Before anyone could vote on whether to hear Soup Man out or send him to the next life, footsteps echoed from behind. Slow, steady, unhurried. The kind of footsteps that belonged to someone who had never run from anything in his life, because everything else ran from him.
Linyue turned just in time for two familiar, warm arms to wrap tightly around her from behind. Possessive. Solid. Terrifying.
"You forgot your promise quickly," Shu Mingye murmured, his voice low beside her ear.
The air chilled instantly. Even the wind seemed to pause, as though unwilling to get caught in his mood.
Soup Man's eyes widened. But to his credit or his stupidity, he didn't step back.
Linyue, unfortunately, couldn't step anywhere. She was frozen in place. Not from fear, of course. Just… mild concern. Reasonable alarm. Possibly self-preservation instinct trying to reboot.
"I thought he came for a rematch," she said carefully, her tone light but cautious. "So, I was thinking of toasting him a little."
"A little," Shu Mingye repeated, his tone deceptively calm. His arm tightened around her waist just enough to make it very clear she was not going anywhere.
Behind them, Song Meiyu froze mid-gasp, both hands clapped over her mouth. He Yuying mouthed silently, "She's dead," then popped another dried plum into his mouth. Shen Zhenyu sighed deeply and turned to look at the sky.
Soup Man's eyes darted between Linyue and the extremely territorial King of Shulin. "…Should I come back later?" he asked. The words were meant to sound casual, but his voice cracked in the middle, betraying him.
Linyue's hand twitched against Shu Mingye's iron hold. She forced her face into perfect calm. "Yes. Or maybe never."
Soup Man coughed awkwardly into his fist. "I heard… you're engaged. So… is it to the King of Shulin?"
Shu Mingye said nothing. The temperature dropped a solid ten degrees. A few unlucky flower petals froze mid-air.
Linyue, now mildly sweating despite the chill, gave a slow nod. "Yes."
Soup Man tried to smile, but it came out more like a grimace. "Congratulations. You two… look like a match made in heaven. Truly compatible. Like thunder and doom. I mean… bloom! Thunder and bloom!"
Shu Mingye finally spoke. His voice was soft and deadly, "Of course."
Song Meiyu leaned toward He Yuying, whispering with eyes wide in both awe and horror. "He's not going to survive this."
He Yuying nodded, chewing another plum. "I give him three minutes."
Soup Man lifted both hands quickly, palms out as though trying to ward off certain death. "I'm serious. I didn't come to flirt or interfere. I swear on all my soup bowls. There's something important I want to discuss."
Shen Zhenyu, the group's only surviving thread of reason, let out a long sigh and finally spoke up. "What is it?"
Soup Man lowered his hands carefully. "I'm investigating my father's death."
Shen Zhenyu's brows furrowed. His calm voice carried a hint of sharpness. "And what does that have to do with us?"
Soup Man took a deep breath, clearly aware he was stepping on very thin, very icy glass. "It's… a long story. Can we please talk peacefully? Just talk. No one gets toasted. No one gets stabbed." He gave a quick side glance at Shu Mingye.
Shu Mingye didn't even blink. "No. Go away."
Chaos family: still thriving. Still terrifying.
Linyue cleared her throat delicately and attempted diplomacy. "Why don't Brother Zhenyu and the others talk to him?" she suggested lightly, as if this were a normal, not-murdery day. Then she hesitated. Slowly, she reached out and took Shu Mingye's hand. It was warm and steady. Also terrifyingly firm. Definitely the hand of someone currently debating homicide.
"I… will go inside with my… lovely, adorable future husband," she added. Her tone was flat, but the words were technically affectionate.
Shu Mingye tilted his head to look down at her. The corner of his lips curved into a chuckle. But it was not a soft or charming chuckle. It was low, dark, and dangerous. The kind of sound that suggested he could bury a man alive and then carefully arrange flowers on the grave for decoration.
Song Meiyu sucked in a sharp breath and shuffled back a step like a survivor.
He Yuying snorted. "Lovely and adorable, huh."
Shen Zhenyu coughed into his sleeve and avoided all eye contact.
Even Soup Man blinked and laughed nervously. "Great idea. We won't bother you. Not at all. Enjoy your crime. I mean… time. Enjoy your time… together... with her."
Then he froze. Everyone froze with him. He slowly raised a shaky thumbs-up. It was meant to be reassuring, but instead, it looked like he was confessing to something. And somehow, the air got more awkward.
Shu Mingye didn't say a word. He just gave a soft "Mm" and pulled Linyue closer into his arms. The smile on his face still held that faint trace of danger. Just enough to make everyone consider turning around and pretending none of this had happened.
Linyue didn't resist. She also didn't look up. Mostly because she was afraid of accidentally encouraging murder.
As they walked away, arm in arm, Song Meiyu leaned close to He Yuying and whispered, "So romantic. So terrifying."
"Best love story I've ever seen," He Yuying mumbled back between a chew. "Someone's definitely going to die."
Linyue peeked at Shu Mingye from the corner of her eye. His arm stayed locked around her waist like an unbreakable seal. He hadn't said a word since they left the others. Not one glance. Not even a twitch of expression. He just walked forward, his steps steady and controlled, like a man suppressing an urge to set half the world on fire.
She hesitated, then quietly slipped her own arm around his waist. Maybe if she looked extra sweet and affectionate, it would count as… emotional insurance. Leaning gently against his side, she tilted her head until it rested against his shoulder.
Still no reaction.
Yes. He was mad. Of course he was. Shu Mingye could get jealous of a teacup if she held it too long. Or of a chair if she sat on it and looked too comfortable.
Linyue peeked up at him again. His sharp jaw stayed tight. His eyes stared straight ahead like he was mentally preparing a list of people to erase from existence. She cleared her throat softly. Then she tried her sweetest, most pitiful voice. "Will you take another bribe?"
No glance. No flicker of humor. Just a flat, cold voice. "No."
She blinked once at his cold expression. Then she grinned, undeterred. "Let me try first," she said softly.
He didn't reply. His arm tightened a little around her waist. That wasn't a no, was it? It was definitely not a no. Probably.
They walked the rest of the way to his chamber in silence. Shu Mingye looked ready to kick the door open like usual, but Linyue quickly reached out and opened it with her hand, saving the door (and her ears) from unnecessary trauma. He still said nothing.
They stepped inside together. The air in the room felt heavier somehow. Quiet. Tense. Dangerous in that very Shu Mingye way that made even the furniture seem nervous. Linyue carefully closed the door behind them. The latch clicked softly. The next second, Shu Mingye pulled her firmly into his arms. His expression was still terrifying. Cold, unreadable, and full of that sharp stormy intensity that said "I like you, but I might throw your teacups." His dark eyes didn't leave her for a second.
Linyue slowly rose onto her toes. She pressed a soft kiss to his lips. Just a light one. A quiet peace offering. Then she looked up at him with a hopeful smile. "How is it?"
He stared down at her. His voice was flat, almost bored. "No."
Linyue froze. "…No?"
His face didn't even twitch. So she tried again. She wrapped both arms tightly around his waist and leaned her head against his chest. Then she rubbed her cheek on him once. Twice. Slowly.
"Then…" Her voice softened to something small and helpless. "What should I do?"
Shu Mingye's voice was low and dangerous, but there was something softer under it. "That should have been my question. Pie, what should I do?"
Linyue turned her head to look up at him. Her face was calm as always, but her voice had a rare touch of gentleness. "Do you remember the pie and water I gave you four years ago?"
He frowned, his dark eyes narrowing. "Why did you suddenly bring that up?"