They never asked about Ethan Gu’s injuries. Deep down, they knew that even if they did, they wouldn’t get an answer. Ethan Gu was never one to talk much; he kept everything bottled up inside, never sharing his burdens with anyone.
Maxwell Jing narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing through them before he curled his lips into a smile. "Of course! Serving the Sanctuary Heir is my duty, after all!" His smile was anything but sincere, brimming with mischief.
Ethan Gu glanced coldly at Luna Gu and Grace Gu. "You two, leave." Though Luna and Grace had served him for years, to Ethan, their only distinction from others was familiarity. He remained distant, always keeping them outside the walls of his world.
Once Luna Gu and Grace Gu had left, Maxwell Jing picked up the medicine box from the table, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "You really want me to apply your medicine? I should warn you—I have zero experience!" He was clearly making excuses for whatever mischief he was about to commit.
Ethan Gu ignored him, so Maxwell Jing began applying the medicine. Every so often, he would "accidentally" press on Ethan’s wounds, but Ethan seemed completely numb to pain, his face utterly expressionless.
Maxwell Jing shot him a glance, feeling bored. He withdrew his hands and stood in front of Ethan, watching him for a long moment before clicking his tongue. "You really are stubborn! If you’re upset, just say so!"
At those words, Ethan Gu suddenly looked up at him, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
Maxwell Jing raised an eyebrow. "Why are you looking at me like I’m a ghost?"
Ethan Gu stood up, pressed Maxwell Jing down into a chair, and took the medicine box to treat Maxwell’s wounds instead. He muttered, "No one’s ever seen through my feelings before. No—no one’s ever truly cared." Not even his own parents.
Maybe Luna Gu and Grace Gu cared for him, but their concern stemmed more from fear of what might happen to him—and the punishment they’d face if something went wrong.
"I know I can’t blame others entirely. My personality isn’t exactly likable, so even after all this time with Luna and Grace, we’re still half strangers. But you—just by arriving, you made Grace genuinely care about you."
Maxwell Jing looked up at him. Ethan Gu wasn’t like ordinary children; he’d grown up around medicine, so he was skilled at applying it and never hurt Maxwell in the process.
"So, are you jealous? Because Grace cared for me and forgot about you?" Maxwell asked, though instinctively he knew that wasn’t the case.
Ethan Gu paused, met Maxwell’s eyes, and asked, "Would you say we’re friends?"
Maxwell Jing raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded.
Ethan Gu’s lips curled into a faint smile as he squinted at Maxwell. "You’re my only friend. So, to be fair, you can only have me as your friend!" The earlier gloom had vanished, as if it had never existed—perhaps just an illusion. His tone was less a suggestion and more a command.
Strangely, Maxwell Jing wasn’t angered by his domineering words. Instead, he refused to give in so easily, raising his eyebrows and challenging, "And why’s that?"
Ethan Gu lowered his gaze, lips curling. "Because I’m the Sanctuary Heir! And..." He flicked his hand, a cold glint flashing as he revealed a silver needle between his fingers, his voice soft. "I could take your life anytime."
Maxwell Jing wasn’t frightened at all. He just smiled. "Looks like I made the wrong choice! Why would I change my mind and stay just because you asked? I knew this place wouldn’t be easy."
"It’s too late—you can’t regret it now!" Ethan replied, resuming his work and applying medicine to Maxwell’s wounds. Then, as if remembering something, he frowned and warned, "Don’t get too close to Luna and Grace from now on."
Though Ethan Gu was born the Sanctuary Heir of Healer’s Sanctuary, with status and privilege, in truth he had nothing of his own.
He’d always been obedient, meeting Galen Gu’s expectations and never disappointing him. But somewhere along the way, Ethan began to instinctively reject everything that belonged to Healer’s Sanctuary. Yet, all he had came from it—he possessed nothing else.
Now, he wanted a friend who belonged entirely to him—a friend who would be his alone.
Maxwell Jing may have been brought to him by Galen Gu, but Maxwell was his own person, with thoughts and choices. He stayed because of Ethan, and Ethan had decided Maxwell must belong to him alone.
Maxwell Jing wasn’t angry, but he wasn’t happy either. He frowned and looked at Ethan. "So you want a human pet?"
Ethan Gu frowned, picturing Maxwell as a pet obediently by his side, and his brow furrowed even deeper. He shook his head. "It’s better if you don’t listen to me all the time. If you did, you wouldn’t be you."
Though they hadn’t known each other long, Maxwell Jing seemed the easiest person Ethan had ever understood—no need for overthinking, he just knew. Even discovering Maxwell’s other sides felt easy to accept.
Maxwell Jing clicked his tongue twice, reminding, "Sanctuary Heir, didn’t you just threaten me to obey?"
Ethan Gu didn’t want to argue further. "Anyway, you’re only allowed to have me as a friend!"
Seeing Ethan’s intention to end the conversation, Maxwell Jing didn’t speak again. In fact, the only friend he truly acknowledged was Ethan. He didn’t want anyone else touching what belonged to him, so he understood Ethan’s feelings—and that’s why Ethan’s threats didn’t anger him.
Medicine from Healer’s Sanctuary really was more effective than anything outside; after applying it, the pain faded and the swelling on Maxwell’s face quickly subsided.
Suddenly, Maxwell Jing thought of something. "I can still marry and take concubines, right?" Beauties!
Thinking of beautiful women, Maxwell’s eyes sparkled. No wonder they say, ‘Three years old sets your fate!’ Though he was older now, it was clear he’d been this flirtatious since he was three.
Ethan Gu recalled a saying: "Brothers are like hands and feet, women are like clothes!" It’s just wearing a few more layers, nothing special. So he nodded, "You can!"
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