It was difficult, the icy river water lapping against her, making her feel as though her bones were freezing.
Ye Jingyu's rationality was gradually returning, the crimson in his eyes slowly receding.
He looked down and saw the little dumpling desperately squeezing into his embrace. With a helpless yet pained expression, he reached out and held her: "Momo."
Su Yunmo lifted her head from his shoulder, her gaze meeting his clear eyes.
The little dumpling parted her lips, her breath catching for a moment: "Are you alright now?"
Ye Jingyu held her tightly, using his own burning body to warm her: "I'm fine now."
The little dumpling pursed her lips, staring at him for a good while, as if confirming the truth of his words.
Upon finally confirming, tears streamed down her face as she wailed loudly.
Ye Jingyu was immediately flustered: "What's wrong? What's happened?"
The little dumpling raised her small pink fists and hit him, crying and scolding.
"You bastard, you really scared me to death this time. No matter how I called you, you wouldn't wake up. Those people were chasing us, and you still wouldn't wake up."
"And you bit me! It hurt so much. I thought you were really going to kill me, woo woo woo, you bastard, you bastard..."
It wouldn't have mattered if he killed her, at least it would have been a quick end.
Did he know how terrifying it was to be restrained, unable to move, and watch your blood drain away?
It was like that time she was drugged and lying on the bed, watching the flames spread but unable to save herself.
Did he want her to experience such a terrifying thing again?
Ye Jingyu wanted to wipe away her tears, but he couldn't loosen his embrace, afraid she would get cold. He could only comfort her verbally: "Good girl, don't be afraid, don't be afraid. It's my fault."
He had rushed over as soon as he heard she was in danger, thinking he could return before he lost control. He hadn't expected his episode to come on earlier this time.
Although he didn't fully remember what happened, he had some memories. He had indeed bitten her, and quite hard.
The little one must have been terrified.
"I don't want to be a good girl, you liar, big liar. You just said it didn't hurt, but how could it not hurt? It hurt like hell!"
The little dumpling continued to hit him, but her fists lacked strength.
Ye Jingyu saw her small pink fists gradually turning purple: "Momo, be good. I'll compensate you when we get back. Listen to me, go to the shore first."
It was too cold in the water.
The little dumpling gave a sob and looked towards the shore.
The dense forest was silent. A few crows hopped on the trees, their eyes flashing with a sinister light.
The cold wind blew through the weeds by the riverbank, desolate and bleak.
She swallowed and buried her head in Ye Jingyu's neck: "I'm not going."
It was fine here.
Ye Jingyu frowned, somewhat surprised: "Are you afraid of the dark?"
Su Yunmo shook her head.
She wasn't afraid before, but she was a little today.
Ye Jingyu sighed helplessly.
If she wouldn't go, he couldn't stay in the river with her forever.
Last time, he had only pulled her into the bathtub and she had fallen ill afterwards. If she were to catch a chill in the river all night this time, she would have a high fever again.
He tried to stand up straight, letting half of his body emerge from the water.
As the wind blew, the little dumpling in his arms shivered.
"It'll be fine in a little while," Ye Jingyu said, stroking her head.
Fortunately, her hair wasn't wet.
Ye Jingyu stood still for a while. With half his body out of the cold water, the blood within him began to boil again, but not as severely as before.
He tried to walk towards the shore, pausing for a moment with each step.
The restlessness within him gradually subsided, and he recovered faster than usual.
Perhaps it was because he had drunk her blood.
Ye Jingyu couldn't help but think this.
Seeing that he was about to get out of the water, Su Yunmo nervously clutched his collar: "Are you really okay? I'm not that cold, I can stay in the water."
"Don't be afraid, I won't bite you again," Ye Jingyu said, patting her back to comfort her.
He emerged from the water and found a relatively sheltered spot to set the little dumpling down: "Wait for me here."
He then turned to leave.
Su Yunmo instinctively grabbed him: "Where are you going?"
Ye Jingyu glanced at her shoulder. The wound had stopped bleeding, but it was severe. The two bite marks were intertwined, looking rather gruesome.
"I'll be back soon."
Her wound needed to be treated as soon as possible.
Su Yunmo hesitated: "Why don't I go with you?"
Ye Jingyu's eyes flickered, and he raised an eyebrow, his tone playful: "So you're this timid. Since you can't bear to be away from me, it's fine if you follow."
The little dumpling's face immediately flushed red, and she retorted indignantly: "I'm just afraid you'll go berserk and hurt someone else. Who wants to follow you, hmph!"
She glared at him, then turned her back.
Only then did Ye Jingyu breathe a sigh of relief and turn to leave.
The little one had always been so proud, which was a good thing in this situation.
After he left, the surroundings became even quieter.
Occasionally, an unknown bird would call out in the silent forest, sending a shiver down one's spine.
Su Yunmo swallowed, gathering her strength, but her abilities still wouldn't manifest.
Most likely, she had lost too much blood earlier, and her powers were temporarily sealed.
She suddenly regretted not going with Ye Jingyu.
But fortunately, Ye Jingyu didn't make her wait too long.
He returned quickly, carrying a rather large stone in his arms and a bundle of dry firewood tied with vines on his back.
Su Yunmo looked confused.
The firewood was for starting a fire to keep warm, but what was the large stone for?
"To block the wind," Ye Jingyu answered before she could ask.
The stone was placed on the ground behind Su Yunmo, and the firewood was piled in front of her.
"I have a fire starter," Su Yunmo said, reaching out to grab it.
Just in case, she had stored some daily necessities, including clothes, in her Glazed Lock.
Ye Jingyu started the fire, then turned his back, waiting for her to change.
The little dumpling took off her wet clothes, put on new ones, and sneezed: "Done."
Ye Jingyu's body was still wet, so he dared not embrace her. He simply took out medicine and applied it to her wound.
"I lost my senses earlier and ran off course. If Qianxue and the others can't find us tonight, we'll have to spend the night here."
Su Yunmo, warming herself by the fire, felt much better: "Your hand is also injured. I have bandages here."
"It's nothing serious," Ye Jingyu said, gently massaging her shoulder with his fingers to improve blood circulation and relieve the swelling.
"No, it'll be terrible if the wound worsens." Su Yunmo was insistent. She took out a first-aid kit she had kept in her Glazed Lock and helped him clean his wound.
Her movements were skillful. Her tender fingers held the bandage, wrapping it around his hand layer by layer.
Ye Jingyu watched her.
The little dumpling had long eyelashes. The flickering firelight fell upon them, casting a fine shadow on her eyelids. Her usually bright and lively eyes were now as calm as still water.
Ye Jingyu had never seen the little girl before who could blend cunning and tranquility so perfectly on her face.
He found himself staring, lost in thought.
When Su Yunmo finished tending to his wound and looked up, she met his dazed expression and heated gaze.
As their eyes met, both of their hearts skipped a beat, and they simultaneously looked away.
Something began to stir in their hearts at that moment.
But it was quickly suppressed.