I Don't Want to Be a Charmboy【Quick Wear】

Lin Shen carefully re-bandaged Lin Ming's wound, and the bleeding finally stopped.

After doing all this, exhaustion washed over him like a tidal wave, and he was almost at his limit.

As night deepened, the wind outside the cave seemed to subside. The clothes that had been drying in the fire were now completely dry, still warm from the fire.

Lin Shen silently put on his robes, glanced at Lin Ming who was still sitting by the rock wall with his eyes closed and brows furrowed, and at Xiao Bai who was quietly sitting by the fire, her fair body appearing and disappearing in the darkness.

"have a rest."

Lin Shen said in a low voice, it was unclear to whom he was speaking.

He walked over to Xiaobai, and the giant python obediently adjusted its coiled posture, forming a natural cushion.

Lin Shen leaned against that cold yet solid body, feeling the steady life force emanating from beneath the scales, and his tense nerves finally relaxed slightly.

Xiao Bai slightly moved its head, encircling him in a safer position, its glassy vertical pupils warily watching the cave entrance in the darkness.

Although Lin Ming's eyes were closed, his breathing was still erratic, clearly indicating that he had not truly fallen asleep.

The lingering fear of the nightmare and the pain of the wound tormented him, but extreme exhaustion eventually dragged him into a light sleep.

Inside the cave, only three breaths of varying depths could be heard, intertwined with the occasional hooting of owls from outside.

However, this brief period of calm did not last long.

In the dead of night, as the dew grew heavy, a faint, growing noise broke the silence.

First, extremely faint lights flickered in the gaps in the forest far away, like will-o'-the-wisps. Then, the dull and chaotic sound of horses' hooves pounded the ground like drums, becoming clearer and clearer!

Lin Shen woke up instantly, all sleepiness gone.

Xiao Bai immediately raised its head, its body tensed slightly, and emitted a low hissing warning sound.

Almost at the same time, Lin Ming also suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes showing no trace of the confusion of just waking up, only sharp vigilance.

Their gazes met in mid-air, and they both saw the solemnity in each other's eyes.

What if the visitors aren't there to rescue us, but to assassinate us... or perhaps some other force in the forest?

Without a word, Lin Shen quickly grabbed a handful of soil and extinguished the embers of the campfire with lightning speed, then scattered the ashes with his foot.

Little White also moved its body in perfect harmony, concealing its massive form as much as possible in the shadows of the rocks.

Darkness instantly swallowed the small depression, with only the cold moonlight outlining its blurry shape.

The sound of horses' hooves grew closer, and the light from the torches was already illuminating the trees not far outside the cave.

Immediately afterwards, erratic, anxious shouts pierced the night.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince—!"

"Fourth Prince—!"

"Your Highness! Where are you?!"

It's a search team!

Lin Shen felt slightly relieved, but he wasn't completely relaxed. He glanced at Lin Ming, who nodded slightly in return, then took a deep breath and called out, "We're here!"

His voice carried clearly through the silent valley.

Almost immediately, the sound of hooves quickened, galloping towards them! The clattering of hooves was like a sudden downpour, rapidly approaching.

The fire suddenly blazed up, illuminating the area around the cave entrance as bright as day.

The leader, riding a tall horse, was none other than the Third Prince, Lin Yu.

He almost pulled on the reins, and before the horse had come to a complete stop, he leaped off, his movements as swift as the wind, and strode into the cave's recess.

"deeply!"

Lin Yu's voice was hoarse from not having slept all night and filled with undisguised anxiety. His gaze immediately locked onto Lin Shen, who was sitting next to Xiao Bai.

He strode forward and pulled Lin Shen into a tight embrace, so strong it felt like he was about to crush him. He looked Lin Shen up and down carefully, asking, "Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Lin Shen was struggling to breathe from his brother's tight embrace, but he could feel the warmth of his brother's arms and the slight trembling in them. A warmth spread through him, and he gently patted Lin Yu's back.

"Third brother, I'm fine, not hurt at all." He paused, stepped aside slightly, and gestured to Lin Ming behind him, "It's just that fourth brother is injured, and seriously so."

Lin Yu then seemed to notice that there was another person in the corner.

His gaze swept over Lin Ming, who was pale-faced and barely able to support himself against the rock wall. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his eyes held a complex and unreadable expression, with a hint of estrangement and depth that seemed to be hidden deep within.

He did not step forward himself, but turned his head and ordered his subordinates who followed closely behind in a deep voice: "Go and help the Fourth Prince onto his horse, and be careful of his wounds."

Two guards immediately stepped forward and carefully helped the weak Lin Ming up.

Lin Yu still had his arm around Lin Shen, his gaze returning to Lin Shen's face, his tone leaving no room for doubt, carrying his usual domineering nature and a hint of barely perceptible intimacy.

“Shen Shen must be exhausted. Come ride a horse with me.” With that, he half-supported and half-carried Lin Shen towards the magnificent black horse at the cave entrance.

Lin Shen was indeed exhausted, both physically and mentally. Leaning against Lin Yu's sturdy body, he could almost fall asleep immediately.

He nodded obediently, letting Lin Yu lift him onto the horse. Lin Yu then nimbly mounted the horse as well, sat behind him, wrapped his arms around him to hold the reins, and held him securely in his arms, forming a protective posture.

The warm embrace shielded me from the chill of the night wind, bringing a sense of security.

Lin Shen was almost instantly enveloped by a heavy drowsiness.

Just before his consciousness began to fade, he suddenly remembered something and, forcing himself to stay awake, asked in a low voice, "What about my fourth brother?"

Lin Yu looked down at the sleepy profile of the person in his arms, tightened his arms around him, and replied in a steady voice, "My subordinates are taking care of you, so don't worry."

His tone was calm, revealing little emotion, as if he were simply stating a given fact.

The sound of hooves rang out again, and the procession turned around. Guards, surrounding the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince's horses and carrying torches, marched towards the hunting camp in the dim morning light.

Lin Ming was placed on another horse by the guards, with someone carefully supporting him from behind.

He lifted his heavy eyelids and looked at the backs of the two people riding side by side ahead, their figures standing close together, appearing particularly glaring in the flickering firelight.

The wound on his left arm was still throbbing. The image of being pierced by a thousand arrows in his dream intertwined with the cold treatment he received in reality, causing a barely perceptible, bitter and self-deprecating smile to appear on his lips before he closed them again helplessly.