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“Please spare a coin, good master.”
There’s a jiggling cling cling cling present at Shen Qingqiu’s feet, the sound similar to his disciple’s strange gambling games they try to sneak around their dorms. With an air of heavy disinterest, the peak lord peaked over the tip of his fan and glanced down, investigating the noise.
A child, no taller than the cultivator’s knee, holds up a dented pale with three silver coins bouncing around the metal. The sound grinds Shen Qingqiu’s teeth. Taking in the boy’s appearance, his own palms began to sweat. He knows these streets.
He could be no older than four, his clothes tattered and ripped and far too small on this thin body. The shirt sunk in on his hollow stomach, nearly torn in two at the shoulder. Pants, stained with dried blood, dust, and many more germs, hopelessly tied by an old withering ribbon, digging its grimy surface into soft and malnourished skin.
“I’m hungry,” the boy continued, his little hand trembling from the light weight of his pale, “please help me, just a few coins.”
His voice was soft and cracked as if it wasn’t used much, the look in his dull eyes too much to bare as Shen Qingqiu examined at the patterns on his fan. This young boy was far too small to be alone on the streets, begging for the lowest of scraps. Shen Qingqiu knew better, however, to dig into his coin pouch and offer the child a piece of silver.
“Is that so?” The peak lord’s sharp voice took the boy by surprise, immediately shrinking in on himself. “And if I give you a coin and nothing else? Four silver will get you nothing around here, and you’re quite unconvincing when you lie.” The boy tensed at the accusation, watching Shen Qingqiu’s lips curl in a harsh sneer.
“How can I trust you won’t run back to mother and father and pocket my hard-earned coins?” Looking at his appearance again, he doubts the boy even had a family. “Small urchin, find a lowlife to give you handouts.”
His pace was brisk, footing even as he turned the corner, abandoning the child. He hadn’t even agreed to come here. Thanks to that stupid, soft headed sect leader of his, Shen Qingqiu’s mission had been mixed up with Wei Qingwei’s. The idiot was already on his sword and darting off towards the forest before Shen Qingqiu had gotten the issue to Yue Qingyuan. With a look of remorse, there was no other solution but to continue the mission.
Shen Qingqiu will strange them both when he gets back to Cang Qiong mountain.
—
The mission was a mockery of Shen Qingqiu’s real skill.
Beside this hellish village, a pack of rock-tusked mole rats had been tunneling beneath the entire village, causing sink holes out of the blue. It was a quick extermination, really, when his dangerous winds infiltrated the mole rat’s tunnels. He had all but two entrances blocked off, his fan waving in one, and his sword ready to slaughter any beast coming up from the hole at the other.
What a waste of his time.
Despite it’s simplicity, the extraction had taken most of the day and much of Shen Qingqiu’s qi. He would need to rest somewhere quiet and meditate before he even thinks about sword flying.
He could stay in the forest — there was plenty spiritual energy here to secure Shen Qingqiu a safe journey home before he could properly meditate, but he hesitates. There, in the tree lines, Shen Qingqiu looks towards the village with disgust.
It hasn’t changed much, the people still walk by the struggling and helpless as they scurry back home to drink away their work days. The people here had no souls, no principles, no moral code. They wash away their sorrows with wine, punch away their anger using their own kin, turn their nose up at a struggling child who just wanted food.
He could fear his fan’s wood creak softly under the intense grip, relaxing his fingers in an instant.
He had nearly forgotten about the sickly boy. The boy lied through his teeth and approached a Cang Qiong peak lord for a handout. How foolish; did his master ever teach him to approach the vulnerable and weak minded? To endues tears on command? Was he never taught how to pickpocket? How he’s made it so long, Shen Qingqiu doesn’t understand, and he doesn’t wish to dwell on it. That child was not his responsibility, and many like him will die and make room for the next slave.
Shen Qingqiu was perfectly fine with this. After all, what could he do to help the child?
His mind was made up when his fan opened, covering up to his nose, and examined the marketplace. Like hell he’d trust the quality of food here for himself, the smell alone made him want to find a corner and hurl up his morning tea.
However, a poor child cant afford to be picky, and Shen Qingqiu was going out of his way help the pathetic; that child should be kissing his feet.
After a few moments of searching, the peak lord stopped in front of a kabob stand, the smoke invading his nostrils and making him nauseous. Seriously, slop!
He refuses to hold in his grimace as the man hands over one sticky kabob stick, packed full of meat and sauce, and quickly escaped that hellhole.
Perfect, now the esteemed Qing Jing Peak Lord Shen Qingqiu could be seen carrying around fatty foods like a teenager sneaking treats in a run down village he despised. He should’ve been meditating in a forest, not running errand boy.
The street the boy was on previously was empty of beggars, causing the vein in Shen Qingqiu’s head to pop out. If he had done all this for the boy to—
He nearly tipped his lid before hearing the quiet sobs down a crooked alleyway. They seemed highly distressed, coming out in short, panicked breathing. His feet practically hovered over the filthy ground as he approached the first corner, eyes flicking at the sacks of rotting trash.
There, in his ruined clothes, the boy sat crying between a rotting sack of potatoes, and a dead rat that seemed fatter than him.
He took notice of the absent pale, a deep frown painted behind his face. Surely being rejected so many times didn’t cause this reaction, did it? This boy had experienced abuse, could he not take a punch? That’s how one becomes stronger, how to rise above the rest. There was no reason to cry! That is how they win!
The kid’s crying was cut short when a kabob was thrusted in front of him, nearly smacking him on the nose.
“Why are you crying?” The strange green man from before was back, looking angrier. The boy shrank again, looking away from the food.
“It’s nothing.” He sniffled.
“A child crying over nothing?” The man scoffed, “how sad, didn’t your parents ever teach you to regulate your emotions? You’re far too old to be sitting here, crying alone.”
The boy’s face scrunched up, making little fists. “It’s okay to cry!” The boy shouted, eyes puffy. “That’s what mama said before she left! She said crying helps you feel better!” His little chest bounces up and down as if he was out of breath yelling, but his face was defiant.
The man above him did not speak, an eyebrow cocked. The boy choked softly and wiped his eyes with his fists. “.. a man stole my pale.” The confession was quiet, and suddenly he’s rubbing his cheek. Was that bruise always there. “I.. I can’t return back without the silver, I’ll be in trouble!”
“And why is that?” Shen Qingqiu’s voice was prickly as ever, though his eyes soften at the exchange. After a little coaxing, small fingers wrap around the stick as he tried the soft meat. The boy’s eyes brightened, taking another, than another in quick succession.
“Why is that?” The question was repeated after half the kabob was devoured, leaving the boy’s face messy with sauce. He grimaced again.
“Huh?” The boy looked at him with renewed vigor, as if this measly meal was grown and cooked by the finest chiefs in China. The words clicked in his head before the peak lord had to repeat himself once more.
At that, the boy quieted, playing with his fingers. “I’m not allowed to tell you, I could get in trouble.”
“Is that so?”
A nod.
“Hmm,” Shen Qingqiu produced a handkerchief from his sleeve and rubbed the mess off his lips in tight, rough circles, getting every lick of sauce off his sunken cheeks, “alright then. Here.”
From the peak lord’s pouch, he had produced three gold coins and placed them securely in the boy’s palm. His face turned serious.
“Run back home with your hands closed and do not stop until you arrive. You must be faster than those wishing to hurt you, do you understand?”
The boy, now in possession of money he’s never had the chance to handle, looks frightened. Run? Hurt him? The man before him was terrifying, but kind. “Th-Thank you,” the boy breathed a sob, closing his palm with both hands and shoving it against his chest. “And thank you for the food. I promise, I’ll get home!” He can’t fail, can’t get another strike.
For the first time since their meeting, Shen Qingqiu watched the boy move with energy, jumping up from the ground, supporting himself on thin little legs, and ran.
Good, very good. Shen Qingqiu’s good deed of the day, now he can leave with a clear mind and no regrets. He saved a child from one more night of starvation and secured a roof over his head for now.
-
Shen Qingqiu was a mad, evil man, capable of nothing but torturous training and hellish living conditions. While the peak lord lives lavishly amongst the bamboo shoots, bathed in expensive robes and adorning a high quality fans from his vast collection; his disciples were suspected to live in wooden shacks, eat nothing but low-grade plant diet for their line of cultivation. It’s said that he beats and manipulates his young students, warp their minds to become as bastardly as their shizun. Some rumors were far more unpleasant to listen to concerning his female disciples.
Truly the scummiest of villains! After all, why would rumors spread from nothing?
The scummy teacher was currently perched at his desk, knees folded beneath him as his brush danced over the scroll before him.
A month had past since Shen Qingqiu last saw the pathetic beggar scurry off towards false protection, cradling three coins that could safe his life.
It’s not as if the boy crosses his mind often; the life of a peak lord is far too busy to worry about random kid on a passing mission. There were countless children suffering at the hands of man, thousands more were starving, being beaten, abandoned, forgotten. He paid no mind to this knowledge beforehand, it never concerned him, he had no reason to see it happen.
But the boy was so small, so thin and fragile that he’s engraved himself in Shen Qingqiu’s mind. How dare the little beast? Who does he think he is, wiggling about in his thoughts and disrupting this teacher’s peace?
Every time he curled up beneath his heavy blanket, he thinks of a cold, shivering lump on the floor. For every meal he had, no matter how rare, his mind supplies him an image of a sunken stomach and boney fingers.
He sees his own frail face looking back at him from that boy, desperate for the chance to escape, to fly free from the shackles and cultivate immortality. That face, his face, holding out a dented pale. “I’m hungry.” He said, voice flat. “Please, help me.”
The imagery nearly had Shen Qingqiu gagging, a hand covering his mouth as he stares defiantly at his scrolls. That boy was not his problem. Whether he lived or died, there would be no one to mourn.
His door flies open, disciples turning their heads to the ruckus. “Continue your training,” their shizun snapped his fan shut with a harsh clap, baring his teeth. “Anyone unable to complete their tasks will run twenty laps around the mountain’s base.”
The students were quick to turn their attention away, sticking their nose in the next project. Good, Shen Qingqiu huffed, at least they’ve learned that much.
It takes him little time to land at the scruffy village he once knew, keeping his distance. He’s only got himself to be frustrated with the longer he stands there, his feet refusing to move. What was wrong with him? He’s a peak lord, damnit! There was nothing to fear, they should fear him.
He took to the streets with a lazy wave of his wrist, peering from behind his fan. People gawk at his beautiful cultivating clothes and his intimidating aura, keeping their distance as they stare. These people were clearly beneath him, utterly useless in his search.
Every other street he visits, there is a child beggar. They were older than the boy he was looking for, and they were plenty trained in their field. They avoid Shen Qingqiu and instead seek out elderly folk, attempting to take off with stolen goods. They hesitate and back away with one glare from the tall cultivator.
“Stupid brat,” perhaps he should’ve have felt as terrible as he did, because now he couldn’t even locate the one kid he came for. Was he kicked out of his home, or left to die in the streets. A pause in his steps. The chances the boy was even alive seem slim, based purely on age and physical advantages. Had he been raised alongside Shen Qingqiu himself, the boy would’ve certainly perished.
“Excuse me, sir.”
His head jerked downward at the tug of his robes, bristling. Who dares? They have a death wish; do they not understand this robe costs more than their life?
“Thank you.” Shen Qingqiu paused, contemplating his next option. There, at his feet, was the boy he had searched hours for, looking worse for wear. Cuts and bruises litter his thin body, left in nothing but torn pants that emphasized his starving state. He was worse off after all, but at least he was alive. Dull eyes stare up at him, waiting.
“Why are you thanking me?” Shen Qingqiu gently tugged his robe away from little dirty hands with foreign indifference. “I did nothing.”
“But I remember you,” the boy continued in his soft tone, “you gave me coins and food, remember?” There’s a hint of desperation in his voice, as if he was afraid Shen Qingqiu forgot about him completely. Little did this brat know.
“Hm, I suppose I do remember such an act of kindness.” The closed fan tapped against his chin, the corners of his lips twitching when he saw the boy’s bright smile. He had to stop himself from grabbing the boy’s cheeks to get a better look.
He nearly had no teeth! The few he did have were baby teeth, rotting out of his gums and hanging by a thread. He had realized it sooner, the child talked so softly he deemed it a quirk. “Why are you bruised?” The cultivator grabbed the boy’s arm, maneuvering it. “Did that man beat you and steal your coins again?”
The child stiffened at the contact, eyes wide with panic. “N-No! No one stole from me again, I swear! I even returned to the house with your coins, good master!” Terrified, he tried to bow, tugging his little arm this way and that.
“Why are you trembling?” He snapped softly. “I’m not going to hurt you, but it’s clear something else had.” Someone else, most likely the cruel man keeping the boy. He didn’t receive an answer.
“What is your name, boy?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know your own name? Did you not mention a mother?” A sneer.
“I don’t remember.” The child answered truthfully, staring at his own feet. Pathetic. Does this boy understand he looks weak? Perhaps this is why he’s beaten, hanging his head low like a pup instead of baring his teeth like a wolf.
“Is there anyone here that would miss you?” He asked instead, surprised to hear a soft chuckle from the younger. “No one would miss me.” So self deprecating, aware of his status in society.
He’ll regret this.
“You, come with me.” Shen Qingqiu stood straight, suddenly as regal as the day he ascended as peak lord. “I want to show you something.”
Startled, the boy looked up to him. Confusion flicking in his eyes. After all, Shen Qingqiu was still a strange man who only fed and paid him, a young Shen Qingqiu would’ve kept his guard up and attacked the hand that fed him. This boy seemed intend on sticking to his legs, however, and refused to stray too far. How has this child not been kidnapped yet? Do not trust adults so easily, foolish!!
They headed to the edge of the nearby forest and the boy seemed to come to his senses. “There is nothing to be afraid of,” Shen Qingqiu huffed, showing the boy to his sword. “If something out here wished to hurt you, it would’ve. Come with me, or run back towards the abandoned shed you call home and slave away for scraps.” Like hell he’d wait for this kid.
Shen Qingqiu steps on the sword first and levels the child with a glare, watching for any sudden reaction.
With much hesitation and little encouragement, bare feet delicately find their place on the sword, his body trembling like a leaf. “Try not to cut yourself.”
The sword flung itself in the air, whipping past the wind as the duo soar through the sky. He feels little arms wrap themselves around his leg and hold on for dear life, and he makes no actions against it. He glanced downward, eyebrow lifted. While clearly terrified, the boy’s eyes were wide as two moons, flicking this way and that to take in the beautiful scenery. Even tangled hair looked elegant and refied as it flapped wildly in the wind. He’ll need to draw a bath for the young boy, he couldn’t walk around the peak like some little mongrel.
-
Luckily for them, the courtyard was empty when Qing Jing’s Peak Lord landed with a new child in tow. He herded the boy, who was jumping around after the flight, right into the bamboo house.
“I won’t have you walking around my house like a filthy mouse,” a hand on the boy’s shoulder corrected his angle, guiding him to the bathing chambers. The room was small and quaint, a single, large tub planted in the middle. It was luxurious, the peak lord would rather be caught dead than bath in the springs on the mountains — who could trust the world not to storm in and take everything Shen Qingqiu had ever accomplished while he was vulnerable?
The boy didn’t move from his spot, watching the tall man practically fly around the room, setting different bottles at the tub’s edge. “I will have a disciple come in and full the tub with warm water. Come here,” in the meantime, he lead the small boy over behind a changing screen, pushing him on a stool and examining his face. The small boy could hear someone else shuffling about, talking to his ‘shizun’, before making his exit.
The man stood and left the boy alone for just a moment, coming back with a small pale and fresh clothes. “Wipe yourself clean, scrub the dirt and undress. Bathe until there isn’t a spec of filth left on you.” The order was given in a harsh tone before this ‘shizun’ turned heels and stalked out of his own bathing chambers.
Qing Jing Peak was no longer taking visitors. Their peak lord directed his disciples to reject anyone who stepped room on the mountain, or into his home, and gave them strict orders to make sure no one entered. Shen Qingqiu had been kneeling at the table for an incense time, the brush sturdy in his grip. There were few people who would visit his peak, fewer who would fight their way to speak to him. However, with a child in his chambers, unknowing of the true cruelty of the world, he couldn’t risk giving him a fright. Who knows what they made the boy do; was he also scared of men? He wasn’t frightened of Shen Qingqiu.
There was only one man who could truly disrupt his peace — Yue Qingyuan. The soft-brained sect leader comes by far too often as it was, and his disciples were too cowardice to truly chase the man off.
“.. Gege?” The call from chambers jolted him from concentration, scoffing at the address. He’ll need to correct that, he was most certainly no one’s gege.
Upon entering, he noticed the slick floor first, dirty water tossed about at the edge of the tub. The boy stood just in front, nude and confused, holding his old pants before him. “I don’t know what to wear.” He murmured.
Good heavens, were children this messy? Did he play in the damn water? One good look shows the boy was clean, any traces of grim wiped clean off.
Luckily, when the disciple had come in to fill the water, he had also left a student’s uniform in their smallest size. Shen Qingqiu examined it and realized even that was too large for the boy. “Hm, you’ll try off and wear this for now, where is the cloth I gave you?”
“I used it.” Right alongside his pants, the boy held up the sopping cloth, cocking his head to the side.
Right.
“Tsk, come here.” He pulled a spare cloth from a flush cabinet in the wall, gesturing the boy close. He began with the hair, crouching down to avoid breaking his back, obviously.
The boy was quiet for the most part, unmoving as his little body was pushed and pulled around, patting dry every part of him. Shen Qingqiu took notice that his bruises and cuts did not stop on arms and legs, but completely covered the boy. Even his bare behind as rashes, like he had fallen and scrapped himself terribly on concrete or brick. His back was covered in lash strikes, barely healed and infected.
“Why did you not inform me of these?” The peak lord snapped, ceasing his movements to brush against the marks. How did this boy not cry and scream out? He was too young to have any sort of pain tolerance, no less to whip lashes. “Who beat you like this?”
The child tried to wiggle away, damp hair hitting Shen Qingqiu’s cheek as he shook his head. “It was the master of the house! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I can’t feel it anymore, I didn’t know I had to tell you.”
“It doesn’t hurt?” Bullshit. He pressed the cloth against infected skin, and the boy cried out, jerking away. “I thought it didn’t hurt.” Another poke, another escape attempt. “Keep still, you’ll open them back up with your wiggling.”
He hates the idea entirely, but there is a good chance he’ll reopen wounds and this infection will kill the boy, all of Shen Qingqiu’s efforts will not go to waste because some snot nosed child decided to die under his strict care.
“You’re dry now, dress in those robes and go settle in.” He lifted himself back up his feet, watching as the boy scampered away towards the robes. He couldn’t trust his rowdy disciples to watch over him while he fetched the doctor, so with blunt instruction, he sent Ming Fan to retrieve Mu Qingfang.
At the very least, the boy was good at instructions. He was dressed in junior disciple robes that swallow his body, leaving him looking like a messy blob of cloth. Maybe commissioning a few sizes smaller would be the best course of actions. He’ll have plenty more growing to do before he could join the other disciples as their piers, Shen Qingqiu will just need to co-exist for now before he could kick him to the dorms.
“Gege.” The boy addressed him again, and Shen Qingqiu could feel his heart thump loudly against his ribcage. What a stupid address, he needs to nip it in the bud.
“You need a name.” Shen Qingqiu settled across from him, hands folded over themselves. The child looked indifferent at the news, picking at his nails nervously. “I don’t know what to call myself.”
“What did they call you at your home?”
The boy paused, thinking the question over. “Nothing.” He shook his head. He had always responded to ‘boy’, ‘trash’, and many other degrading names.
“Nothing is unacceptable,” the damn kid at least deserved a name. “You’ll be known as Shen Yuan, and from here forth, we are now biological kin.”
Could he do that? No. Would anyone dare stop him? No. Shen Yuan’s eyes widened further, giddy at the prospect. A family name, a family. “Why are we kin?” He asked, leaning forward on the table.
“Because I declared it such. I went through the hassle of flying, bathing, and supplying you with clothes. If anyone were to ask, you are my kin.”
“Like.. brothers?” There was a strange glistening of hope in the boy’s eyes, as if being a brother held more impact than father or mother. Did the boy often dream of having a brother? Or had he had one already, but lost him to slavery? Shen Qingqiu doesn’t know, and he doesn’t intend to pry just yet.
“Brothers? Nonsense, I could be your father.” The boy deflated momentarily before excitement practically radiated off him in waves. Shen Qingqiu suddenly remembers that Shen Yuan may only be four years of age, and all that explosive energy may need to be redirected before the kid hurts himself.
There’s a knock at the door that leaves both Shen’s paralyzed for a heartbeat, Shen Qingqiu recovers quickly and calls out to their visitor.
He watches Shen Yuan visible curl in on himself as Mu Qingfang enters their space with a large bag, setting it close to their table. “Shen-shixiong.” The healer greeted before settling his attention on Shen Yuan, softening his features.
“I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you before, may I get your name?”
“There is nothing to note about his name,” Shen Qingqiu snapped. “Check over his scarring and treat his wounds.”
Both Mu Qingfang and Shen Yuan stare openly at Shen Qingqiu before the healer got to work, kneeling beside the boy. “May I take a look?” He gestured to the boy’s robes, who opened them easily enough. Shen Qingqiu tried not to think too heavily on that.
Mu Qingfang had no outward reactions to the injuries that litter Shen Yuan’s body and instead pulled out a small jar. “This will ensure the swelling and redness will disappear. As for his back, he’ll need medicine spread across the injuries twice a day and plenty of bedrest. Any rough movement and these wounds will open again.” He pats the boy’s head, gesturing he close his robes. “If Shen-shixiong agrees, I can take the boy back to my peak and keep watch over his condition—“
“No. Leave everything he needs and written instructions on how to properly treat each wound. Then take your leave. You’ll tell no one else about what you’ve seen.”
Coming from Shen Qingqiu, that sentence alone was a threat on Mu QIngfang’s life, quick to agree to the conditions. With a little piece of paper and a brush supplied by the man himself, Mu Qingfang emptied his satchel and scurried out.
Shen Yuan’s little hand ran up and down the sleeve of his robe, glancing at the variety of medication laid before them. He knew nothing of what it did, no prior knowledge on how to care for himself.
“That man was Mu-shidi.” Shen Yuan perked up at his words. “I trust he will look after you when he visits. Now, do you know how to use ointment?” A shake of the head. “Can you read?” Another shake. Heavens, is he going to do everything? At least his students can read and their calligraphy was legible. But to teach it from the ground up? This boy was already more trouble than it was worth.
That night, Shen Qingqiu had no other choice but to let the little mongrel occupy his bed awhile he continued his meditation elsewhere. After a long day, once the sun settled, Shen Yuan had fallen asleep where he sat after an entire afternoon of simple reading lessons. The weight of the child was nothing in Shen Qingqiu’s arms, lighter than a feather as he pulled off his robes, carefully flipping him onto his belly. With the ointment in hand, delicate fingers brush against inflamed skin, ghosting across the wounds imbedded deep. The little body was covered in old scars that ruin the sanctuary of his body, nasty and warped. With the treatment done, he was careful to wrap everything in fresh bandages, securing it tight and making his exit.
It wasn’t often Shen Qingfang forgone sleep in favor of work — there was no need and he valued his personal time — correcting worksheets and planning the week’s itinerary. He won’t be spending much time with his students this time around, though he’s sure none of them would protest, so they’ll learn to regulate their own schedules and complete the tasks without assistance.
Nights on Qing Jing Peak were always serene, the soft taps of rustling together, the nightly critters singing their songs to the stars dipped into the sky. Shen Qingqiu kept the window open at his desk to allow the fresh breeze to expel the day’s stress and lavish in night’s calm.
Well, it would be calm, if Shen Qingqiu could concentrate. For every stroke of his brush, he was distracted by a muffled, wheezing sound. The sound was pitiful and short lived, but the man could hear every sharp breath, every poor attempt at secrecy.
The moon was directly overhead when Shen Qingqiu finally lost his patience. His brush slammed against his desk, creaking loudly under his deathly grip. “Ungrateful little beast, keeping this one distracted.” His trip was short, tossing the door open. It made the softest swish.
Maybe he had been expecting the boy to be awake in the bed and crying his heart out, or perhaps foreign sleep to try and trick Shen Qingqiu. But as the man approached, he noticed the slow rise and fall of his body, undisturbed by his presence. How peculiar.
The miserable babble was sleep induced, weeping as his little fingers curl around Shen Qingqiu’s pillow. Ah, a nightmare then. With a short history like his, he doubts the child had any dreams to begin with, but now he had to deal with some night terrors? Shen Yuan should learn to fight against them, overpower the dream state and come out victorious. How can he lead a peak if he couldn’t even escape his own mind?
For every second that passed, Shen Qingqiu’s frustration steadily grew. This boy had no spacial awareness, no means to free himself from the terrors, and now he’s ruining the pillow with his woeful tears. Having enough of this lackluster performance, Shen Qingqiu arranged the boy onto his back before propping him up against his chest. Apparently he was a heavy sleeper, as Shen Yuan had not once shifted in his arms.
Puny little devil, at least he had bathed first, otherwise Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t touch him with his winds. The two trailed back towards his work desk, arranging Shen Yuan in his lap while the peak lord settled back into his work. The gentle wind brushes against the boy’s soft hair, tussling them about, framing the baby fat against his cheeks.
The boy was unfairly adorable, objectively speaking. Most children were dirty rats that needed distance, but Shen Yuan wasn’t. This boy was kin now, which made him the loveliest of them all. The pitiful whimpers died down as the tiny body fell limp with proper sleep.
How unfair, truly unfair.
—
Something as precious as Shen Yuan should not exist.
It’s been four months since Shen Qingqiu had plucked a little rat off the streets and sheltered it within his own home. Reasonably, Shen Qingqiu had expected the entire ordeal to cause an early qi deviation and cause him to kick the child back to the streets. Children were disease ridden rodents that disrupted one’s piece with their obnoxious cries and demands.
Well, it may be true for every other child, but not Shen Yuan. The little creature was complicated, yet so open. Housing with a strange man had not been an issue for the boy, as he quickly got comfortable around Shen Qingqiu enough to request small treats here and there. After learning about the boys illiteracy, Shen Qingqiu made sure to devote time every morning to practice copying poetry. The strokes were tentative and unstable, one of the ugliest things he’s ever seen, and yet the first poem written was tucked carefully in his library, hidden amongst the world’s greatest authors.
Shen Yuan also wishes to have a purpose that Shen Qingqiu could not always provide. He began learning basic life skills as he joins the peak lord in morning tidy ups, learns the proper way to boil and serve tea, takes a particular interests in the bestiaries novels in Shen Qingqiu’s collection. So much so that he often asked the man for a quill and paper before tracing the sketch on the book. Those, too, are in careful storage.
There are times where Shen Yuan stands by the windows and looks to the scenery, listening to the distance children practicing their forms. His eyes, a emerald green compared to the earlier dull, admire every insect that fluttered into view, or the rabbits that leap through the yard, chewing on the peak’s wild flowers. Shen Qingqiu never allows Shen Yuan to venture too far outside without his watchful eye, never letting him peak out the window after a certain time, always dotting on the young boy.
But the boy was grateful, and Shen Qingqiu was quite proud of himself. No longer was Shen Yuan feeble and unsteady, but in fact was gaining fat and muscle back on his bones. Three hearty meals a day were supplied by a disciple and each was calculated with Shen Yuan’s taste. Whatever he refused to eat, Shen Qingqiu had tossed out. Whatever the boy devoured was supplied at least twice a week.
It’s not if he favored the boy, but build him up to be a strong cultivator, if only to get him out of his home. The four months had been nothing but bliss for Qing Jing Peak, their shizun’s tempter had lessened just a bit, finding himself busier.
But good things must come to an end, and the world has always been cruel to Shen Qingqiu.
Shen Yuan was resting in Shen Qingqiu’s lap, leaning over the table as he sketched out the next monster he had read about. Shen Qingqiu made plenty of room for the boy to work as he lazily flipped the next page of his book, finger tapping against his tea glass. He had just taught Shen Yuan how to control the flow of ink from his brush, using his gege’s lap as encouragement to keep the ink on the paper.
Knock.
It was a simple knock, not enough force to round demanding, almost quiet enough to miss it. The boy clearly missed the noise, but Shen Qingqiu’s face fell into a scowl. He avoided the rest of his sect siblings for this long, it was only a matter of time before one finally slipped through to bother them.
“Shen Yuan,” he carded his fingers through his hair, sighing pointedly through his nose, “please go into the bedroom and do not leave until I come to get you.”
Luckily, Shen Yuan never asked questions, peering back at the peak lord before retreating toward the back. Listening to the soft click of the door, Shen Qingqiu expanded his fan and growl.
“Enter.”
To no one’s surprise, Yue Qingyuan found himself kneeling at Shen Qingqiu’s table, the tea cups too little for his larger hands.
“Shen-shidi, have you been well these past months?”
The sect leader watched the disinterest in the other’s eyes, fluttering his fan in smooth motions. “This shidi is well. Is there a reason Zhangmen-shixiong decided to visit?”
He had every right to be suspicious of this man, for he held no honorable bone in his body. He folds at every whim, turns his eyes to injustice, allows himself to be humiliated and hurt only to crawl back like a broken dog begging for praise.
“It’s unlike Shen-shidi to suddenly rush into seclusion without so much as a letter, and your disciples have informed many sect siblings that your peak is unavailable at the moment.” The leader’s finger twitched, the long and elegant finger tracing the patterns of the wood. “I worry something had happened, so I came over to.. ease anxieties.”
The ‘sad sect leader’ act did little to move Shen Qingqiu’s heart. He wished this man would leave his peak and not return for another four months. “As stated previously, this one is fine. There is no need for this ‘concern’, you are free to leave.” Leave and don’t return, do not look back. He is quite skilled in that aspect.
“Shen-shidi, you must understand you cannot go into seclusion again without notice. I have covered many missions on your behalf, I’m just worried—“
“Worried? Worried I’ll stain Cang Qiong’s reputation with my viperous secrets?”
“Of course not, but—“
“But nothing, I’m giving notice now. I will continue my seclusion and request no one bother me.”
The conversation came to a screeching halt when a heavy thump reverberated through the home. Both men freeze, cups clutched in their hands. Yue Qingyuan was the first to stand, hand on his blade. “Shidi, get behind me, there is an intruder on Qing Jing peak.” His feature were fierce, ready to slaughter whomever dared harm anything of Xiao-Jiu’s.
Shen Qingqiu struck Yue Qingyuan’s hand with his fan, growling. “There is no intruder here. Clearly the wind has knocked something in my chambers, I must’ve misplaced it. You’re free to leave now, Zhangmen-shixiong.” He had no time to play host anymore, not when Shen Yuan could be hurt or kidnapped or worse.
The peak lord paid no attention to Yue Qingyuan as he tossed open his door, frantically searching. Shen Yuan looked up to Shen Qingqiu with a guilty expression and unshed tears, sitting on the floor. “Gege, I’m sorry.” An antique vase had fallen from one of the display shelves, shattering on the floor. It must've struck Shen Yuan. Blood was seeming from his forehead, staining his eyes and teeth red. His feet and hands weren’t much better.
“Clumsy child,” Shen Qingqiu hissed before entering the room, pulling Shen Yuan up from the floor and onto the edge of his bed. “Who told you to mess around with my things? I ask you to stay put and you injure yourself.” The boy, in the mist of his panic, must’ve run across the glass, cutting through his slippers and slicing open his feet. His palms bare tiny cuts from plucking glass free from his foot, and the gash on his forehead didn’t fair either. “I cannot trust A-Yuan alone it seems, he’s made a mess of himself.”
“I didn’t mean to, Jiu-ge.” The boy cried, rubbing his fist across his eyes and smearing the blood. Each piece of glass was carefully extracted from his little foot, using small amounts of spiritual energy to flow the constant blood flow. Too much spiritual energy could cause the boy internal issues down the line, best to use more as he ages.
The two worked in silence filled only by pitiful sniffles.
“Xiao-Jiu?”
Shen Qingqiu squeezed the small arm in his hand at the address, sharp eyes drilling into him. Shen Yuan squeaked softly.
Yue Qingyuan stared wide eyed at Shen Yuan, hand still gripping his sword. A random boy was in his shidi’s home, covered in blood and crying, and Shen Qingqiu was caring for it personally? “Did I not tell you to scram!” Shen Yuan flinched away at the sudden boom in his gege’s voice, eyes squeezing shut.
“Apologies, shidi, I only wanted to ensure your safety.”
His safety? What about his Shen Yuan’s? If one person knows, the entire world will hear about it yesterday. Mu Qingfang was the exception, how dare Yue Qingyuan take the choice away from them?
“If you are just standing there, grab me bandages, now.” Shen Qingqiu snapped like a rabid dog, squaring his shoulders. Once the sect leader was out of sight, Shen Yuan gently tapped Shen Qingqiu’s arm. “It hurts.” He murmured, gesturing to the mad grip on his wounded arm.
Shen Qingqiu dropped it like a rock before going back to his gentler approach. “I’m sorry you had to see that man, A-Yuan.” Back to speaking plainly, it seems. “That man is not important and will not bother us further. Let Jiu-ge do the talking, do not look or speak to him.”
Yue Qingyuan occupied himself with clearing up the vase and scrubbing the blood off the floors as Shen Qingqiu cleaned every cut and dressed it with proper care, pulling him up further on the bed and away from the large man in the room.
He shoved him back into the sitting area, voice dripping with distain. “If you tell anyone about him, I will kill you myself.” He was a selfish, awful man. His precious A-Yuan was his alone. Only he could experience the joy of his smile, the euphoria of his laughter, the brilliant look in his eyes. Shen Yuan was his kin, his brother, his life, and Shen Qingqiu will kill to protect what he has claimed.
Yue Qingyuan kept his hands up, standing his ground even as the other stalked him. “I would never dishonor you, Shen-shidi, but where did you find that child? Surely we can speak properly on this topic, there’s no need to rush this.”
“You have three seconds before I slit your throat, Sect Leader Yue.” His fingers brush against the sharp edge of his dagger, hidden deep within sleeve. It was always good to prepare for back up in tricky situations, and he had used it many times before.
Not willing to risk a violent confrontation, Yue Qingyuan took his leave after one last pitiful look towards Shen Qingqiu’s personal quarters. The man was daft-headed, nothing short of a follower. He should’ve killed him, sworn him into secrecy. If Shen Yuan’s existence comes to light, the world will rain hellfire upon the boy.
Shen Yuan hadn’t moved an inch from his spot, picking at his fresh bandages and tying to readjust them. “Enough of that.” His fan gently swatted at his hands. “Your Jiu-ge apologies for letting a stranger through. Do not worry, he won’t be coming back again.” Whatever needs to be done, he’d ensure no one else could step foot in this hut unless strictly approved.
Shen Yuan turned towards time, pinching those small brows together. “But,” pause, “he seems nice, gege, why can’t he come over?”
An innocent question from a child who knew nothing. “He may seem nice, but that man is a traitorous mule. That man has little pride, little honor, and no integrity. Believe me, A-Yuan, Those men are monsters best kept away from.”
Shen Qingqiu could see the realization burning behind his eyes. After all, a child on the streets must’ve met many people just as he described. He knows the sort of threat they pose, surely he’d heed his gege’s warning and keep away from untrustworthy dimwits.
Despite the intrusion, both brothers continued their routine. Shen Yuan was carried from room to room to avoid opening his wounds any further, and placing him by his desk. With the disciples dinner time came the boy’s window hour. Thanks to the wide circle frame, he was able to see most of the yard. He could see the bits of earth torn up from rough housing and the sky illuminating colors Shen Yuan couldn’t even begin to imagine.
Shen Qingqiu stood behind him, silence eloping the bamboo house. Shen Yuan took in the scenery, Shen Qingqiu could not look away from Shen Yuan.
Two peak lords now knew of his existence, meaning there was only a matter of time before the entire sect themselves come clamoring about to see him. He contemplated murder on the two sect brothers to keep their mouths shut. Unfortunately, it would just put a larger target on Qing Jing Peak. He’ll have to deal with the obstacles as they arrive with as little bloodshed possible.
Plans of manslaughter were resurfacing with another sturdy knock.
Three days and the buffoon decided strangulation was his choice of death. Shen Yuan was already tucked into bed for a short afternoon nap so there was little worry for another incident.
“Enter.”
Yue Qingyuan’s approach was slow and calculated. Shen Qingqiu felt it right to compare a mouse climbing in the lap of a rabid alley cat. “Zhangmen-shixiong, I believed I informed you of my extended seclusion. Why, then, are you back?” The worst man is a persistent man, the men who attempt to butter up their victims before spitting acid down their throats before ripping out their spleens and tossing them aside.
“For the boy,” the sect leader placed a small sack on top the table, “it’s not much. I hope you don’t mind, most are candies and sweets from the marketplace.”
“The boy does not have teeth equip to stuff down your garbage, take it out of here.”
Both stilled at the confession as Qing Jing’s teacher cursed beneath his breath. “The child has no teeth?” Yue Qingyuan enquired further. “Allow this Qi-ge to assist you, raising a child alone is no easy matter.”
“Does Zhangmen-shixiong think me incapable?” The accusation cut clear between them, burning eyes stare through Yue Qingyuan’s soul. “Do you thin the child is in danger?”
“Of course not, Xiao-jiu—“
“Don’t call me that! Take your waste and leave my peak. Do not return here unless the mountains have erupted in flames!” His limit was long surpassed, unable to take this sad puppy act any longer. How dare he act feeble in front of him? How dare he act like the victim.
“Jiu-ge?” In the mist of their argument, Shen Qingqiu had not been able to hear the pattering of little feet approaching them, feeling his stomach drop. Shen Yuan’s hair was a mess after his nap, dragging one of his pillows across the floor. The boy, however, was looking straight at Yue Qingyuan. His body stiffens, gripping the pillow in front of him, but the other simply smiled and crouched closer to the floor, his face soft and serene.
“What is it, A-Yuan?” Shen Qingqiu’s fan fluttered in front of him, as if the motion was hiding the complete panic his body was experiencing. But Shen Yuan did not look his way, his curiosity set. How dare this boy ignore him! Shen Qingqiu rescued him, fed him, saved him! Pay no mind to that idiot on the floor, come to your Jiu-ge!
“I didn’t mean to disturb you, little one.” The tall man’s voice washed over the young boy in waves, soft and comforting. Shen Yuan let out a giddy snicker, waving towards him. “It’s okay! I was awake anyways!”
After getting his fill of questions, Shen Yuan turned to his brother and began to crawl in his lap, his fattening cheek resting against his chest. Shen Qingqiu’s hand began to pet through his hair on instinct. “I heard Jiu-ge yelling and I got worried.” The head against his chest shifted back to the other. “But gege, he doesn’t seem mean. Are you sure he’s a mule?”
The sect leader looks taken aback, confusion painting his features as Shen Qingqiu held in his laugh. “A mule indeed, my A-Yuan. Nevertheless, this mule has brought treats as a peace offering.” Scowling, Shen Qinqiu gestured Yue Qingyuan closer, the man’s excitement infecting the boy in his lap.
He held Shen Yuan’s hand out and the bag of sweets was placed with care. “A-Yuan, is it? There are soft treats in there to avoid hurting your teeth, but this Yue-gege will find more to your liking.”
“Thank you, Yue-gege.” The boy lifted himself off Jiu-ge’s chest and offered his little bow, pulling the sack close to his chest. Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help the pang of jealousy that overtook him. Yue Qingyuan wasn’t low enough to take the affections of his little brother, was he? Was this some sort of bribery? “Zhangmen-shixiong—“
“Can Yue-gege stay for dinner?” Shen Yuan pipes up in the rare intense he interrupts his brother. He shifts in the man’s lap, jerking his head up and looking at his brother. From an outside perspective, the interaction was completely silly.. Shen Yuan staring defiantly at Shen Qingqiu’s exasperated expression, the boy’s bottom lip poking out and his chest pushed toward for intimidation. Shen Qingqiu pressed a fan against the boy’s forehead and gently pushed it away.
“A-Yuan is getting mouthy I see, I’ll need to correct that. Zhangmen-shixiong can stay for dinner, but he will leave after his last bite.” Playtime was over when the address came to Yue Qingyuan himself. “He will not overstay his welcome.”
It was hard to win an argument against a four year old. The rules have always flexed themselves around Shen Yuan, wiggling through the fine print and finding his own loophole to worm into Shen Qingqiu’s heart to do his bidding. Evil child, demonic child. He must know the power he has over his poor gege, because the said four year old sat happily at the table, piling in mouthful after mouthful of rich chicken stew with a side of bamboo shoots. On one end, Shen Qingqiu picks at his rice, staring at Yue Qingyuan across the table.
Unfortunately for him, the idiot wasn’t paying attention to him. Instead, he was chatting with his Shen Yuan, asking about his day to day activities. His brother clearly enjoyed the extra attention, babbling on about his drawings and practice scrolls.
“Jiu-ge has the prettiest characters—”
“Don’t speak with your mouth full.”
“— and paints the prettiest mountain ranges! I’ve been practicing everyday to become as good as Jiu-ge!” Shen Yuan bright smile blinded Shen Qingqiu’s senses, holding his fan up to block the sunny rays of joy. “Imbecilic brat, stop flattering me and finish your food. You, don’t encourage him to speak with food in his mouth.”
If the snarky peak lord’s cheeks pinked at his brother’s praise, neither informed him as they continued with their dinner.
Shen Yuan was in charge of pulling together the dirty dishes and leaving them by the door for a disciple to handle, plucking the bowls and cups from the table in a balancing act towards the door. Proper sword forms would improve his balance, though the healing cuts on his feet aren’t much help.
“He’s a brilliant child.” Yue Qingyuan murmured in their newfound silence, his eyes were impossibly fond as he watched the boy crouch and carefully place the dirty stack by the door. For a simple task, he sure looked proud. “I don’t need your approval, of course he’s brilliant. He’s smarter than my disciples combined.”
With time, his little brother could become a powerful peak lord, standing side by side with Shen Qingqiu. He wants Shen Yuan to experience the world alongside him, wishes to take him on hunts to see the beasts he fawns over in his books, to show him the lovely flowers that grow exclusively by streams of spiritual qi. Finally, Shen Qingqiu will have someone he could trust indefinitely, who would adore him for him, and not one twisted version in his head.
“I did inform you of your last bite.” His fan rested against the table, fingers curling around it. “If you are trying to manipulate my brother’s affection, it will not work. It cannot be bought with sweets and candies, and it certainly won’t be bought by the likes of you.”
“Yue-gege!” There was hardly time for Yue Qingyuan to foreign his sad puppy act before Shen Yuan ran straight towards him. The bandages on his feet caused the young boy to trip over his own footing. Shen Qingqiu’s body flinched violently, ready to dive forward when the sect leader gathered Shen Yuan in his arms, looking him over. “You must be careful, A-Yuan, running indoors could get you into trouble.”
Being placed back on his feet, Shen Yuan could only nod. “Apologies, Jiu-ge! Yue-gege,” little hands wrap themselves around Yue Qingyuan’s fingers and the man has to stop his chest from bursting open. “I want to show you my drawings! Jiu-ge has them all saved in the library.”
“I’m afraid I need to attend an important meeting,” it was clear Shen Yuan didn’t understand, frowning, “but worry not. If it’s alright with your Jiu-ge, I’d love to come visit again.”
Bullseye. That was the plan, what a tricky little bastard. Shen Qingqiu couldn’t even scare the man off, too busy lightening Shen Yuan’s mood. “Hm. Yue-gege will need to send a letter in advance to his meetings. If he can remind respectful, he can visit A-Yuan.” He already anticipates throwing each one out as they came, but there as so much optimism within those green eyes that maybe.. a visit or two a month will not kill Shen Qingqiu.
—
It was agreed upon, and Yue Qingyuan made himself right at home. Clearly.
Even with the warnings in mind, Shen Yuan warmed up to Yue Qingyuan quickly. In fact, it was nearly unfair how the two bonded so quickly. The presents were surely some manipulation tactic on his poor brother — from sweets to new robes, to even the boy’s first sword. It was dull and lightweight, closer to a training sword than a cultivators weapon, but Shen Qingqiu will not be outshined.
Presents were quickly banned from the home — unless they were from him — but Shen Yuan hardly noticed the difference. He pays no mind to the sect leader’s empty hands, only dragging him over towards Shen Qingqiu to talk about the next monster of his book, pages among pages of beast sketches. The line weight was improving significantly and no longer did the ink bleed off the paper.
Shen Qingqiu doesn’t mind as much as he previously thought. Three months had come and gone, and with the addition of his sweet little brother also came with his traitorous Zhangmen-shixiong who doesn’t understand what ‘fuck off’ really means.
While presents have stopped for Shen Yuan, Yue Qingyuan often ends up sneaking presents for the peak lord himself, namely a brand new fan. The ivory wood paired beautifully with the swaying bamboo, charming cranes flying overhead. He hated it. It was kept secure in his collection of fans.
“Alright, A-Yuan, you’ll need to hold onto me tightly, understood? If you fall, I’ll let the beasts below have you.”
For the first time since his rescue, Shen Yuan was leaving the bamboo house. The boy had pleaded, begged, cried to see waterfalls and meadows. He wanted to race in the waters and pet the fuzzy little creatures that hid beneath rocks. Shen Qingqiu’s walls had crumbled after the nth pity party. The outside world was too dangerous for Shen Yuan alone, but Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan were more than enough to protect the child.
It was early morning when they chose to leave Qing Jing Peak. Shen Yuan was placed in front of Shen Qingqiu, arms secured tightly around one of his brother’s leg. It seems with proper care and nutrition, the boy had grown, now half way to his hip. “Isn’t it lovely, A-Yuan?” Yue Qingyuan took to flying just below them, angled perfectly to speak directly to the boy. “Your Jiu-ge has a very special place for us to visit. As you grow older into your disciple years, trips such as these will become frequent and plentiful.”
“Really?” Shen Yuan’s eyes crinkle. “I can’t wait! Jiu-ge said we’ll go on plenty of trips when I’m older, Yue-gege will need to join us!”
A smile dances on the sect leader’s lips, looking forward. “What a lovely thought, A-Yuan.”
Just behind them, Shen Yuan watched the sun slowly raising in the east, illuminating the sky with unfathomable orange and yellows, a beautiful bright blue that stretched far and beyond. He giggles and grips tighter.
Shen Qingqiu rested his hand over Shen Yuan’s eyes as the trio took to landing, insisting the area was so magnificent that the boy may struggle to breathe. The description left the boy a little nervous — a struggle to breathe? — but he put up no fight, stepping off the sword and waited wither baited breath. “When I remove my hand, A-Yuan will stay close to Jiu-ge and Yue-gege, is that clear? There will be no wandering towards strange beasts, man or not, or we will head back to Qing Jing Peak and you will not step out until your disciple years.”
“Yes, Jiu-ge!”
“Fine then.”
The ground beneath him felt a little squishy as different aromas invaded his nostrils. Slowly, the hand pulled away, allowing his eyes time to adjust to their new environment.
The child’s jaw slacked, gripping the front of his robes in an attempt to regulate his emotions.
Shen Qingqiu had led the trio to a marshland surrounded by mountains that kiss the tip of the sky. The grass beneath his boots were squishy and wet, showing off their brilliant green even prettier than Jiu-ge’s robes. In the distance, a herd of wild elephant-nosed buffalo graze by the shimmering water. Countless critters hop too and fro, making the scenery come alive. Shen Yuan found himself enamored by a four-horned beetle frog that crossed his path, looking back to his Jiu-ge for silent permission.
It was obviously given.
As the boy chased the poor creature around, Shen Qingqiu looked to the mountains. They were covered in lush forests ranging peak to peak, water racing through it’s valley and back into the marsh. It was a place Shen Qingqiu often passed through and noted for it’s flat lands protected by the ring of mountains, enclosing the unique ecosystem within itself. A perfect place to spot any enemy that may fly over and threaten Shen Yuan.
“You never told me his story.” Yue Qingyuan kept a respectful distance from the man who despised him. “I can’t help but to wonder where Shen-shidi managed to find him, or why he had brought A-Yuan home. It’s not something I would.. expect.”
The sect leader himself understood the possible consequences of his curiosity, how Shen Qingqiu was likely to lash out at him. He was met with a stretching silence, expanding with every passing second. Just a few yards away, Shen Yuan stays oblivious to the tension built between the peak lords.
“A-Yuan will not be defined by his past.” Shen Qingqiu answered pointedly. “I will not give you a reason to pity the boy. He will grow and ascend past the hardships. Yue-gege should focus on other issues.”
Shen Yuan did not need the pity of his peers, did not need to hear the empty apologies when they are tossed back in his face. The boy needed a strong, solid foundation to form his golden core and rise above simple mortals.
“This shixiong apologizes for any offense to Shen-shidi and A-Yuan.” He could feel the man bowing behind him, paying it no mind. “A-Yuan will flourish under your tutelage, and grow fast under your guidance.” Yue Qingyuan stepped closer, side by side with his feisty shidi, and watched as Shen Yuan pulled off his boots to dip his toes in the water. The boy only screamed with delight.
“I promise, I’ll be here to help him; help you both. I’m afraid to admit I’ve grown fond of the boy. Does that upset you?”
“Hm, I would be offended had you hadn’t. A-Yuan is the light of this world and any that come in contact should be grateful he gives them time of day.” The jealousy had slowly subsided — not disappeared — into something more forgivable. He was still A-Yuan’s favorite, of course, and there was no one in the world who could surpass him.
However, Shen Qingqiu can share if it brings a smile to those chubby cheeks. Yue Qingyuan was the best possible candidate to bond with the boy, in case Shen Qingqiu had to leave for an extended period of time.
And, so what if the man began looking forward to the letters announcing Zhangmen-shixiong’s next visitation? Who notices Shen Qingqiu watching Yue Qingyuan when the focus is on his precious brother? Without his knowledge, the bamboo home felt warm and fuzzier these days.
Three in a home isn’t quite that bad.