NOVEL WEB Chapter 19: chapter 19
Her thoughts spiral as she approaches his door. "I am not a good girl," she whispers to herself, her voice barely audible. "I always cause trouble for my brother. Do I really deserve him? He told me he would marry me, but am I worthy of him? Maybe I should just disappear somehow, so I don't create any more problems for him."
But as she pushes open the door and sees Fang Yuan sleeping soundly, his face peaceful and unburdened, her doubts begin to melt away. The sight of him, so serene and untroubled, washes over her like a balm, soothing the raw edges of her pain. She steps closer, her eyes tracing the familiar lines of his face, and for a moment, she allows herself to simply breathe.
"Brother doesn't usually sleep this much," she murmurs, her voice soft and uncertain. "Am I really the reason? Am I giving him that much trouble without even realizing it?" She shakes her head, as if to dispel the thought. "No, he would have told me if I were the reason. He always tells me the truth. That means he just forgot to wake up. It looks like I'll have to wake him."
A small smile tugs at her lips as she begins to pace around the bed, her mind racing with plans. "Today, I'll be helpful to him. No, from today onward, I'll wake up early and be the one to wake him. I'll help him get ready, and I'll be the one to feed him. I won't let him feed me anymore. He always gives me his portion, and sometimes he doesn't even take a single bite. Why do I always forget that when I'm eating? I'll do better. I'll be better."
She pauses, her gaze lingering on his sleeping form. "Now, how should I wake him up?" she wonders aloud, her voice tinged with playful determination. A mischievous glint sparkles in her eyes as an idea takes shape. "I have a good idea."
Gu Xianer leans in close, her face hovering just inches above his, and begins tapping his cheek with her cute little finger. "Brother, wake up," she murmurs softly, her voice tinged with playful determination. But Fang Yuan remains still, his breathing steady and undisturbed. Undeterred, she moves her mouth close to his ear and whispers gently, "Brother, wake up. brother... wake... up... Breakfast is here. Everyone has finished eating, and we'll be late for our awakening ceremony." Still, he doesn't stir, as if he is resting after battling the entire world.
Gu Xianer tilts her head, her lips curling into a devilish but undeniably cute smile. "Don't blame me for what I'm about to do," she mumbles to herself, a soft giggle escaping her lips. "He he he!" With a swift but careful motion, she uses one of her small, soft hands to pinch his nose shut, while the other hand covers his mouth, cutting off his ability to breathe. At the same time, she leans in close to his ear and shouts, "BROTHER... WAKE... UP!"
Fang Yuan's eyes fly open, his body jerking awake as he gasps for air. He blinks groggily, his vision slowly focusing on Gu Xianer's mischievous smile hovering above him. He takes a deep breath, his expression a mix of exasperation and fondness as he rubs his eyes. "Xianer," he grumbles, his voice rough with sleep, "are you trying to wake me up or end my life?" Though his tone is stern, there is an unmistakable trace of affection in his words.
Gu Xianer puffs out her cheeks in mock anger, her hands planted firmly on her hips. "Brother, Fang Zheng is already ready, and Aunt is furious because we're not! We're down to the last hour. If we don't eat and get ready for the ceremony, we'll miss it entirely. And if we miss it, we might never get the chance to become immortals!" Her voice is a mix of urgency and frustration, but her eyes sparkle with determination.
Fang Yuan can't help but laugh quietly at her dramatic declaration. He reaches out and taps her forehead gently, his touch warm and reassuring. "You're right, my princess," he says, his voice softening. "It's strange that I didn't wake up on time today. Alright, wait here. I'll freshen up quickly, and then we'll eat together."
Gu Xianer's face lights up with happiness, her earlier frustration melting away. "Okay, brother! But you have to tell me a good story while we eat today," she declares, her tone cheerful and full of anticipation.
Fang Yuan nods, a small smile playing on his lips as he gets out of bed. He has been feeding Gu Xianer since she was four years old, and even though they are now fifteen, the tradition continues. The main reason for this ritual is rooted in her unusual appetite—even as a child, she would eat the equivalent of two grown men's meals in one sitting. Beyond that, she often seems immature for her age, her behavior and understanding not aligning with what others expect of her. These traits make her the target of constant criticism, mockery, and ostracism, especially during family meals. To shield her from all those negative experiences and to ensure she has happy childhood memories, Fang Yuan has been eating with her separately in their room since they were young.