He Lang came back without an umbrella. Xue Yue didn't say anything to him, just got him some clothes to change into.
"Let me see your knees. Are they swollen?"
He Lang took off his pants, revealing knees that were red, swollen, and covered in dark bruises. Xue Yue's heart ached at the sight. She went out, fetched a basin of hot water, and came back in to apply a warm compress to He Lang's knees with a towel.
He Lang sat perfectly still, letting Xue Yue tend to him.
When the water started to cool, Xue Yue took the basin out to empty it. When she returned, she saw He Lang had already fallen asleep, his eyes closed.
Xue Yue covered him with a blanket. He Lang hadn't slept much these past few days; this time, he was truly asleep.
He slept until the middle of the night, when Xue Yue was woken up by the heat. She reached out a hand and felt him—He Lang's fever was back.
Xue Yue sat up and turned on the light. He Lang was still sleeping. She reached out and touched his forehead.
