Rebirth Of The Forgotten Heiress - Chapter 43: Chapter 43

Quinlyn pointed at the cigarette and asked, "What's this?"
Yasin replied, "Lifesaver."
Quinlyn thought, 'Well, at least he's honest.' She strode over quickly, snatched the so-called lifesaver without hesitation, and with a flick of her fingers, sent it flying far away.
She warned, "You just took your meds, don't push your luck."
Yasin said helpfully, "I also just had some seafood, you know. Oh, and Xavier poured me a little red wine, too."
Quinlyn asked, "Have you ever heard this saying?"
Yasin asked, "What?"
Quinlyn quipped, "Mix antibiotics with booze, and you're asking for a one-way ticket."
Yasin hesitated blankly for a moment, then slowly shook his head, making it clear he had no idea what she was talking about. His slow head shake was just like a rusty robot running low on oil, every movement stiff and mechanical.
Quinlyn nearly burst out laughing at the sight, but when she noticed the glazed look in his eyes, she let out a soft sigh. Rising on tiptoe, she reached up to touch his forehead.
She thought, 'If his temperature during the day was enough to fry a soft-boiled egg, then his current temperature is almost enough to make a crispy-edged fried egg.'
Quinlyn gritted her teeth and said, "You must be crazy. Burning up with a fever, yet you still smoked and drank, and even went out to the sea to catch fish and shrimp.
"I've got to hand it to you, no one else could pull this off."
As she spoke, she pulled Yasin inside to rest. She pondered, 'My wrist communicator could still send a distress signal, though given its track record of failure, it might as well be a decorative bracelet now.'
Yasin followed Quinlyn off the terrace. His usually sharp and piercing eyes were now downcast and subdued.
When Quinlyn glanced back at him, she couldn't help but think, 'He looks so well-behaved. I just want to scoop him up and snuggle him like crazy.'
Quinlyn led Yasin downstairs and into his room.
Outside, the teenagers were chatting animatedly, their laughter mingling with the barbecue smoke and the aroma of food. Everything seemed so perfect, radiating vibrant energy.
Quinlyn cast them a glance before looking away, her eyes betraying a hint of longing.
In her previous life, she had never truly lived. Now, with her precarious hold on life, all she wanted was to fight desperately to stay alive.
Yasin suddenly came to a halt.
Quinlyn looked up at him, puzzled.
Yasin's gaze shifted to meet Quinlyn's. His eyes, dark pools of intensity, locked onto her with such focus that it felt like the whole world had faded away, leaving only her in his gaze.
The fever had tinged the corners of his eyes with a faint flush, adding to the intoxicating effect of his stare.
Yasin asked, "Are you envious?"
Quinlyn instantly understood what he meant. She thought, 'His fever can't be that bad. He's seeing everything so clearly, isn't he?'
When there was still no response, Yasin pressed, "Why do you admire them?"
Quinlyn replied, "Do I even need a reason? I envy their brotherly love, envy their happy families, and envy how freely they live. They can say anything without fear of being abandoned. And I envy their vibrant, youthful energy."
Her face was impassive as she spoke, betraying no emotion, like a detached bystander.
Yasin teased, "That's quite a list of things to envy."
Quinlyn rolled her eyes at him. She thought, 'Definitely the fever talking. Is this how normal people talk?' She dragged him roughly into the room.
Initially, Quinlyn had intended to ask him if Yasin could still hold on, whether she should get someone to drag him away. She initially thought, 'Zachary can compete with whoever he wants; I don't care, and it isn't my place to interfere.
'But if Yasin got feverish and lost his senses, well, that is just another way for cannon fodder to exit the stage.'
But after what just happened, Quinlyn changed her mind. She felt Yasin was perfectly fine.
Yasin sat on the bed while Quinlyn stood. After a few minutes of silent staring, Yasin frowned slightly and quipped, "With all that good food outside, you'd rather have a staring contest with me in here?"
Quinlyn shook her head and said, "No, I was just pondering something."
Yasin asked, "What?"
Quinlyn replied, "If this fever fries your brains, how am I supposed to prop you up to the throne?"
Yasin was too drained to argue back. Otherwise, he'd have debated with her over whose brains were fried.
Quinlyn didn't stay much longer. Her stomach was growling, and through the window, she could smell the delicious food and hear others wolfing everything down.
She thought, 'At this rate, if I don't go out soon, those pampered young heirs would polish off everything without leaving a scrap for us.'
Quinlyn said to Yasin, "Get some rest, okay? I'll make you something light to eat. As for your meds, wait at least six hours before taking them again, or we'll be dealing with more than just brain damage."
Yasin couldn't even be bothered to reply. He was truly exhausted. He thought, 'When I think about it, I haven't really been through anything tough these past few days, but look at me now. Guess I really can't fight getting old.'
With his eyes half-closed, he heard Quinlyn's footsteps heading toward the door, followed by the creak as it opened.
The door slowly clicked shut behind Quinlyn. She stood at the doorway, exhaling deeply to steady herself. As she recalled those words spoken just as the door closed behind her, her eyelashes fluttered faintly.
Yasin just said, "We'll turn the tables. Soon, everyone will be envying you. Whether it's the freedom to live life on your terms, the vibrant energy of youth, or the courage to face abandonment without fear, all of these will belong to you."
Quinlyn paused for a moment, took a few deep breaths to calm herself, then stepped forward again.
Truth be told, none of those things mattered to her. But she couldn't stand being abandoned. She never wanted to be the unchosen one whenever there was a choice to be made.
As Quinlyn reached the doorway, someone called out, "Come on over. These oysters are so plump. We grilled them and saved some just for you."
Quinlyn blinked in surprise as someone pressed a plate into her hands. The plate was piled high with all sorts of food, both meat and vegetables.
Hannah brought over a bowl and said, "There aren't many noodles left. We're running low on supplies. But it's nice and brothy, just right for someone who's not feeling well."
Quinlyn couldn't hide the shock flashing in her eyes.
In her previous life, everyone in the group looked at her with nothing but contempt and disgust. By journey's end, she had managed to piss off every single one of them.
But now, although most people still had her marked as hostile, ready to throw down at any moment, there were still a few who were nice to her. Most people still had her marked as hostile, ready to throw down at any moment.
"The noodles are from Kevin's stash, the beef is from Xavier's stash, and I just did the cooking," Hannah said with an embarrassed smile.
Quinlyn nodded dazedly. She said, "Okay. Thank you."
Hannah shook her head and said, "Don't mention it, we help each other out." Seeing Quinlyn still looking surprised, she couldn't help but joke, "Don't worry, it's not poisoned. I'm not into Zachary."