Shu Mingye woke up to the faint scent of warmth, dreams, and one Pie perfectly tucked in his arms.
Morning sunlight slipped lazily through the window, soft and pale. Birds chirped outside. Somewhere nearby, flowers were probably blooming. But inside, Linyue was still asleep. Her breathing was slow and steady. Her eyebrows relaxed. Her face calm and peaceful like she had no idea a certain king had spent the night pouring out wine and emotions all over her.
Shu Mingye didn't remember when exactly he fell asleep. Maybe it was after saying something poetic and overly tragic. He suspected he had a bad habit of doing that with wine. But waking up like this, with her so close, felt like a dream he didn't want to leave. A rare, soft smile tugged at his lips. The smile that only existed for one person.
That crafty old fox Tian Mo had tried his hardest to drown him in wine last night. Maybe to test his limits. Maybe to wring out embarrassing confessions and scare his Pie away. Either way, too bad. Because he was never giving up.
This Pie, he thought, gently brushing his fingers through her hair, is mine.
How could he ever let go of something so soft, precious, and beautiful?
He stroked her hair, careful not to wake her. She didn't even stir. And then—
BANG!
The door flew open.
Shu Mingye's expression immediately darkened. His warm morning glow shattered instantly. Slowly, he turned his head toward the intruder. Of course he already knew who it was. Standing at the door, grinning with absolutely zero guilt, was Song Meiyu.
"Oops," she said far too cheerfully, eyes twinkling. "Did I walk in on something romantic and possibly scandalous?"
Shu Mingye gave her a sharp glare.
Song Meiyu ignored it entirely and tiptoed in, already poking around the room. "You know, it's amazing how you two still look like a painting even while sleeping. I almost feel bad ruining the moment. Almost."
Shu Mingye sighed internally. His morning peace was over.
Linyue stirred at the loud bang of her door slamming open. She shifted slightly, eyes still half-closed. As expected, she woke up in the same place she often did these days, warmly tangled in Shu Mingye's arms. She blinked slowly, letting her brain catch up to her body. Then she smiled a little.
Ah. Morning. Chaos. Hug. All normal.
Then came Song Meiyu's voice, bright and unapologetic as always. "Sister Linyue, I didn't know you were having a moment."
Still nestled in Shu Mingye's arms, Linyue replied without even lifting her head. "Mhm. Now you do."
She didn't even sound mad. Just sleepy. Like someone who had accepted that her life no longer followed the laws of privacy or peace. She was, however, starting to regret one thing. That habit of rarely locking her door. No one in Xuanyi Pavilion would dare to sneak around and barge into a disciple's room. Especially not when the disciples lived right next to the masters. Except for Song Meiyu, of course. Song Meiyu had absolutely no respect for walls, doors, or romantic timing. So, unless she was bathing or changing, the door stayed unlock.
"Well, it's kind of ruined now," Song Meiyu said cheerfully. "Anyway, has he even met Master Yin Xue properly yet? This is a good chance before she goes to the Healing Hall."
Linyue yawned, snuggling back against Shu Mingye. "Or… he can do it later."
Shu Mingye looked down at the sleepy Pie nestled in his arms.
Ah, what a nice life. He could lie here all day, holding her, ignoring the world. But unfortunately, he had a reputation to fix. He had to greet Master Yin Xue. Not because he wanted to, but because he had to. It was a matter of survival. He already had the reputation of fearful, scary, blood loving Demon King. Enemies spread rumors that he drank blood and bathed in it too. If he skipped greetings, the tales would only grow worse. Soon, they would say he ate puppies for breakfast. He needed every bit of politeness and charm to claw back a scrap of decency.
Shu Mingye sighed deeply and lowered his voice to a gentle whisper. "Pie, I'll greet your master first. You continue sleeping."
Her reply was drowsy, muffled against his chest. "Alright." Then, instead of letting him go, she tightened her arms around him.
Shu Mingye blinked. A quiet laugh slipped out. "Pie, let go first."
Her grip only grew stronger, stubborn and sleepy at the same time.
The Demon King of Shulin now found himself pinned by one small Pie who refused to let him move. He stared at the ceiling, helpless. Reputation, survival, dignity—all slipping away in the arms of a half-asleep woman who mumbled something about five more minutes.
From the other side of the room came the sound of stifled giggles. Song Meiyu was still there. Still watching. Still acting like she lived there. Which, at this point, she might as well.
Linyue let out a long sigh and finally flopped over to the other side. Shu Mingye took the chance to escape. But before he left, he walked around the bed, leaned down, and gently kissed her forehead.
"I'll go back quickly," he said warmly.
"Mm," came Linyue's soft reply, muffled by the pillow.
He lingered just a moment longer, looking at her like she was too precious for this broken world, then finally left.
The door had barely closed before Song Meiyu shot across the room. She crouched beside the bed, grinning from ear to ear.
"So…" she whispered. "Did something happen last night?"
Linyue mumbled into her pillow, "What could happen?"
"You know…" Song Meiyu's voice dropped to a scandalized whisper. "That thing."
Linyue opened one eye, her voice flat. "Nothing happened."
Song Meiyu narrowed her eyes. "Hmm. Suspicious."
"Nothing. Happened."
Linyue yanked the blanket over her head and vanished beneath it.
Song Meiyu whispered gleefully, "But something almost happened, didn't it?"
Linyue flung the blanket down and stared at her. "What is it today? Are you planning something again?"
Song Meiyu widened her eyes, pure and innocent. "Nothing, nothing. Actually, I came here with a pure mind, pure purpose, and pure goal."
Linyue narrowed her eyes. "Which is?"
Song Meiyu clasped her hands together. "Can you help me train my spiritual sense?"
Linyue blinked, clearly not expecting that. "You want to learn?" she asked. "Early in the morning? Before breaking or burning anything?"
Song Meiyu gasped, offended. "Hey! I don't always cause trouble. Just… most of the time… trouble finds me."
Linyue raised an eyebrow and said with the flattest tone known to mankind, "Alright. I understand." The meaning was clear: No, I don't believe you at all, but sure, go on.
"I'm serious!" Song Meiyu insisted, puffing up. "Master Yin Xue said if I keep slacking off, I'll end up with a spiritual sense as sharp as a cabbage leaf."
Linyue sat up and stretched with a yawn. "Well… at least cabbage leaves are flexible."
"Hey!" Song Meiyu pouted. "Help me or I'll tell that Demon King that you called his name in your sleep that time."
Linyue paused mid-yawn. "You wouldn't."
Song Meiyu smirked, already halfway to the door. "Try me."
Linyue sighed, muttering under her breath as she got out of bed, "Why do I have so many unreasonable people around me?"
The answer was clear: she was the magnet. A calm, sarcastic magnet attracting chaos.
And so, the two of them sat cross-legged on Linyue's bed, looking extremely serious as if they weren't two sleepy girls in wrinkled robes and messy hair, one trying to achieve spiritual enlightenment, the other barely awake enough to listen.
Linyue patiently explained how to control spiritual sense, her tone calm, her words simple. She really did hope Song Meiyu could improve fast, mostly so she'd stop exploding things by accident. After explaining the basics, she closed her eyes again and began to meditate beside Song Meiyu. She sent out a gentle wave of spiritual energy.
First, she sensed her own room. Clear.
Then the first floor. Still peaceful.
Then Master Tian Mo's residence. All good.
Then the training ground. She felt Shen Zhenyu and He Yuying's spiritual presence. And of course, Master Tian Mo was there too. Probably watching and leisurely sipping his tea. That was as far as her spiritual sense could reach in one sweep. Not bad, but not amazing. She could do better.
Hours passed just like that. The quiet buzz of energy, the slow inhale-exhale of concentration, and Song Meiyu muttering random nonsense in her sleep while supposedly meditating.
Then came a knock at the door.
Linyue opened her eyes just as Song Meiyu leapt up. "I got it!" Song Meiyu declared, already hopping off the bed.
Unsurprisingly, it was Shen Zhenyu and He Yuying.
Linyue glanced at the window. The sky was already dyed orange and purple. Oh. It was morning just a moment ago, right? Shu Mingye still hadn't come back. He did say he would return quickly.
"…Maybe Master Yin Xue bullied him," Linyue muttered.
Song Meiyu grinned. "After Master Tian Mo? You think they're taking turns now?"
"Could be," He Yuying said flatly. "Every other day. Master Tian Mo on odd dates. Master Yin Xue on even ones."
"I didn't see a calendar in their hands," Shen Zhenyu added. "But that explains the rotation."
Linyue sighed. "He's still the Demon King. I'm sure he'll survive."
He Yuying shrugged. "Probably."
Shen Zhenyu nodded, thoughtful. "As long as they don't join hands on weekends."
They all went quiet for a moment, the kind of quiet that meant someone was either thinking very deeply or had forgotten why they came in the first place.
Then Linyue broke the silence, "So, is there any progress?"