In awkward pauses, the birth of unspoken bonds.

Zi Qian gazed skeptically at the white cup cradled in his hand, eyeing its contents with a dubious expression. Tentatively, he lifted the cup to his nose, recoiling at the offensive odor, and promptly covered his nose with his hands, exclaiming, "What is this concoction? The smell is unbearable! I refuse to drink this!" He placed the cup on the table, shoving it away with a dismissive slide. Xing Xing, unfazed, asserted, "Brother Qian, if you don't consume this, your chest pain won't subside." Seated opposite Zi Qian, she nudged the cup back toward him.

Grudgingly, Zi Qian sighed, reconsidered, and then, with evident reluctance, downed the herbal soup in one swift gulp. "Take it easy!" Xing Xing advised, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

Has the third round already started?" Zi Qian inquired, casting a disdainful glance as he observed Xing Xing pouring yet another cup. "It hasn't started, but it ended three hours ago," Xing Xing responded with a smile. After the conclusion of the second round, Zi Qian had fainted, prompting the Crown Prince to rush him to the clinic. "I've been unconscious for three hours?" Zi Qian exclaimed, causing Xing Xing to cover her ears from the loudness. "Who are the winners then?" he asked. "Ren Zhi and Mei Lin from our team," Xing Xing replied.

"The second test is yet to be announced," Xing Xing remarked, her hands cupping her face. A creaking sound interrupted the moment, signaling the entrance of a person. Initially shrouded in darkness, the figure gradually came into view, revealing Xiao Yang. "Ah, Young Master Shen, you're here. Please take a seat," Xing Xing greeted him, rising to pour a cup of herbal soup for Xiao Yang. He responded with a smile and settled down, facing Zi Qian. An awkward silence enveloped the room, with neither Zi Qian nor Xiao Yang making an effort to initiate a conversation. Sensing the discomfort, Xing Xing cleared her throat, catching Xiao Yang's gaze. "Here you go, this is my special herbal drink," she declared confidently, gracefully swirling her hair behind her.

Xiao Yang eyed the herbal drink before cautiously taking a sip. A sudden widening of his eyes hinted at an unexpected reaction. Zi Qian observed him covertly, anticipation written all over his face, waiting to witness Xiao Yang's response to the peculiar concoction. Zi Qian leaned in and whispered to Xiao Yang, "Pretty awful, huh?" His tone carried a hint of mischief, eager to confirm Xiao Yang's reaction to the notorious herbal drink. "Miss Yu, did you really prepare this herbal concoction?" Xiao Yang inquired, his gaze fixed on Xing Xing. "Indeed, it's a family recipe. I used to make it for my older brother when we were young. However, he left home at the age of twelve and never returned," Xing Xing revealed, her eyes moistening with unshed tears, and her voice carrying a hint of disappointment. Zi Qian responded by side-hugging Xing Xing, offering silent comfort in the face of her emotional revelation.

"It's okay; you have me," Zi Qian teased, earning a playful smack from Xing Xing. Curious, she asked Xiao Yang, "Is it as terrible as Brother Qian makes it sound?"

"No, not at all. In fact, it was quite nice, and strangely, it felt familiar," Xiao Yang replied, casting a meaningful glance at Zi Qian. Zi Qian's mouth hung open as he stood up, stomping his feet on the ground. "YOU FIND THIS NICE?" he yelled, eliciting a chuckle from Xiao Yang." In the bitterness of medicine lies the sweetness of health." This was what Xiao Yang said as he laughed along with Xing Xing. Xiao Yang's gaze lingered on the lotus amulet adorning Zi Qian's neck, and a subtle smirk played on his lips as he observed Zi Qian's reaction. Sensing the scrutiny, Zi Qian instinctively clutched the amulet, studying it in his hand. Just as Zi Qian looked up to address Xiao Yang's unspoken comment, Xiao Yang abruptly stood, creating a sense of tension in the room. As he turned to leave, a parting phrase slipped from his lips, "Take care, Xiao Qian I wouldn't wish for such a stunning young man to endure pain like that once more," leaving an enigmatic air lingering in the room.

Zi Qian's eyes widened at the unexpected nickname and comment, and he glanced at Xing Xing, who playfully nudged his shoulder and mimicked Xiao Yang's phrase, "Take care, Xiao Qian! I would not wish for such a stunning man to endure pain like that once more" Xing Xing couldn't resist teasing him,giggling and , asking, "What's going on between you two?"

"Ah, nothing! You're so annoying. Just let me rest. He's just a friend, nothing more," Zi Qian replied, pulling up the blanket and burying his face, attempting to dismiss any further inquiry.

"Just a friend? Are you sure? It doesn't seem like it," Xing Xing teased. Zi Qian yanked away the blanket, grabbed a pillow, and angrily threw it at Xing Xing. "Go away!" he said, annoyed. As Xing Xing was heading out, she accidentally bumped into Wei Yang.

"Are you alright, young master?" Wei Yang rushed to Zi Qian, concern etched on his face as he scanned for any signs of injury. Zi Qian sighed and rose to his feet, prompting Wei Yang to do the same. "Young master, is something amiss?" Wei Yang inquired, his worry evident. Without responding, Zi Qian seized Wei Yang's wrist and guided him out of the room. "I need some time alone," Zi Qian declared with frustration, closing the door, leaving Wei Yang perplexed outside.

Wei Yang cast a hurried farewell glance at Xing Xing, avoiding any potential conversation, leaving her puzzled. "Why does he always avoid me?" Xing Xing wondered aloud, skipping away with a carefree dance that didn't escape the watchful eye of the Crown Prince. He smiled at Zi Qian's companion, finding amusement in her antics, and gracefully approached his door. A gentle knock echoed, and Zi Qian's whining protest met the Crown Prince's ears.

"I told you I want to be alone," Zi Qian protested. The Crown Prince introduced himself, "I'm Xuanming. May I have a moment of your time?" he asked politely. Zi Qian, taken aback by the Crown Prince's unexpected visit, jolted from his bed and swiftly opened the door. "Please come in, Your Highness," Zi Qian invited, hastily adjusting his disheveled appearance.

Zi Qian watched the Crown Prince with a hint of curiosity as he examined the room. The subtle scrutiny made Zi Qian feel a bit uneasy, and he cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Your Highness, is there something specific you wanted to talk about or discuss?" Zi Qian inquired politely, adjusting the slightly disheveled state of his room. The Crown Prince looked up, his eyes meeting Zi Qian's, "I merely wanted to check on you and do i even need a reason for visiting my friend?" The Crown Prince arched his eyebrows, fixing his gaze on Zi Qian.

" uh...Friends?" Zi Qian asked befuddled.

"Indeed, friends. I consider everyone here as my friends," the Crown Prince replied with a gentle smile. Sensing the Crown Prince's penetrating gaze, Zi Qian's hands trembled slightly as he poured a cup of Xing Xing's special drink. It happened to be the only item present on the table, and he surmised that perhaps Xing Xing had forgotten to remove it. The herbal concoction sat before the Crown Prince, its aroma wafting in the air, as Zi Qian hoped that the Crown Prince would appreciate or at least tolerate the unique drink. The Crown Prince accepted the cup but, before taking a sip, he fixed his gaze on Zi Qian and started, "I hope you're feeling better now. You were clearly in a bad state earlier."

"Is there something on your mind that you wish to discuss?" The Crown Prince inquired, offering a reassuring pat on Zi Qian's elbow. Zi Qian just shook his head, giving a small smile. The Crown Prince eye's meeting Zi Qian's, "I merely wanted to extend an invitation. There's a place I'd like to take you, a serene and magical spot that might bring some solace to your troubled mind." Intrigued by the prospect of visiting such a place, Zi Qian's eyes lit up, "I appreciate the gesture, Your Highness. I could use a change of scenery." The Crown Prince nodded, a mysterious glint in his eyes, " Be ready then tomorrow, we'll go together, " "Well then, I take my leave," the Crown Prince stood up, not even taking a sip of the offered drink. "But if you ever feel the need to share something, I'm always here," he said, smiling and waving before heading towards the door. As he reached the doorway, he turned back, fixing his gaze on Zi Qian. "Young Master Xue, I prefer your badass and outgoing attitude more than the gentle demeanor you're showing right now. I overheard your sentiments about my brother, and I appreciate your honesty," the Crown Prince remarked before leaving, leaving Zi Qian in shock. Zi Qian, still processing the unexpected revelation, took a fistful of his hair and pulled it harshly. "There's no way he could have heard that!" Zi Qian exclaimed, only to realize the state of his disheveled hair. "Oh, damn it! My hair!" he yelled upon noticing his unruly appearance in the mirror.