The next day, Mei finally woke up, slowly opening her eyes to find her siblings surrounding her.
"Mei, you're awake!" Yang exclaimed, his voice filled with joy and concern.
Xiao rushed to her side, worry etched on her face. "Mei, how are you feeling? Does anything hurt?"
Mei smiled weakly. "I'm fine." Mei's gaze landed on Ling, who looked like she was seething with anger. "Sister Ling, what's wrong?" Mei asked, puzzled.
"I'm furious because I couldn't avenge you against that Chengxing!" Ling's angry response made Mei feel a pang of sadness.
"It's okay, I'm fine. Sorry I couldn't dodge his attack," Mei said, her voice soft. But then Mei's face lit up with excitement. "But it's not important anymore! What's important is... " Mei held Xiao's hands. "What's important is that I was able to fly!" Mei's voice was filled with joy, as if she hadn't just woken up from a long sleep.
Yang raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to forgive him just because of that? We should tell Father about this."
Mei shook her head. "Ahhh! Brother Yang, don't! Don't tell Father about this. I'm fine, and it'll just add to Father's worries. Besides, someone like Cheng doesn't deserve our attention. He's not important."
Ling nodded in agreement. "You have a point, Mei. If we don't tell Father, I'll make sure he apologizes to you properly."
Mei smiled, feeling grateful for her siblings' support. "You're treating me like a child. But... thank you, guys." Mei's thoughts turned to Yuxi. "By the way, did Yuxi carry me up to here?" Mei asked curiously, her voice barely above a whisper.
Xiao smiled. "Yes, Mei. Why? Are you shy?"
Ling chimed in, teasing Mei. "Are you shy or smitten?"
Mei's face turned bright red as she protested. "Stop!... I just want to thank him. But how? I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet. He's so popular and everyone idolizes him, so I'm a little shy."
Yang chuckled. "You have a shy side? Who knew? Put aside your shyness and thank him. While we were busy arguing with the Bai siblings, he and Yuming were here watching over you."
Mei's eyes widened in surprise. "R-really?" she stuttered, her voice filled with gratitude.
Yang nodded, a gentle smile on his face. Mei's heart swelled with appreciation for their kindness.
~~~~~
Yuxi finished preparing their things to head back to Qinshan because their father had summoned them. Meanwhile, his brother Yijun was playing the flute. When he saw that Yuxi was done, he immediately stopped playing.
"Tell Father I have a lot of things to do, so I won't be able to go with you," Yijun said to Yuxi.
Yuxi nodded. "I'll let him know."
"I'm leaving now," Yuxi added.
Yijun asked, "Won't Yuming be coming with you?" Yuxi shook his head. "Take care, and give my regards to my nephew," Yijun said as Yuxi left.
~~~
Mo Yuming was busy drawing when she sensed someone's presence. "Come in!" she said.
Mei'yin slowly entered, looking a bit shy, which earned her a frown from Yuming.
"Feng Mei'yin, did you get lost?" Yuming asked, knowing Mei had an ulterior motive.
Mei stammered, "Uh... I mean... your drawing is really nice, hehe."
Yuming smiled. "Thanks! Just say what you came to say."
Mei blurted out, "Is your boyfriend around?"
Yuming's brush paused mid-air, and she burst out laughing. "Why? Are you looking for Yuxi? Ha ha ha! He's not my boyfriend. I'd be unlucky if he were."
Mei looked curious. "But I've heard rumors..."
Yuming chuckled. "Don't believe them! The Qins are my friends, even if they're a bit pale." She teased, "What brings you here?"
Mei's face lit up. "I wanted to thank you, especially him. Can you pass on the message?"
Yuming replied, "You can tell him yourself, but he's not here. He went back to Louyang to visit his child."
Mei's eyes widened in surprise, and she sat down in front of Yuming. "He has a child? Who's the mother?"
Yuming smiled mischievously. "That's a long story. Ask him yourself!"
"Come on, Mo Yuming, tell me. I promise I won't spread it around," Mei'yin persisted. Meanwhile, Yuming continued drawing as if she hadn't heard anything. Mei seemed to lose hope of getting an answer, so she changed the subject.
"Your drawing is beautiful. People from Moya are indeed talented and creative, especially those from the Mo clan," Mei said, praising Yuming's artwork. Yuming's face lit up with a smile.
Suddenly, Yuming had an idea. "By the way, Lady Feng Mei'yin, what do you like in a guy? What qualities?"
Mei's expression turned serious, and she stuttered, "H-huh? Hehe, n-none, really."
Yuming asked another question, "Among the Qin siblings, don't you see any qualities that you like?"
Mei shook her head. "A-and you? The Qin siblings are your friends, right? What good qualities do they have?"
Yuming frowned playfully. "They're my close friends, so I can say they don't have any good qualities." Mei'yin laughed softly at Yuming's joke.
"It's good that you're still friends despite that," Mei said.
"We're used to it," Yijun said, suddenly appearing.
Yuming looked at him. "What are you doing here? Did Yuxi leave already? That crazy guy! He didn't want me to go with him," Yuming complained.
Yijun chimed in, "Give my brother some peace and quiet, you're too loud to be around!"
Mei'yin laughed as the two bantered, and then Yijun turned his attention to her. "Lady Mei'yin, how's your wound? Why are you here?" Yijun asked.
Mei replied, "I'm fine now. I came to thank you guys, especially Yuxi, but he's not here."
Yijun said, "Ah, it's nothing. Your sister is my friend, so it's okay to help you."
Yuming teased, " 'Your sister is my friend'... really? Just friends? No feelings?"
Yuming got hit with a flower seed thrown by Yijun. "Yuck! Yijun, gross!"
(Qinshan Villa)
When Yuxi arrived, his father immediately spoke to him about the problem. "Yuxi, the enemy is on the move. Their soldiers are coming in and out to Moya, and the evil spirits are manifesting again, spreading terror in Yunhai," Master Jian explained.
"What do you want us to do?" Yuxi asked.
"Investigate it, but I know you're both busy, especially Yijun. Let's start the investigation next month," his father replied.
"If we let it be, the spirits will only grow stronger and more resilient. More people will become their victims," Yuxi countered.
"It's already been discussed. Each leader has sent men to keep watch," Master Jian said, and Yuxi nodded, showed his respects, and left.