The back of Shi Nian's head and neck throbbed in pain.
The light sprinkled into the room from between the gaps of the curtain, Shi Nian grimaced in pain and it took her a moment to realize where she was and what she was doing before she lost consciousness.
Her heart thudded, she flung her blanket away and sat up…
The door slid open, bringing with it a thick scent of tobacco and Xu Binchen's hoarse voice. "Awake?"
Shi Nian looked up in shock, and her heart settled down as the man came in. She panted softly and reached for the cup on the nightstand and finished it in a few large gulps.
Xu Binchen didn't move, only looking at her from a distance. His eyes were hard and indecipherable, but Shi Nian didn't notice anything because she was still recovering from the shock.
She heaved a huge sigh and kneaded her sore neck.
"What's wrong?" The man fiddled with his lighter. "Does it hurt?"