Linyue leaned her head back against his chest. His heartbeat was steady under the layers of his robes, calm in rhythm but heavy in strength. She let the silence hold for a moment before she spoke, her tone soft, almost casual. "That Soup Man gave me those things," she said quietly. "I met him outside the wall once. He wore a half black mask. He and his group were fighting demons. They were losing. So I helped them."
Shu Mingye's brows drew together. His jaw tightened, but he stayed silent.
"They thanked me," she went on. "They gave me food. Medicine. A lot of it. It was the first time I ever received something from others. So I took it." Her lips curved into a faint, humorless smile. "I was cold. I was tired. And…" she paused, her eyes dropping, "…hungry."
His eyes flickered, as if some quiet emotion had slipped past his walls.
"I saw them again when Hanyue fell," she continued softly. "They were running from demons. I helped them escape a second time. That same man handed me a white jade token. He said I could use it to ask for food and medicine from any of his people."
Her voice trailed into quiet, like the echo of a memory too sharp to touch. She tilted her head slightly, feeling his chest rise and fall beneath her cheek. A faint smile curved at her lips, soft but fleeting. "So, it can be said he was the reason we met," she said. "I dropped the jade token somewhere in the snow. That's why I turned back to search for it. And then…" Her words paused, caught between memory and present. "…I met you."
Shu Mingye stared down at her, his arms locked around her like iron chains disguised as an embrace. His dark eyes never left her face. "That thing you picked out of the snow that day…" he said slowly. His voice was quiet, like he was still putting the pieces together. "The one you exchanged for pie and water with me?"
Linyue nodded once. "Mm."
Silence stretched between them. His expression shifted once, then stilled again, unreadable. Finally, his voice came, flat but edged with disbelief. "So I was bribed… by a pie that was originally bribed… from another man?"
Linyue kept her face calm and her tone firm. "It wasn't a bribe. I fought demons for it. That should count as payment."
Shu Mingye lifted one eyebrow, his mouth curving slightly, the shadow of amusement playing at the corner. "And me? You didn't bribe me either?"
"It was an exchange," she said firmly. "A very fair one."
A dark, low chuckle slipped from his throat. There was still a faint edge to it, but it was softer than before. "So, where is that jade token now?"
Linyue's voice dropped a little. "It was broken into pieces. When Master struck me with lightning three years ago."
Shu Mingye froze. His hands around her tightened again. His expression changed in an instant. The storm in his eyes dimmed, replaced by something heavier. His jaw clenched as if he was holding back all the things he wanted to say.
"I'm sorry, Pie," he murmured.
His voice was quiet, heavy and regretful. He reached out and stroked her back gently before pulling her even closer into the warmth of his chest. Then he bent down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, soft and warm.
Linyue's lips curved into a small, sly smile. Perfect timing. "So…" she asked sweetly, tilting her face up, "not angry anymore?"
He exhaled a long sigh, his voice resigned. "You always win."
Linyue beamed up at him. "I knew it. You're the best."
His lips twitched, just barely. He was clearly trying not to smile but his ears were already turning pink. He cleared his throat and muttered darkly, "Stay here. Don't go anywhere. Or I'll definitely chain you this time."
Linyue gave him her most pitiful expression, eyes wide and full of tragic betrayal. "I can't even meet the others?"
Shu Mingye turned his head away. He knew one more second of looking at her face and he'd crumble. "Just… your chamber is fine."
"Alright!" Linyue agreed at once, far too cheerful for someone supposedly confined. "I won't go anywhere again. Not even a step out. Except to your chamber, of course."
He gave a satisfied nod. "Mm." The great King of Shulin, defeated once again by one small, smiling Pie.
Linyue tilted her head up at him, her eyes shining with quiet hope. "Then… can I go now?"
Shu Mingye didn't budge. "Where's my bribe?"
Linyue frowned. "You said no earlier."
"That was for going out of your chamber," he said without a hint of shame. "This one is for going back to your chamber."
Linyue narrowed her eyes at him. "Shameless."
He smirked and leaned down until their noses almost touched. His voice was soft and smug. "And you like me."
Before he could demand interest on the bribe, Linyue gave him a quick kiss. Just a light peck. Soft. Sweet. And very, very dangerous. Then—poof. She slipped out of his arms, dashed for the door, spun around with a mischievous grin, and waved. "Bye~"
The door closed behind her.
Shu Mingye stared at the door, frozen in place, one hand still in the air where she had been. He let out a long sigh.
Chaos couple: still romantic. Still ridiculous.
Linyue walked back to her chamber with a light step and a small, smug smile. She had survived yet another Shu Mingye storm with minimal burns. That had to count as progress. Maybe even a full victory. She pushed open the door, half expecting to hear dramatic gasps or sarcastic applause from her usual group of intruders. Instead, the room greeted her with silence. Empty.
Oh. Right. She remembered now. The other three were probably still outside, talking to that Soup Man. Hopefully not being tricked, kidnapped, or bribed with free dumplings. Well, there was nothing she could do about it. She had promised to stay obediently in her chamber like a good little hostage fiancée. So she grabbed a stack of books and scrolls, shuffled over to the bed, and flopped down onto it.
She began reading.
Most of the scrolls were about arrays. Again. She had read so many at this point she was starting to believe her dreams would show formation diagrams floating above her head. But still, there was nothing useful. No clue about the strange, silent array inside her body. It could be too advanced. Or too old. Or just rude.
Linyue sighed and turned another page anyway. Reading confusing nonsense felt slightly more productive than lying around and wondering if Soup Man was currently feeding Shen Zhenyu poisoned tea.
The sun slipped lower in the sky. The warm gold outside faded into soft orange. The others still hadn't returned. Should she be worried? What if the Soup Man was lying? What if he lured them away and—
BANG!
The door flew open.
Song Meiyu burst in. "Sister Linyue! You survived another storm! How'd you do it this time? Another bribe?"
Linyue stared at her. "I call it negotiation."
Right behind her, Shen Zhenyu walked in at his usual slow, unbothered pace. He Yuying followed after, strolling casually while chewing on something that most likely was not part of any diplomatic meeting.
Chaos family: reunited. Not dead yet.
Linyue sat down at the chair. "So, what happened?"
Song Meiyu leaned in so close Linyue could see every spark of mischief in her eyes. "It was actually really interesting. He told us how you two met. Honestly, if you had met him earlier than that Demon King, I would've supported him."
Linyue raised an eyebrow. "Did that Soup Man bribe you with dumplings or steamed buns?"
He Yuying answered smoothly. "No. It was egg tarts, osmanthus cake, and sweet red bean soup."
Song Meiyu nodded with full sincerity. "Very convincing snacks."
Shen Zhenyu said nothing. He just let out a tired sigh, shook his head, and took the nearest chair.
Linyue eyed them all with suspicion. "Did he really call you out just to talk about that?"