Focus on the spring. Definitely not on the woman glowing like a goddess in a puddle. Definitely not on her casually starting eyebrow-related tragedies. Shu Mingye kept repeating that in his head like a spell as they followed Shen Zhenyu through a narrow passage.
The path seemed specifically designed to bully tall people. Jagged rocks jutted out at every corner like sharp elbows, waiting to rip sleeves or pride. The ceiling dipped so low that Shu Mingye had to duck every few steps unless he wanted a permanent dent in his forehead. Or worse, an accidental crown made of bruises. It was so tight that only one person could fit at a time.
Linyue went first, stepping lightly and holding up her soaked sleeves and skirt so they wouldn't catch on anything. Behind her, Shu Mingye followed, tall frame hunched as he moved carefully. He wasn't about to trip in front of her and add that humiliation to his growing list of disasters today.
Song Meiyu brought up the rear, whispering at full volume to Shen Zhenyu. "You know," she said cheerfully, "Master Tian Mo swears his eyebrows are sacred. He almost cried when Sister Linyue's sock-drying incident burned them off."
Shen Zhenyu pinched the bridge of his nose as they squeezed through another tight bend. "And yet, he still let her borrow his courtyard afterward."
"He said forgiveness was good for his blood pressure!" Song Meiyu whispered even louder.
Ahead of them, Linyue's lips curved slightly, though she didn't turn around. Shu Mingye caught the faint smile and felt something in his chest lurch traitorously.
Focus on the spring, he reminded himself again, ducking under another low ceiling. Focus on the path. Not on her. Absolutely not on how her faintest smile could turn a cave full of sharp rocks into something that felt dangerously close to… romantic.
Linyue slowed, then glanced over her shoulder. "Are you alright?"
"Perfectly fine," Shu Mingye replied dryly. "I've always wanted to practice moving like a folding fan."
Her lips twitched, and though she didn't laugh, her eyes definitely sparkled.
Behind them, Song Meiyu added cheerfully. "Don't worry! If you get stuck, we'll just pull really hard! Or set the rock on fire!"
Shu Mingye closed his eyes briefly. This was his life now.
Fortunately, the passage was short. After a few more careful, hunched steps, they emerged into open space and immediately stopped in their tracks.
The cave was breathtaking. The walls were made entirely of translucent blue quartz, glowing softly as if lit from inside. Light shimmered across the surface like stars trapped in glass. If the previous cave had been silent and empty, this one was alive. In the center, there was a spring—exactly like the riddle said. A wide, calm pool of blue crystal-clear water that sparkled even without sunlight. The water was so clear they could see all the way to the bottom, where smooth stones and strands of green moss lay undisturbed.
Around the edges, plants had taken root in every corner. Green vines climbed up the walls, weaving through the quartz like embroidery. Small flowers bloomed along the sides of the spring—blue, red, yellow, white. Some looked like bells, others like little lanterns, all of them swaying gently even though there was no wind. It was magical. The kind of place where fairies might bathe at night, or where ancient spirits came to nap after a long day haunting people.
Song Meiyu let out a loud squeak of joy, nearly slipping on the wet stone in her excitement. She pointed at the spring with both hands. "See! That's the spring! I told you! I told you!" she yelled, her voice echoing off the quartz walls.
Linyue didn't respond. She was too busy staring at the glowing pool, her eyes wide and lips parted slightly in quiet awe. It was one of those rare moments where she actually looked surprised.
Shu Mingye glanced at her. Just a glance. A harmless, brief glance. And then immediately looked away.
Focus on the spring, he ordered himself. Just the spring. Not her. Definitely not her. Not the way she seemed to glow under the quartz light. Not the delicate curve of her lips. Not the droplets of water trailing down her neck like tiny traitors trying to ruin his concentration.
He exhaled slowly.
Yes. This was fine. Totally fine.
…Definitely not fine.
They moved slowly toward the glowing spring, boots squishing slightly against the damp stone. Mist curled lazily from the water's surface, drifting up in little puffs.
Linyue crouched near the edge, her dark eyes fixed on the glowing pool. The light from the spring reflected in them, making them seem even deeper, almost too calm for this ridiculous group. Curious, she reached out, her fingers hovering just above the surface—
Shu Mingye's hand shot out, wrapping firmly around hers. "Be careful," he said, voice low but firm.
Linyue blinked up at him, startled. His grip was warm. Solid. Reliable in a way that made her feel strangely… aware.
Why did he keep doing that lately? The holding. The pulling her out of falls and away from caves and into his arms. She tilted her head slightly, studying him. He looked perfectly normal—stone-faced, slightly wet, faintly glowing from the quartz light—but there was something in his expression she couldn't quite read. Was something wrong with him?
Then she remembered. The fall. His injury.
Her frown deepened slightly as she asked softly, "Has your wound healed?"
Shu Mingye flinched.
Oh. Right. That. He had honestly forgotten about the pain. Completely. Mostly because his brain had been too busy malfunctioning every time she so much as breathed in his direction. But now that she mentioned it… yes, the sharp throb was still there. Neat. Pain and embarrassment at the same time. Fantastic.
Was she… worried about him?
He risked a glance at her.
Her eyes were soft, full of quiet concern. They were darker than the cave walls, clearer than the spring water. She was staring straight at him with gentle expression that could melt steel or possibly turn grown men into puddles. His heart, which had been politely trying to calm down ever since the fall, promptly decided to misbehave again.
He quickly looked away and muttered, "It's fine." His voice low, rough, and completely unconvincing.
Linyue stared at him, then down at their hands. He was holding her hand again. For the fourth time today? Fifth? She was starting to lose count. Was this a new habit?
She gave his hand a light tug, raising her brows slightly. The look on her face said it all, "Are you done?"
Shu Mingye blinked like he had just woken from a dream. His fingers reluctantly uncurled as he cleared his throat in that too-casual, not-awkward-at-all way of his. Slowly, he let go. His hand felt strangely cold without hers.
Linyue turned back to the glowing spring as if nothing had happened.
Shu Mingye, however, stood there very still, silently wondering if he needed to throw himself into the glowing water to cool off.
From a short distance away, Shen Zhenyu watched him with narrowed eyes. His suspicions were confirmed.
Ugly girls were not Shu Mingye's preference. Not that he had ever truly believed that nonsense in the first place. But after watching the most feared man in the realm spend the last hour awkwardly clearing his throat, overheating, and clinging to one woman like he was allergic to letting go… it was clear. He had fallen. Hard. Too hard. Further than Shen Zhenyu liked. The real question was… would he be able to let her go?
If things turned dangerous.
If she had to walk away.
He didn't know. What troubled Shen Zhenyu even more wasn't Shu Mingye's obvious, flustered mess of emotions, that was expected. What troubled him was Linyue.
She was always so unreadable, calm, and blank. But she hadn't pulled away when Shu Mingye held her. She hadn't flinched or scolded him when he hugged her. And just now, when Shu Mingye grabbed her hand for what was probably the tenth time today, she didn't slap it away. She didn't even glare. She just… tugged lightly. Like she was already used to it.
Shen Zhenyu's lips pressed into a thin line. He let out a long sigh and crouched beside the glowing spring, dipping his fingers into the water. The surface rippled softly, glowing faintly under his touch. He rubbed his thumb against his fingertip, feeling the faint tingle of spiritual energy.
After a moment, he spoke in his usual calm tone. "It's safe."