The forest bathed in soft light as golden rays filtered through the leaves. The air carried the delicate scent of wildflowers, and among the trees stood Lou Zen — heart still pounding from the recent battle.
In front of him was the girl — her presence almost unreal, like a painting come to life.
Her skin was like porcelain, her eyes deep and calm like the lake after rain. The wind danced through her hair like a spirit brushing through the forest.
She spoke again, her voice soft like a whispering breeze.
"My name is Mei Ling."
Lou Zen stared — completely lost.
Her voice… her face… her aura.
It was as if time itself had slowed.
"Are you okay?" she asked gently.
No reply.
Lou Zen was still staring, almost in a trance.
Mei Ling's brows furrowed slightly. She stepped a little closer.
"Hey… can you hear me?"
Only then did Lou Zen blink. The spell broke.
"Ah… y-yes. I'm fine," he stammered.
But Mei Ling had already noticed something else — blood.
His hand was covered in it.
"You're hurt," she said, kneeling quickly beside him.
Before he could react, she took out a delicate white cloth from her sleeve — and began gently wrapping it around his hand.
Lou Zen simply watched her.
He didn't know what to say.
No one had treated him like this before.
Not since childhood.
As Mei Ling tied the cloth, her fingers brushed his skin — soft and warm. She looked up at him…
And in that moment — their eyes met.
🫧 The world faded.
🫧 No bandits.
🫧 No forest.
Just Lou Zen… and Mei Ling.
Something flickered between them. Silent. Unspoken. But deep.
Suddenly — the bushes nearby rustled.
🌿 Rustle… rustle…
The moment snapped.
Lou Zen immediately stood, alert.
Mei Ling too turned, slightly behind him. Her eyes searched the shadows.
He stepped forward slowly, approaching the bushes.
His hand reached out.
The rustling grew louder.
Lou Zen took a deep breath and pulled the bushes apart—
🕊️ "WHOOSH!"
A bird burst out of the leaves, flapping furiously as it disappeared into the sky.
Lou Zen jumped back a step.
His heart had skipped a beat.
Behind him, Mei Ling put her hand over her mouth and started laughing.
"You looked so serious!" she giggled.
Her laughter — light and melodic — echoed through the trees.
Lou Zen scratched his head awkwardly and smiled.
"I really thought it was a beast…"
He laughed too, trying to hide his embarrassment.
The moment had shifted — danger had faded into calm… and something warm had begun to grow between them.
Mei Ling looked at Lou Zen with a gentle smile and said,
"You're different… not like others."
Lou Zen turned toward her, and though he didn't say it aloud — he was thinking the same.
"So is she..."
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