feisheng has no choice but to grab him by the waist, holding him upright. Li Lianhua leans against him like he normally doesn't, his body warm and pliant against Di Feisheng.
Something is wrong.
"You're warm," Di Feisheng tells him. These days, Li Lianhua's body temperature runs towards the cooler side, even after being cured, and while he isn't feverishly hot right now, it's certainly not normal for him.
Li Lianhua mumbles something, his breath tickling against Di Feisheng's neck in a way that proves… distracting.
"What?" Di Feisheng demands.
"They put something in my system, I can't think straight," Li Lianhua says, his words a little slurred, his lips still far too close to Di Feisheng's skin. Or maybe not close enough.
"When?" Di Feisheng asks.
Li Lianhua mumbles something incomprehensible and then, a little louder, adds, "I might have eaten something I shouldn't."
"I thought you knew better than that," Di Feisheng says, but it's like Li Lianhua isn't even listening to him. In fact, he seems to have grown hotter just during their brief conversation. He feels Li Lianhua grow heavier against him, and realises that he's certainly not going to be able to get back to Lotus Tower under his own power. Determinedly, Di Feisheng hoists him up into his arms.
His first priority is to make sure Li Lianhua will be alright.
Li Lianhua falls unconscious somewhere on the very brief journey to Lotus Tower. Di Feisheng sets him down, ignoring Hulijing's worried whining, and then unceremoniously shakes him awake again. Whatever drug someone might have given Li Lianhua, he should be able to fix it himself, even if he only has a fraction of his inner power. And if not, Di Feisheng's Windy Poplar will—
Li Lianhua blinks and then smiles at Di Feisheng, soft and unfocused. Di Feisheng's belly twists. Li Lianhua's smile suddenly turns into a frown, and he reaches out to touch Di Feisheng's forehead.
"I like you, A-Fei," Li Lianhua declares, in a soft, but surprisingly firm voice. His eyes look glassy and a little unfocused. His fingers move down to touch Di Feisheng's cheek.
Di Feisheng's insides clench, his heart— He frowns at Li Lianhua.
"You're not thinking straight," he reminds Li Lianhua and then grabs his wrist, pulling his hand down. Li Lianhua hums slightly. His pulse feels too quick, and there's actually a slight sheen of sweat on his skin. "You need to focus," Di Feisheng says tightly.
Li Lianhua hums again, and then thankfully nods, and makes a visible effort to gather himself. Slowly, he starts circulating his inner force. Di Feisheng sighs and then settles in to do what he can to help.