Moon light:My Beloved Gave Me...

The snow had stopped.

Morning light spilled through the frost-framed windows, and I was finally allowed to walk around the palace a little. Not far—just to the lounge near the fire. Wrapped in a fluffy white cloak, I curled up on the velvet chair like a sleepy cat.

Yuzhe sat on the far side, arms crossed, leaning against the wall like a statue carved from winter itself.

He hadn't said a word in twenty minutes.

Typical.

"I feel like I'm in a drama," I muttered.

He didn't respond.

"You know, the kind where the girl is trapped in an ice palace with a handsome but emotionally unavailable guy who may or may not be a secret prince?"

Still nothing.

I threw a small pillow at him.

He caught it without even flinching.

I pouted. "You're no fun."

He glanced at me with that same blank face. "And you talk too much."

I rolled my eyes. "You always say that, but you never leave."

Silence again.

I shifted under the blanket, stealing a glance at him.

Tall. Quiet. Cold. But also…

He carried me here.

Stayed beside me all night.

Checked my fever.

Folded the towel.

He didn't tell me any of that.

He just… did it.

My heart gave the tiniest thump.

I looked away fast.

What am I thinking?

In love with him?

No way. Absolutely not.

I pulled the blanket up over my face and groaned softly. "I'm losing my mind."

"What?"

"Nothing!" I squeaked, peeking out like a turtle.

Yuzhe narrowed his eyes. "You're weird."

"Says the guy who stares into fireplaces like they owe him money."

He blinked. "…What?"

I giggled. "See? You do have a sense of humor. You just bury it under layers of frost."

He turned his head, maybe to hide the tiniest smirk.

I got up and walked—okay, wobbled—a few steps toward him.

He noticed. "You shouldn't be walking too much."

"I'm not made of glass."

"You nearly froze to death."

"I'm dramatic, not fragile."

I grinned.

He didn't.

But his eyes softened.

He took a slow breath, then moved closer.

My heart panicked.

I stepped back. "W-What are you doing?"

"Making sure you're okay."

He gently brushed my bangs back to check my forehead again.

I froze.

His touch was light.

Careful.

Why is he so careful?

Seriously. What's happening to me?

This isn't love. This is… fever.

It has to be.

Right?

But when his hand lingered just a second too long…

And our eyes met—

I knew.

No fever had ever made me feel like that.

I looked away fast. "You're way too close."

"You're way too warm."

I gasped. "Are you saying I'm sweaty?!"

"…No."

"Then what?"

He stepped back with a small sigh. "You're impossible."

I plopped onto the couch dramatically. "At least I'm not emotionally constipated."

"What does that even mean?"

I giggled again, hugging the pillow tight. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

He turned away, muttering something under his breath.

And me?

I just sat there, smiling like a fool.

Thinking about everything he did.

And trying so hard not to think that one ridiculous, dangerous thought.

What am I thinking…?

In love with him?

I can't be.

But my heart?

It already was.

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Hey moonlight readers! 🌙✨

I hope you enjoyed this episode! I wanted to bring back some of Xiwang's cute and playful energy — the side of her that makes you smile even when she's feeling a little confused inside

If you noticed that the last few episodes didn't have as much conversation, that was actually on purpose. I chose to use silence and small actions to show the deep emotional tension between Xiwang and Yuzhe. Sometimes… the quietest moments speak the loudest.

But don't worry! I'm slowly bringing back the dialogue, especially now that Xiwang's heart is waking up Even if she doesn't want to admit it just yet (hehe~), we all know what she's feeling 😉

Thanks so much for reading! Your support means everything to me.

Stay dreamy

— Li Yuxin

🌝🌝🌝