Han Liang and Yuan Yu—still using the name Gu Feng—paused for a brief moment as they spotted each other in the crowded market.
The street was loud and restless. Vendors called out, carts rolled over stone, and the scent of cooked food lingered in the air.
Amid all of it—
they saw each other.
After a week apart, a quiet warmth settled between them. Han Liang felt it clearly.
Before either of them could speak, a beggar suddenly bumped into Gu Feng and slipped past him, disappearing into the crowd.
Han Liang reacted at once, stepping forward.
But Gu Feng raised his hand and stopped him.
After the brief contact, Gu Feng felt a slight lightness at his side.
"I think I've been robbed… or maybe I dropped it," he said, checking his pocket.
Han Liang was ready to move.
"Don't," Gu Feng said calmly. "Maybe he needed it. Or maybe I dropped it myself. I don't know the truth… but there's no need to follow him."
Han Liang paused.
There was no anger in Gu Feng's face. Only calm—
and something else.
Compassion.
For a moment, Han Liang simply looked at him.
Then he spoke.
"If you don't have money, I can buy you a meal," he said. "And I can walk you to your inn."
Gu Feng smiled.
"Thank you. A meal is fine… but nothing more."
They walked side by side through the market. The noise followed them, but their conversation came easily.
They spoke about the past week—small things, simple details.
Han Liang shared what he had seen in the town.
Gu Feng spoke lightly of staying with his uncle and learning trade. He chose his words carefully.
Han Liang, more open, mentioned coming from a warrior clan and searching for valuable items.
Not everything was said.
But enough.
With each step, the distance between them grew smaller.
They stopped at a small food stall. The tables were worn, the space simple, filled with the smell of hot food.
They sat across from each other. For a brief moment, neither spoke. Then the conversation continued. The food was warm and plain, but neither seemed to notice it much.
Their eyes met more often now.
Han Liang found himself watching Gu Feng more closely.
His calm. His restraint.
His quiet kindness.
Gu Feng, in turn, felt it too.
Han Liang's presence was steady.
Grounded.
Safe.
By the time they finished, the sun had climbed higher. The crowd had begun to thin. They stepped back into the street.
Han Liang guided Gu Feng toward the road leading to his inn.
"If you need anything," Han Liang said, "you can come find me."
Gu Feng's smile deepened slightly.
"Thank you… and one day, I will."
The words lingered.
Han Liang felt something shift in his chest. They parted without another word. Han Liang had wanted to walk further.
But Gu Feng chose to continue alone.
He did not insist.
Han Liang remained where he was, watching him disappear into the moving crowd.
For a brief moment, everything else faded.
A quiet thought formed in his mind—
When will you come to me?