Chapter 2: Calligraphy Lessons Turned Chaos
Scene 1 – Morning at the Hideout
The sun filtered softly through the torn curtains of the small cabin that had become their temporary hideout.
Zhang Xiao sat cross-legged on the floor, a brush trembling in his hand. Ink spilled in tiny splatters across the paper.
"Okay… okay… concentrate…" he muttered, frowning.
Zhao Lin stood behind him, arms crossed, expression calm as ever. His presence made the tiny room feel smaller. Tall, imposing, perfect… and Zhang Xiao's heart refused to behave normally.
"Lin-lin… you're supposed to just watch, right? Not… like… loom over me like that!" Zhang Xiao whispered, almost tripping over his own words.
Zhao Lin tilted his head slightly, reading the character Zhang Xiao had just attempted.
"Your strokes are sloppy."
"I KNOW THAT, THANK YOU!" Zhang Xiao squeaked, cheeks flaming red.
Scene 2 – The First Accidental Touch
As Zhang Xiao tried again, Zhao Lin leaned closer to demonstrate the proper motion. Their hands brushed.
"AHHHH—STOP—THAT'S—TOO CLOSE—!" Zhang Xiao yelped, flailing slightly.
Zhao Lin, unbothered, continued the demonstration. His fingers gently guided Zhang Xiao's wrist. Every touch sent little jolts through Zhang Xiao's body.
"Lin-lin… WHY AM I FEELING LIKE THIS—WAIT NO—IT'S JUST TEACHING—RIGHT—RIGHT?" Zhang Xiao thought frantically, almost dropping the brush.
Scene 3 – Escalation
One small slip later, Zhang Xiao stumbled forward… straight into Zhao Lin's chest.
"AHHHHH! I'M SORRY I'M SORRY—" he stammered, pressing himself accidentally closer.
Zhao Lin didn't move, didn't pull away. His calm, perfect face was inches from Zhang Xiao's, dark eyes unreadable.
"…You're very… close."
Zhang Xiao internally screamed:
"YES THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT—STOP—NO—TOO PERFECT—TOO CLOSE—HELP ME—"
Then, almost inevitably, lips brushed.
Zhang Xiao froze.
"W-What… just… happened—"
Zhao Lin, still calm, said nothing. He simply held Zhang Xiao steady, making sure he didn't fall.
"Lin-lin… your hand is warm… your chest… your lips—" Zhang Xiao muttered under his breath, cheeks redder than the ink on the paper.
Scene 4 – Chaos Outside the Room
Outside, a few stray soldiers from a nearby village peeked through the cracked window.
Soldier 1: "…Why does it sound like Lord Zhao Lin is moaning?" 😨
Soldier 2: "I… I don't want to know…" 😨
Soldier 3: "What is happening in there…?" 😨
Inside, Zhang Xiao and Zhao Lin were completely oblivious, caught in a moment that was equal parts tender and chaotic.
Zhang Xiao finally pushed himself back with dramatic flair:
"I— I AM DONE! I CANNOT LEARN THIS—IT'S TOO DISTRACTING—"
Zhao Lin's voice, calm as ever:
"Your hands shook… because of me."
Zhang Xiao internally:
"YES, AND I'M DYING—STOP TALKING—" 💀💔
Scene 5 – Quiet Aftermath
After the "lesson," Zhang Xiao collapsed dramatically onto the floor, face burning, trying to regain composure.
Zhao Lin simply picked up the brush, cleaned it, and handed it back.
"Next time, focus on the strokes, not… yourself."
Zhang Xiao:
"I… okay… I will… but Lin-lin… you're way too tall… and perfect… and annoying…"
Zhao Lin:
*"…" (no comment, but his hand brushed Zhang Xiao's slightly as he handed over the brush)
And Zhang Xiao nearly fainted. Again.
✨ End of Chapter 2