143 My Costar finds his way back to me

Yao Shen's conscience returns in stages. He's first aware of the thick scent of incense, and then of silk slipping across his body.

When he opens his eyes, Xin Hulei is staring at him from across a silk-upholstered divan. His eyes filled with warmth.

"It's you," he says, running his finger over Yao Shen's cheek.

Yao Shen sucks on a breath and holds his palm to his cheek, nuzzling it. "It's so good to hear your voice again, you have no idea."

Xin Hulei smiles sadly. "I feel like I've been underwater for a long time."

"You've been asleep, for months now," Yao Shen says, his chest constricting painfully. "Gao Wu got hold of  you and Jincan and Heimao somehow."