When I woke up from a heavy sleep, I remembered—I'd fallen asleep on Yuzhe's leg.
I snapped awake in panic.
Yuzhe sat perfectly still, eyes closed.
He looked asleep—no movement, no sound. Like a statue carved by silence itself.
As I leaned in closer, I noticed a tiny piece of cotton clinging to his lashes. It looked completely out of place—soft, harmless… and yet, somehow, so human on a man who seemed carved from stone.
Without thinking, I reached out to gently remove it.
But just as my fingers neared his face—
His hand shot out, wrapping firmly around my waist. In one swift move, he pulled me toward him, eyes still closed, as if he'd sensed me even in sleep.
Then his voice, low and sharp, broke the silence.
"What are you doing?"
My heart jumped.
But I couldn't look away. We were too close now. His grip hadn't loosened. His breath brushed my cheek.
So I smiled—soft, maybe a little guilty—and whispered,
"Will you believe me if I say… I was just removing a piece of cotton from your eyelashes?"
His eyes opened slowly, locking onto mine. Quiet. Intense.
He moved even closer, gently took my hand, and leaned in until his breath grazed my ear.
"Then why did you stop?" he whispered.
Why did I stop?
This wasn't something wrong. Nothing shameful. So why did my chest twist with nerves and confusion?
I didn't know the answer. Not yet.
I quickly but gently removed the cotton from his lashes.
His sharp, cold gaze hit me harder than expected. His eyes—clearer and brighter than before—burned through me like a silent flame. Each breath he took scorched my cheeks like fire dancing on snow.
The carriage was silent, save for the rhythmic clop of the horse's hooves. But louder than that was the sound of our hearts—so loud, so awkward, so real.
Then my savior came.
Sheng's deep voice pierced the thick air:
"My Lord, My Lady, there is a motel nearby. We should rest here for the night."
His tone—low and emotionless—made it clear. Sheng wasn't just a servant; he was the cold shadow beside a colder man.
Yuzhe didn't even glance at me as he shoved me back into my seat like I was nothing more than a stubborn bug.
"Yes," he replied to Sheng coldly. "We'll stop here."
I glared at him, furious. Who did he think he was?
"You—" I started, but stopped myself.
He finally turned his eyes toward me, locking with mine for just a moment.
I didn't want to admit it… but he looked—
Handsome.
Wait, what? Why? HOW the hell am I even thinking this?
I shook the thought away. I've just never been this close to a man before. That's it. That must be it.
When the carriage stopped, Yuzhe stepped out first. He turned slightly and said coldly,
"Are you coming or not?"
"I—I'm coming," I stammered, laughing nervously and hurrying after him.
As we approached the motel, a cheerful man with a glowing smile greeted us.
"My Lord, My Lady, welcome! I am Bai Zhou, the owner of this motel. It's an honor to serve you!"
Yuzhe stepped forward and spoke in an unfamiliar tone—friendly.
"No need to be formal. Stand, Mr. Bai."
He was like a different person—so many faces, yet one soul.
Mr. Bai looked to be in his forties. His hair was mostly black, but thin strands of golden hair shimmered under the fading twilight. I couldn't see clearly in the dark, but my gut whispered—something isn't right.
Especially when I caught him sneaking glances at the Great Sipa stick strapped to my back.
"My Lady," he asked with strange curiosity, "may I ask how many are in your group?"
"We are twenty-two," I replied smoothly, hiding my unease. "Twelve rooms will do. The others can pair up."
Mr. Bai's smile faded slightly.
"I apologize. We only have ten rooms in total. Not many travelers come through these parts."
He looked at us with casual ease, but his next words hit like thunder.
"I'm afraid… My Lord and My Lady will have to share a room."
Of course. Everyone still thinks we're lovers, like before.
"That's good, then," Yuzhe replied coolly.
Mr. Bai turned and called out,
"Bai Qi!"
A young woman appeared—stunning. She didn't look like a maid. Her glowing orange eyes shimmered like amber flames, and her beauty radiated under the dim lanterns.
"Yes, Father?" Her voice flowed like a calm river—gentle, serene, perfect.
So this was his daughter.
"Lead Master Yang and Lady Xiwang to the VIP room. Be quick."
"Yes, Father." She bowed, her eyes never leaving us.
But then—again—I saw it.
As she lowered her head, she glanced at my Great Sipa stick.
And this time… it was enough to convince me.
Something was definitely wrong with this place.
"Please follow me," she said softly.
But just as she turned, she peeked at my Great Sipa again—with a strange, lingering intensity. Her lips curved—not into a smile, but a smirk. Small. Sharp. Intentional.
Yuzhe didn't seem to notice.
But I did.
And when I looked closer at her robe—red and gold threaded silk—I felt it again.
That quiet warning in my blood.
Something was wrong here.
This place… this girl… their eyes…
They knew something. Something I didn't.
And as I stepped forward to follow her down that dim hallway, a cold shiver slid down my spine.
And I felt like—
We weren't just walking into a motel.
We were walking into a trap.
One stitched with silk…
and soaked in secrets.
One that smelled like danger.
And death.