Mu Chen gently walked to the bedside, knelt down, and carefully picked up the scattered bedding one by one, rearranging it neatly. His movements were extremely gentle, as if afraid of waking the sleeping Wen Shu. Then, he gently pulled up the blanket and slowly and carefully covered Wen Shu with it, as if it were the most precious treasure in the world.

After doing all this, Mu Chen didn't leave. Instead, he sat quietly by the bed, gazing gently at Wen Shu's beautiful and serene face. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and everything around him became unimportant. Only the sleeping woman before him occupied his entire mind.

Mu Chen's protective instinct, which had always been hidden deep within his heart, was now ignited, rising uncontrollably. This feeling grew stronger and stronger, like a raging flame constantly scorching his heart. Every time he saw the figure who stirred his heart facing danger or being wronged, this flame burned even brighter, making him involuntarily want to rush forward and block anything that might harm the other person.

The next morning, the warm, gentle sunlight, like a mischievous little elf, quietly slipped in through the gap in the curtains and lightly danced onto Wen Shu's serene face. This golden light seemed to possess magical power, gently caressing her tightly closed eyes and finally successfully waking her from her sweet dream.

The city's climate was unusually warm. In the early morning, when Mu Chen slowly awoke, the blazing sunlight streamed directly through the thin curtains. After lying in bed for only a short while, he could feel himself starting to sweat slightly. Wen Shu, beside him, also felt the heat. They exchanged a glance, nodded knowingly, and decided to go out and buy some clothes suitable for the current weather.

Mu Chen strode to the front desk and, with his calm and efficient demeanor, reserved a vehicle with the staff. Then, he turned back to Wen Shu, who was waiting, and smiled to indicate that everything was arranged and they could depart for their destination.

A moment later, a brand-new sedan slowly pulled up and stopped in front of the hotel. The two opened the car door, gracefully got inside, and with the roar of the engine, the car smoothly drove out of the hotel gate.

Following the pre-set navigation route, they continued on their way. Soon after, the car slowly drove into a narrow alley. Although the alley was small, it was filled with a strong sense of daily life and a unique cultural atmosphere.

The two stepped off the car, and the moment their feet touched the ground, their gazes were drawn to the breathtaking sight before them, as if by a magnet. The narrow, quiet alley was filled with a dazzling array of ethnic costumes. These garments were as vibrant in color as a magnificent sunset or as beautifully blooming flowers in a spring garden; their styles were incredibly diverse, some with skirts that flowed like dancing fairies, others with sleeves that billowed like graceful, flowing clouds—a dazzling and overwhelming sight.

Upon closer inspection, one can clearly see that the exquisite patterns on each garment are meticulously hand-embroidered. Each stitch embodies not only the countless days and nights of hard work by the artisans, but also their unparalleled skill and deep love for traditional culture. The lifelike flowers, birds, fish, insects, and the beautiful landscapes and figures seem to leap off the soft fabric at any moment, presenting themselves to the world in a remarkably three-dimensional and vivid manner. This exquisite craftsmanship truly inspires heartfelt admiration.

Wen Shu happily selected her favorite clothes. First, she spotted a long dress, its flowing hem resembling a blooming flower. Then, she chose a short-sleeved shirt and shorts set, simple and elegant yet playful and cute, each piece radiating youthful energy. Mu Chen, standing beside her, thoughtfully chose clothes in the same color scheme as Wen Shu, even selecting styles with matching elements. Standing together, the two looked like a perfect couple, a truly harmonious match.

Afterwards, they strolled leisurely hand in hand through the alley. Besides the breathtakingly beautiful and unique clothing, numerous quaint shops were scattered throughout the alley. These shops displayed a variety of exquisite handicrafts, including intricately carved wooden ornaments, finely painted folding fans, and uniquely shaped ceramic vases—all irresistible.

Mu Chen held Wen Shu's soft little hand tightly as the two strolled side by side through the deep, narrow alley. When they reached the end of the alley, Wen Shu suddenly stopped, her gaze drawn to a quaint antique shop.

The shop wasn't large, but it exuded a mysterious and ancient atmosphere. The two smiled at each other, then held hands and slowly walked into the shop. As soon as they stepped inside, a musty, old woody scent wafted over them, making them feel as if they had traveled back to ancient times.

Wen Shu looked around curiously, but soon she sensed something was amiss. The feeling was indescribable; she couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong, but a vague unease lingered in her heart. Just then, her gaze fell upon a blood-red phoenix crown displayed above the showcase.

The phoenix crown emitted an eerie light, its blood-red color as vivid and striking as fresh blood. Its exquisite craftsmanship was breathtaking, yet it also gave off a chilling feeling. Wen Shu couldn't help but frown, wondering to herself, "Why is this phoenix crown so peculiar?"

Despite her doubts, Wen Shu knew it was best not to linger. So she gently tugged at Mu Chen's sleeve and whispered, "Let's hurry up and leave. I have a strange feeling about this place." Mu Chen nodded; he, too, sensed the eerie atmosphere permeating the shop.

The two didn't linger and turned to walk quickly towards the door. Just as they were about to step out of the shop, Wen Shu couldn't help but glance back at the blood-red phoenix crown, which seemed to tremble slightly...

They hadn't gone far from the antique shop when Wen Shu felt a wave of weakness wash over her. She tightened her grip on Mu Chen's hand and said, "Let's go back! I feel a little dizzy. I want to rest."

Mu Chen looked at Wen Shu anxiously, noticing that her fair forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, large drops sliding down her cheeks. Without thinking, he rushed forward, bent down without hesitation, and gently embraced the weak and powerless Wen Shu.

Mu Chen held Wen Shu tightly and strode towards the car parked not far away. However, just a few steps away from the car, Mu Chen suddenly felt the person in his arms become unusually quiet. His heart tightened, and he quickly looked down, only to find in horror that Wen Shu had closed her eyes and lost consciousness at some point.

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