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Zhou Zishu watches as his mechanical bird flies away with the message of another successful mission to Prince Jin. His eyes follow it until it disappears from view. His stomach does somersaults. He can still feel how easy his whip sword slashed through the last one of the bodies he killed; soft as the inside of a watermelon, so easy to end a life.
A weaker man would probably be sick looking at what Zhou Zishu did during the mission. There was so much red everywhere, so much death, so many lives cut short. Zhou Zishu sometimes entertains the idea of him being a better man than he actually is, of him being appalled to the point of being sick with the actions of the Window of heaven. It’s a nice thought, but ultimately, not who he really is.
Just a little bit more, Zhou Zishu thinks. Just hold on a little bit more and you’ll finally be free. The seven nails, his little cruel creation of a time bomb, is always within his thoughts. It’s the only way he can think of to exit his cursed job. It’s going to be painful and it's not going to be pretty, but Zhou Zishu figures if every deserting member of the Window of Heaven went through the process, then so should he.
He figures he has a few more days by himself before returning to the castle in the north. He is in no hurry to get back, where Jin Beiyuan is not there anymore and all of Zhou Zishu’s regrets are there to welcome him. He also doesn’t want to see the proud gleam in Prince Jin’s eyes when they meet, the perceptive smirk that will let Zhou Zishu know the prince is satisfied with another death on Zhou Zishu’s unending tally of horrible actions. Zhou Zishu sees no reason to think proudly of himself.
He finds an inn, requests a room for the night and a bottle of their strongest wine. Then, he goes to sit at one of the many tables around, waiting to be served. He doesn’t plan to end the night sober.
He drinks the entirety of the first bottle and is waiting for the next one when he notices eyes on him. Zhou Zishu is used to always being the most dangerous being in whatever place he is in, so the novelty of feeling like a prey is surprising. He doesn’t like it one bit. His body shivers like it instinctively knows whoever the person is, they are powerful. Very carefully, he searches around, looking at the people inside, trying to find whoever has made the hairs at the back of his neck stand.
There. Right in the balcony above him. There is a man with long dark hair, deep red robes, eyes as dark and bottomless as a demon’s and with enough of a murderous aura to keep everyone away.
The man is also incredibly attractive. Zhou Zishu can identify a monster when he sees one as it would be very hypocritical of him not to recognize one of his same species, but this man, specifically, is the most captivating monster he has ever seen. The man stands tall, like he knows he is the strongest person in the lands. His cold dark eyes are captivating and his hair cascades down his back, framing the hard lines of his face. Zhou Zishu could easily spend a few hours just studying all the features of this man.
The man sees Zhou Zishu staring at him and gives him a salacious smile. Zhou Zishu feels hot all over. Heavens help him, but yes, this is exactly the kind of man Zhou Zishu would feel excited about.
His second bottle arrives and for a second Zhou Zishu deviates his attention from the man to pour himself more wine. When he looks up again, the man is not at his place anymore. He is right in front of Zhou Zishu, his own bottle of wine in hand. His smile, full of sharp, dangerous teeth, is firmly in place. Zhou Zishu feels a shiver run through his spine.
Despite all that, the man really is extremely handsome, Zhou Zishu thinks again, studying the too dark eyes, the cold stare. Zhou Zishu would not mind spending a night with him, allowing the pleasures of the flesh to numb his bitter heart. He guesses this man, being of the same nature as Zhou Zishu, would have great chemistry in bed with him.
The man puts the bottle of wine on Zishu’s table and does a slight bow.
“Wen.” He says “Wen Kexing.” and then he looks expectantly to Zhou Zishu.
Zhou Zishu rolls his eyes. The audacity of this man. This person might be powerful but he is also ridiculous. And, apparently, he is not discouraged by Zhou Zishu’s less than welcoming reaction. He keeps looking at Zhou Zishu like Zhou Zishu is worth something, his hard features softening with each passing second.
It makes no sense why Zhou Zishu does what he does next, but he finds himself staring back at the absurd peacock of a man in front of him and saying:
“Zhou Xu” he offers. He doesn’t know if the name Zhou Zishu is famous enough to reach all the way to the south, but he is not in the habit of freely disclosing his identity.
Half an hour later, they both stumble into Zhou Zishu’s bed. He was right: Wen Kexing is a most glorious distraction. Wen Kexing is powerful enough to move Zhou Zishu whatever way he wants, and he is confident enough to laugh straight in Zhou Zishu’s face when Zhou Zishu calls him a jerk for biting his wrist so hard it draws blood.
Zhou Zishu shouldn’t be, but he is fascinated. For one glorious night, this dangerous demon with terrible and captivating dark eyes manages to make Zhou Zishu forget his pain.
By morning, Zhou Zishu lays in bed, watching Wen Kexing move around naked without any shame. The man is as beautiful now, with his hair loose and kissed swollen lips, as he was last night. The bruises Zhou Zishu left on his back and thighs make Zhou Zishu feel wild, like the marks left behind in Wen Kexing’s skin will keep the memories of their fucking. Zhou Zishu knows he shouldn’t be thinking about it, but he can’t help but wish for other nights with Wen Kexing.
By the time Wen Kexin once again wrapped in his beautiful red robes, Zhou Zishu has finally moved from the bed and has started the process of transforming himself into the leader of the Window of Heaven. He can already feel his old regrets settling back over his shoulders, just like the heavy dark cloak he wears. It’s very much like putting shackles around his wrists.
Zhou Zishu feels Wen Kexing’s now familiar unnerving stare at his back, and when he turns to the man, he finds Wen Kexing looking appreciatively at Zhou Zishu’s body and the marks he left in it as well. He sees Wen Kexing’s hungry eyes and smirks back at him. Wen Kexing enjoys the view Zhou Zishu makes.
They step together outside of the inn: the leader of the Window of Heaven and possibly the one person in the lands that could defeat him in battle.
But heavens, Zhou Zishu really does not want to part from Wen Kexing at all. He opens his mouth to say- probably that he needs to go? to thank Wen Kexing for the night? to offer another round of sex?- he doesn’t know what.
Wen Kexing beats him to it.
“I’ll be right here at this inn in 40 days,” he says looking expectantly at Zhou Zishu.
Oh, Zhou Zishu thinks. Oh, that- that would be nice. Wen Kexing is offering him a second meeting. He hasn’t even thought about the possibility of seeing Wen Kexing again.
Wen Kexing is still talking.
“This was- a very good night for me. And I- well, I wouldn’t mind crossing paths with you again.” Wen Kexing says. The way he talks seems like he also wasn’t expecting any good time from the day before. In fact, now that Zhou Zishu is looking at him in daylight, Wen Kexing seems somehow lighter; his deep demon eyes are not as harsh. His hard features seem softer, almost as if his human soul managed to snatch back a part of him, as if his demonic aura retreated a bit. Even his hair, cascading all the way over his back moves airyly in the wind. It’s as uncanny as it’s fascinating.
Zhou Zishu has no idea what is even happening to him. What is Wen Kexing doing to him?
To try and get back some control over his emotions, he snorts.
“You know I’m dangerous. You cannot have missed that.” Zhou Zishu says just to make it clear.
Wen Kexing straight up laughs at him, dismissing any kind of possible threat. The man is as infuriating as he is beautiful.
“And am I not?” Wen Kexing asks. “Come meet me again,” he invites one more time.
Zhou Zishu looks down, not allowing Wen Kexing to see what might show in his eyes: that this proposal has just made his heart beat three times faster. He smiles at himself, tries to and fails to control his emotions a second time and then looks back at Wen Kexing.
“All right.” He says “All right, master Wen. I’ll see you in 40 days.”
___***___
Day 39 finds Zhou Zishu back at the inn feeling completely ridiculous. Zhou Zishu is one of the most dangerous man in the lands, a ruthless assassin, a cold-blooded murder and a very good strategist. And somehow, though the curse of these last days, Zhou Zishu found himself staring at the bruises Wen Kexing left in his body and cataloging their changes day by day, getting gloomier and gloomier until his mood just dropped completely the day his body is back to being free of any of them.
You are captivating, Ah-Xu, Wen Kexing had whispered into his skin, using that terribly condescending tone, kissing the insides of Zhou Zishu’s thighs in between bites. I want to keep you in my bed forever.
Wen Kexing has ruined him so thoroughly he actually counted the days until the 40th one. Zhou Zishu hasn’t felt the way he did with Wen Kexing since before he left Four Seasons Manor, before he sold his soul to Prince Jin. Now, he can’t stop thinking about it.
What would Wen Kexing even think, knowing that Zhou Zishu got to the place earlier because he couldn’t wait anymore?
He sighs and enters the inn. He might as well get a room for himself- and for Wen Kexing, and he positively doesn’t want to think about the possibility of Wen Kexing not showing up. He is not prepared for what happens as soon as he starts talking with the innkeeper.
“I’m sorry, come again?” Zhou Zishu asks because it seems he didn’t understand what the innkeeper said the first time.
“The entire inn is booked for the next three days, sir,” the innkeeper repeats.
Zhou Zishu feels his heart stop. That can’t be. That absolutely can’t be. How could they be so unlucky as to choose the one week this inn would be entirely booked?
“But maybe you can talk with the man who booked it all?” the innkeeper suggests after a while when he realizes Zhou Zishu is still just standing there. Zhou Zishu insanely thinks it's because the poor man saw how unwell Zhou Zishu took the news. “I mean, he is bound to show up any day now.”
Frustrated and irritated, Zishu Zishu has nothing else to do but to wait- either for Wen Kexing to show up so they can decide where else they can go or for this ludicrous person who books the entire inn to do it. He orders wine and prepares himself to wait for at least a few hours.
He has been at his fourth bottle of wine when he hears the innkeeper voice talking to someone.
“Sir, see the master over there? I know you booked the entire inn, but that man is looking for just one room,” the innkeeper says. It seems the person responsible for Zhou Zishu’s latest frustration showed up first.
“Oh! Really?” the person answers back, laughing delightedly. “I’d imagine he would!” Zhou Zishu turns so fast he might have broken his neck if he didn’t keep himself in top form.
And there is Wen Kexing, again dressed in red, long hair in a half updo, bottomless eyes twinkling in amusement. Their gazes meet. Zhou Zishu wants to strangle him.
“You booked the entire inn.”
Wen Kexing laughs again, walking towards Zhou Zishu.
“I sure did.” He leans down, invading Zhou Zishu’s personal space, his face so close to Zhou Zishu’s. “I couldn’t fandom the possibility of not having one when we got back here.” He takes Zhou Zishu’s bottle of wine and drinks directly from it. “But for a beauty such as you, I can make an exception and allow you a room. I’ll give you the biggest one!” he continues on, the bottle of wine still in his hand. He takes another sip.
The way Wen Kexing’s throat works when he drinks is extremely distracting. Zhou Zishu wants to be mad at him, to scold him for acting so outrageously, both with the inn booking and the drinking of someone else’s wine. What he manages to do is roll his eyes.
That doesn’t mean he can’t also play this game. He runs his hand down from the top of Wen Kexing’s arms until he reaches his own bottle of wine, feeling Wen Kexing’s skin shiver from the touch. Wen Kexing talks a big game, but Zhou Zishu saw him gasping with desire, sharp eyes glassy in ecstasy, legs wrapped around Zhou Zishu’s waist. Wen Kexing is as affected by him as he is by Wen Kexing.
“Lead the way, master Wen.”
___***___
Wen Kexing booked the inn for three days. They end up staying five. They don’t even leave the room, really, ordering food to be delivered to their door and to keep changing their bath water.
They talk. This, out of everything, is what makes Zhou Zishu’s heart ache the most. Wen Kexing, whoever he is, talks about his life, about his acquaintances, about his family. Zhou Zishu knows probably half of what Wen Kexing speaks is a lie, but he navigates through the false and the true information and thinks he can come up with a solid idea about the life Wen Kexing leads. It’s not a pretty picture at all.
For example, Wen Kexing says “I always thought red suited me well” while looking completely broken at his red robes. He says “White is too pure; it doesn’t match my indecent personality” with an almost childlike wonder for the so-called innocence he mocks. He says “I like to think of myself as a philanthropist” meaning murderer.
Other times, Wen Kexing is so honest it makes Zhou Zishu want to hide him inside his own body. When Wen Kexing is seated right over Zhou Zishu’s lower back with his fingers tracing the many scars of Zhou Zishu’s battles, he says “where did you come from, Ah-Xu” not really believing he is deserving of Zhou Zishu’s attention. When they hear a man mistreating a woman on the street below, his eyes become hard again and he says “My maid could probably kill every horrible person in this town and don’t even break a sweat” with pride for someone who is clearly more than a maid. Sometimes, he likes to watch the people through their window, making comments about their lives and once, when his eyes are following a small boy run towards his parents with a carefree smile on his small face, he says “when hope is shattered, there is no way to reach back for it” with so much bitterness Zhou Zishu kisses him to make him stop talking.
In turn, Zhou Zishu tries to be as authentic and genuine as he can. He tells Wen Kexing a few lies, but it doesn’t matter, Wen Kexing knows Zhou Zishu is hiding secrets just like he is. He says “I could kill a man without them even knowing it was a murderer” which is true and “if you dwell in the shadows too long, you become one with it” which is also true but he wished it wasn’t. He says “I don’t have any heart left nor do I need any more complications in my life” which is a blatant lie; he would gladly have the complication called Wen Kexing in his life. He also says “I’m bound by my word and my honor to the place I’m in. The only way I can leave is by death” which is the most honest he can be.
They fuck as well, as the purpose of this meeting is for both of them to do just that. It is as electric as their first time, only now, Zhou Zishu is more attuned to Wen Kexing. He runs his hand over Wen Kexing’s thighs and watches fascinated as he trembles. Wen Kexing goes down on his knees in front of Zhou Zishu and his face opens in delight, as if nowhere else is as lovely as in between Zhou Zishu’s legs.
Zhou Zishu fears he will not be able to let go of this. The five days end too soon.
___***___
“Tell me we can meet again” Wen Kexing says when they are back outside the inn.
Zhou Zishu should say they can’t, that they have responsibilities, that they are both dangerous men with too many enemies.
“We absolutely can,” he hears his mouth say. “Just book one room, only, Lao Wen”, he uses the nickname he adopted during their five-day stay and hides a smile when Wen Kexing’s eyes get a bit glassy at haring it outside their bedroom.
Wen Kexing recovers quickly, though.
“Ah-Xu!! But then, how will I be certain there won’t be any inconvenient people in here??” he asks out loud, faking outrage.
Zhou Zishu finds himself laughing and then, immediately gasps. How many years has it been since he laughed? He didn’t even know his body could still produce such a sound. And here Wen Kexing is, effortlessly extracting those undignified noises from his body. Zhou Zishu almost wants to cry. It’s been so long since he has had any fun.
___***___
It’s been two hours since Zhou Zishu left Wen Kexing to start his journey back to the north when he hears the distinct sound of bones breaking. He follows it more out of curiosity than anything else. If there is any serious threat in this small town, Zhou Zishu wants to be aware of it. And deep down, he wants to see if he can be better than he is, if maybe, he can… help someone. It should seem ludicrous that spending time with a monster like Wen Kexing makes Zhou Zishu feel that way, but Zhou Zishu will not dwell in analyzing his mind.
He finds Wen Kexing in his deep red robes that now match the splash of blood on his hand that is currently closed over a man’s throat. Wen Kexing’s eyes are back to being the bottomless black of a demon and his face is hard and cruel. He looks exactly like the cold-blooded murderer Zhou Zishu thought he was at first.
Wen Kexing’s hand opens and the lifeless body of the man falls down. He looks unseeingly at Zhou Zishu, his aura powerful and deadly. It’s so aggressive Zhou Zishu has to actually fight his instinct to run away. Instead, he takes two deep breaths and stares at the nightmare who kissed his lips swollen not even three hours ago. It should be earth-shattering, to stare at such a killer in the eye, but its not. Zhou Zishu looks at him and only sees the same material his own soul is made of.
Wen Kexing’s eyes move away from Zhou Zishu and stare at his own bloodied hand.
“Tsk” he says “Why do they always have to spit blood?” he asks as if offended by the human body’s very natural reaction to fight for breathing.
It almost makes Zhou Zishu laugh. He manages to snort only.
That finally makes Wen Kexing’s eyes turn back to human. He turns Zhou Zishu’s way and Zhou Zishu watches as Wen Kexing realizes Zhou Zishu has just seen Wen Kexing kill a man with his bare hands. He inhales sharply and quickly tries to hide the hand Zhou Zishu already knows is covered in blood. He moves in front of the body, his red robes hiding it. His panicked eyes dart around.
Zhou Zishu thinks he is adorable.
“Ah-Xu-” Wen kexing starts.
Zhou Zishu lifts one hand up, stopping whatever insanity Wen Kexing will spill at him.
“Is there a reason for killing him?” Zhou Zishu asks not because he wants to make sure Wen Kexing is a good man. He knows Wen Kexing is not, just like Zhou Zishu himself isn’t. He just wants to know why.
Wen Kexing nods.
“I know him. He tried… molesting my maid and some other women.” The way Wen Kexing says it makes Zhou Zishu believe “molesting” is the least graphic word he found to describe what the man did. “They stopped him then, but he got away.”
Uh. What about that. Wen Kexing even had a noble reason for the killing. Not that it would have mattered in the end, Zhou Zishu already knows what kind of person Wen Kexing is but it’s a nice surprise. He most certainly wasn't expecting that.
Zhou Zishu approaches his adorable monster. He extends his arm and grabs the hand Wen Kexing is still hiding behind himself. He brings it out, his fingers firmly grasping Wen Kexing’s wrist.
“You know, I hate the sight of blood.” Zhou Zishu says studying the red liquid drying over the white skin. “I hate the smell; I hate the viscosity.” He moves his stare from the hand to Wen Kexing’s wide scared eyes. “But on you, it looks good.” He smiles. He moves forward and places his mouth over Wen Kexing’s. “See you in 35 days, Lao Wen”
___***____
This time, Wen Kexing is the first to arrive. He leaves a message with the innkeeper to just let Zhou Zishu enter the room.
Zhou Zishu is met with the view of an unapologetic, naked Wen Kexing seated with his legs open on the sole chair in the room. His eyes are two dark bottomless seas and his smile is as sharp as a shark’s. Wen Kexing put the chair right in front of the door, knowing it would be the first thing Zhou Zishu would see. The gleeful smirk Wen Kexing’s smile turns into lets Zhou Zishu know Wen Kexing noticed how hard he instantly became.
Distantly, he thinks about the seven nails that would be his freedom from the Window of Heaven. He thinks about how the nails would have painfully pierced his skin and then compressed the flesh beneath it until they were locked, not to ever be moved again. He thinks about how he would live four and a half years with increasingly intense pain all over his body and still be so grateful that he got to have a life outside his current responsibilities. He thinks about losing his senses and never experiencing Wen Kexing’s touch. Now, having Wen Kexing thrust into him over and over, hitting that secret place inside of him, with Wen Kexing’s eyes glassy and emitting the most delicious groans anytime he pushes in, Zhou Zishu thinks he will need to come up with another plan. He doesn’t want to lose this.
Their stay is shorter this time, though. Prince Jin has started inquiring why Zhou Zishu keeps going away, and Zhou Zishu doesn't really have another explanation other than “I think I’ve met my soulmate”. He doesn’t think Prince Jin will like that at all.
He kisses Wen Kexing’s mouth and lets his emotions take over him.
___***___
“I know who you are,” Zhou Zishu whispers to Wen Kexing. They are both naked under the covers, laying on their sides and facing each other.
Wen Kexing freezes for half a second and then visibly makes himself relax again. Wen Kexing is very good, so most people wouldn’t even have realized what happened. Zhou Zishu is looking for the reaction though, so he can’t miss it. He takes one of Wen Kexing’s hand in his.
“Oh?” Wen Kexing says, faking casualness. It sends a wave of warmth through Zhou Zishu’s body.
Zhou Zishu opens his mouth and whispers:
“Valley Master.”
The name drops like a dead body, like Zhou Zishu has just killed someone. There is silence after that. He sees Wen Kexing close his eyes, probably trying to digest what Zhou Zishu has just called him. Zhou Zishu watches him, tries to guess what Wen Kexing will do now that Zhou Zishu loudly acknowledged his identity.
Wen Kexing slowly pulls his hand from Zhou Zishu’s grip. He opens his eyes and looks down at the hand he has just gotten loose.
“I guess I wasn’t as careful as I thought I was,” Wen Kexing finally says. “What gave me away?”
The thing is, Zhou Zishu could have given him a list of tells: Wen Kexing’s murderous aura, his complete lack of compassion for the person he killed, his terrible view of the world, his dismissal of good gestures, his hopeless eyes. None of this would explain how Zhou Zishu knew Wen Kexing was the most dangerous monster of the south.
The real explanation is:
“I have the entirety of the Window of Heaven at my hands, Lao Wen.” Zhou Zishu says. It’s terrifying to finally open himself to Wen Kexing. It’s more liberating, though, as if they can finally see each other for who they are. “I’m the founder of it, it’s leader.”
He hears Wen Kexing inhale sharply. Now, Wen Kexing visibly freezes. He looks as if he is preparing for a battle.
“Here to try and take my command, huh?” Wen Kexing asks in a cold, cruel, voice “You’ll find death sooner than take away what is mine.”
What does it say about Zhou Zishu that all he can think about is getting down on his knees and taking Wen Kexing’s cock inside his mouth? Whatever it is, Zhou Zishu has long made peace with his rotten mind.
He grabs Wen Kexing’s hand again. With his other hand, he holds Wen Kexings chin in place, making Wen Kexing stare directly at him. Zhou Zishu knows this is a gamble, that if Wen Kexing really wants to, he can break away from the grip and possibly could indeed kill Zhou Zishu. He doesn’t think Wen Kexing wants to do that, though.
He kisses Wen Kexing’s startled mouth.
“I don’t want to command the ghost valley, Lao Wen, one organization is already enough.” He whispers in between kisses. “I want you to know who I am, just like I know who you are.” He kisses Wen Kexing again. “My real name is Zhou Zishu.”
Zhou Zishu is certain the reaction he gets when he tells Wen Kexing his name says more than Wen Kexing wanted it to. It’s the exact opposite of what happened when Zhou Zishu called Wen Kexing by his alias; it seems Zhou Zishu’s real name alone has just brought something back to life. He hears Wen Kexing gasp and then shiver. And then, for some reason, Wen Kexing retreats from him. Halfway through, he seems to think better of it and goes back to another, more forceful kiss. He grabs the hair on the back of Zhou Zishu’s head and keeps him in place devouring his mouth. It’s this kiss, out of everything, that makes Zhou Zishu certain something has just slotted back into place. He doesn't know what it is, not yet, but Zhou Zishu is extremely intelligent and very resourceful. He will let Wen Kexing have his secrets for now.
That night, Wen Kexing leaves bruises all over Zhou Zishu’s body, biting and sucking and kissing every inch of skin he can reach.
And in between all the sexual activities, Zhou Zishu tells Wen Kexing about his life, about how he was the first disciple of Four Seasons Manor and how he is now the leader of the Window of Heaven. Wen Kexing hears everything, eyes huge and eager, as if he has been given an immeasurable treasure. Zhou Zishu finds it funny how he can so easily read Wen Kexing, how his demonic eyes look at him as if a child is looking at his beloved older brother. It makes Zhou Zishu’s heart sing. Having Wen Kexing’s undivided attention is addictive.
___***___
Life makes them wait three months before they meet again. First because Prince Jin sends Zhou Zishu into a surprise mission (that actually managed to kill almost all of the original members of Four Seasons Manor that Zhou Zishu took with him) and later, because Wen Kexing gets busy with ghost valley business. Zhou Zishu is just very happy he had shown Wen Kexing how to use the mechanical birds he created. That way, at least, they can still talk. Wen Kexing’s letters are extremely explicit and sometimes, the ludicrous man even includes equally explicit drawings. The fact that they are good drawings makes it even worse, because Zhou Zishu finds himself analyzing the positions Wen Kexing drew them, pondering if they could actually do it in real life. Zhou Zishu can’t say he is disappointed.
But even with all the vulgar content of their letters, because, yes, Zhou Zishu gives as good as he gets and his letters in response to Wen Kexing are as much or more descriptive than the ones from the Valley master, it’s not enough. Zhou Zishu is starting to realize nothing short of having Wen Kexing with him all day will be enough. Meanwhile, it does drive Zhou Zishu insane, imagining Wen Kexing jerking himself off in the privacy of his rooms, inside the most dangerous place in the lands, thinking about Zhou Zishu.
By this point in time, the seven nails Zhou Zishu once thought of screwing into his body are not even on his mind anymore. Zhou Zishus is actively thinking of new ways to get himself and what is left of the Four Seasons manor disciples from Prince Jin’s power. He knows its selfish, that it is not what a noble person would do, but he thinks of how much he wants to give Wen Kexing a safe place for him to be the soft over-caring person he greedily wants to be. He thinks of the fondness Wen Kexing talks about this so-called maid of his, like she is the little sister of an overprotective older brother. Zhou Zishu is helpless against that devious valley master; he wants to give Wen Kexing everything his heart desires.
____***____
They are back at the inn, back at the room that both of them already think of as theirs. Zhou Zishu’s body is mottled with bruises, and he is deliciously sore. They are on the bed, naked and on their side facing each other. Wen Kexing’s hair is all over the place, his too-human eyes are shining. Zhou Zishu is sated and as unbelievable as it is, he also feels happy. He runs his fingers over the side of Wen Kexing’s face, watching as the Valley Master’s face breaks into a soft smile.
He feels the need to open himself to Wen Kexing, to tell him his secrets, to try and explain their connection. He wants Wen Kexing to know him.
He feels his throat close in trepidation, but he also feels like Wen Kexing would listen to his tale with an open mind. He hopes Wen Kexing will not judge him. If he does, Zhou Zishu can only blame himself for the wrongs he did in this life anyway. He opens his mouth.
“When we first met, I had just killed an entire family and the small sect they looked upon.” Zhou Zishu whispers “I- I wasn’t in a good place at all. All I wanted was to drown myself in wine and forget what I did.” He gets closer to Wen Kexing, as immediately, Wen Kexing’s arm fall over his waist keeping him in place. “I remember the last one I killed that day. It was their little baby, a child, still so young it didn’t even walk yet.” He closes his eyes when the tears threaten to fall. “I remember how easy my sword went through that small body: like the inside of a watermelon, no resistance at all.” Wen Kexing pulls him even closer, kissing Zhou Zishu’s forehead. “And the part that hurts the most, the part that really makes me wonder what am I even doing with my life, is this: I killed all of them because five years from now, that small sect might have become a threat to my prince.” He laughs bitterly and despite his efforts, the tears run down his eyes. “This is how we operate: kill the threat before it even becomes one.”
Wen Kexing kisses him in between one sob and another, crushing their bodies together as if he wants to open his chest and hide Zhou Zishu inside. Zhou Zishu wouldn’t mind it really; he thinks the inside of Wen Kexing’s chest would be lovely.
Zhou Zishu allows Wen Kexing to maneuver him any way he wants, opening his legs and lapping at him, sucking more bruises into his skin and kissing in between. He lets himself be lost in the sensations. Wen Kexing doesn’t offer any excuses for Zhou Zishu’s behavior, but Wen Kexing loves him unconditionally, even if they have never actually spoken the words. Zhou Zishu can accept that.
___***___
“The day we met,” Wen Kexing starts when they have finished the next round of their love making. His eyes don’t meet Zhou Zishu’s. “I had just allowed entrance at the valley to a man who murdered his wife and her entire family because he didn’t think she looked pretty and young anymore. He wanted to be free to pursuit a prettier woman.” He shakes his head “I wasn’t lying when I told you that that first night was a good night for me. I- I wasn’t expecting to find someone like you in there.” He hides his face on the side of Zhou Zishu’s neck. “There are rules. The valley master has to grant access to those who want to leave all their lives behind, who are willing to forget their obsessions and live as a ghost. I can’t- I can’t stop anyone from coming in even if I wanted to.” Zhou Zishu feels his neck getting wet. “The ghosts are not allowed to leave the valley, this was the deal made long ago and I don’t let anyone else leave, but I- that was the first time I wandered around. I hadn’t left the valley since I came there as a child.” He laughs and sobs. “But I just- I just” he gasps. “This was not even the worst thing I have ever done!! This is like… a small insignificant action!!” By now, Wen Kexing’s entire body is shaking. “Strange what finally breaks us, really.”
Wen Kexing keeps sobbing quietly into Zhou Zishu’s skin, his face completely hidden. Zhou Zishu allows him all the time he needs, wrapping his arms around Wen Kexing and thinking how horrible of an existence Wen Kexing has to have had if it breaks him so much to be the Valley Master. He starts thinking about a plan to free both of them.
___***___
Here is one thing: Zhou Zishu has noticed a pattern in his Window of Heaven missions. If there are any people from the original Four Seasons Manor in the party, most probably they will be killed. It has happened with enough frequency that Zhou Zishu cannot ignore it anymore. So, either the universe is out to kill all Four Seasons Manor disciples exclusively, or someone else is messing with his missions.
Zhou Zishu knows he can’t trust Prince Jin, that his prince has his own agenda, and that Zhou Zishu is only his weapon to be used as the prince pleases. Zhou Zishu is also extremely tired. He has found his soulmate and he has found a new purpose in life. He wants more.
He starts thinking who in the castle would make a good ally, who would not spill his secrets. If Jin Beiyuan was still around, it would have been him. Jin Beiyuan is currently enjoying a very happy life, and Zhou Zishu has no plans to bring his friend back into the chaos that is the north plains.
He looks around at the yard where all Window of Heaven members train, watching their movements. There are so many new faces, so many of them will die in less than a year. And then, his eyes meet Han Ying’s, the third in command and only so because Prince Jin likes Duan Pengju better. Han Ying smiles softly at Zhou Zishu, loyalty shining through them.
Han Ying has always been a good member, his mind is very strategic and his quick actions have secured the most successful missions after Zhou Zishu’s. Han Ying has always had a soft spot for Zhou Zishu, and he doesn’t hide the fact that he regrets not being old enough to have been part of the Four Seasons Manor.
Zhou Zishu smiles. He has found his ally.
___***___
Wen Kexing sends a letter to Zhou Zishu informing him he can’t make it to their next meeting. Things have escalated at the ghost valley, which in Wen Kexing speak means he has just suffered another attempt on his life, so he is stuck inside for at least a few months. To compensate, Wen Kexing draws them in no less than ten different sex positions, this time, using onomatopoeias to describe the sounds both of them would make. Zhou Zishu is torn between worry, exasperation and lust.
He sends Han Ying to investigate what is happening in the south. Three weeks later, a mechanical bird arrives for Zhou Zishu telling him the sects are getting together to invade the ghost valley. Another week and the next mechanical bird lets Zhou Zishu know there probably is a coup at work inside the ghost valley. Zhou Zishu tries not to worry about Wen Kexing.
A month later, Wen Kexing sends a mechanical bird telling Zhou Zishu he is free to meet again. And then there is a very explicit description of what Wen Kexing wants Zhou Zishu to do to him when they meet.
___***___
By now, the innkeeper is familiar with both of them. He watches Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing come together and smiles widely.
“Your usual room is already prepared, my good masters.”
Zhou Zishu laughs. For months now, Wen Kexing has been paying to book the room even if they don’t actually use it. Zhou Zishu is certain the innkeeper has never earned as much money with an empty room as the man is earning now.
Wen Kexing thanks the innkeeper and follows Zhou Zishu up the stairs.
Their first round is quick and raw, with Wen Kexing’s fingers leaving scratch marks all over Zhou Zishu’s back. He gasps Zhou Zishu’s name over and over and arches his back impossibly low when he comes with Zhou Zishu inside him. He trembles in the afterglow and looks at Zhou Zishu as if he is afraid of losing him. Zhou Zishu wonders if the attempt on his life was greater than Han Ying had informed him.
“Are you alright?” Zhou Zishu asks.
Wen Kexing nods quietly, breath still heavy, his skin sweaty.
“Y- yeah. Some days… are just worse than others.” He offers. It’s not the answer Zhou Zishu wants to hear, but he will take it. It’s better than a blatant lie, which they have been trying not to do anymore. These days, they tend to just let the other know when they can’t really talk about a subject.
Zhou Zishu kisses his forehead.
“If ever you need protection, you can come to me.” He hears himself say. Not that it’s not true, it is as true as all the feelings Zhou Zishu has for Wen Kexing, he’s just surprised he said this out loud.
Wen Kexing laughs in a mix that is both delight and hopelessness.
“Tell me, Ah-Xu, if I, for example, were the heir of a very prestigious sect, and my family were known to have access to great fortune and power, if your prince found out about me and them,” Wen Kexing says. His voice is devoid of his usual humor, the way it goes when Wen Kexing wants to emotionally distance himself from something, which probably means this tale is less hypothetical than Wen Kexing wants it to be. “If I became a potential threat, would you have killed me instead of protecting me?”
He delivers the question knowing it will hurt Zhou Zishu, but more than anything, it also hurts Wen Kexing. His valley master wants so much to trust Zhou Zishu, to believe in his words, but at the same time, he knows they are not allowed to be who they want to. It’s a tragedy. Zhou Zishu thinks he can answer him.
Zhou Zishu pulls Wen Kexing to him, guiding his head to his shoulder. His hand lands over the back of Wen Kexing’s neck, safely securing him.
“If I, on that first day, after killing all those family and sect members I told you about, instead of going back to the north, had gone to the ghost valley and asked for refuge in there,” Zhou Zishu proposes “Would you have granted it to me?”
Wen Kexing sobs against Zhou Zishu’s skin, shaking his head. He doesn’t answer, but Zhou Zishu knows the answer.
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” Wen Kexing whispers “Tell me something else.”
Zhou Zishu kisses the top of his beautiful head.
“I’m going to leave the Window of Heaven, Lao Wen.” He says and feels Wen Kexing shiver with the news. “Give me some time, it will happen. And when it does, I’m going to go look for you and we are going to be free at last. And when we do, I want you to bring with you that maid of yours that we both know is more than a maid to Four Seasons Manor. I want you at my sect, beside me as its master.” He presses Wen Kexing even closer to his body. “I want you safe and happy and always in my bed, always looking in the middle of ecstasy.”
Wen Kexing sobs again.
___***___
Zhou Zishu is back at the palace, reporting to Prince Jin the result of his last mission. His voice is cold and detached while he retells how most of his team died while trying to recover a jade dragon sculpture that supposedly should belong with the royal family. Zhou Zishu couldn’t care less about the myth behind it, but Prince Jin apparently did, so, where the prince pointed, the Window of Heaven moved. They recovered the sculpture.
Zhou Zishu reports losing 12 of his men. Prince Jin doesn’t seem to care that much.
Zhou Zishu bows and leaves the royal chambers, while watching a mechanical bird approach. The bird lands just a few feet from Zhou Zishu’s own chambers and when he opens the message it carried, Han Ying’s careful writing informs Zhou Zishu that Four Season Manor has just gathered 12 new disciples.
Good, Zhou Zishu thinks. The plan is working, and Prince Jin doesn't suspect a thing. Han Ying himself had “died” a few missions ago. Zhou Zishu had made sure to give him a worthy ceremony, burning paper money and making everyone else do it as well. It was very touching.
Currently, Han Ying is renovating Four Seasons Manor and is incredibly happy to be considered its first disciple. Han Ying has always wanted to be part of Zhou Zishu’s sect, and Zhou Zishu sees no reason not to give him what he wants. Zhou Zishu is very fortunate to have such loyal people (dare he say friends) follow him.
He cannot wait to bring Wen Kexing back to Four Seasons Manor, to watch his eyes widen in wonder when Zhou Zishu names him master of the sect, just like he is, to see his mouth open in surprise when all new disciples bow to him, to finally meet the mysterious maid that is not a maid who Wen Kexing speaks so fondly of. Zhou Zishu wants all of Wen Kexing’s family safe inside the walls of his manor.
It takes him three more missions to finally “kill” every person he intends to save from the cursed existence he imposed on them, Bi Changfeng being the very last one. Bi Changfeng is also the very last person of the original Four Seasons Manor to “die”. Zhou Zishu feels as if his world has completely shifted when he finally manages to free all of his people. When Han Ying’s message comes with the confirmation that Bi Changfeng arrived safely, Zhou Zishu has to fight the tears from falling down his eyes.
He did it. He saved everyone right in front of Prince Jin’s nose.
Just as Zhou Zishu's heart is feeling lighter, a second mechanical bird lands on his feet. This time, Han Ying’s writing isn't as precise and the information he shares makes Zhou Zishu almost bow over in worry. Being guided by Zhao Jin, the newly nominated leader of the Five Lakes Alliance, the biggest sects of the south have joined forces with the Scorpion and made a move against the ghost valley.
Wen Kexing is in danger.
The very next Window of Heaven mission, Zhou Zishu bravely dies protecting the castle entrance from bandits. He watches from the cover of the trees as Prince Jin mourns the loss of his best man.
___***___
Here is a second thing: if they were living another life, a life where he and Zhou Zishu hadn’t met the way they did, a life in which Zhou Zishu would have followed his death-by-seven-nails plans, Wen Kexing would have had the time to come up with a good revenge plan against those who wronged him. He had the beginnings of it in his mind: he would probably use the lesser of the ten ghosts as a scapegoat and make everyone at ghost valley believe he had a piece of the sought after Glazed Armor. And then, he would release his ghosts into the human world and cause chaos.
As it is, Wen Kexing, finds his soulmate earlier and instead of devoting time to foment his hate, he devotes it to enjoying the in-between of Zhou Zishu’s legs, the gasps and moans Zhou Zishu makes when Wen Kexing takes him apart. He devotes it to opening himself up to Zhou Zishu and in exchange, Zhou Zishu offers his entire heart.
This means Wen Kexing is not in his right mind when the sects arrive at his doorstep. He is so out of it he doesn’t even send Zhou Zishu a message, he doesn’t have time for it. The sects barge into the valley like the demons they accuse the ghosts of being, eager for blood and death. Wen Kexing finds himself back to back with Tragicomic Ghost, both of them protecting the entrance to the department of the Unfaithful, where Gu Xiang and Beauty Ghost is holding position of the other side, overseeing the girls escape from the secret passageway Wen Kexing insisted they made so many years ago.
Zhou Zishu learns of all of this later, when Han Ying recounts how the first hours of the Ghost Valley Siege went.
___***___
Zhou Zishu steps in front of the entrance to Mount Qingya. The carnage that meets him is as brutal as Zhou Zishu had imagined: there are pools of blood everywhere, the bodies of dead ghosts and sect members transform the place into a gruesome nightmare. Zhou Zishu hates blood but in a battle like this, he suspects it would be impossible not to get some on his clothes. There are no victorious people here. Zhou Zishu tightens his hold on his whip sword and tries not to think about Wen Kexing.
“I want four people at the entrance. Don’t let anyone else come in,” Zhou Zishu tells Han Ying, who is right behind him leading the new disciples of Four Seasons Manor. “If any other fights break out, you stop them.” He pauses. “And you see any female ghosts help them. Tell them- tell them we are from Four Seasons Manor,” he adds at last. He hopes Wen Kexing told that maid of his the name of the place Zhou Zishu plans to take them. “The rest of you come with me.”
The first group stays guarding the entrance while Zhou Zishu and Han Ying enter the cruelest place in all of the martial arts world. He had always thought his first visit would not have been under such horrible circumstances, but Zhou Zishu has long learned how to work with the evil hand of destiny. He has one aim and one aim only: bring Wen Kexing and whoever he wants out of here safely.
“Remember, you don’t interfere unless I tell you to,” Zhou Zishu tells his disciples. He doesn’t want to lose his people. A lifetime of seeing his own men die because of his poor choices is more than enough.
They walk over corpses and half dead people, their terrified, agonizing moans filling the silence. It seems the Ghost Valley army gave as good as it got, killing as many people from the so-called righteous sects as they could. Zhou Zishu doesn’t care about any of these people, as far as he knows the sects should have honored the deal made long ago and left the ghosts in peace.
And then, over the tormented moans, Zhou Zishu hears a female shout and it's more enraged than scared, screaming profanities at whoever the woman is fighting against. Zhou Zishu cannot help a smile. Whoever this is, the woman is fierce.
They run towards the noises and find a brutal battle: there is a group of what appears to be defenseless girls hiding behind an extremely feral and extremely beautiful woman. Beside her, is the woman who must be the Tragicomic Ghost: she has long white hair, dark powerful eyes and moves as deadly as her long golden claws.
And in front of them, covering a wounded man bleeding profusely, is a young woman dressed in purple fighting against a man Zhou Zishu knows is the leader of the Gentle Sword Sect. He knows that because long ago, the Window of Heaven mapped all the names of the powerful people who could potentially overthrow Prince Jin. Mo Huaiyang came up in fourth, right behind Gao Chong, the until then unnamed Valley Master and, well, Zhou Zishu himself.
The young woman, as skilled as she seems to be, has absolutely no chance against Mo Huaiyang. Zhou Zishu throws his whip sword right at Mo Huaiyang’s head, stopping him from delivering a killing blow to the young woman’s back. He jumps in immediately afterwards, driving the man a few steps back. He smiles cruelly and allows his murderous aura to show, making Mo Huaiyang know whoever he is, Zhou Zishu is no inexperienced fighter.
There is one other fact that needs to be added to the-list-of-possible-threats-to-Prince-Jin: if the list were to be remade today, Mo Huaiyang would have dropped from fourth to fifth. The reason for that is that when the list was made, Zhou Zishu had not yet found his second in command.
Han Ying is extremely skilled in the art of killing and has no qualms using his abilities. With one hand movement, Zhou Zishu sends Han Ying towards Mo Huaiyang’s direction and while Mo Huaiyang is busy fighting for his life, Zhou Zishu sends part of his disciples to help the group. Now that Zhou Zishu is looking carefully, the woman previously fighting Mo Huaiyang couldn’t be more than 18 and she has the gall to hiss at him when he tries to touch the man she is protecting. She is covered in blood all over, her teeth are red with it and when she barrels them at Zhou Zishu, she looks like the little demon spawn Zhou Zishu knows this place can produce.
She is also crying deeply, her hands running over up and down the side of the man she is now cradling in her arms. She is afraid the man is dead, Zhou Zishu realizes. Carefully, Zhou Zishu approaches again.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Zhou Zshu says “I know you are one of the ghosts. I’m a friend of Wen Kexing,” he goes on, never losing sight of the small dagger the feral girl has within reach. “I’m Zhou Zishu.”
The second he says his name, the girl’s eyes widen in recognition. She sobs dejectedly, bringing her hands to cover her own eyes. She is shaking all over. In an instant, the feral demon is gone and in place is a scared young woman.
“T- they came out of nowhere! T- they used Cao da-ge as bait!! T- they invaded and- and killed and they wouldn’t stop!” She takes her hands from her face and looks at Zhou Zishu. “They came for my master.” She places one bloodied hand back over the man’s barely moving chest. “I want them all dead.”
It's a shock to realize this is Wen Kexing’s maid, but thinking back, Zhou Zishu decides she couldn’t have been anyone else’s. He mentions for some of his disciples to help her and the man she is protecting and hears himself say:
“I promise.”
The sound of Mo Huaiyang screaming tells Zhou Zishu Han Ying possibly landed a killing blow. He leaves the women with the rest of his disciples and with one last glance at Han Ying’s sword touching the neck of Mo Huaiyang. He runs toward where the young woman points. That’s where Wen Kexing is.
___***___
Zhou Zishu hears the sounds of people fighting before he can see them. Right at the highest hill at Mount Qingya is Wen Kexing. He is dressed all in red, but he looks nothing like the time Zhou Zishu first met him: Wen Kexing is dressed in his Ghost Valley blood red robes, his eyes are back to being cruel and bottomless, his face is stained with blood on his cheeks and forehead, and in his hand he carries a fan. Zhou Zishu has never seen the famous Valley Master fan before and he doesn’t know if its original color was red. He bets it wasn’t.
Wen Kexing looks glorious, like the king of hell, averting strike after strike aimed his way, and each time he lands back on his feet blood splashes from the many pools on the ground. The liquid is quickly absorbed by the robes and gives the sensation Wen Kexing is soaking up all the life force around him. For one insane moment Zhou Zishu wonders what would be like to go head-to-head against the Valley Master, how exciting it would be to have this incredible creature under him. Or over him.
Shaking his head, Zhou Zishu concentrates on Wen Kexing’s enemies. One of them is Zhao Jing, the current leader of the Five Lakes Alliance. Zhou Zishu dosnt recognize the others but by their leader’s weapon of choice Zhou Zishu knows they are dealing with the Scorpion. Zhou Zishu doesn’t know nor does he care to find out why one of the most righteous sects of the martial world is joining forces with an assassin group such as the Scorpion. He does care about Wen Kexing though.
Zhou Zishu sees Wen Kexing’s fan rip open the throat of one of the scorpion’s men the same time he sees Zhao Jing try to sneak behind Wen Kexing. With an outraged shout, Zhou Zishu jumps all the way, landing exactly behind Wen Kexing’s back and protecting him.
Wen Kexing turns his head immediately once he hears the shout, eyes going wide and for an instance regaining his humanity back. The moment their backs touch, Zhou Zishu feels Wen Kexing shiver. Zhou Zishu found him in time.
“Didn’t I tell you to let me know if you needed any help, Lao Wen?” Zhou Zishu says instead of doing what he really wants, which is kissing the Valley Master stupid.
Wen Kexing laughs wetly, blood running down his mouth.
“Lord Zhou.” Wen Kexing says while dodging from the next attack.
“Not anymore,” Zhou Zishu answers and uses the momentum to strike Zhao Jing, who unfortunately manages to escape.
Wen Kexing laughs again, delighted with the news. Zhou Zishu can hear how heavy his breathing is. Wen Kexing is not unharmed. Zhou Zishu needs to finish this. Distantly he wonders what would have happened if he had followed his original plan to screw the seven nails into himself. He sends a prayer to the gods that he didn’t do it. He wouldn’t be able to protect Wen Kexing now.
The Scorpion leader strikes Wen Kexing again from his left at the same moment Zhao Jing does it from the right. Wen Kexing throws his fan at the Scorpion and Zhou Zishu jumps to his right and in one swift motion, Zhao Jing’s head rolls to the ground.
The fighting stops. Everything stops, really. The Scorpion is staring horrified at the loose head. And then, with a horrifying scream from the Scorpion leader, time moves again. The Scorpion launches himself towards Wen Kexing, his bare hands looking more like deadly claws. Wen Kexing raises his fan up to defend himself but Zhou Zishu is quicker. In a blink, Zhou Zishu is in front of the Scorpion, the whip sword raised and its tip touching the vulnerable hollow of the Scorpion’s neck.
“If you come one more step closer to my person, you’ll die.” Zhou Zishu says. He is not threatening the Scorpion, he says it more like informing him. “I already killed Zhao Jing and I see no reason to not keep going.” It takes one moment. And then another. And another. Zhou Zishu’s sees the Scorpion eyes move from Zhou Zishu to Zhao’s Jing decapitated head. There is a story there Zhou Zishu doesn’t know. Zhou Zishu makes a decision. “I’ll allow you to leave the Ghost valley with his head if you turn back now. The fight is over.”
Wen Kexing gasps behind him but doesn’t contradict Zhou Zishu. A thrill runs down Zhou Zishu’s spine. It’s nice to know the Valley Master will abide by his words.
The Scorpion doesn’t answer right away. He looks down at the carnage he and the sects did and then looks back at Zhou Zishu. Slowly, he reaches down, his fingers touching the hairs on Zhao Jing’s head. He pulls the head to him.
Zhou Zishu nods and pulls the whip sword away.
“Leave and don’t ever come after the Valley Master again.”
___***___
As soon as the Scorpion and his men are out of view, Wen Kexing’s knees give up, and if it wasn’t for Zhou Zishu’s quick reflexes, Wen Kexing would have fallen into the pool of blood on the ground. As it is, Zhou Zishu sweeps Wen Kexing off his feet and carries him in his arms until he finds a clean spot. He lowers Wen Kexing down and then himself, and arranges them so that Wen Kexing’s back is resting against Zhou Zishu’s chest. He hears Wen Kexing’s lungs trying to pull in some air. Quietly, he kisses the side of Wen Kexing’s head.
“Hush now, love. Take a few breaths and when you are able to, we’ll get up and make our way to Four Seasons Manor,” Zhou Zishu whispers into Wen Kexing’s ear.
Wen Kexing trembles all over, but if it’s in shock or arousal, Zhou Zishu doesn’t know. Wen Kexing’s eyes are glassy and unfocused, he probably lost some blood. Despite all that, Wen Kexing laughs again.
“You really did come. Ah-Xu, the way you fought them? I- I wanted to… go down on my knees and… suck you dry right then and there.” Wen Kexing says.
Zhou Zishu can’t even fake being annoyed. He is just so glad Wen Kexing is well enough to make crude jokes.
“Save it for when you are healed, shidi,” he says and waits for the inevitable reaction. Wen Kexing inhales sharply and tries to move away from Zhou Zishu, who doesn’t let him. “You are not as secretive as you think you are, love.” Zhou Zishu continues. He kisses Wen Kexing again. “I’m… very glad to have met you again.”
“Ah-Xu, I-”
Zhou Zishu cuts him mid-sentence.
“I’m not asking for an explanation,” Zhou Zishu tells him. “You can tell me if you want, or you can keep the story to yourself. What I’m saying is… we found each other again. It’s enough. I love you.” Zhou Zishu sees Han Ying making his way towards them. The young woman in purple leading right along Han Ying. By the way she is smiling, Zhou Zishu assumes the man she was so bravely fighting to protect survived. Zhou Zishu raises his arm to let them know where he is and waits. “Come back to Four Seasons Manor with me, be its master right by my side,” He asks Wen Kexing.
Zhou Zishu can already picture it: Wen kexing thriving in a safe place, shedding all the red robes and wearing the colorful ones Zhou Zishu knows he prefers. Or maybe, Wen kexing would try wearing white, walking around like the noble sect heir he tried so hard to forget he is. He would be a menace in the kitchen, Zhou Zishu already knows, Wen Kexing and his so-called maid. What an amazing pair.Zhou Zishu wants them under his roof, covered by his protection.
“Say yes, Lao Wen. Come live with me.” Zhou Zishu asks again.
Wen Kexing sobs quietly, one lonely tear rolling down his face. Slowly, he nods.