[Yaonan Hidden Manor • Early Morning]
Morning mist swirled around the mountain paths as sunlight pierced the canopy, dawning upon the stone trails of the Hidden Manor. The crisp song of birds woke the courtyard, signaling the departure of a group ready to face the world once more.
Lin Lie performed a final check on the Yao-Rover's power core, his movements fluid as he adjusted the suspension and the stabilizer rods. "The temperature dropped significantly last night. I was worried condensation might delay the drive, so I've lubricated the entire system." He looked up and nodded to Gu Xingyu. "We're ready."
The Yao-Rover sat silently by the stone path, its hull reinforced with Yao-iron and vibration-dampening layers. Intricate Yao-patterns, hand-carved by Lin Lie, pulsed with a faint light along the wheel rims. It was no longer just a vehicle; it was a mobile fortress carrying their shared hopes.
"Put the medical kits in the back; I've reserved space in the herb cabinet," Sang Qi nagged, though his hands were expert as he hooked the luggage onto the side rails. He tucked a bottle of Pine-Mist Dew into a side compartment. "We might hit high heat or toxins on the road. I don't want to be digging through bags when I'm trying to save someone."
Cang Yuan stepped onto the edge of the vehicle, flicking his cloak back with a grin. "Riding this thing feels like a luxury tour. Should we name it? How about the Shadow-Chaser?"
"Sounds a bit too 'main character' for us," Xingyu laughed, patting the seat beside her. "Get in. If we're late, the mist-tide will catch us on the road."
Luo Ye boarded with his heavy pack, his gaze steady and calm. He sat next to her, his hand instinctively brushing the Fire-Yao Ring on his wrist—a silent confirmation of his vow to protect.
Li Yan took his place at the helm, checking the axle stability. He spoke a single, heavy word: "Depart."
The Rover let out a low hum as its crystal core ignited with an orange-gold glow. The iron wheels rolled over the soft earth and fallen leaves, carrying them into the winding ancient forest path.
Xingyu looked back at the Hidden Manor. The place that had sheltered them, witnessed their pasts, and forged their resolve was fading into the distance.
"Let's go," she whispered.
[The Ancient Path • Morning Journey]
The Rover glided along the path, the wheels crunching softly over damp leaves. Sunlight filtered through the branches, painting dappled patterns across their clothes.
Cang Yuan leaned lazily against the inner wall, his legs propped up on a crate. He toyed with a Water-Yao shard, his eyes half-closed. "If we find another ancient ruin, I'd rather not be stuck in an illusion for three hours. To be honest, I'd prefer a nap over those memories."
"Then feel free to never wake up," Luo Ye snapped from the other side. He sat with his arms crossed, staring out the window, his expression as prickly as ever.
Cang Yuan smirked. "Oh? Is our little Flame-Yao still grumpy? Didn't Xingyu spend all that time talking to you yesterday?"
Luo Ye's eyes flickered. He didn't fire back, but his ears turned a faint shade of red. He looked away, staring harder at the passing trees.
Sang Qi, rummaging through his herbs in the back, spoke up casually. "Observing the 'Luo Ye Blush Index' has become my favorite hobby lately." He sniffed a long leaf. "Hmm, this one is good for clearing internal heat. We'll brew some tonight."
"Can we leave out the bitter herbs?" Xingyu asked, leaning over with a frown.
"No," Sang Qi raised an eyebrow. "To douse a fire, you must endure some bitterness."
"You're the one who needs to cool down," Lin Lie interjected from the front, twirling a miniature gear wrench. "I saw you sneak two pieces of candied fruit yesterday."
"That was for my blood sugar. It's different," Sang Qi lied with a straight face.
Laughter rippled through the car, lightening the mood. Li Yan, focused on steering, didn't join the chatter, but his eyes softened as they landed on Xingyu. She was leaning close to Lin Lie, whispering about some structural design.
A small smile touched Li Yan's lips.
[The Spark of a Moment]
The Rover swayed slightly. Xingyu knelt between the seats, pointing at Lin Lie's notebook. "So this gear arrangement... it controls the steering?"
Lin Lie's eyes shifted. He adjusted his position to give her more room to see. "Precisely. It's an auto-correction structure for lateral balance. I could teach you, but—"
He looked up, his tone flat. "Stay away from the newly repaired vibration circuit. It'll give you a shock."
"You should have said that sooner—" Xingyu reacted too late, her finger brushing a copper wire. "Ow! Waaah!"
Lin Lie instantly grabbed her wrist, his brow furrowing. "I literally just warned you."
She gave him a pouting look, her finger still tingling. "You said it too slow!"
Seeing the slight shock, Lin Lie pulled up her sleeve to check for burns, his movements as precise and careful as his clockwork.
"Next time you want to help, ask me first," he said quietly.
She glanced at him. "Are you saying that because you're afraid I'll mess up the machine, or because you're afraid I'll get hurt?"
Lin Lie's fingers paused.
"...Both," he finally whispered.
Xingyu froze. She looked at his calm profile and saw a hidden light in his eyes—like a Yao-stone buried deep beneath a moonlit lake. Quiet, but unmistakably there.
As Lin Lie bandaged her finger, Xingyu subconsciously held her breath. His touch was so light, as if he were afraid of breaking something.
"If you get hurt, I'll be distracted," he said.
The words hit her like a physical force. This boy, usually so cold and rational, was using the word "distracted" to describe her pain. What did that mean?
She tried to brush it off with a joke. "Saying things like that will make me overthink, you know."
Lin Lie didn't answer. He simply finished the repair, leaving behind an ambiguous, heavy silence. Xingyu's heart was in a whirl. She had always known he was protective, but his care was usually buried so deep.
[The Honest Heart]
On the other side of the cabin, Cang Yuan watched the two of them and clicked his tongue. He stretched his limbs and suddenly flopped his head right onto Luo Ye's lap.
"What are you doing—" Luo Ye frowned, trying to push him off.
Cang Yuan acted like he had no bones. "This is the steadiest spot. I nearly lost my head back there with all the bumping. Just five minutes, please~"
"Stop acting pathetic. A little bump won't kill you," Luo Ye grumbled, but he stopped pushing.
Cang Yuan closed his eyes with a look of pure bliss. "The Flame-Yao's legs are surprisingly comforting."
Luo Ye's face turned bright red, his fist clenching slowly. "Keep it up and I'll throw you out the window."
"Don't be so impulsive," Cang Yuan opened one eye and smiled like a cat. "At least wait until I've had my nap."
Luo Ye gritted his teeth and stared out the window, a vein throbbing in his temple.
"You like Xingyu, don't you?" Cang Yuan murmured, half-asleep.
Luo Ye tried to pull away, but the Rover swayed, pinning him down. "I do not," he blurted out, his ears already burning.
Cang Yuan didn't let go. "But I like her. What should we do about that?"
Luo Ye went silent. His knuckles turned white. Finally, he whispered, "...You aren't that serious."
"How do you know I'm not?" Cang Yuan opened both eyes. The playful tone was still there, but the teasing look in his eyes had vanished. "Every word I say... comes straight from my heart."
Luo Ye's breath hitched. He felt pinned by those words—"straight from the heart." The retort he had prepared died in his throat.
He lowered his head and gently pushed Cang Yuan's face aside, his voice barely a whisper. "If you're truly speaking from the heart... then don't make a joke of her. She deserves someone's absolute sincerity."
Cang Yuan blinked, his smirk finally fading. He looked up at Luo Ye and realized that this hot-tempered guy was being more careful than anyone.