Upon hearing Asher''s request, Yuri looked troubled.


    "Master Ash, a few of your friend''s wounds are exceptionally deep. I''ll only have a clearer idea of how to treat it once I finish cleaning the wound up."


    Asher stared at the gory wounds. An intense pain coursed through his entire being.


    "Some of these injuries will need stitches, and it''s unlikely to avoid scarring entirely."


    Seeing Asher''s expression turn grim, Yuri tried to lighten the mood with a wry smile. "A few scars won''t be a big deal for a young man, would it? It might even add some rugged charm to him. Surely, your friend isn''t that fussy, right?"


    Asher''s brows knitted into a tight frown.


    Not that fussy?


    Arnold avoided any domestic chores and would change his entire outfit if a single speck of greasended on it.


    If he was not considered fussy, then no one would fit that description.


    Asher could already imagine Arnold''s frantic reaction upon seeing his scarred back.


    "No matter what, please try your best to treat him."


    "Of course, I''ll use the utmost care for your sake," Yuri replied.


    Hearing "for your sake" made Asher''s cheeks flush slightly.


    It took over two hours for Yuri to thoroughly treat Arnold''s wounds, using the best medications avable.N?velDrama.Org holds text ? rights.


    Only when he saw the steady heaving of Arnold''s chest did Asher finally feel relieved.


    "We''ll check his temperature again in the morning. As long as it returns to normal, we should be in the clear," Yuri said as he wiped the sweat from his brow.


    "Thank you so much, Dr. Williams," Asher thanked Yuri genuinely.


    "Master Ash, please don''t call me Dr. Williams. It makes me feel uneasy."


    Then, Yuri looked earnestly at Asher and said, "Just call me Yuri, like you used to."


    Asher''s pale lips parted slightly, his throat tight with emotion. "Yuri.”


    "Yup!" Yuri responded with a clear, crisp voice, his eyes brimming with tears.


    He would willingly walk through hell a thousand times for Asher.


    Asher dared not leave Arnold''s side. However, he also could not sleep beside him for fear of identally touching his wounds.


    He ended up sleeping on the sofa, making do for the night.


    Initially, he did not intend to sleep. He nned to watch over his little fox until dawn.


    However, in thetter half of the night, exhaustion overcame him, and he fell into a restless slumber.


    Half-awake, Asher smelled the cool scent of ointment and felt a weight on his body, pressing down heavily.


    Summoning his willpower, Asher snapped his eyes open.


    "Ash..."


    In the next moment, he saw the bare-chested Arnold straddling him under the hazy moonlight. Arnold''s skin, pale to the point of glowing, glistened with sweat in the gentle light, appearing as wless as jade.


    His handsome face was still flushed, and his fever had not yet subsided. His trembling legs clung tightly to


    Asher, as if he feared the man


    beneath him would flee.


    Their eyes met, and in the quiet room, their breaths gradually quickened.


    The air grew increasingly hot and charged.


    "What are you doing?" Restrained desire filled Asher''s deep eyes. The veins on the back of his hands, resting beside him, throbbed visibly.


    "I''m delirious from the fever..."


    Arnold''s gaze became unfocused as


    he panted, clutching his burning forehead. I dreamed of you, and


    when I opened my eyes, you weret


    really here. I can''t believe you''re actually by my side... I just wanted to make sure this isn''t a dream..."