Chapter 1204: YUNYUE VS FENGHUANG (XXXIX)
Chapter 1204: YUNYUE VS FENGHUANG (XXXIX)
THERE was a long silence before the doctor finally replied. His voice was calm and polite, but Luo Yan could tell he wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea. Still, he answered like the gentleman he was. "Very well, Mrs. Thompson. You and Miss Thompson may stay with me tonight. For your safety, of course."
"Thank you, Dr. Grant," Mrs. Thompson said, sounding relieved.
Luo Yan looked down, his face unreadable. But inside, his mind was working quickly, putting the pieces together as a plan started to form.
When the doctor walked into the cabin, Luo Yan quickly lifted his head, pretending to be startled. He widened his eyes slightly, as if he hadn't heard their conversation outside, and let his expression shift from sadness to surprise, playing the part of a child too absorbed in grief to notice anything else.
"D-Doctor," he stammered hesitantly.
"Hello, Mary," the doctor said, his voice kind and gentle as he gave a small, reassuring smile. "I see you're keeping your mother company. That's very thoughtful of you."
Luo Yan looked down, acting like he was hesitant for a moment. Then he glanced at the unconscious woman on the bed, his expression shifting as if he'd found a sudden burst of courage. He looked up at the doctor, his voice trembling but determined, perfectly mimicking a timid child trying to be brave.
"D-Doctor… I… I want to stay here tonight with my mother. It's so scary out there. What if… what if someone hurts her again? The duke… he'll come too. He doesn't want anything bad to happen to her, either. You… you won't say no, right?"
The doctor was clearly caught off guard, but Luo Yan didn't give him a chance to respond. He quickly added in a trembling voice, like a child trying to sound braver than they felt.
"W-We really don't need your permission. Even if the d-doctor disagrees, the duke and I will still stay here."
The doctor stared at him for a moment, then sighed. "Mary is right. You and His Grace certainly can stay here, and there's little I can do about it. Just remember not to disturb her too much. She needs rest to recover, and any unnecessary movement could worsen her condition."
Luo Yan's face lit up with relief, his eyes widening as if he'd just accomplished something monumental. He nodded eagerly, his voice soft but brimming with gratitude.
"O-Okay, Doctor. We won't disturb her, I promise. We'll be really careful."
When he looked down, Luo Yan quickly sent a message through their team channel.
Noctis: [I have a plan.]
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With all the planning, night soon arrived—the third night of the match. In a little while, everything would come to an end, and the outcome they'd been working toward would finally be decided.
Luo Yan and Shen Ji Yun sat quietly in the cabin where Mrs. Winslow lay unconscious. Neither of them spoke aloud, knowing any conversation could risk alerting others to their plan. Instead, they communicated through the team channel.
White Marsh: [I'm getting nervous. What if something goes wrong?]
AmazingYoungMasterJin: [Are you doubting Yan's plan?]
White Marsh: [No, it's not that. I'm just worried because if one thing goes wrong, the whole plan falls apart.]
YUN: [Don't think like that. Stay focused.]
AmazingYoungMasterJin: [Besides, Sherlock Holmes approved the plan. That should count for something, right?]
That's right. After Luo Yan shared his plan on the team channel, Shen Ji Yun came to get him under the pretense of having breakfast. Instead of heading to the dining hall, they met up with Sherlock Holmes, and Luo Yan laid out his theory.
Holmes blinked for a moment, then let out a hearty laugh, clearly impressed. He seemed to think Luo Yan might make a better assistant than Watson himself. From there, they worked together to refine the plan Luo Yan had proposed, ironing out the details to ensure it would work.
Noctis: [Don't worry, Brother Ze. As long as we stick to the plan, everything will be fine.]
White Marsh: [Yeah. I'm just a bit on edge, that's all.]
YUN: [Luo Jin, are you in position?]
AmazingYoungMasterJin: [I am. Standing by and ready.]
White Marsh: [I wish I could be more help. This old lady avatar is really limiting what I can do.]
Noctis: [It's fine. Brother Ze's part of the plan is just as important.]
White Marsh: [I don't really feel that way, but still thank you for the vote of confidence, Xiao Yan.]
Luo Yan almost chuckled when he read that. He could imagine Bai Ze grumbling with a pout.
YUN: [It's time.]
As soon as Shen Ji Yun sent that message, Luo Yan glanced at him. Their eyes met, and in that moment, they had one of their silent conversations.
'You got this?'
'I sure do. You?'
'Yeah.'
After that, the 'show' started.
"Go and sleep on the top bunk, Mary. I know you're tired," Shen Ji Yun said, his voice filled with concern.
Luo Yan rubbed his eyes, pretending to be sleepy. "But Mother…"
"Will be fine. I'm here. I'll look after her," Shen Ji Yun finished.
"Okay," Luo Yan said, doing his best to sound reluctant.
"Come on, I'll help you up," Shen Ji Yun offered.
He then gently lifted Luo Yan, hoisting him up to the top bunk. Luo Yan clung to him slightly, playing the part of a sleepy child needing help. Once settled, Shen Ji Yun tucked him in.
"There you go," Shen Ji Yun said softly, giving him a small pat on the shoulder. "Get some rest."
Then he stepped back and sat down near the lower bunk, keeping a watchful eye on Mrs. Winslow.
An hour later, Shen Ji Yun caught a faint, unfamiliar scent in the air. Moments after, the expected drowsiness began to take hold.
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Ning Feng stepped out of the cabin, his gaze fixed on the one at the far end of the corridor. He didn't have to wait long—within seconds, the Reaper emerged from it, moving steadily toward him.
As the figure approached, Ning Feng opened the door and stepped aside, his voice low and calm. "She's all yours."