Unfortunately, Qin Yu succumbed to a deep, baby-like slumber in less than five minutes.
At first, she tried to keep herself awake by mentally reviewing mathematical formulas, but realizing they only made her drowsier, she switched to reciting literature.
However, when exhaustion sets in, the brain refuses to cooperate.
She would remember a word one moment, only to forget it the next. Soon, she couldn't recall anything at all, her mind reduced to chanting meaningless syllables that sounded like an incoherent spell: "Ee-hoo-woo-hoo-ah-hoo."
Finally, she couldn't fight it any longer. Her consciousness slipped away like a fleeting dream.
Thankfully, Shenhe noticed Qin Yu's sudden shift. With lightning reflexes, she reached out and caught Qin Yu as she slumped backward.
"Qin Yu?" Shenhe's expression shifted. A slight frown appeared as she swiftly pressed her fingers to Qin Yu's neck, feeling for her pulse.
Noticing Qin Yu's calm, even breathing, Shenhe's brow naturally relaxed.
"She's asleep?"
Shenhe had feared Qin Yu might have suddenly fallen ill, but she was relieved to see that she was simply sleeping.
She hadn't anticipated Qin Yu falling asleep so soon after beginning their meditation. The last time they meditated together, Qin Yu had remained alert for hours.
Perhaps she didn't rest well, Shenhe thought, feeling a pang of guilt. Asking her to visit so early must have been a burden. Even if it was to deliver a gift, I shouldn't have asked her to push herself. This is my fault.
As these thoughts swirled in her mind, Shenhe gently brushed Qin Yu's bangs aside.
Carefully cradling Qin Yu in her arms, she stood and carried her back inside.
After removing Qin Yu's shoes and placing her on her own bed, Shenhe quietly watched her for a moment, her gaze softening.
"Sleep soundly," she murmured. "With me here, no one will disturb you."
And if they dare to try... they will simply cease to exist.
Without Shenhe noticing, Qin Yu's hand had lightly gripped one of her fingers. Not wanting to wake her, Shenhe gently attempted to withdraw her hand and return to her outdoor meditation practice.
At that moment, Shenhe noticed a single drop of water sliding down Qin Yu's nose.
Is that... a tear? Seeing this, Shenhe abandoned her plan to leave the room and instead sat at the head of the bed.
Gently freeing her finger from Qin Yu's grasp, Shenhe reached out and curved her index finger to softly wipe away the glistening tear at the corner of Qin Yu's eye. As she did so, she casually stroked the raven-black strands of Qin Yu's hair a few times.
"Rest easy," she murmured. "I won't go anywhere."
She must be having a nightmare, Shenhe thought. She had heard that poor sleep could lead to vivid dreams, and if one's physical condition was already weakened, it might even trigger nightmares.
She wondered what kind of nightmare Qin Yu was having.
Since meditation was impossible for now, Shenhe closed her eyes to rest, taking the opportunity to ponder her gift for Qin Yu later that evening.
Come to think of it, seeing someone else lying in her usual bed was... a strangely intimate feeling. It felt as though her ordinary life had been infiltrated and subtly altered. But if it was Qin Yu, she didn't mind.
With that thought, Shenhe closed her eyes.
About four hours later, Qin Yu drowsily opened her eyes.
"Hmm?"
Where am I? How did I suddenly fall asleep? And there's such a familiar scent nearby.
"You're awake. Good afternoon. Did you rest well?"
"Mmm... I slept really well..."
In fact, it was the most peaceful sleep I've ever had, even though I had a vaguely sad dream. It was truly a comfortable sleep.
Strange, this doesn't feel like my own bed.
Wait a minute.
That voice... could it be—? Qin Yu's mind snapped awake. She sat up and found herself face-to-face with Shenhe's silvery-gray eyes. She froze.
Okay, let's sort this out.
Shenhe and I were meditating together, and then I woke up in this bed...
Wait a minute... Wait a minute! Wait a minute?! Qin Yu suddenly realized what must have happened. Her expression shifted from confusion to dawning realization, then to shock, and finally to a bright, undeniable crimson that bloomed across her face.
Her face burning crimson, Qin Yu's thoughts tangled into a chaotic mess.
I actually fell asleep. I actually fell asleep? I actually fell asleep! Waaah, I actually fell asleep! Does this mean she saw my sleeping face? Ah... hahaha...
I just want to die.
Well, there's nothing left to do but throw myself into the sea and end it all.
Still clinging to a sliver of hope, Qin Yu asked, "Shenhe, did you... see how I sleep?"
"Yes."
Great, time to bid farewell to this world!
Why did you have to look? Couldn't you have been polite and not peek? And why were you sitting at the head of the bed? Wouldn't it have been better to focus on your own cultivation?
Qin Yu practically wanted to bury her face in her hands.
Noticing Qin Yu's strange expression, Shenhe tilted her head in confusion. "Shouldn't I have looked?"
"Ah, ahahaha... I don't know, I don't know anything at all!" Qin Yu stammered, her mind reeling.
Evaluation: B+
Why is it giving me an evaluation now? What's the point of displaying it at a time like this?
When the user enters an unconscious state, the evaluation will be postponed until consciousness is regained.
Huh? So this evaluation improved while I was asleep?
"What did you do while I was asleep?!" Qin Yu could feel her face burning with embarrassment.
Shenhe found Qin Yu's reaction utterly perplexing. Was she really so concerned about being seen asleep? There was nothing strange about it at all.
"While you were asleep," Shenhe began.
"Hmm?"
"You were crying."
"Huh?"
"So I sat here and waited for you to wake up. Whatever nightmare you had, I won't let anything harm you in reality."
Qin Yu hugged her knees to her chest, head bowed, unable to utter a single word.
"It wasn't my intention to see you asleep. I apologize. And you're probably so exhausted because I asked you to come so early... I'm sorry."
Tch... How am I supposed to complain when she's being like this? Not that I could have complained anyway. Even though she didn't want to say a word, there was something she had to say.
"You don't need to apologize... and thank you... for staying with me," Qin Yu whispered, raising her eyes slightly.
Shenhe heard her clearly and gently replied, "Mm."
Evaluation: A
A suffocating silence followed, pressing down on Qin Yu.
The moment Qin Yu calmed down, Shenhe's earlier words flooded her mind. She hadn't expected to cry, but the dampness of tear streaks on her face was undeniable proof that Shenhe's words were true.
Sleeping in her bed again, being seen sleeping, and even being caught crying... This is torture!
Why was she so concerned about Shenhe seeing her sleeping face? The answer was obvious: Qin Yu knew her sleeping posture wasn't exactly graceful, utterly lacking the charm of a typical young girl.
This definitely isn't part of my character!
Right, she needed to ask Shenhe about her own sleeping posture. But should she really? Wouldn't ignorance be bliss? Qin Yu pursed her lips, hesitated repeatedly, and finally decided to ask anyway.
Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep tonight.
"Shenhe... my sleeping posture..."
"Sleeping posture?"
"Ahem, right, my sleeping posture. There shouldn't be anything strange about it... right?" Qin Yu asked cautiously.
Shenhe thought back. Qin Yu's sleeping posture was perfectly normal, remarkably serene, and utterly endearing.
Though her belly often peeked out from under her clothes, Shenhe always made sure to pull down her hem to keep her warm, so there was nothing to worry about.
"Nothing strange at all," Shenhe replied.
Phew... Thank goodness. Qin Yu finally relaxed completely.
While she still felt a bit embarrassed that Shenhe had been seen sleeping, at least she maintained her status as a proper lady even in her dreams.
Just as I thought!
Still, what exactly had she been dreaming about? She couldn't quite recall now, only a vague impression of talking to someone. Qin Yu tried to remember, but the memory eluded her.
That's how dreams are—many details fade upon waking.
By now, Qin Yu had finally calmed down completely.
Now that she'd seen it, there was nothing to be done... Whatever, whatever, let her look. No, she couldn't let her see her like this again. This time her sleeping position was decent, but next time might be a disaster.
In any case, time to forget this ever happened.
Life inevitably brings moments we must bury, and this was undoubtedly one of them! Qin Yu exhaled deeply, steeling her resolve.
"Is it afternoon already? You didn't eat lunch, did you? I'm starving too. Let's make something," Qin Yu said, hopping out of bed and slipping on her shoes.
"Alright," Shenhe replied, rising as well.
Qin Yu glanced at her reflection in the water bucket and froze.
Her hair was a mess, her makeup smudged. Aside from a decent complexion, her appearance was a complete disaster!
Shame flushed her face once more, but this time she said nothing, silently and swiftly removing her makeup and combing her hair.
I'm ready to die.
Come to think of it, she hadn't asked Shenhe what she'd done while she was asleep... No, no, no, don't ask. Don't invite trouble.
Let's just pretend nothing happened.
That's right, nothing did happen!
"Shenhe, the firewood's ready—" Qin Yu's words trailed off.
"Ready... What's wrong?"
Qin Yu avoided Shenhe's gaze, quickly looking away. "Ahaha, nothing! Let's start cooking now."
"Okay," Shenhe replied, but a flicker of confusion crossed her mind.
Why is Qin Yu suddenly avoiding my eyes?