Downstairs, Chóng Fēi was waiting while his own robe had changed into something similar to what he had worn when they disguised for the secret question.
The robe's half had a loose longer sleeve which was white, and the other was white but full coverage and not loose. This oart was red. His hair was tied fully upwards like before, but not with that beloved crown. Something more casual, as if meant for the night.
And he was now sitting on the couch with his legs crossed, reading some messenger talismans which might have arrived just now or earlier.
Lìngxiāo paused a little way from the couch when he saw him, blinking slower, one hand adjusting his bamboo hat. Both his amazement and curiosity kept increasing, like the case itself.
'He has grown his fashion sense much more than I have expected..'
'Are we really going out at this cold night with cold?'
At the soft rushing sound of his robe, Chóng Fēi's eyes paused over the talisman and looked towards Lìngxiāo. For a moment, he was just looking at him as if he was unrecognizable.
Lìngxiāo cleared his throat awkwardly—also for the cold. His smile was soft. Since he had just succeeded on one of his biggest dreams, and Chóng Fēi had some of the benefits here—or he had on his work—he tried not to judge him that way from the story and just appreciate him for everything.
Though his gaze on him felt like checking if the robe fit around the body of a paper mannequin—maybe he was overthinking again.
He simply didn't move in a way that felt uncomfortable or made others feel small. Or maybe Lìngxiāo had cleared Chóng Fēi's path as he did to his own, so he was just being a bit more humble with him—or friends, since he had shared something big of his life.
He stepped forward gracefully, letting the robe float around as he stood beside the couch with a light bow, politely. "Apologies for keeping you waiting, Gōngzǐ. And..thank you for both of your thoughtfulness on me."
"Hm.." Chóng Fēi stood up, his expression calm. He gave a light snap to the talismans which disappeared from his grasp like golden mist. "We may take our leave then."
"You did not inform me that the tea break would be held outside the clan, Gōngzǐ." Lìngxiāo reminded.
He was trying not to show that he wasn't in much mood to go outside at night when a day was close to ending—or had already ended.
"I know." Chóng Fēi exhaled, one hand on his hip, the other habitually at his open lock of hair. "And it is because I myself did not know I would be able to take a step I was thinking to take since seventeen. I wanted to have a better celebration, the way I wished."
Then he added, which felt like a daily routine he did—much lower in tone. "Besides, I sometimes go out at odd times when zhù fù is not around. Though I did not have intentions today for the sickness..but the achievement deserves it. So do you."
Lìngxiāo thoughtfully blinked softly, lightly biting his inner lower lip, his hands behind him as he nodded in silent agreement.
'Fair enough..the day does deserve a better professional moment.'
'But does Xiānsheng know about—'
Before he could think more fair points, Chóng Fēi added, "Do not even think about telling zhù fù. He doesn't know it. And others—they know it as I am going to the underground prison realm to check and have tea there or something."
He said like a plea disguised as a warning, raised a fist—then pointed stiffly at him with that expression which was like he expressed too much than he should have.
Lìngxiāo took a step back. Not fully, but like his left leg moved behind while the right stayed in place, his eyes staring over him like an off-guard fox.
'Ah..it was just..his way of demanding something to keep hidden while he didn't really think of sharing a part which could be at risk.'
A few things about him actually never changed.
He used to threaten Lìngxiāo when at the beginning, he thought of telling Chóng Féng that he was the one stealing those adult foods or other things.
And then the rest was known—he, within empathy for a hopeless child as him, stopped trying to tell his father and just saved him when they got caught.
"Um..as you wish..Gōngzǐ.." Lìngxiāo carefully answered, his eyes going to Chóng Fēi's hand which was saying: now put your hands down kindly.
"Remember it." Chóng Fēi muttered as he put his hand down quickly, his lips pressed into a thin line.
"I do not forget anything..hopefully." Lìngxiāo answered softly, not sure this time if he should say that or not, since he already knew..what happened at that mountain.
"Oh yes, I do need to ask about those strange things trying to pinch into my head too. Since I feel like I am forgetting something important. Even more since the time I have..viewed over the yellow-golden robe." Chóng Fēi said before going to the doorway.
The grand, old door opened for them.
Lìngxiāo felt his veins clench at those words. He followed him in a small but quick pace, trying to hide the worry of Chóng Fēi remembering the frozen fire.
"Is..that so, Gōngzǐ?" Lìngxiāo looked around at the faintly glowing town.
The town was calmer than before now. No rain. Not even the deeper layer of the ghost's curse. For a day, the town could show how it used to be. Heaviest rains were like blessings on their burning spirits, calming them down a little.
He half expected it.
If he had found the evidence and if not sick too..or even this rule had never been officially taking action to be changed, he might have gone to the temple or the Mèi Xùe Lake again for those multiple-headed works.
For now, he focused on the moment and kept Chóng Fēi's mind away from anything which could make his instincts stronger about the frozen fire.
"Well, where are we going, Gōngzǐ?" Lìngxiāo asked casually as he walked beside him, his eyes catching the dimmed lights around the road and grocery markets.
"Is it close? Or do we need to take any carriage? And..when would we go to the prison realm for the children? Am I going to receive the child tomorrow?" He added more, almost counting if he had missed any of them.
His questions managed to earn Chóng Fēi's gaze on him lightly as they moved on, listening to him like he was seeing a totally different side of him.
"Are you..actually that questioning one?" Chóng Fēi almost asked in silent amazement, but not quite unpleasant or annoyed. Just surprised.
"You feel suspiciously happy today too. Somehow more than me." He added like a soft, thoughtful mumble.
Lìngxiāo cleared his throat, trying to keep things both out of this recognition and also keep his composure.
"I..do feel grateful for being able to be one of the reasons those children will get their second chance or freedom, Gōngzǐ." He answered with general gratefulness, his smile gentle.
There was a little pause.
Then Chóng Fēi also said softer, his gaze ahead. "I do too. Your evidence..it helped me a lot more to present things more strongly. Zhù fù might not be angry on it too."
Lìngxiāo just nodded once, his eyes softened from the corners like smiling with his lips too.
"And yeah, we are actually..going to a well-known place for drinks. It is less crowded. So there would be no disturbing. The path would not be that long to go." Chóng Fēi continued while walking.
"Also, tomorrow morning at ten am, we will head directly to the prison to meet the children—to see how things progressing and more other things. Then bring the Mō Bàyàkūyà's child. He is..a little problematic. He is also actually newly arrived, can't adjust with humans, fears most of them..so maybe before shifting him with you, you should keep him with you." He added.
'Problematic..?'
"I see, Gōngzǐ. He would be safe around me. The ceremony would take more six to five days to be started. I have plenty of time to train the little boy for the new environment." Lìngxiāo answered. His tone gentle but determined.
"As for the problem..what problem does he..actually have? His name?" He added softer, his gaze on the few people outside.
He felt Chóng Fēi exhale—almost sympathetically with a click of his tongue. "He is..mentally a little..disabled." He said almost quietly, pushing back his hair which had come forward by the light wave of the wind.
'He is..mentally troubled by nature..?'
Chóng Fēi's words gave a tug into Lìngxiāo's chest that he almost stopped his steps. But he kept himself walking. Just the earlier happiness faintly dimmed for him. It felt almost unfair that he thought he was neglected in childhood the most. A few like him too.
But no.
This was another kind of tragedy—that this innocent child couldn't even feel the world's good or bad. Feeling too much and going through everything without knowing anything, yet others like Lìngxiāo could—both were different things.
"He can only say one word at a time—mostly." Chóng Fēi quietly said, his eyes soft.
Lìngxiāo turned at him again, listening not only with his ears but his heart.
Chóng Fēi continued. "The rest is not formed properly, trembling, unsaid, or said with only easy words. He couldn't tell what his name is. So if you wish, or even they..can name him. He has no records of history."
"I would..definitely.." Lìngxiāo answered almost like a soft muttering, took a soft deep breath, his gaze ahead.
Chóng Fēi didn't say anything more for now.
The conversation continues as they just walked, disappearing within the thin, soft smoke together.
***