Chapter Text
It would be fair to say that Yue Qingyuan felt envious of Luo-shidi for his ability to be close to Xiao Jiu. The rest of the Sect had failed to notice the new development in the duo’s relationship and seemed to assume that it was the mutual alliance of a playboy (even though Luo-shidi had done nothing to earn that reputation) and a lecher. The Peak Lords were only happy that the Sect’s future tactician had a good relationship with the next martial peak lord and were happy to send the two on as many joint missions as possible.
This had only limited further opportunities to approach and spend time with Xiao Jiu to times where Luo-shidi was away from the Sect or otherwise occupied. Yue Qingyuan was not dumb and he was deeply aware that the other disliked his company, but Yue Qingyuan feared that one day Xiao Jiu would make some foolish mistake and have to disappear from his life forever. It was irrational, but…
This afternoon, he had managed to pull some strings to send Luo-shidi on a short mission. The Bai Zhan disciple would only take half a day to complete such a mission, but it would take time regardless - precious time that Yue Qingyuan could spend with Xiao Jiu without Luo-shidi being used as an convenient excuse to wiggle out of a conversation.
It seemed as if Xiao Jiu had expected Yue Qingyuan’s arrival as his expression was stormy, yet resigned. It was a chilly, but predictable reception - Yue Qingyuan tried to sustain the dead conversation with tidbits about his recent activities and inquiries about Xiao JIu’s health, only receiving single word answers or silence. Scandalized onlookers watched as the Qing Jing head disciple blatantly disrespected Yue Qingyuan, looking as if he would rather face a horde of Acid-Tongued Ant Lions than be even talk to the other.
“Are you leaving the Peak today?” Yue Qingyuan asked - taking note of how Xiao Jiu was dressed for an off-peak excursion. Because the Imperial Exams were so soon, this month, all disciples of Qing Jing Peak were only available for emergencies only. Even Bai Zhan had ceased its usual raids after having to fight with stressed out, frustrated Qing Jing disciples who transformed into vicious creatures at this time. Yue Qingyuan himself knew that Xiao Jiu had no off-peak obligations - after all, he had aligned his visit to prevent any excuses.
Unless…? Surely Xiao Jiu was not that shameless? To head to the brothel the moment his lover had to leave for a mission, it was…
“I’m going to town,” The look in Xiao Jiu’s eyes challenged the other to reconsider expressing any disapproval of these plans. Despite the other’s unsaid warning, Yue Qingyuan was still unhappy to have his words gone unheeded and so he visibly frowned. In response to such an expression: “Does Shixiong have an issue with this one’s private affairs?”
The issue of Ji Jue had been resolved in a middling, disappointing way. The Bai Zhan cultivator had not been kicked out of the Sect, which was what Luo-shidi and Xian Shu Peak demanded but were denied. For the next decade, he would be under the supervision of two Xian Shu disciples or a repentant Liu-shidi whenever he left the mountain. This scandal had spooked the senior leadership of the Sect and they had become more watchful than ever of their disciples’ involvement in such activities.
Yue Qingyuan had understood Xiao Jiu’s beatdown of Ji Jue as motivated by similar sentiments from whenever Xiao Jiu felt the need to establish his ownership of the best begging spots. As a result, he was disappointed with Xiao Jiu’s decision to continue such activities and Luo-shidi’s allowance of Xiao Jiu’s wrongs.
“I am only asking out of concern for your position in the Sect. Surely you must think of your reputation—“
“My reputation is already quite poor as you already know.”
“There are consequences that even I cannot protect you from—“
“Do not confuse yourself, Shixiong. You as well as I know the ‘value’ of receiving your protection.” Xiao Jiu, tired of the farce that was their conversation, gave a dismissive wave and then left the stunned Yue Qingyuan.
After hearing those words, what could Yue Qingyuan even do but let Xiao Jiu do as he wished?
It was easy to arrange affairs so that Yue Qingyuan would be the first to greet Luo Qingge when he returned from his mission.
“Luo-shidi, how was your mission?”
“It was alright. The townspeople should send a letter to us soon. Thank you for your concern, Yue-shixiong.” If Luo Qingge held any sentiment regarding Yue Qingyuan’s presence before him, he did not show it.
As Yue Qingyuan extended the length of their conversation, purposely filling in small talk and empty inquiries, Luo Qingge continued to maintain an attentive attitude, but eventually he began to show subtle, but still polite signs that he had other places to be.
“Ah, forgive me, Luo-shidi - do you happen to have anything planned at the moment?”
“I do, unfortunately. I made plans to meet with Shen-shixiong in town right after my mission. We should meet for tea sometime later to continue our conversation though.” Luo Binghe’s eyes were knowing, but the Bai Zhan disciple was polite enough to not call Yue Qingyuan out for the delay.
Taking the opportunity to pivot, Yue Qingyuan then asked, “Are you, by chance, aware of what Shen-shidi does in town?”
“One can do many things in town. Can shixiong specify for this one?” Luo Binghe definitely knew, but was purposely choosing to be recalcitrant. Two could play that game, however.
“Are you aware that Shen-shidi still continues to patronize the Red Lotus Pavilion?”
“I am - what about it?” Flippant.
“Unlike Ji Jue, Shen-shidi does not have powerful backers that can defend him from the consequences of his actions. As someone who cares for him—“
Luo Binghe interrupted him, “Shen-shixiong is an adult, not a child to be coddled and controlled.”
“I wasn’t implying that—“
“If you have issues with the reasons behind his actions, you should address those with Shen-shixiong.”
Yue Qingyuan felt frustrated at Luo-shidi’s refusal to work with him. It should be obvious that Xiao Jiu’s reasons for going to the brothel were less than benevolent. Plus the women at this specific brothel were willing to testify against the well-connected Ji Jue. If those women chose to turn against Xiao Jiu—
“You were the one who organized the case against Ji Jue. It reflects badly upon you if you turn a blind eye towards similar behaviors and actions because they are of your friend.”
Before Luo Qingge could respond, a voice cut in - “Could Yue-shixiong elaborate on what similar actions and behaviors I share with Ji Jue?”
How much had Xiao Jiu heard? Pinned between the steely gazes of the other two disciples, Yue Qingyuan felt like a worm. And yet he wanted to win this battle so Xiao Jiu could care about the same things as him.
“We were discussing how your continued patronage of the brothel reflects poorly on Luo-shidi,” It was a bit underhanded to use their friendship, but Yue Qingyuan felt as if there was no other way.
Xiao Jiu stiffened at the remark, but quickly recovered unfortunately and sent an icy riposte back, “It’s his own choice to continue associating with someone like me,” With a dismissive turn of his head, he then called out to the Bai Zhan disciple, “Luo-shidi, carry these groceries. It’s only fair that you take them now since I had to bring them from town.”
As cultivators, the ample groceries were hardly a burden, but without a single protest, Luo-shidi took the bags onto his frame. Yue Qingyuan bitterly noted that Luo-shidi simply followed Xiao Jiu’s lead now that the other was there - giving short and terse bows in farewell, a departure from the Bai Zhan disciple’s usual politeness.
Yue Qingyuan knew that he had failed to save Xiao Jiu from the Qius, but he now felt as if the consequence of his failure - losing his one and only friend - was too weighty. As he watched the two leave, he began to think about his next steps.
Luo Binghe could not help but feel the inklings of an old, long-buried rage stir from his conversation with Yue Qingyuan. Shen Qingqiu would always act with full awareness of the damning consequences. When Luo Binghe returned from the Abyss to enact his revenge, his Shizun was surprised at his miraculous survival but ultimately resigned himself to the consequences. On the other hand, Yue Qingyuan turned a blind eye to his shidi’s abuse of disciples, thinking that coddling Shen Qingqiu would be enough to repair their long-lost relationship.
It was short-sighted of Yue Qingyuan.
Suffering begetting suffering - all because of one man’s inability to tell the truth.
Luo Binghe knew himself to be skilled in hiding his emotions and inner thoughts, but Shen Qingqiu - with the exception of the one in the strange world - had always possessed a strange perceptiveness and awareness of Luo BInghe’s internal self, long before he himself was aware of his own emotional insides.
The one in front of him was no different and could tell that Binghe was unhappy. Unaware of time travel and alternate dimensions, Shen Qingqiu logically concluded that Binghe was troubled by what Yue Qingyuan implied in the previous conversation.
He crawled into Luo Binghe’s bed like a lazy and slinky cat, in familiar sleep robes, after dinner and washing up.
“I’m going to sleep over tonight. Hurry up and get in,” It was a bold declaration on the part of Shen Qingqiu as ironically, for Shen Qingqiu, sex was easier than sleeping with Luo Binghe.
They had tried multiple times, but failed. Exhaustion could not override years of justified paranoia and fear. Even if Binghe fell asleep first, the other could not silence the irrational fear of what dangers could happen if the other woke up before he did. As a result, Shen Qingqiu continued to go to the Red Lotus Pavilion for much-needed rest.
The conversation with Yue Qingyuan had spurred Shen Qingqiu to push himself past these limitations. Hapless before the other’s determination, Luo Binghe could only support Shen Qingqiu even if it meant watching the other repeatedly throw himself against thorns.
He joined the other in his bed.
“Is there anything you want to do before we sleep?”
“… hold me.”
As Binghe wrapped the other into his arms, he whispered into Shen Qingqiu’s hair, “I care for you a lot, you know?” It wouldn’t assuage worries, but Luo Binghe had survived much more than a bruised reputation.