Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space-Chapter 28 -

Everyone was already exhausted. By this time, Fu Jun and Fu Jin had already fallen asleep in Fu Fei’s arms. The rest of the family was also deep asleep, the camp quiet and still.

As I stepped into my own cozy spot, I noticed Fu Sheng was still seated nearby, awake, his hands busy with something.

I raised my brows. "Aren’t you going to bed?"

He shook his head slightly. "We have so many things in our possession. I can’t let anything happen to them, or let anyone steal them."

I looked at him for a moment, then followed his gaze toward the piled bundles and carts not far away. In the dim firelight, everything looked peaceful, but I understood his concern. On a road like this, with exile hanging over us and danger always nearby, carelessness could cost more than sleep.

I sighed softly and lowered myself to sit beside him. "You can’t stay awake forever," I said quietly. "If something really happens tomorrow and you collapse from exhaustion, that would be even worse."

Fu Sheng did not answer right away. His hands continued moving, adjusting the rope around one of the bundles, tightening it carefully as if it were the only thing keeping his family safe. Only after he finished did he finally look at me.

"I’m used to it," he said in a low voice. "As the eldest, this is my responsibility and don’t forget I’m a general, all these is something I experienced even worse in the battle field."

There was no pride in his words, only acceptance.

For some reason, that made my chest feel heavy.

I watched his face in the firelight, the tired shadows under his eyes, the tension he hadn’t allowed himself to release even after his father was out of danger. He looked like someone who had been carrying too much for far too long.

"You did well today," I said softly. "Everyone is alive. That’s already enough." I raised my hands patting his head softly.

His fingers paused.

For a brief moment, his expression wavered, as if he wasn’t used to being told that.

Then he looked away again, his voice calm but quieter than before. "You should sleep. You’re more exhausted than you think."

I smiled faintly, resting my chin on my hand. "I will. But at least lie down for a while. I’ll stay here and keep watch with you."

He turned to look at me, clearly about to refuse, but when he met my eyes, the words never came.

I remained seated beside him, letting the quiet night surround us. After some time, a question that had been bothering me finally came out.

"Fu Sheng," I asked gently, "why do Grandma and Grandpa favor Uncle Fu so much? Why do they seem to ignore your father?"

He stopped moving his hands.

For a moment, he didn’t answer, as if he was thinking carefully. Then he sighed and spoke quietly.

"It’s because of my father," he said. "Back then, he was arranged to marry the Royal Princess. That marriage would have brought great honor and power to our family."

I listened closely.

"But Father gave it up," Fu Sheng continued. "He chose my mother instead. At that time, Mother was only the daughter of a merchant, someone with a very low status."

His voice stayed calm, but I could hear the sadness beneath it.

"The elders were very angry. They believed Father ruined the family’s future for love. From then on, they favored Uncle Fu, and Father was slowly pushed aside."

My chest felt tight as I listened.

As he spoke, the warmth of the fire and the quiet night made my eyes feel heavy. Without realizing it, I leaned closer.

I felt something solid beneath my head.

Fu Sheng paused and turned to look.

I had already fallen asleep.

My head rested lightly on his shoulder, my breathing soft and steady. The firelight reflected gently on my face.

He stayed still for a moment, not knowing what to do.

Then he relaxed slightly and did not move away.

Fu Sheng stayed still for a long moment, listening to my steady breathing. Only when he was certain I was deeply asleep did he move.

Carefully, he lifted me into his arms. His movements were slow and gentle, as if afraid even the smallest motion might wake me. He carried me a short distance and laid me down on the soft blanket prepared for the night.

He adjusted the blanket around me, tucking it in carefully so I would not feel cold.

As I slept, he reached out and slowly brushed my hair aside, his fingers were light and very careful, His touch lingered for a moment longer than necessary.

Then he leaned closer and whispered so softly that only the night could hear him.

"I don’t know how or why you’ve changed so suddenly," he murmured, "but I hope this version of you lasts longer."

After that, he straightened up and returned to his place by the fire, keeping watch.

Some time later, quiet footsteps entered the camp from the other side.

Fu Fang moved carefully, making sure not to wake anyone. When he looked around, he was surprised by what he saw. Everyone here was sleeping peacefully. Soft blankets were spread on the ground, covering their bodies and keeping them warm from the cold night air.

Compared to his side of the camp, where there was only hard ground and cold stones, this place looked much more comfortable.

He walked further in, his eyes searching.

Soon, he found the person he was looking for. Me!

I was lying quietly under a blanket, fast asleep. My breathing was slow and steady, and my face looked calm, as if nothing in the world could disturb me.

He stopped beside me and lowered his voice.

"Su Longjie..." he called softly.

There was no response.

He called again, even more quietly, but I did not move at all. I didn’t even stir when a small insect landed near me before flying away.

I was deeply asleep.

Whenever I pushed myself too hard or became too tired, I slept very deeply. Once I fell asleep like this, nothing could wake me until I had rested enough.

Fu Fang stood there for a while, looking at me in silence.

Then, without making a sound, he turned around and quietly left the camp.

I remained asleep, unaware that someone had come looking for me in the night.