When she returned, Dugu Ming had fallen into a deep sleep, his face pale, forehead covered in cold sweat. She quietly approached, wiping his face and sweaty chest with the wet cloth, then placed it on his forehead to cool him down.
“Mei, Mei Kaiyi?”
“I’m here.” Mei Kaiyi supported him, bringing the water-filled gourd to his dry lips. He opened his lips and drank a few sips, with some water sliding down the corner of his mouth.
Mei Kaiyi wiped it away with her finger, suddenly asking, “What’s your horse’s name?”
“Daybreak.”
Seeing his persistence, Mei Kaiyi let him lean against the tree trunk while she gathered some dry branches, drew a spell, and lit a fire. Then she sat down next to Dugu Ming and fell asleep.
The two maintained this position until the next day, when Mei Kaiyi woke up in the bumpy carriage, half-opening her eyes to see a face full of ink. She blinked her hazy eyes, apparently not fully awake, “Black Impermanence…”
“
Mo Yi was unhappy and reached out to pinch her cheek, pulling it, “Look carefully at who I am!”
Mei Kaiye reflexively raised her hand and slapped him. There was a crisp sound, followed by a miserable cry, “Ah—”
This time, Mei Kaiye was fully awake, sitting up with a start, seeing Mo Yi covering his neck and wailing, “What happened?”
Mo Yi extended a finger, pointing at his neck, “I twisted it.”
“You idiot.”
“…” Mo Yi was embarrassed, “You hit me.”
“Sorry,” Mei Kaiye realized she was in an elegant carriage, “Where’s Dugu Mingming?”
Mo Yi’s expression was not good, and he said irritably, “Dead.” He had been in a bad mood since finding them this morning. The two had been sitting so close together!
Mei Kaiye prepared to lift the curtain and leave, but Mo Yi grabbed her wrist, “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to die with him!”
“You!” Mo Yi was furious and had to tell the truth, “He’s not dead.” Then he said sarcastically, “You two seem to have gotten along quite well these past few days.”
“Dugu Mingming came to save me, why didn’t you come?”
“… I sent him. Besides, didn’t I come personally?” Mo Yi’s face was contorted, one hand still rubbing his neck, “You ungrateful woman!”
