To think that even Luo Wuyou, at the cost of her life, had never managed to reach this point before.
Lin Ran's heart was filled with rage and worry as he carefully carried Luo Yao to the bed and began tending to her with meticulous care.
Watching Luo Yao in deep slumber, Lin Ran couldn’t help but compare her now to the little girl she once was.
Guilt gnawed at him. Would she have been better off if he had never returned?
But what he didn’t know was that without him, Luo Yao might have lost all motivation and given up entirely.
Throughout her growth, Lin Ran had been her most steadfast driving force…
Overcome with self-reproach, Lin Ran gazed at Luo Yao’s pale face and silently vowed to protect her at all costs.
When the private doctor received the news, he was startled.
Having worked at the estate for so long, he had seen servants fall ill, the butler poisoned, and even Lin Ran injured—he’d witnessed all kinds of situations.
But Luo Yao getting hurt? This was a first.He knew just how special Luo Yao was—and how grave this situation could be.
Soon, Yi Siyin arrived at the main villa.
Standing at the door, he hesitated before stepping inside.
"Young Master Lin, I wouldn’t dare treat Miss Luo myself. I’ve already called for my sister—she’ll be here shortly. Please wait just a little longer."
Yi Siyin was worried for his own life. After all, Luo Yao had androphobia—an aversion to men.
Aside from Lin Ran, the only other man allowed near her was the butler.
The entire estate staff, apart from the bodyguards, was female—including the assistant team at Luo Corporation. Not a single other man was permitted.
He had no intention of provoking Luo Yao’s wrath and risking his life by barging in recklessly.
Lin Ran understood Yi Siyin’s fear. The hesitation and dread in the doctor’s eyes made it clear—everyone in this unique environment tread carefully around Luo Yao’s condition.
"A life is at stake. Are you really going to stand by and do nothing?"
Yi Siyin shook his head frantically. "No, no! I can see Miss Luo’s condition isn’t life-threatening for now. But if I were to examine her wounds, then it might become life-threatening—for me."
Hearing that Luo Yao wasn’t in immediate danger eased Lin Ran’s tension slightly.
"Then leave us for now."
His voice was soft, almost a whisper, resonating heavily in the silent room.
Yi Siyin exhaled in relief and quickly ushered the others out, leaving only Lin Ran and the unconscious Luo Yao behind.
Once they were alone, Lin Ran took a deep breath. His hands trembled slightly as he gently loosened Luo Yao’s clothing.
Every movement was deliberate, as though handling the most precious treasure in the world—one wrong touch, and she might shatter.
When the gruesome wounds came into view, Lin Ran’s breath hitched.
His eyes reddened instantly. The lacerations crisscrossed her fair skin, some deep enough to expose bone, others still oozing blood. They looked like savage trenches carved into her flesh.
It was hard to imagine how Luo Yao had endured such injuries long enough to return to him.
Though the wounds had been rinsed, the journey had reopened them.
Dried blood clung to the edges, only to be washed away by fresh rivulets—the sight of crimson stung Lin Ran’s eyes.
"Luo Yao, do you know? I’ve seen you again—just as adorable as you were in childhood. If I could, I’d bear this pain for you. Maybe, in this journey of life, we’re each other’s salvation."
His fingers traced her wounds with a feather-light touch as he whispered his thoughts aloud.
His voice cracked with emotion, every word laden with love and anguish.
His gaze softened, pouring every ounce of his feelings into that silent exchange, as if willing her to feel them too.
He stayed by her side, murmuring to her, until Yi Buhuo finally arrived at the villa.
Snapping back to reality, Lin Ran hastily covered Luo Yao and called them in.
Yi Siyin made the introductions.
"Young Master Lin, this is my sister, Yi Buhuo. Her medical skills are on par with mine—let her examine Miss Luo."
There was pride in his voice; he had full confidence in his sister’s abilities.
Lin Ran nodded at Yi Buhuo, his eyes brimming with hope and trust.
To him, doctors were sacred—guardian angels who mended lives and eased suffering.
Yi Buhuo, well aware of the woman’s identity before her, didn’t dare slack.
Approaching the bed, she first studied Luo Yao’s complexion and expression before conducting a thorough examination.
A master of traditional medicine, her skills were near-perfect.
Her slender fingers rested on Luo Yao’s wrist, sensing the pulse. Her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes darkening with concern.
The wounds were superficial—by all logic, they shouldn’t have caused such a severe state.
She checked the pulse again, more intently this time. After a long pause, her frown deepened.
"Miss Luo’s injuries are from what appear to be animal claws. They aren’t fatal, so she shouldn’t be unconscious like this."
Her quiet words hung in the air, laced with puzzlement.
Lin Ran pressed urgently, "Animal claws? How could there be wild beasts in the city? Then what’s wrong with Yao Yao now?"
His anxious stare bore into Yi Buhuo, desperate for answers.
After another careful pulse reading, Yi Buhuo explained.
"From what I can tell, she was already weakened by her injuries when emotional distress caused a blockage in her heart meridian. That’s why she remains unconscious. With proper care, she’ll recover—but only she knows what’s troubling her."
"You’re the doctor—can’t you tell?"
Lin Ran’s voice was edged with desperation, his worry palpable.
Yi Buhuo sighed. "I’m a physician, not a fortune-teller. I can’t divine what upset her so deeply."
Her skills were formidable, but even she had limits.
She applied the Yi Family’s unique golden wound ointment to Luo Yao’s injuries and prescribed a formula to disperse stagnation.
Since the herbs were traditional, the estate already had them—and Uncle Fu personally prepared the concoction.
His standards for medicinal quality were exacting; every ingredient was handpicked for perfection.
Yet even after hours of brewing, Luo Yao still hadn’t stirred.