The sharp beat of hooves faded behind us, swallowed by the hush of the forested path. Inside the velvet-lined carriage, I sat curled in the corner, clutching the edge of my cloak, my eyes flicking between the window and Yuzhe.
He looked like he always did—calm, cold, unreadable. His silver-lined robes were neat, his long black hair perfectly tied, not a strand out of place. He sat across from me, his arms crossed, his expression completely uninterested.
I bit my lip. "Umm… why are we rushing so much? I haven't even started learning manipulation magic yet."
Without even glancing at me, he replied, "It takes five days to complete the Icebane Serum. We'll reach the base just in time. You can study during the proess of making Icebane Serum."
I blinked. "Oh…"
My fingers played with the hem of my sleeve. "You really think of everything, huh? You're seriously so smart. Like—really, really smart."
Still, he said nothing.
I giggled nervously. "Anyway, with the Lantern Festival and Chinese New Year coming up, we don't need to worry about the dragon, right? Its power should be low."
That made him finally glance at me. Just a flicker of his gaze, like a brief snowfall. "You're right. For once."
I huffed, puffing my cheeks. "Hmph. I'm smart too, you know."
He didn't reply.
A silence settled between us. I looked over again, this time more softly. "Are you tired?"
His brow twitched. "Why would I be?"
I smiled. "Then... are you asking if I'm tired?"
He sighed. "You look like a zombie. So, yes."
"I didn't sleep," I muttered, yawning. "The whole night."
He looked at me again, this time with a slightly raised eyebrow. "Why?"
I turned my face away. "It's not important."
"I didn't ask if it was important."
Ugh. Why was he always like this?
"Fine," I said, sulking. "I stayed up practicing magical archery. Happy?"
There was a beat of silence. Then—completely calm—he patted his lap.
"Sleep. Here."
I stared. "H-huh?!"
He didn't repeat it. Just looked at me with that quiet, patient, annoyingly attractive face.
I waved my hands. "I-I'm fine! I can just lean against the wall or—"
His voice was low. "Stop being difficult. You're already swaying."
My heart fluttered as I slid over to him, face red. I rested my head on his lap, every nerve buzzing.
He didn't say a word. But his hand moved gently through my blue hair, brushing the strands aside as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
My voice came out small. "Where can you... put your hand?"
"Don't ask stupid questions," he replied coolly, but his hand lingered.
I didn't realize when I drifted off.
---
I woke to the soft rocking of the carriage, the sky outside painted with a golden-pink hue. The warmth beneath me was gone. I sat up slowly—and saw Yuzhe beside me, resting against the wall, eyes closed in sleep.
I inched closer. He looked… different like this. Softer. Peaceful.
So handsome.
Then I noticed it—a tiny bit of cotton stuck near his eye.
I reached for it, slowly. Carefully. My fingers trembled as they moved toward his face, and I smiled just a little, thinking how rare this moment was.
But then—
His eyes snapped open.
I froze. Our faces were so close I could feel his breath.
He stared at me, voice low and slightly rough. "What are you doing?"
My heart skipped ten beats. "If I say I was going to take off a cotton from your eye… you wouldn't believe me, right?"
He didn't answer.
I tried to back away, completely flustered—but his arm shot out.
He wrapped it around my waist and pulled me right back.
Right into him.
My hands landed on his chest, and I could feel his heartbeat. Calm. Steady. But mine was racing, out of control.
"I—uh—I wasn't—"
His fingers brushed a lock of my hair behind my ear.
"You never listen," he murmured.
"I do!" I protested.
He didn't let go.
Neither did I.
And for one long, silent moment, the world outside disappeared. There was no carriage. No dragon. No magic.
Just him.
And me.
And a heartbeat louder than everything.
---
The carriage kept rolling forward, but inside, time had stopped.
..
Hello dear Moonlight travelers Am sorry to keep waiting you guys I haven't upload a chapter recently cause I was very busy hope you understand I'll start my regular update starting from next week love you guys bye.
Li yuxin