Back in her room, Qiao An felt Little Qing coiled around her waist, its cold head resting on her neck. Anyone else would have been terrified, but she only felt a sense of fond exasperation.
"Sister, how did you get sick? You were unconscious, and someone rushed in. We were afraid of causing trouble for you, so we just hid under the covers without making a sound. That stupid cat even hissed! You have to teach it a lesson!"
Both coquettish and a tattletale, Little Qing clung to Qiao An, refusing to let go. Her sudden illness had given it a real scare.
"It's nothing, just a cold and a fever. A minor thing, that's all. I'm fully recovered now and back to keep you company."
With everything settled, Qiao An lay back down in the cool sheets, cuddling Little Bai and Little Qing as she stretched out on the bed.
