Moonlight spilled over the ground like water.
Lin Shisan crouched down, untied the ropes binding Gu Mengli, and removed the black cloth stuffed in her mouth.
Gu Mengli's lips were cracked and pale. She pressed them together a few times before she could barely open them.
"Senior Brother Lin, I'm sorry... I've gone and..."
"It's all right. Take this first. We need to leave quickly."
Lin Shisan interrupted her, taking a Healing Pill from his Storage Ring and handing it over.
Gu Mengli took the pill and swallowed it.
Its medicinal power turned into a warm current flowing through her body, finally bringing a trace of color to her pale face.
She struggled to stand, but her legs gave way, and she pitched toward the ground.
Lin Shisan reacted swiftly, catching her by the shoulders.
"Don't push yourself. I'll carry you."
"Senior Brother Lin, I..."
"Say no more."
Lin Shisan turned around and crouched down, placing Gu Mengli's hands over his shoulders.
Blushes flickered across Gu Mengli's face. After hesitating for a while, she finally leaned onto his back.
Her body was light, as light as a fallen leaf. Resting against Lin Shisan's back, she was careful even with her breathing.
Her little heart thumped away. The harder she tried to control it, the faster it raced.
Lin Shisan's heartbeat sped up along with hers.
And so, with their hearts racing, Lin Shisan carried Gu Mengli deeper into the Dense Forest.
Under the moonlight, their shadows stretched long and overlapped, like a beautiful ink-wash painting.
Gu Mengli buried her face against Lin Shisan's shoulder. The scent of his sweat lingered around her nose, mingled with a trace of warmth.
"Senior Brother Lin, did you already know the masked person was Mu Ling'er?"
Lin Shisan's steps faltered slightly.
Then he continued