The sunlight was just right outside Eastsea Academy's affiliated hospital. Tang Wulin took a deep breath of air tinged with the salt of the Sea breeze, feeling the golden dragon king bloodline flowing merrily through his body in the fresh air. Though he had only just recovered, the abundant vitality from the Goddess of Life's inheritance left him feeling invigorated.
"Let's go."
Gu Yue stepped forward. Instead of maintaining her usual hint of reserve, she naturally reached out and clasped Tang Wulin's hand tightly. Her palm was slightly cool, carrying a trace of the elemental aura unique to the sovereign of Soul Beasts, yet it made Tang Wulin feel extraordinarily safe.
The two walked side by side on the road back to Eastsea Academy, familiar old buildings lining both sides of the street. As they passed a snack shop hung with red lanterns, Gu Yue suddenly stopped.
"Five skewers of candied hawthorn, please." Gu Yue pointed at the bright red fruit, then turned toward Tang Wulin, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes. "The biggest ones."
"Gu Yue, I..." Tang Wulin was about to say he wasn't hungry when a skewer of hawthorn wrapped in a crystalline sugar coating was already held to his lips.
"Open up." Gu Yue raised an eyebrow, her tone imperious enough to brook no refusal, though her eyes were full of tenderness.
Tang Wulin smiled helplessly and lowered his head to bite off a piece. The crisp sugar shell cracked between his teeth, and a sweet-and-sour flavor burst across his tongue. Mingling with the sweetness of the syrup, it instantly swept away the lingering taste of medicine in his mouth.
"How is it?" Gu Yue looked at him expectantly.
"Delicious." Tang Wulin narrowed his eyes, a radiant smile of relief spreading across his face. It