Chapter 112: Worsening Condition

He moved with incredible speed, swimming like a fish to Wuyou’s side and swiftly lifting her out of the water. Both of them, soaked to the skin, reached the shore. The man finally revealed his true face. Even drenched, his imposing aura was unmistakable—robust like the midday sun, with sharp eyebrows framing a pair of eyes that sparkled coldly like stars. Tall and slender, his figure stood straight and proud like a pine tree; his handsome face was resolute and striking.

“Good heavens, it’s Prince Jingyu of the Huang Clan!” someone recognized him and exclaimed.

“Princess!” a young maid hurried forward to support Wuyou, but her face was ashen, her eyes closed, and she had already stopped breathing.

The maid panicked, helplessly shouting, “What should we do? What should we do? The Holy King will kill me!”

Just as everyone was at a loss, a woman in a green robe stepped forward, her voice clear and decisive: “Let me try.”

Jingyu glanced over, slightly taken aback. The woman in green had skin as white as snow, with a few delicate curls framing her pale ear. Her crimson lips, like a solitary red plum blossom in the snow, were proudly enchanting. Her entire demeanor was cool and ethereal, as if she had stepped right out of a silk painting.

“Y-You are?” the maid looked up, stunned into silence, forgetting even to cry. How could such a celestial being exist in this world?

The woman in green smiled faintly, overshadowing all else with her presence. Her lips parted softly: “Zhu Man of Yanshan.”

“Goddess of Yanshan?” Jingyu murmured quietly beside them, watching her thoughtfully, a subtle uncertainty flickering in his eyes.

Zhu Man did not look at him. She quickly knelt beside Wuyou to administer aid. After channeling spiritual energy into her, she rose and waited quietly for her to regain consciousness.

Wuyou leaned her head against the maid’s shoulder. Soon, she felt a warm current of spiritual energy flowing through her body, gradually restoring her vitality. She slowly opened her eyes and was met by the sight of a tall, handsome figure—like a hero descending from the sunlight.

The maid, seeing her awake, immediately helped her to her feet.

“What happened?” Wuyou, drenched and confused, asked.

The maid hurriedly explained, “Princess, you accidentally fell into the water just now. This young lord saved you, and this lady has healed you.”

Only then did Wuyou realize. She stepped forward and bowed to both of them in gratitude, quietly studying Jingyu with a fluttering heart. “Thank you, young lord, for rescuing me. I shall do my utmost to repay you.”

Jingyu waved his hand dismissively, “Princess, there’s no need to trouble yourself.”

Wuyou lowered her head and smiled, then turned to Zhu Man to express her thanks. Zhu Man nodded gracefully in return, her features radiating a chilling yet exquisite beauty.

---

“Cut!” Director Fan’s voice came sharply through the walkie-talkie, snapping everyone back to reality. He couldn’t help but praise them repeatedly, “Excellent! Excellent!”

Lin Xi exhaled deeply, removing her soaked clothes and relaxing her tense muscles.

“Hurry, hurry! Don’t catch a cold,” Ning Shuyu rushed over before Miya could hand her a towel, using her own to dry Lin Xi. This sudden act alarmed many—how could the usually irritable Ning Shuyu be so close with Lin Xi? Truly, a rare sight!

Lin Xi smiled warmly and accepted the bathrobe from the stunned Miya, wrapping it tightly around herself.

Meanwhile, Fan Yan hurried back from the monitors to the set, beaming as he praised the team, “Wonderful! These are the smoothest scenes I’ve ever directed! We’ve made a great start!”

“That’s good, so little Xi doesn’t have to take another dip!” Ning Shuyu said bluntly, unconcerned about offending the director.

“Haha, little Xi surprised me too—she did well!” Fan Yan replied, unconcerned; a good performance always wins.

Hearing Fan’s praise, Lin Xi finally breathed a sigh of relief. She worried she might have played Wuyou as a naive fool, but it seemed the effect was quite good.

“All right, wrap this up, let’s move to the next location!” Fan Yan waved his hand, and the crew bustled about. Filming a movie differs from TV dramas; scenes change more frequently.

Lin Xi and Chen Qi were taken by assistants to the trailer to change clothes and prepare for the next scenes.

Ning Shuyu also obediently followed Lin Xi to the trailer, helping with everything so much that Miya was nearly out of a job, constantly looking to Lin Xi for help.

What was going on? Since when did Xi Sister get so close to the famed queen of the screen?

...

The filming of the movie proceeded rapidly, but Lin Xi’s mind was still troubled by the earlier incident of being followed. She had Miya investigate discreetly, but since joining the crew, no one suspicious had been found.

By mid-month, Lin Xi had completed most of her scenes. The second female lead had fewer lines than the heroine and was granted leave by Director Fan to return to Longcheng. Once home, she spent two days clinging to Lu Yuxiu. Though he promised to visit the set when free, his company responsibilities were heavy, and nearly a month had passed without seeing each other.

Finally back in Longcheng, Lin Xi had not seen Yun Yi for some time. Before returning to the set, she visited her at the hospital. Perhaps due to frequent visits, her aversion to hospitals had lessened somewhat.

Just as she turned the corner upstairs, she unexpectedly saw Su Chen sitting on a bench beside the ward. He rested his arm on his knee, head bowed with eyes closed, looking haggard and listless.

“Director Su,” Lin Xi greeted him with a nod.

---

Lin Xi’s approach startled him. Su Chen looked up as she came closer. Just as he stood, the doctor exited the ward.

The psychiatrist’s brow was furrowed as he stepped into view and greeted Lin Xi, “Miss Lin has arrived as well.”

“Yes. How is Yun Yi’s condition now?” Lin Xi asked directly.

The doctor’s tone was heavy as he addressed both of them: “Although I have had many conversations with Miss Shu and have conducted extensive psychological counseling, from my observation, her condition has not improved. On the contrary, it seems to be worsening.”

“What!” Lin Xi was shocked. She had not anticipated it being so severe and had hoped Yun Yi would be discharged and recovering soon.

Su Chen’s expression darkened further. His fists clenched tightly by his side as he tensed up, engulfed in a crushing silence.

“Why is it getting worse?” Lin Xi frowned, unable to understand.

The doctor looked troubled but explained as best he could: “Depression causes emotional lows, physical discomfort, and fright, all of which may trigger varying degrees of palpitations. In severe cases, the whole body can become stiff and rigid, necessitating medication. Just now, I observed her responses were dulled—she sat motionless, silent, only nodding or shaking her head and whispering answers when repeatedly prompted. She clearly shows little interest in anything and remains persistently gloomy.”

Hearing this, Lin Xi felt a chill. This was a completely different person from the Yun Yi she knew. Her lips parted slightly, unsure what to say.

“All we can do now is provide more care and companionship. It’s crucial to help her release her mental burdens, give her a sense of security, and encourage her to hold on to life a little longer—to regain confidence and vitality. Above all, we must prevent any more extreme behavior—self-harm or suicide…” The doctor’s voice trailed off, having laid out the worst-case scenario.

At this mention, Su Chen and Lin Xi both felt their hearts sink deeply, pupils dilating and expressions suddenly shifting.

So depression truly is that terrifying—it can devour a person’s mind and even life...

Release the mental knots?

Even the psychiatrist seemed helpless, and Lin Xi was more at a loss than ever. Yun Yi’s childhood experiences were beyond her imagination. She could not fully empathize or find the right words to comfort her. Coupled with the prior online abuse Yun Yi had endured, she must be extremely sensitive now.

Lin Xi clenched her fists fiercely, feeling as if she wanted to tear someone apart.