She seemed to be sleeping deeply, a trace of weariness on her usually cool, imposing face.
Her silver-gray papal robes were slightly rumpled, and her long lashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyelids.
Su Yu shifted slightly. Bibi Dong woke instantly and wrapped an arm around him.
"Xiao Yu! You're awake!"
"Yes, Teacher."
Su Yu answered with difficulty, his voice as hoarse as though it had been scraped with sandpaper.
He wanted to ask how long he had slept, but a burning, parched pain seared his throat.
The rest of his words lodged in his throat and refused to come out. He knitted his brows, discomfort showing on his face.
Bibi Dong immediately noticed something was wrong. She rose to pour a cup of warm water, helped him up, and brought the cup to his lips:
"Drink slowly. Moisten your throat."
The warm water slid down his throat, easing much of the dry pain.
Only after a few sips did Su Yu recover a little. He looked at Bibi Dong and asked softly:
"Teacher, how long was I asleep?"
"Not long, just a day. Xiao Yu, does anything feel uncomfortable now?"
"I can't move. My whole body hurts whenever I do!"
Su Yu's voice was heavily nasal, like a child who had been wronged.
Bibi Dong reached out and lightly tapped his forehead, her tone reproachful but without any real anger:
"Serves you right. You knew perfectly well how strong your opponent was, yet you still charged ahead alone!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to suddenly remember something. Her voice abruptly dropped, its final notes catching with a sob.
She raised a hand to stroke Su Yu's cheek, her fingertips trembling slightly:
"Do you know? If I'd arrived even a moment later, I would never have seen