Second Lead Syndrome (1-187) | ✓

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The two people wore conflicted looks on their faces, looking at Cecil. 

Cecil only looked on expectantly at K’xug, gesturing at him to drink it. 

K’xug was someone who would rather suffer first and enjoy later. Thus, he decided to drink the herbal mixture first by scooping it into another bowl provided by Hana. He took a big gulp of the herbal mixture, pausing for a moment before his face twisted. 

Upon seeing K’xug’s reaction, Hana’s expression twisted as well. 

K’xug stiffly placed the bowl of herbal mixture aside and snatched his own bowl of stew from Hana’s hands. His face was still as bitter even after eating a few scoops of the stew, and he even spit his tongue out to emphasise on the horrible taste. 

Cecil couldn’t help but laugh softly. 

“Medicine isn’t meant to taste good,” Cecil commented. “Any type of medicine.” 

K’xug grimaced as he ate his meal, the bitter taste of the herbs still lingering on his tongue. 

Hana giggled, and she moved to Cecil’s side, continuing the process of feeding her. 

“Maybe one day, someone will create medicine that doesn’t taste horrible anymore!” 

“I doubt that will happen, Hana.” 

“Just add something sweet to the medicine then!” 

“If only it works that way.” Cecil chuckled, shaking her head. 

The atmosphere was harmonious as the two ladies found another topic to converse about as they ate, and K’xug observed them silently, giving his silent comments from time to time. Of course, Hana worked as his translator, and somehow, Cecil started to understand a tiny bit of K’xug’s silent comments.

*** 

Cecil assessed Xue, a frown on her face. The fever was gone, but he remained in deep sleep, breathing lightly. She couldn’t tell what was happening to him, or when he would ever wake up. A pair of blue eyes gave a questioning yet concerned stare, and she only shook her head at them. 

“He is stable, but I can’t tell when he will wake up.”

Hana sighed and she pouted, sitting beside Cecil and she observed the handsome, ash blonde-haired man. She glanced at Cecil, noting the distressed expression on the raven-haired woman. 

Cecil reached her hand out to Xue’s face, tentative, and just before her hand touched his face, she halted. In the end, she pulled her hand back. 

“Cecil…” Hana called out softly. 

“I...I am tired, I want to rest a little.”

“Okay.”

Cecil stood up, and Hana followed after her. The two ladies sat side by side near the campfire, and Cecil curled her legs up to her chest, hugging them as she rested her head on her knees.

“You look really tired, Cecil.”

Cecil hesitated before she admitted with a nod. “I am.”

“Do you want to rest on my shoulder?” 

“Thanks.”

Cecil placed her head on Hana’s shoulder, sighing heavily. 

“Hana, why...why would Xue do something so stupid for me?” Cecil asked, upset. “I understand if he did it for you, but me…” 

“But Cecil, you got hurt like this…” Hana looked Cecil up and down, from her bruised neck to the cuts scattered around her arms and legs, and finally her bandaged wrist. “Why wouldn’t Xue do it for you?”