Early in the morning, Yuan Yu could not stay still. The restlessness from the previous night lingered—thoughts of the Tiger Sect, his mother's pressure, and the whispers in the market weighed on him.
He rose and slipped out of the house before anyone noticed. In the main kitchen, he prepared a small basket, gathering what he could before the servants awoke. His movements were steady and precise, but his heartbeat was not.
Once everything was ready, he left at first light. The cool spring air carried the scent of peach blossoms, and his steps quickened without him realizing it.
He knew exactly where he was going.
At the inn, he asked for Han Liang's room.
"Shall I tell him you're here?" the innkeeper asked.
Yuan Yu paused briefly. "…May I go in?"
The innkeeper nodded and stepped aside.
Yuan Yu opened the door quietly. Han Liang was still asleep, dressed in thin white silk, his hair falling loosely across his face. Even in rest, there was a quiet steadiness to him.
Yuan Yu stopped for a moment, simply watching.
Then he spoke, his voice soft.
"It's time to wake up."
Han Liang's eyes opened at once. He sat up quickly, his gaze fixed on Yuan Yu as if confirming he was real.
"…Am I dreaming?" he asked.
Yuan Yu's lips curved slightly. "Then wake up."
Han Liang stood. His movements were quick, though his gaze lingered a moment longer than usual.
"Can we spend today… just the two of us?" Yuan Yu asked, his voice quieter now. "Somewhere peaceful."
Han Liang didn't hesitate. "Okay."
Yuan Yu gestured toward the table. "Bring that with you."
Han Liang picked up the basket. His grip tightened slightly, as if the moment had not fully settled.
Within minutes, they were on horseback, riding out of town. Yuan Yu led the way, his posture calm as he said, "I want to show you something."
About an hour later, the peach trees came into view.
Row after row lined the lower slope of Ying Mountain, their pale blossoms so dense they blurred into the sky. Petals drifted slowly through the air, catching the light as they fell. The scent was faint and clean, never overwhelming.
Beyond the trees, the land opened into a wide field of fresh green grass. It stretched outward, soft and vivid, moving in slow waves with the breeze. Nothing in it felt restless—only calm, steady, as if the land itself were breathing.
The mountain rose quietly in the distance, its peak veiled in a thin layer of mist. It stood unchanged and distant, yet here it did not feel cold or unreachable. It felt like shelter.
A narrow river curved through the clearing. Its surface was clear, almost like glass, reflecting the sky, the drifting petals, and the slow movement of clouds. Each ripple carried the blossoms gently downstream.
The air felt cooler there, quieter. For a moment, everything else seemed to fall away.
Han Liang didn't speak at first. He simply looked around, taking it in.
"This place…" he said after a moment, his voice lower. "It doesn't feel real."
Yuan Yu watched him. "I come here when my thoughts grow too heavy. No one follows me this far."
He paused briefly, then added more quietly, "I've never shown it to anyone."
The words settled between them.
Han Liang didn't question it. He understood.
They dismounted. Han Liang stepped down first and instinctively reached out his hand. Yuan Yu glanced at it.
"I can manage," he said, but he didn't pull away.
For a brief moment, their hands remained together before Han Liang let go.
"Where should we sit?" he asked.
"Somewhere shaded."
They settled beneath the trees, the river moving quietly beside them. The sound of water filled the silence, steady and unbroken.
"I didn't see you yesterday," Han Liang said, his voice low.
Yuan Yu looked at him. "I came. I just didn't catch you."
That was enough.
"I'm glad you're here," Han Liang said.
Yuan Yu's smile was faint, but real. "So am I."
After a while, Han Liang spoke again.
"I won't be here long. I'll be leaving in a month."
"But I will come back."
Yuan Yu's expression stilled slightly. "Where will you go?"
"I'm not from this town," Han Liang replied. "I need to return home. If things go the way I want… I'll come back."
Yuan Yu lowered his gaze briefly. "I hope you do."
They opened the basket together. The food was simple—steamed buns, fruit, and a few warm dishes—but neither of them rushed. Between small pauses, they spoke a little, leaving more unsaid.
After some time, Yuan Yu spoke again.
"Should we go somewhere else?" he asked quietly. "For a few days. Just the two of us."
Han Liang paused mid-motion.
He let out a quiet breath, almost a laugh. "I didn't expect that."
"Is that a no?" Yuan Yu asked.
Han Liang shook his head immediately. "No. I just… wasn't expecting you to say it first."
Yuan Yu hesitated.
"You'll be leaving soon," he said quietly. "I thought… spending a little more time together wouldn't be a bad idea."
The words settled between them.
The river flowed beside them, petals drifting across its surface.