After that figure dissipated, only the ancient mirror remained in the secret chamber, quietly reflecting Bibi Dong's taut profile and her clenched fist, blood still seeping between her fingers.
She drew a deep breath and slowly unclenched her hand. As her Soul Power circulated, the wound in her palm healed, leaving only faint traces of blood.
A moment later, once she had steadied her breathing and some of the cold tension around her had faded, she turned and left the secret chamber.
Back in the bedroom, Su Yu lay quietly on the bed, not yet awake.
Bibi Dong walked softly to the bedside, took his hand in a gentle hold, and sat on the edge of the bed.
She gazed at his sleeping face, his long lashes casting faint shadows beneath his eyelids.
Bibi Dong reached out with her other hand and gently brushed aside the stray hair on his forehead.
Then she leaned down and pressed a kiss to his smooth forehead.
"Xiao Yu, I'll definitely protect you from now on!"
The night soon passed, and a ray of sunlight shone into the room through the window.
Su Yu's fingers stirred gently, and his closed eyes slowly opened.
His usually clear eyes held a trace of just-awakened confusion. His gaze lingered on the familiar canopy overhead for a moment before gradually focusing.
Almost the instant his fingers moved, Bibi Dong, who had been keeping watch beside the bed, woke up.
She had never slept deeply, her fingertips feeling the warmth of his palm all along.
Seeing his eyes open, she immediately leaned closer. Genuine joy rippled through her eyes, and her voice carried an almost imperceptible tremor:
"Xiao Yu, you're awake?"
"Teacher..."
Su Yu's voice was still hoarse from waking, as though veiled in a thin layer of gauze.