Chapter Thirty-Seven: The City’s Schemes Run Deep

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“Do you think your brother might be under some sort of spell?”
A clear, cool voice rang out, though it carried a trace of concern.
“No.”
“Then could it be that he was poisoned by something he ate earlier?”
“No.”
“Or maybe he suffered some internal injury before this?”
“No.”
...How eager are you for something bad to happen to me, you annoying little sister! Yu Daoyi, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but think.
“I say, as his younger brother, aren’t you the least bit worried that your own brother has been unconscious for so long?”
“No.”
“...”
“But what if—”
“There’s no ‘what if’. That guy won’t die.”
“So, judging by your tone, it’s the so-called ‘troublemakers live a thousand years’?”
Tilting her head, Song Qiuling propped her chin with her hand, her bright eyes swirling as she seemed struck by a thought and blurted it out.
...Next time, I’ll pick the biggest bed myself, pin you down on it, and won’t say a single extra word!
Yu Yunfan, sitting to the side, seemed to sense something, opened his eyes, and looked directly toward where his brother was lying. His usually cold expression softened, a hint of amusement flickering in his gaze.
“If this guy doesn’t wake up, aren’t we going to have to take an extra burden with us at sunrise tomorrow?”
“If you care so much, why not go check on him yourself?”
“Me, care? Even you, his brother, don’t care, so why should I?” The once-cool voice now held a slight tremor, and even rose involuntarily.
At that, Yu Yunfan said nothing more, closed his eyes again, and rested quietly.
For a long while.
“Are you really just going to ignore him?”
Seeing Yu Yunfan remain silent, Song Qiuling couldn’t help but ask again.
Still, Yu Yunfan didn’t reply, he just turned to look at her, his gaze so steady and silent that it left Song Qiuling feeling inexplicably uneasy, even a bit annoyed.
“What are you staring at me for? I’ll just go check on him again, it’s no big deal!”
Finally unable to withstand Yu Yunfan’s steady gaze, she muttered under her breath, cursing softly as she rose, a bit awkward in her movements. The firelight danced across her delicate face, painting it red and casting shifting shadows, lending her a unique charm—and perhaps, just perhaps, a faint blush.

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With small, dainty steps, she hurried over to Yu Daoyi. This time, it was not that Yu Daoyi didn’t want to tell them he’d woken up; he was simply too exhausted, even to speak.
If one insisted, perhaps his slightly opened eyes slowly closed again, quietly awaiting what would happen next, with a hint of anticipation.
Surely, this didn’t count as deception; at most, it was a little mischief!
Tsk, should I feign deeper unconsciousness? I wonder if people in this world know how to do mouth-to-mouth…should I teach them next time? No, should I teach her? Let’s be clear: I’m only motivated by a helpful spirit! I want this world to be filled with a little more love!
Song Qiuling circled the campfire, squatted before Yu Daoyi, arms crossed over her chest, frowning as she silently studied him. Noticing her gaze, Yu Daoyi grew flustered.
...Why do you people always like to stare at others? It’s not as if it’s your first time seeing my handsome face.
Suddenly, with his eyes closed, Yu Daoyi felt a cool, delicate finger touch the center of his brow—smooth and gentle, heightening his anticipation.
After a moment.
Yu Yunfan, watching from the side, saw the silly girl poke at his brother’s forehead with increasing force, again and again, as if she’d found a fascinating toy, utterly absorbed.
Poor Yu Daoyi’s brow was soon reddened, yet for some reason, he endured it without complaint.
“Whew…seems like this guy really isn’t waking up. Even poking him like this gets no response,” Song Qiuling sighed.
“If you want to wake him, that’s not the way,” Yu Yunfan replied coolly.
“What do you mean?” Song Qiuling turned to him.
Yu Yunfan looked back at her, his expression unreadable. “Just tell him that if he wakes up, you’ll give him a kiss. I guarantee, before you can draw a breath, even if he’s on his last, he’ll jump up.”
Song Qiuling was momentarily stunned, unable to react, but behind her, Yu Daoyi suddenly perked up, all previous exhaustion vanished, his heart pounding wildly.
My god! What’s gotten into you today, little brother? No, my dear brother! You’ve finally got it right today!
As your elder brother, I’m truly touched! All the past is forgiven!
From now on, you’re my big brother!
While he was lost in wild thoughts, Song Qiuling, perhaps doubting what she’d heard, blushed furiously as she processed the words.
“Wh-what did you say?” she stammered.
“Don’t believe me? You’ve tried everything else and he still hasn’t woken up, right?” Yu Yunfan remained as indifferent as ever.
“Says who! I haven’t tried anything!”
With that, Song Qiuling slapped him.
…I’ll endure!
“He’s not awake.”
She slapped again, this time the other way.
…I’ll endure again!

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“Still not awake.”
She kicked him in the stomach.
…I’ll keep enduring!
“Still nothing.”
Then came a metallic sound—Song Qiuling’s Green Frost Sword was drawn. Yu Daoyi recognized it and, truth be told, was a bit panicked…
Weighing the choice between personal safety and taking advantage, and considering whether the foolish girl would really strike,
It wasn’t worth the risk! She really would do it!
“Oh—why has it gotten so dark?” he croaked weakly.
Song Qiuling and Yu Yunfan exchanged glances, both smiling wryly as they watched Yu Daoyi finally wake up.
…
The city is full of tricks; I want to return to the countryside.
At dawn, sunlight streamed into the woods, the air damp with dew, and the morning mist still lingered in the distance.
As the birds chirped, Yu Daoyi stretched with lingering fatigue, his expression rather sour.
It was as though a sincere love had been sullied. Your brother is still your brother—what a fool I was to expect otherwise.
That silly girl was no easy character either, and only I was naive enough to believe them! I took two slaps and a kick for nothing!
“So, what’s your plan next?” Song Qiuling asked, glancing at Yu Daoyi. He hadn’t explained his strange behavior the previous night, only brushing it off vaguely. She didn’t press, especially since she’d smacked him a few times; it would be awkward to bring it up again.
“The priority is to find Song Cheng and the others. The back mountain is vast. I left the map with Song Cheng earlier; he said he’d leave us some markers. I roughly remember the direction they went. If we search that way, we should find something.”
Yu Daoyi laid out his thoughts as he spoke, casting a resentful glance at Song Qiuling, still brooding over last night’s events.
Song Qiuling ignored his look, urging him to hurry and lead the way.
Following close behind, Song Qiuling watched the young man’s back, lost in thought. Perhaps she was recalling last night, for a faint blush appeared on her lovely face and a slight smile played at her lips.
After several hours, the long run had left Song Qiuling weary. Fortunately, half an hour earlier, Yu Daoyi had found Song Cheng’s marker—a fish carved into the trunk of a towering tree. It made Yu Daoyi, the subject of the joke, quite irate. That guy’s sense of mischief was reaching new heights. He’d have to give him a good punch when they met!
The three of them moved in formation: Yu Daoyi led the way, sometimes glancing back; Yu Yunfan brought up the rear; and Song Qiuling was guarded in the middle.
A while later, Yu Daoyi slowed to let Song Qiuling catch her breath. Perhaps it was his imagination, but after last night’s fainting spell, he felt his body greatly improved. Even mentally, after a night’s rest following his weakness, he felt stronger. After so much running, he wasn’t tired at all; in fact, he was full of energy—maybe even ready to give that someone a punch.