Song Meiyu finally came back with Shen Zhenyu. She looked hopeful, until she saw Shu Mingye still holding Linyue, frozen in place.
Her smile faded. "Sister Linyue still hasn't woken up?" she asked softly.
Shu Mingye didn't speak. He just gave a slow shake of his head, his gaze never leaving Linyue's face.
Shen Zhenyu stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "We should leave. I've found the way out."
Shu Mingye stayed silent. He just stood up and picked Linyue up again, slow and careful, like she might fall apart if he moved too fast. Of course, she didn't.
Then they started walking. Shen Zhenyu went first, leading them through the narrow stone passage. Shu Mingye followed behind. He wasn't thinking about the path. Or the glowing cave. Or the way out. His body simply moved forward while his thoughts stayed behind, still kneeling by the spring, still brushing wet hair from her cheek, still wondering what he would do if she never opened her eyes again.
Song Meiyu glanced nervously between Shen Zhenyu's back and Shu Mingye's rigid shoulders. The silence was unbearable.
"So…" she began, voice unusually small, "on the bright side, at least no one drowned this time?"
Her words bounced off the glowing cave walls and died without an echo.
Shu Mingye didn't answer. He just kept walking. His expression didn't move, but the air around him felt heavier, darker.
Song Meiyu bit her lip, glancing at Shen Zhenyu, who gave the faintest shake of his head. It was not the time for jokes.
She folded her arms tightly and followed in silence, her usual chatter swallowed by the echo of their footsteps and the steady drip of water somewhere behind them.
By the time they stepped out of the cave, night had already fallen. The sky stretched dark and endless above them. They had been inside much longer than they thought. Their horses stood nearby, tails swishing lazily, looking bored and mildly offended at being left alone for so long.
Shu Mingye walked straight to his horse. He carefully lifted Linyue onto the saddle. Then he swung up behind her and pulled her against his chest, holding her far tighter than he needed to. Without a word, he urged the horse forward with a sharp kick, riding ahead into the night.
Song Meiyu watched him go, her usual grin nowhere to be found. "He's going to stay like that until she wakes up, isn't he?" she whispered.
Shen Zhenyu didn't look at her. He simply started walking toward the horse. "Yes."
The ride back was painfully quiet. Not a single word from anyone. Even Song Meiyu, who could normally talk her way through the end of the world, stayed silent.
Shu Mingye rode faster and faster, as if outrunning his own thoughts. But no matter how fast he rode, one simple, stupid truth followed him all the way.
She still hadn't woken up.
Every few breaths, he looked down. Still the same pale face. Still the same infuriatingly calm expression. As if she had decided to take a very dramatic nap just to torture him.
By the time they reached the palace gates, Shu Mingye had run out of patience. He didn't wait for the others. Didn't wait for the horses behind him. Didn't wait for anything.
"Call the palace physician," he snapped, loud and sharp.
A nearby maid carrying a tray jumped so hard she nearly threw the whole thing at the wall. "Y-yes, Lord!" she squeaked, already running.
Then he was gone, heading straight for Linyue's chamber. He didn't walk. He stormed. Servants jumped out of his way and scattered in every direction. When he reached the door, he didn't bother opening it like a normal person. He kicked it hard. The loud bang echoed down the hallway. A servant nearby nearly dropped dead on the spot.
Inside, Shu Mingye moved quickly but carefully. In two steps, he placed Linyue on the bed gently as if the shouting and door-kicking never happened. Moments later, the palace physician arrived, red-faced and wheezing, while carrying his entire medicine cabinet.
"Check her," Shu Mingye ordered without a hint of patience.
The physician didn't dare waste a single second. He rushed to Linyue's side, fingers already checking her pulse, his eyes scanning for any signs of injury or illness.
Shu Mingye stood stiff as a statue, fists clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. For a brief, dangerous moment, he almost turned and took her to his chambers. Almost. But reason—shaky, exhausted, and barely holding on—pulled him back. He couldn't risk it. If she was in his chamber, in his bed… with his messed-up brain still full of spring dreams and soft cheeks and tiny hands.
No. Absolutely not. He shoved that thought off a cliff.
The physician finally straightened up, adjusting his robe nervously. "She's… fine. No injuries. No sickness. Just…" He hesitated, searching for the right words. "…sleeping."
Shu Mingye stared at him, his face perfectly blank but his aura screamed murder. "Sleeping?" he repeated flatly.
"Yes," the physician said, trying not to wilt under that icy glare. "A very... deep sleep."
A strange sound slipped out of Shu Mingye's throat. Somewhere between a sigh and a growl. It might've been a laugh if it wasn't so full of teeth. He almost sank into the nearest chair. Almost. Instead, he stayed right where he was, fists finally relaxing. His gaze locked onto the steady rise and fall of Linyue's chest, watching like he expected it to stop at any moment.
Song Meiyu and Shen Zhenyu arrived just as the palace physician was packing his tools and preparing to flee before the Demon King's nerves snapped in his direction.
"Is she okay?" Song Meiyu asked, dashing to the bed.
"She's just sleeping," Shu Mingye muttered, his voice low, almost tender.
Shen Zhenyu exhaled in quiet relief, shoulders relaxing.
Song Meiyu leaned over Linyue's still form, inspecting her closely. Then she reached out and poked her cheek. "I bet she's having the most dramatic nap of her life," she whispered. "Maybe she's dreaming about finally scolding and cursing you."
"I'd let her," Shu Mingye replied without hesitation.
Both Song Meiyu and Shen Zhenyu blinked.
Shu Mingye ignored their looks. She was safe. That was all that mattered. But if she didn't wake up soon, he wasn't sure how long he would stay sane.
Then He Yuying strolled into the room, somehow managing to make the tense air even worse just by existing.
"Everyone alive?" he asked, then his gaze drifted to Linyue on the bed. "Is she sleeping? Did you finally bore her to death? Or let me guess. You fed her something weird again."
Song Meiyu gasped. "It's not like that. Sister Linyue is—"
Shen Zhenyu's voice cut in before she could start spouting nonsense. "It's because of the water from a spring we drank."
He Yuying tilted his head. "So this is why you all disappeared? To drink magical water and nap? And here I thought I was missing something exciting."
"It's not just a regular nap," Song Meiyu argued. "We… we had a dream!"
He Yuying nodded slowly, as if the idea was worth deep thought. "If she's dreaming, maybe we should slip her some dried plums so she can eat in there too."
Shu Mingye closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. He was worried about her to the point of madness, yet her companion was talking about snacks.
"Out," he said, voice low and sharp.
That made everyone pause and stare at him.
Song Meiyu hesitated. "Why?"
Shu Mingye's gaze sharpened. "Do you want me to drag you out?"
Song Meiyu gasped, taking a step back. "But… but this is Sister Linyue's chamber. What are you going to do? Are you going out too?"
"This is my palace," Shu Mingye replied, already rolling up his sleeves. "I'll stay wherever I like."
Song Meiyu's eyes narrowed. "She needs to change her clothes. Are you going to do it for her?"
Shu Mingye stepped forward, slow and deliberate, like he was about to physically toss them all out.
He Yuying raised a brow. "Should we change his title from Demon King to Perverted Demon King?"
That made Shu Mingye pause mid-step. His eyes narrowed. "Say that again."
Song Meiyu immediately pointed at He Yuying. "He said it, not me!"
He Yuying blinked. "Huh? Who, me? I've never spoken a word in my life."
Song Meiyu raised her hand. "He said Perverted Demon King!"
Shu Mingye's jaw tightened. "Do you want to test how far I can throw you?"
He Yuying shrugged. "As long as I land near the kitchen, I'm fine."
Shen Zhenyu quickly stepped between them, rubbing his temple. "Meiyu, you help Linyue change her clothes. The rest of us, out. Before he demonstrates how far he can throw a person."
Shu Mingye hated the idea. Absolutely despised it. But it was true. He couldn't help her change clothes, that was a disaster waiting to happen. He didn't even want to imagine what he might do if he ever got that chance.
No. Dangerous thoughts. He turned sharply and walked out before his mind wandered somewhere it really shouldn't. Today was already full of those moments.