The mist in the Valley of Fallen Jade hung like unyielding thick ink, filtering the sunlight into a hazy white, and even the air was soaked with damp chill. Yun Jin brushed the hem of her opera costume, dampened by morning dew, and gazed at the figure crouching by the nearby stream, her fingers twisting her sleeve unconsciously.
The Traveler was staring intently at the water, his silvery hair falling over his shoulders, swaying gently in the wind. In his hand he held a sharpened branch—hardwood he had found at the valley bottom the day before, sanded to an unusual point. The stream gurgled over blue stones, and now and then a silvery shadow flashed beneath the surface: their only source of food these past few days.
"Be careful," Yun Jin's voice softened in the mist. "Don't slip."
The Traveler turned around, his face dusted with mud, yet smiling brightly. "Don't worry. I'm a good swimmer." With that, his wrist dipped sharply, and the branch pierced clean through a half-foot-long fish. Its silver scales glinted faintly in the fog.
Yun Jin could not help but smile. Three days ago, they had strayed into the Valley of Fallen Jade while chasing traces of the Abyss Order, only to find the valley entrance sealed by Yuan Shao's army, cutting off all retreat. Fortunately, the Traveler was experienced; he quickly found a sheltered cave and knew how to hunt and start a fire, keeping them from despair. Still, in this desolate wilderness, the opera troupe leader, who had always lived in comfort, was experiencing a kind of hardship she had never known.
"Good luck today," the Traveler said, walking over with the fish, water dripping from his fingers. "Enough for two meals." Noticing Yun Jin staring at his hand, he suddenly remembered something and pulled an item from his chest, holding it out. "For you."
It was a plump red fruit, its skin smooth and dewy. He had found it in the woods the previous day and kept it specially for her, struck by its bright color.
Yun Jin froze. As she took it, their fingertips brushed accidentally, and both pulled back as if burned. She brought the fruit to her nose; its sweet fragrance mingled with the mist and filled her lungs, and warmth rose unbidden to her cheeks. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." The Traveler scratched his head and turned to clean the fish. His movements were skilled, peeling and gutting in one fluid motion, leaving Yun Jin slightly mesmerized. Back in Liyue Harbor, she had grown used to seeing him fight with effortless grace, yet she had never imagined he could be so down-to-earth. As the campfire rose, the aroma of cooking fish spread. He held out the golden-bellied fillet to her. "This part has few bones."
Yun Jin took a small bite. The fish was crispy outside and tender inside, with a faint smoky flavor. She glanced up secretly and saw the Traveler focused on roasting the rest, his side profile softened by the firelight. Perhaps sensing her gaze, he suddenly looked up. Their eyes met, and Yun Jin quickly lowered her head, her ears burning.
After breakfast, they explored along the inner valley, hoping to find another exit. The valley was deeper than they thought, flanked by steep rock walls covered in moss and vines. As they reached a steep slope, Yun Jin's foot slipped. She gasped, but her wrist was caught firmly.
"Hold on." The Traveler's voice was right beside her, carrying unshakable strength. He knelt slightly, letting her step on his knee for support. "Take it slow. I've got you."
Yun Jin's heart thundered like a drum, the sound of blood rushing through her veins almost audible. She held onto his shoulder, clearly feeling the warmth of his palm and the tension in his arm muscles. When she finally steadied herself, she realized how close they were: his chest rose and fall before her eyes, their breaths tangled together with the fresh scent of mountain grass.
"Are you all right?" He let go, his voice laced with concern.
"I-I'm fine," Yun Jin looked away, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."
By the time they returned to the cave at dusk, the mist had grown thicker, and the mountain temperature plummeted. The Traveler gathered dry branches and lit a fire at the cave mouth, stretching their shadows long against the wall. Yun Jin wrapped herself in the animal hide he had found, yet still felt cold, and inched closer to the flames.
"Cold?" The Traveler took off his coat and handed it to her, still warm from his body. "Put this on. I run hot."
"What about you?" Yun Jin hesitated.
"I'll be fine." Without waiting for her reply, he draped the coat over her shoulders. The fresh, woody scent surrounded her, and warmth seeped from the fabric into her limbs. Yun Jin buried her face in the collar, secretly watching him stoke the fire, and suddenly realized that being trapped wasn't so unbearable after all.
Late at night, the campfire dimmed, leaving only embers flickering. Yun Jin leaned against the rock wall, her eyelids growing heavy. Half-asleep, she felt something gently cover her. She opened her eyes to see the Traveler tucking another hide over her, his movements soft as if afraid to wake her.
"Sleep," he whispered, his voice tired. "I'll keep watch."
"You should rest too," Yun Jin tugged at his sleeve, feeling the rough cloth beneath her fingers. "We can take turns."
The Traveler paused, then sat beside her, his back against the stone. They were half a foot apart, yet could feel each other's breath and warmth. In the silent cave, only the occasional crackle of embers and the faint wind outside could be heard.
"Yun Jin," the Traveler suddenly spoke, his voice clear in the quiet. "When we get out, I'll treat you to almond tofu at Crescent Moon Pavilion."
Yun Jin's heart skipped softly. She turned her head, and in the faint firelight, she saw sparks reflected in his eyes, like the countless lights of Liyue Harbor at night. She smiled, her voice soft as cotton candy. "All right. But I'll treat you. After all, you've taken such good care of me these days."
The Traveler laughed, the curve of his eyes impossibly gentle. "Same thing."
Silence fell again, but no longer awkward—only a delicate warmth. Yun Jin's eyelids grew heavier. She leaned slightly toward him, her shoulder brushing his arm. He did not move, though his body seemed to tense a little.
"Sleep if you're tired," his voice was low and soft. "I'm here."
This time, Yun Jin did not pretend to be strong. She closed her eyes, the scent of his coat around her, his steady breathing in her ears, and the warm glow of the embers before her. Even trapped in this remote valley, surrounded by enemies, she felt safer than ever.
Through her drowsiness, she felt a hand brush gently over her hair, light as if afraid to disturb her. She did not open her eyes, but her smile deepened. Maybe being trapped here wasn't entirely bad. At least in this quiet Valley of Fallen Jade, far from the world, there was only the two of them—only the campfire, the starlight, and a quietly growing affection sweeter than almond tofu.
At dawn, Yun Jin woke to a warm aroma. She opened her eyes to see the Traveler crouching by the fire, roasting fish. Morning light slanted through the cave mouth, gilding his outline. He turned, saw she was awake, and smiled brightly. "You're up. It'll be ready soon."
Yun Jin sat up, the hide sliding off to reveal his coat around her. She handed it back, her cheeks flushed. "Thank you for your coat. It was very warm."
"I'm glad you liked it." The Traveler took the coat. Their fingertips touched again by chance; both paused, then pulled away as if shocked, blushing.
Mist still filled the Valley of Fallen Jade. Yuan Shao's army still waited outside. Their path ahead was unknown. But as Yun Jin looked at the person before her, at the dancing fire and the nearly cooked fish, she suddenly thought: even if they were trapped for a few more days, it wouldn't matter.
Because as long as he was by her side, even such hard days could taste sweet. And this affection, hidden in morning dew, campfire and starlight, would settle like jade in the Valley of Fallen Jade—growing softer, warmer, and more brilliant with time.