The room spins with delirium as the annual fever takes hold. Through the haze of pain, I feel cool hands brushing my forehead—far too cold to be human. My eyes flutter open to see him leaning over me, his face一半 in shadow and一半 illuminated by candlelight. Those eyes... they've haunted my dreams for years, though I've never truly seen them before.\n\n"Finally," he whispers, his voice like wind chimes in winter. "I've waited so long to find you again, Qiuqiu."\n\nThe childhood name falls from his lips with such familiarity that tears spring to my eyes. Only my wet nurse ever called me that, and she disappeared years ago when my "miracle cure" began.\n\n"Who... who are you?" I gasp, suddenly aware that my thin silk nightgown has been partially removed, exposing my chest to his cool gaze.\n\nHis fingers trace a line down my sternum, stopping just above my heart. "Someone who owes you a debt. Someone who has been searching for you across lifetimes." A blue light glows between his fingers and my skin, instantly soothing the burning fever.\n\nThe door crashes open, revealing my father and a dozen startled servants. But instead of fear, my father falls to his knees. "Immortal One! We've waited five years for your arrival!"\n\nI stare in confusion as my mysterious visitor ignores everyone but me, his cool lips brushing my ear. "Your family made a bargain, Qiuqiu. Now it's time to decide whether to honor it... or break it forever."