The sky opened up with rain. At midday, the sun still shone bright, but after a quick bite, the heavens darken…
The sky opened up with rain.
At midday, the sun still shone bright, but after a quick bite, the heavens darkened. A cool breeze carried a fine mist of raindrops, weaving a gentle, damp chill through the air.
Inside the bustling inn, voices rose and fell in lively chatter. Yet just beyond the walls, rain pierced falling leaves, and the world outside shrank to the soft patter of droplets.
Lan Ao stood beneath the sheltered porch, her gaze lost in the silken veil of rain. Through the haze, a hand emerged, clutching a humble umbrella.
She turned, and there was Fang Bai, his face radiant with an open, carefree smile.
From then on, Lan Ao's shadow no longer walked alone.
Fang Bai never once concealed his feelings. Whenever they were together, he circled her like a moth drawn to light, rambling on with words like "love," "adore," and "miss," never holding back.
At first, Lan Ao would get a bit huffy. But over time, she grew used to this relentless warmth, and with it, to the quiet comfort of no longer being alone.
Each morning, when Lan Ao awoke, a warm cup of water awaited quietly by her bedside. Fang Bai never knew the exact moment she would rise, yet he always made sure it was never cold.
When she ventured afar, he never asked about her destination, only when she would return home. If she was late, he would wait in the dark with a lantern held high.
The instant her silhouette appeared, he'd wave wildly, his walk breaking into a jog, then a full run, his eyes bright with flickering light.
And then, there was the comb. One stroke to the end, and love flows with the grain. He whispered that he longed to comb each other's hair until they were grey and old.
Lan Ao had once considered throwing it all away, just telling him about the poison in her blood. But she dared not take that gamble. She wasn't ready to risk it. All she could do was steal scraps of happiness from her daily dread, until there was no escape left.
"Sizzle." The candle burned to its end. Lan Ao snapped out of it, her fingers tightening around the comb. It was the one thing she'd taken without thinking when she walked away from him.