On a silent night, Luo Yu, deep in sleep, suddenly spiked a fever. Her whole body burned with pain.

"I just want to go home…"

"So tired… Am I going to die?"

Her body began to shudder uncontrollably.

"If I’d known it’d turn out like this, I wouldn’t have tried to assassinate that damn Champion. I just want to go home. I want to lie in Xiaoshuang’s arms. Damn it all—I should’ve waited a few more months."

"Ugh…"

"I’m sorry…"

"It’s all that bastard Champion’s fault. If he’d just let me kill him willingly, none of this would’ve happened."

Just as she felt herself slipping away, a familiar carriage screeched to a halt beside the haystack where Luo Yu lay.

An elderly elf with pointed ears hurried down, pulling Luo Yu from the straw.

"Dressed so lightly in this weather? You’d die without someone watching over you."

He gently laid her on a cushion in the carriage’s rear compartment, then pulled a small vial of magic potion from his chest pouch and helped her drink it.

The liquid’s magic spread softly through her body, soothing her wounds.

Soon, Luo Yu opened her eyes.

Feeling the comfort within her, her lips curled unconsciously.

"Hmph! This mighty Luo Yu’s constitution is superb. Such a serious illness? A little nap, and I’m fine!"

"Who needs those officers’ carriages anyway? Hmph! This lady’s strong enough to make it back on her own… ‘Sorry’? That was fake. This girl’s invincible."

"Child, save your strength. Don’t talk."

"Whoa—someone’s talking?!" The sudden gravelly voice startled Luo Yu.

Squinting, she spotted an old man ahead, guiding two horses down the road.

Glancing down at herself, she realized she lay sprawled elegantly in the carriage, like a flower about to bloom.

"Eh?!" Luo Yu’s face paled. "Old man, you picked up this lady’s corpse? How dare you—"

"I’ve checked your injuries," the old man said without turning, steering the carriage. "Rest well. Nothing life-threatening."

"Who asked for your concern?!"

Luo Yu jerked upright. "You’re ugly, old, and pathetic! Think fake kindness will win me over? Hmph! I only like beautiful, seductive girls—not some idiotic old virgin like you!"

"…" The old man fell silent.

"Hey! Let me off! Like I’d ever ride with you."

"No." He refused firmly. "Don’t be stubborn, child. Bandits roam these roads. If you can’t stay alert, you’ll be in danger."

"Bandits? Pfft." Luo Yu sneered. "I walked straight to Fee City without eating, drinking, or sleeping. No ‘danger’ like you say."

"Believe what you will." The old man sighed.

"Hmph! I’m jumping out! Not riding with you, old man!" Luo Yu wobbled to the carriage exit, poised to leap.

"If you jump, I won’t bother picking you up again."

"Good! I’d rather you didn’t cling to me." Luo Yu turned, sticking her tongue out. "Bye-bye, old man."

The old man shrugged. "Fine."

"I’m jumping!" Luo Yu pretended to leap.

"Mm." He kept driving, indifferent.

"I’m *really* jumping! You’ll never see such a cute girl again. Kneel and beg me to stay!"

"…"

"I’M REALLY JUMPING!!" Luo Yu rushed toward him, scrambling over the carriage steps. "I’m leaving! You’ll never see me again! Beg me to stay!!!"

*Sigh.* The old man’s gaze grew distant. "Some bonds… can’t be forced. When you’re young, you chase too much. When old, you fear those very things."

Luo Yu slapped his head and turned away with a cold snort. "Stop acting all profound, you show-off."

"So you’ll ride with me?" He glanced back, ignoring her jab.

"Only an idiot walks when there’s a carriage!" Luo Yu refused to face him directly, settling onto the wool-padded seat. "I’m not staying because I’m exhausted and can’t walk! Don’t get ideas—riding with you doesn’t mean I owe you anything. Got it, *arrogant* old man!"

"Understood." A gentle smile touched his lips. "This… is good."

"Hmph."

They traveled through the night. As Luo Yu curled up dozing, the old man pulled the reins, stopping the carriage.

"Ahhh…" Luo Yu mumbled in her sleep, then blinked awake. The old man had built a roadside fire, roasting skewered beast meat. She poked her head out, shouting: "Hey, old man! Where are we?"

"Three cities from the capital. If we skip towns, we’ll arrive in a day and night."

"I’ll see Qiu Xiaoshuang soon… Then I’ll steal a few of her panties to sniff. Hehe…"

"Qiu Xiaoshuang’s your classmate?" The old man chuckled at her dreamy expression. "You two seem close. That’s nice."

Luo Yu’s face flushed crimson. "None of your business, old man!!!"

"Come eat." He waved a meat skewer at her.

"Nope." Luo Yu swallowed hard, resisting the aroma. "I only eat what beautiful girls hand me."

"Oh, most beautiful, pure, and flawless Princess," the old man teased, "grace this humble servant. Accept this offering."

"Since you beg so sincerely before this Emperor," Luo Yu leaped down, snatching the skewer, "I shall reward you by sharing this meal."

"You’re quite the tsundere, old man."

Grease dripped down her chin as she chewed. "You’ve wanted to lick this Emperor’s boots since yesterday. Drove your carriage ‘accidentally’ past that road to pick me up, yet act all aloof. You’ve got an agenda."

"Oh, I do." His smile never wavered. "You’re lovely, child. Any man would adore you… if you’d just stay quiet."

"Hmph." She tore off another bite, smirking. "Caught you! You *do* want me. Why else help so much? Trying to win me over… Hehe. Too bad I’m not into men."

"Just be happy, child. But protect yourself. No more trouble." He handed her another skewer.

Luo Yu reached eagerly, then froze, realizing her hunger showed. "This meat tastes awful."

Watching her devour it, the old man sat on dried grass, knees hugged, gaze drifting ahead.

"By the way… no more plans to assassinate that Champion, alright?"

"Eh?" Luo Yu’s head snapped up, stunned. "How did you know?"