The next day, when Fu Lin opened his eyes, the morning light outside was spilling in through the window lattice, stabbing his vision until he instinctively squinted. The carved patterns on the ceiling swayed several times in his gaze before he barely managed to focus.
His consciousness felt as if it were slowly rising through warm water. His eyelids were so heavy they could hardly lift, yet his temples throbbed with sharp pain, and a dull ache pressed at the back of his head.
His throat was parched and tight. He swallowed with difficulty, the faint bitterness sliding down his throat, and muttered vaguely: "My head hurts..."
Propping himself against the bedframe, he struggled to sit up. Memories from last night were shattered like jade scattered across the floor, impossible to piece back together.
Just then, the door creaked softly open.
Fu Lin turned his head, dizziness from the hangover making his vision swim. When he finally made out who it was, Mei☆, his Adam's apple moved, but before he could ask, her voice cut in.
"Don't speak yet. Drink this first." Mei☆'s voice was clear and gentle as she brought a bowl to his lips. The rising steam carried a faint ginger fragrance that slipped into his nose, quietly dispelling the lingering smell of alcohol.
Fu Lin lowered his head and took a small sip. The slight spiciness of the ginger mixed with the mellow sweetness of sugar, sliding smoothly down his dry throat. The tightness there eased at once, and even his breathing felt lighter.
"Much better."
His voice was still hoarse from sleep as he asked: "Mei☆, after Fu Shi's match yesterday... what happened? Why can't I remember anything..."
Seeing Fu Lin finish the whole bowl of sobering soup, Mei☆ let her gaze fall on the faint crease between his brows. With a soft trace of laughter in her tone, she explained:
"Yesterday, Mr. Boothill invited us for tea. But who would've thought the 'tea' he served was actually strong liquor. After you downed your own cup, you ended up drinking both mine and Fu Shi's as well."
Hearing this, Fu Lin couldn't help but let out a low laugh. The vibration in his chest seemed to ease the pounding at his temples, while the sobering soup spread warmth through his stomach.
Shattered fragments of last night's memories slowly reassembled, though only vaguely.
"I think... I remember a little. Can't believe I collapsed after just three cups. Am I really that weak with alcohol?"
Mei☆ pulled out a chair and sat down, watching the faint blush that lingered on Fu Lin's face. The laughter in her tone deepened.
"That liquor was too strong. Fu Shi only took one sip before pushing hers aside with a frown."
Suddenly, a scene flashed across Fu Lin's mind, Boothill raising his cup with a smile, saying: This tea must be taken with a story, before launching into his own.
Fu Lin had been listening with interest. Seeing Mei☆ idly holding her cup and Fu Shi push hers toward him, he had simply taken both and emptied them on their behalf.
Mei☆, gazing at Fu Lin's face that was gradually flushing red, quietly tightened her fingers around her sleeve. The flicker of excitement in her eyes softened into gentle amusement.
"After that, you fell asleep right on the table. Fu Shi and I had to carry you back..." Fu Lin nodded faintly as he listened.
But instead of feeling clearer after the soup, his consciousness grew hazier, wrapped in a warm mist.
Heat spread through his body, crawling up his neck to the tips of his ears. Even his breath carried a faint feverish warmth.
Rubbing his cheek, his voice held a drowsy trace of doubt: "Mei☆... what did you just give me? My body feels... hot..."
Mei☆'s expression didn't change. Her tone remained calm and smooth as she replied lightly: "It was sobering soup. Perhaps I added a little too much ginger, that's why you feel warm."
Just then, urgent knocking sounded at the door, followed by Elysia's soft, playful voice: "Dear Mei☆~ I already had Stelle take Kiana☆ and Sirin off to the arena. Now no one will disturb us. How's it going? Did Fu Lin finish the soup?"
Fu Lin's heart lurched. He instantly sensed something was wrong. Staring at Mei☆'s calm profile, he swallowed hard: 'Mei☆! Are you sure it was just extra ginger, and not something else?!!!'
As if unaware of his thoughts, Mei☆ rose and walked toward the door. Her pale fingertips touched the cold doorknob, but her steps suddenly halted.
When she turned back, her eyes hid a faint glimmer of delight. Her voice softened: "Fu Lin, don't worry. The heat is only temporary, it will pass soon."
Fu Lin swallowed again, words caught in his throat. His palm pressed against his burning chest, even his heartbeat racing faster than usual.
"Fu Lin, you're so obedient~"
Mei☆ let out a light laugh, then opened the door. Elysia immediately poked her head inside.
She leaned toward Mei☆'s ear, whispering while sneaking a mischievous glance at the room:
"Well? Did it work?"
Without waiting for an answer, Elysia stepped past her into the room. Her gaze landed on the empty porcelain bowl at the bedside, and she turned back to wink at Mei☆.
"As expected, only you could pull this off. With Kiana☆ gone, no one will interrupt us this time, right~?"
Fu Lin: "..."
Clutching the quilt, his throat so tight he couldn't speak, Fu Lin looked at Elysia through a haze, his eyes tinged red at the corners from the heat.
Meeting his gaze, Elysia broke into a grin.
"Fu Lin, your face is so flushed. Is it Mei☆'s soup working too well, or are you just shy?"
Her starry eyes swept over him from head to toe, her teasing smile brimming with mischief, like a sprite delighted with her prank.
Then, she came to the bedside, deliberately tapping his burning cheek with her fingertip, laughter spilling from her voice: "Look at you, little Fu Lin's just begging to be devoured by me~"
"Mei☆, Elysia, can't you... hhh... let me off?" Fu Lin's voice, still thick with drowsiness, carried a trembling heat, scattering faintly in the air.
At that moment, Mei☆ also came to the bedside. She reached out and took his hand, their fingers intertwining. Feeling the heat of his palm, her tenderness did not waver.
"To say such things now, Fu Lin, surely you're joking?"
Seeing this, Elysia leaned down, bracing herself against the edge of the bed, her lips near his reddened ear. Her voice was as soft and winding as silk:
"Silly Fu Lin, at this point, you're still trying to resist? Or... do you want another bowl of 'sobering soup'?"
At those words, Fu Lin felt her grip on his hand tighten.
Lifting his eyes, he met Mei☆'s gaze, and realized that her tenderness already carried something else. It was certainty, hidden in her faint smile, as though she had seen straight through him from the start.
"Elysia is right," Mei☆'s fingers brushed lightly across his, her clear voice gentle yet firm. "That first bowl was mild. If Fu Lin isn't 'awake' yet, I don't mind preparing another."
Looking at the two of them echoing each other's words, Fu Lin found all his strength to resist slipping away.