Finally out of the Dragon's Land, the four of them walked in silence as the sun dipped toward the horizon, washing the desert sky in warm streaks of orange and gold. The heavy weight of the past days—the danger, the fear, the battles—seemed to lift with each step they took away from that land of peril.
Guanlin exhaled slowly, his eyes tracing the edges of the clouds lit by the setting sun. "I'm really going to save my mother, aren't I?" he whispered.
"You are, bro Lin," Wen Lu said, flashing a tired but genuine smile.
Guanlin lowered his gaze. "But it also means parting ways with everyone. Maybe someday... I'll miss doing all this." His voice trembled slightly, eyes soft with an emotion he couldn't quite name.
Yuanli chuckled lightly. "We can visit each other anytime, nothing serious. Right, Childe Zhong?"
Jinxiao blinked, as if pulled from deep thought. "R-right. Anytime." But his expression twisted, clearly distracted. "Still, just the thought of meeting that Feng Baiying again on our way back makes me sick."
"Oh, by the way," Guanlin perked up, "how did you get the passion fruit?"
"We found the woman who last harvested it," Jinxiao answered plainly.
Wen Lu leaned closer. "And how did you convince her to give you half of it?"
Jinxiao folded his arms. "I might have used... threatening methods."
For a second, the group stared, then burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at?! If I hadn't done that, we might still be stuck negotiating over a piece of fruit!" Jinxiao snapped, walking ahead with indignant strides.
Guanlin chased after him, still grinning. "Zhong Jinxiao."
He stopped.
Guanlin bowed deeply. "Thank you." He turned to Wen Lu and Yuanli and did the same. "I'm just an ordinary person, yet you all helped me so much. I'll never forget your kindness forever."
Jinxiao turned away, face unreadable. But a tiny smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "We're from the same land," he muttered. "It's only natural to help each other."
Wen Lu elbowed Yuanli. "I'm starting to second guess what you said the other day."
Yuanli tilted her head. "About what? What did I say to you?"
"That Childe Zhong might have a little crush on bro Lin."
She glanced at the two walking side by side. "The chemistry between them is just... on point."
Hours passed. As twilight deepened into night, the glow of lamps and lanterns marked the outskirts as theh returned back to Xiping.
"Maybe we can ask Brother Feng for a place to stay again," Guanlin said, rubbing his neck.
Jinxiao shot him a side glance. "Aren't you afraid you'll run out of time?"
"Not really. Yuanli said I have about seven days before the poison worsens," he replied calmly.
Jinxiao narrowed his eyes. "And you'd risk it?"
Guanlin hesitated, biting his lip. Then, like a spark reigniting memory, he added, "Ah, right! The doctor treating my mom said it might take about a month and a half before it worsens fully."
"So?"
"If I can count correctly which I could, we've only used about a month now. Resting a little now isn't such a bad idea."
"Childe Zhong, he has a point," Wen Lu added, clutching his stomach. "Plus, we're starving."
"Hungry?" a familiar voice rang from behind them. They turned in unison.
Baiying stood there, arms folded and lips curled into a teasing smile. "Ahh, it's the fairy, the two assassins, and the cute little guy."
"Bro Feng!" Guanlin cheered.
"Well, you made it back quick. The Clan Leader was kind enough to give you the dragon's beard then?"
Yuanli nodded with a smile. "Yes. He was very generous he made it quick."
Baiying motioned toward the town. "You must be prerty tired from the travel. Why not stay at my place again to rest?"
"We'd love th—"
"Thanks for the offer but, we'll just find a tavern or an inn nearby. We wouldn't want to bother the son of the magistrate again," Jinxiao cut in, voice sharp.
Guanlin blinked. "Son of the magistrate? Baiying?"
Baiying rolled his eyes. "Tsk, Jinxiao, can't keep a mouth shut, can you? My place has free food, don't you want that?"
All eyes turned to Jinxiao, seemingly waiting for him to answer.
He threw his hands up. "If you want to stay at his place, go ahead. I'm not stopping you." He began walking away.
"Zhong Jinxiao." Guanlin called and he stopped.
"Just come with us," Guanlin said.
Jinxiao glanced at Baiying who already smirked smugly at him. He sighed and turned back toward them.
Later that night, the warm scent of roasted duck and sizzling tofu filled Baiying's hall. Platters of dishes covered the table, and cups of fragrant liquor shimmered in lamplight.
"Okay, okay, cheers to Lai Guanlin for gathering all of the cures!" Wen Lu cheered, lifting his cup.
"Cheers!" Baiying echoed.
Guanlin lifted his cup as well, cheeks slightly flushed. "Thanks to everyone for helping me!" He gulped the drink.
"Childe Zhong," Baiying asked slyly, "why aren't you drinking?"
"Master Feng, don't try to provoke him," Guanlin interrupted, laughing. "He's short-tempered!"
Jinxiao's eyes narrowed at Gaunlin.
"I was just joking."
"Yuanli, why aren't you drinking too?" Wen Lu asked.
"Because ome or two has to stay sober," she said matter-of-factly. "If we're all passed out then whou would help each other sleep?"
"Me? Get drunk?" Wen Lu scoffed, pouring himself another drink. "I will never get drunk."
One hour later.
"Here, cute little guy, have another," Baiying slurred, pouring liquor into Guanlin's cup.
Before Guanlin could grab it, Jinxiao swiftly took the cup and drank it whole.
"Zhong Jinxiao!" Guanlin pouted, eyes glassy. "That was mine!"
"You're drunk. No more drinking for you." Jinxiao's voice was unusually gentle.
"This one's gone too," Yuanli muttered, watching Wen Lu drop over his head on the table.
"Why isn't everyone drinking? Drink up!" Baiying cheered. His head fell to the table with a thud.
Guanlin laughed uncontrollably, reaching for the liquor pot again.
Jinxiao grabbed his wrist firmly. "That's enough."
He lifted Guanlin in his arms.
"Yuanli, take Wen Lu to sleep," he instructed.
"What about Master Feng?"
"I'll deal with him later. I'll just put Guanlin to sleep." Jinxiao replied, leaving the room.
Yuanli Glanced at Wen Lu, and started poking his cheek. "Who's drunk now huh?"
As Yuanli struggled to carry Wen Lu, Jinxiao carried Guanlin out into the moonlit courtyard.
"Zhong Jinxiao?" Guanlin murmured. "Where are we going?"
Jinxiao didn't reply, but kept walking silently.
Upon reaching the room, he kicked open the door and gently placed Guanlin on the bed, pulling the blanket over him.
"Zhong Jinxiao..." Gaunlin started, dryly.
"Stop talking and sleep," he said, tucking him in.
Suddenly, Guanlin sat up and pressed his lips to Jinxiao's.
Jinxiao froze, eyes widened in shock.
Guanlin collapsed back onto the pillow with a smile. "Your lips felt so soft, Zhong Jinxiao," he mumbled, eyes closed.
Jinxiao stood motionless. Then, he turned to leave... but stopped.
He glanced back, heart pounding. Slowly, he walked back to the bed and carefully tucked the blanket around Guanlin again.
Outside, he pressed a hand to his chest, trying to calm the storm within.
With a breathless heart, he walked toward Wen Lu's room to fetch Baiying.
But his mind was somewhere else entirely—back in that moment where everything changed.