Heart of the White-haired Demon

Lian's mind was a jumble of conflicting thoughts as he lay there, paralyzed and in pain. One moment, he was cursing Bai Ye's name, declaring that he didn't need his help. The next, he was desperately wishing that the demon prince would appear and rescue him.

Just as Lian was starting to lose hope, he saw Bai Ye walking towards him. Lian's gaze was drawn to Bai Ye's face, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder at the demon prince's serene expression.

Bai Ye reached Lian's side and gazed down at him, his face neutral and emotionless. Without a word, he scooped Lian up into a bridal carry and began walking back to the mansion.

Lian was helpless to do anything but lie there, still hungry and unable to move. Bai Ye carried him back to the mansion, his strides long and effortless.

Once they reached the mansion, Bai Ye set Lian down on a soft couch and immediately went to work gathering herbs and preparing a remedy for the creature's venom. He applied the poultice to the marks on Lian's leg, his touch gentle and soothing.

As the remedy began to take effect, Lian felt his leg begin to tingle and his strength start to return. He looked up at Bai Ye, who was watching him with an inscrutable expression.

"Thank you," Lian said gruffly, still trying to process his mixed emotions.

Bai Ye nodded, his face still neutral. "You should be more careful in the forest," he said. "The creatures here are not always... benign."

As Bai Ye spoke, Lian's stomach growled again, reminding him that he was still hungry. He felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him and buried his face in his hands.

For a moment, Lian could have sworn he saw a hint of a smile on Bai Ye's face. But the demon prince's expression smoothed out quickly, leaving Lian wondering if he had imagined it.

Bai Ye turned to leave the room, leaving Lian confused about what he was doing. But a few minutes later, Bai Ye returned with a steaming bowl of chicken soup, accompanied by lotus sprouts and a plate of rice.

Bai Ye set the table for Lian, arranging the utensils and food with precision. Then, he scooped Lian up into a bridal carry once more and deposited him in front of the table.

Lian sat down, eager to dig in, but Bai Ye stopped him. "The poison will spread faster if you eat by yourself now," he cautioned.

Lian's face fell, but Bai Ye continued, "Let me prepare something to counteract the poison first."

Lian complained, "If I wait any longer, I'll die of hunger before the poison kills me! Can't I just eat?"

Bai Ye's expression remained calm, but a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. "You can't eat on your own, but I'll have to feed you myself."

Lian laughed, the thought of the demon prince feeding him like a child absurd. "You're not serious, are you? You don't have to feed me, I'm not a—"

But before Lian could finish, Bai Ye picked up the chopsticks and scooped up a mouthful of rice. Lian's eyes widened in surprise as Bai Ye brought the chopsticks to his lips.

"Stop kidding around!" Lian protested, but it was too late. Bai Ye gently pushed the rice into Lian's mouth, which was still open from speaking.

Lian's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but he couldn't deny the relief he felt as the food touched his tongue. Bai Ye followed with a spoonful of soup, feeding Lian with a gentle, almost tender touch.

Lian's eyes met Bai Ye's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other, the only sound the soft clinking of the chopsticks against the bowl.

Lian's face burned with embarrassment, but he couldn't help the way his body relaxed into Bai Ye's touch. The demon prince's fingers brushed against his lips, sending shivers down his spine.

As Bai Ye continued to feed him, Lian's gaze drifted to the demon prince's face. He was surprised to see a look of intense focus, as if feeding him was the most important task in the world.

The silence between them was palpable, but Lian didn't feel the need to fill it with words. Instead, he let himself be fed, savoring the taste of the food and the strange sense of intimacy that came with being cared for by the demon prince.

When the meal was finished, Bai Ye set the chopsticks down and gently wiped Lian's lips with a cloth. Lian's eyes met his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.

"Better?" Bai Ye asked, his voice low and smooth.

Lian nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the demon prince. "Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Bai Ye's expression softened, and for a moment, Lian thought he saw a glimmer of something like kindness in his eyes. But it was quickly replaced by his usual calm, collected demeanor.

"You should rest now," Bai Ye said, helping Lian lie down on the couch. "The poison should be out of your system soon."

Lian nodded, feeling his eyelids grow heavy. As he drifted off to sleep, he was aware of Bai Ye's presence beside him, watching over him with an intensity that made his heart skip.

As Lian slumbered, Bai Ye's gaze remained fixed on him, his expression serene. Suddenly, a figure appeared in the doorway, bowing deeply to Bai Ye.

"My Lord," Zhang said, his voice trembling with respect.

Bai Ye's response was a gentle nod, his eyes never leaving Lian's face. Zhang remained bowed, his voice laced with concern.

"My Lord, we were worried about you. Why have you only made yourself known now? The entire Underworld has been searching for you. There was even rumors that you were banished."

Bai Ye's voice was calm and even, his words measured. "I have matters to attend to before assuming the throne. A journey to undertake, and I shall not return until it is complete."

Zhang's bow deepened, his voice trembling. "But, my Lord, what is this journey? Your father, the Great Lord, is frantic with worry. I dare not tell him I have found you, lest I betray his trust."

As Zhang spoke, Bai Ye's gaze flicked to a stray hair that had fallen across Lian's face. With a delicate touch, he brushed the hair aside, his fingers grazing Lian's skin.

Zhang's eyes widened in shock, his face pale. He had never seen the demon prince exhibit such tender behavior towards anyone, let alone a mortal.

Bai Ye's expression remained serene, but Zhang sensed a subtle shift in his demeanor. The demon prince's gaze lingered on Lian's face, a hint of softness in his eyes that Zhang had never seen before.