The Deep Blue Potion was passed from Yu Lan’s lips, swiftly pouring into Yu Wenzhou’s mouth.

The potion took effect quickly.

Color instantly returned to his once-pale face, and his faint breathing grew steady and deep.

Shen Zueran helped Yu Lan to her feet and patted her back reassuringly.

"See, he’s fine now, right?"

"Trust me, he’ll be fine."

"You just got back from Chaos Star, and you have to leave for White Sand Star right away. You should get some proper rest now."

"Don’t worry so much. Yu Wenzhou will wake up soon."

Tolerating Yu Lan feeding the medicine to Yu Wenzhou was the absolute limit of Shen Zueran’s patience.

With her departure imminent, he couldn’t bear the thought of Yu Lan spending all her time on Yu Wenzhou.

"I’ve missed you so much, Lanlan."

"And I was so worried about you."

"Can you stay with me for a while?"

Held tight in Shen Zueran’s embrace, the words Yu Lan had intended to say—that she wanted to stay and wait for Yu Wenzhou to wake up—died on her lips.

She had just returned to Central Star, only to have to depart in a hurry once more. How was that not cruel to Shen Zueran?

Yu Lan wrapped her arms around Shen Zueran in return and said gratefully,

"Thank you, Shen Zueran."

"This whole time, you’ve been developing this potion, haven’t you?"

"What exactly is going on? Can you tell me?"

’It’s all shrouded in fog, impossible to see through.’

Shen Zueran took Yu Lan’s hand and shot a look at Huo Zhanting and the others. They all started walking out together.

As they walked, Shen Zueran started by apologizing to Yu Lan.

"I’m sorry, Lanlan. This time, I didn’t go with Huo Zhanting and the others to rescue you."

"I had faith that Huo Zhanting and the others would bring you back, no matter the cost."

It was his deep understanding of how devoted Huo Zhanting and the others were to Yu Lan that gave Shen Zueran the courage to remain on Central Star.

The more chaotic the situation, the easier it is to take advantage of it.

Many things that were hidden would inevitably surface.

Shen Zueran’s gaze darkened for a moment. "This time, the news Qi Jingshen leaked ignited public outrage. The Imperial Palace was breached three times."

"I’d originally planned to send someone to discreetly verify some information, but I ended up accidentally discovering that Belina has had a physician developing some sort of poison."

"What?"

Yu Lan’s eyes widened slightly, and she pressed him for more.

"Is it the one Yu Wenzhou took?"

Shen Zueran nodded.

"Yes."

Yu Wenzhou was indeed sent by Belina; this was irrefutable.

However, Shen Zueran’s investigation revealed that Yu Wenzhou hadn’t disclosed any information about Yu Lan to Belina.

He suspected that either Yu Wenzhou hadn’t yet had a chance to act, or he had developed genuine feelings for Yu Lan.

Whatever past Yu Lan had with Yu Wenzhou in her lost memories made Shen Zueran wary of acting rashly, afraid of the consequences.

So, after careful consideration...

Shen Zueran decided to develop the antidote.

If Yu Wenzhou’s intentions were malicious, then he would find a way to have him killed.

But if he truly chose to stay by Yu Lan’s side to protect her, even at the cost of his own life, then he had to live.

Otherwise, years from now, if Yu Lan were to regain her memories, how heartbroken would she be?

Shen Zueran couldn’t stand the thought of Yu Lan’s heart being occupied by another man, which was what led to the scene today.

He quickly selected the most important points to share, exchanging intelligence with Huo Zhanting and the others.

After they had finished sharing information...

Huo Zhanting and the others exchanged a look. They thoughtfully got up to leave, giving Shen Zueran and Yu Lan ample time to be together and say their goodbyes.

One of the most important stipulations in Belina’s so-called "fair" arrangement was that they were forbidden from seeing Yu Lan.

From now on, Yu Lan would have to fend for herself.

"Lanlan, we’ll go pack your things first."

"You and Shen Zueran have a good talk."

Pei Shiyi looked at Yu Lan with longing and reluctance.

This Merfolk, normally so possessive and prone to jealousy, had begun to change bit by bit after spending this time with everyone.

Once the others had left one by one, Shen Zueran, as if he could hold back no longer, strode forward and suddenly pulled Yu Lan into a tight embrace.

He buried his face in the soft crook of the beautiful young female’s neck and nuzzled against her.

"Lanlan, I’ve missed you so much."

"I’ve been so tired lately."

It was extremely rare for Shen Zueran to show his emotions so openly.

He was rational, restrained, coolly handling everything with ease.

He habitually suppressed his emotions, unlike the more forthright Sheng Yiqing and Pei Shiyi.

But during this period, being unable to personally go search for Yu Lan had made Shen Zueran extremely anxious.

Similarly, the research on the antidote for the poison Yu Wenzhou had taken could not be delayed in the slightest.

Because of Yu Wenzhou’s betrayal, Belina had the doctor destroy all the antidote formulas. According to the information he’d received, Yu Wenzhou didn’t have much time left either.

At the same time, faint clues about Yu Lan’s origins had started to emerge.

With so many issues piling up one after another, Shen Zueran felt completely overwhelmed, wishing he could split himself into eight people to handle it all.

But now, the beautiful, soft young female was in his arms. Everything had been resolved.

Shen Zueran held Yu Lan quietly, and his breathing began to slow.

Gradually, still in that embrace, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Yu Lan was stunned that Shen Zueran had fallen asleep, but her surprise quickly turned to a pang of heartache.

She wrapped her arms tightly around the man’s waist and raised a hand to pat his broad back comfortingly.

The air became extremely quiet.

From the villa’s garden not far away, the rustling sound of cicadas could be heard.

From upstairs came the murmurs of Huo Zhanting and the others as they helped her pack.

The air was filled with a sense of peace.

Slowly, a wave of drowsiness washed over Yu Lan. She closed her eyes and, still in that embrace, fell asleep holding Shen Zueran.

This was the scene that greeted Huo Zhanting and the others—like a bunch of busy little bees—when they came back down after thoughtfully packing all her essential luggage.

The corners of Su Xingye’s mouth turned down slightly.

In the end, though, no one said a word. They trusted that Shen Zueran wouldn’t do anything to Yu Lan in this situation.

The men backed out quietly. They had other things to discuss.

"The matter with Yu Wenzhou, how do we handle it?"

Li Yucheng was the first to speak.

A flicker of impatience crossed Jun Lin Yuan’s arrogant features.

"He was too weak to say anything just now, but what if he wakes up tomorrow and tattles on us to Lanlan?"

Yu Lan’s trip to White Sand Star is already set.

It left them almost no time to explain, apologize, and beg for her forgiveness.

They couldn’t let Yu Lan leave feeling resentful.

That just wouldn’t be right.

"Alright."

Huo Zhanting’s golden eyes swept over their faces as he gave his orders.

"Xingye, you stand guard at Yu Wenzhou’s door tonight. The moment he wakes up, notify us immediately."

"We’re the ones at fault. We’ll apologize first, then ask Yu Wenzhou what he wants for compensation."

"We’re all Lanlan’s Beast Husbands. We have to live together from now on. If he’s smart, he won’t push things too far."

"Understood."

"Then that’s the plan for now."

While the men were discussing, none of them knew that on the second floor, Yu Wenzhou, lying on the bed, had opened his eyes.

’Wasn’t I dead?!’