Xiao Zhi woke up to the taste of sand in her mouth and a gnawing stiffness in her neck. The desert air was still biting, but there was a strange, steady warmth against her side.
It took her a second to realize she was slumped against Ruhan's shoulder, and even more surprisingly, he'd leaned his weight right back into her. She stayed still for a moment, her heart giving a quiet, confused thump, before she finally shifted.
Sensing her movement, Ruhan stirred.
"You're awake." He leaned in closer, his eyes searching her face for any sign of discomfort. "Are you feeling okay? Cold?"
Xiao Zhi's heart skipped a beat. Ruhan had no business being this gentle and caring. She quickly shook her head. "I'm… okay. Thank you."
Ruhan slowly stood and stretched. There was no trace of awkwardness in his eyes, despite how close they had been. "The morning has come. We should continue while the air is still cool. When the sun climbs higher, it will be unbearable."
He glanced toward Duran, who was already prepared to move. He turned back to Xiao Zhi, offering his hand. She took it without hesitation, letting him help her to her feet.
"With horses, we could have reached the Tughril border in a day or so." Ruhan lifted the water pouch he had managed to rescue, gauging its weight before looking back at the horizon. "But on foot… it could take twice as long."
Xiao Zhi's stomach twisted at the news.
"This is the only water we have. We'll need to save it as much as we can. A sip every few hours, no more. We'll have to survive three days like this."
She swallowed hard, but she knew they had no choice. They were lucky enough that Ruhan had managed to snatch the water pouch.
"Once we get closer to the border, we might find Tughril patrols." Duran offered a small hint of hope. "If we're lucky, we could run into them."
"For now, we move." Ruhan gestured for Xiao Zhi to follow.
The desert stretched endlessly under the burning sun, determined to roast them alive.
By midday, the sun had reached its highest point. Ruhan was right. The heat was merciless. They had been walking for hours and had only taken a few sips of water. Xiao Zhi stumbled, gripping the hem of Ruhan's cloak for support. Her arms felt like lead, and her legs felt nothing more than trembling sticks. Every step was a fight. Every breath burned her throat.
She didn't sign up for this. Her body was not made to withstand a journey this long, let alone on foot in a hot, cruel desert.
"This… this is impossible," she whispered. Her lips were cracked and dry. "How… how can anyone survive this?"
Ruhan looked back, calm as ever. "We will survive. Trust me."
"But we barely have water." Xiao Zhi was not one to be optimistic. "We have three more days like this. How could we possibly—"
"You keep walking," Ruhan interrupted, placing a hand lightly on her back. "I don't need to explain everything. Just trust me."
She stumbled again.
"We have to save energy, and your talking isn't going to do you any favor," he added lightly, a rare hint of humor in his voice.
She glared at him, frustrated, but deep down she knew he was right.
Duran led the way without a word, his steps steady and sure. The bandit attack had clearly taken a toll on him, yet he showed no sign of weakness. Xiao Zhi wondered if she was the only one who felt like she was about to collapse. She knew that Duran and Ruhan were nothing more than characters in Lin Rui's story. NPCs, if you must call them. No wonder they didn't seem to feel exhaustion or despair like she did. They were basically robots, not alive.
Hours dragged on, and the sun only grew harsher.
Her throat burned, and the few drops of water she'd sipped earlier only made it worse.
"I… I can't." She panted, her voice trailing off as her hand slipped from Ruhan's cloak. "I can't go on…"
Ruhan caught her arm, steadying her. "Yes, you can." His expression didn't waver. "One step. Then another. Don't look at the distance, only the next step."
Pfft, easy for you to say. You're not real.
"I need water!" she begged. "I can't… I can't go on anymore!" It hurt to even talk. Every word that came out of her mouth made her throat burn.
Ruhan sighed but unhooked the pouch, letting her take a small sip. She closed her eyes, savoring the brief relief. Before she could drink more, he pulled it back.
"Don't be greedy, princess." A faint smile tugged at his lips.
They walked further for several more hours, unable to find any shelter under the hot sun. Dragging her feet, Xiao Zhi forced herself onward.
Her legs finally gave out. She didn't even realize she was falling until the sand rushed up to meet her face. She waited for the impact, but it never came.
Ruhan's arms were there, catching her before she hit the ground. He didn't say "I told you so." He didn't even sigh. He simply turned his back to her and crouched down.
"Get on," he commanded softly.
"I can... I can walk," she lied.
"You can barely stand," he countered. "And if you stay here, you die. Choose."
With no pride left, she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck. As he rose, lifting her with a grunt of effort, Xiao Zhi felt the strength of his shoulders beneath his tunics. He felt nothing like a robot. He was warm, he was solid, and he was carrying her through hell.
At last, night fell over the desert. The heat's torture was gone, but now the chill bit into her skin. Still, she felt a flicker of relief. The cool air had helped her breathe again.
After a while, they finally found a small ridge, offering just enough shelter from the wind. The breeze that had once felt refreshing now had become a cruel, chilling wind. They sat to rest. Ruhan immediately draped his cloak over her, holding her close. She froze, flustered by the closeness. "I… I can manage," she muttered weakly.
"No," he said softly. "Not tonight. You'll freeze otherwise."
She sighed and surrendered. For the first time in hours, she allowed herself to rest against him. Last night, he was simply sitting close to her, letting her head rest on his shoulder. But now, he lay down beside her, one arm wrapping around her. She could feel his steady heartbeat, hear his even breathing, yet somehow, it was the sound of her own heart that thundered louder.
Duran, as vigilant as ever, maintained his watch without complaint. Ruhan and Xiao Zhi, fragile in their own ways, huddled together. Finding warmth and comfort in each other's presence.
"Sleep," Ruhan whispered. "Just for a little while. Tomorrow, we keep moving."
Xiao Zhi closed her eyes, leaning against him, feeling protected and safe. She let herself drift to sleep, hoping this nightmare would end and that she would wake up in her own bed in her air-conditioned room.