Later, they climbed the little hill in the outer circle.
At this time, the sun was starting to set. Blood red clouds floated in the blue sky.
They walked around aimlessly, talking with their heads close together.
"That day, I was so angry when Heng disappeared. The soldiers in the hall were laughing at me, and the physicians just kept watching. I went to find platoon leader and have him deal with both of you."
She paused, "Didn't the platoon leader tell you about it?"
"No, all I know is you were missing," he began slowly, "Young master Ji's aides went to the treatment hall to find you. You weren't there, and no one knew where you had gone. They only said that you'd stormed out after Heng left without treatment."
He paused, and sat down at a spot from which they could watch the clouds.
He patted the spot next to him, and waited until she sat down before continuing, "Then your master had more people look for you. It became a bigger deal because they were asking everyone in camp if they'd see you. Finally, someone said you'd entered the platoon leader's office building. Your master went there directly. All the platoon leaders were in a meeting with the company leaders. He asked if they'd seen you, and turned out brother Han had."
He paused, then added, "Brother Han didn't say anything, I know all this from camp gossip."
Lu Yan was slightly stunned. She'd had no idea that so much had happened that day.
"Master really went to find me himself?" she asked incredulously.
Shan nudged her, instantly understanding. He teased, "Seems he truly cares for you."
Lu Yan smiled, happy as a clam.
Shan looked at her expression, and continued, "I mean, it's kind of obvious. If he didn't, he wouldn't take you as a disciple, and teach you everything he knows."
Seeing her blushing from pleasure, he tapped her forehead, "You're too easy to read. You need to hide your emotions better."
Lu Yan scoffed at him, "That sounds like something you've been told by Heng."
Shan smiled wryly, "It was actually brother Han."
They were both silent for a moment, then he nudged her again, "What were you going to say? I heard something about tattling."
Lu Yan wanted to hide her face, "I thought platoon leader Han would have told you. Actually, that day, I went to him to complain about you and Heng. But then he left for a meeting. I was too tired, and fell asleep there."
She looked at him, "I thought you knew and hated me for snitching on you."
He looked at her seriously, "So you've been staying away?"
Lu Yan looked away and nodded uncomfortably.
A slight breeze swished through the leaves of the nearby tree. Birds were chirping exuberantly to each other. The usual bustle of the army camp seemed far from them at this moment.
There was a silence for a moment before Lu Yan turned to Shan again, and said, "You're my first friend. I don't want to lose you."
In the warm light of the sunset, her eyes were bright with unshed tears.
He looked back and forth between her eyes and seemed to understand her unspoken words. Her master had warned her about them and she didn't know if she could trust him.
Taking her hands in his, he vowed seriously, "No matter what happens in the future, I promise I will never hurt you or let you down."
She seemed to understand his unspoken words in turn. He wasn't plotting anything against young master Ji. Which meant that these three brothers must have another reason for staying in the Ji family army. She wondered what this reason was.
Lu Yan stared him seriously, trying to determine if he was being honest.
He looked at her openly, his eyes bright, his smile small, gentle and real. So unlike the fake grins he usually wore.
She took a deep breath, "Alright, alright. I believe you."
His smile grew wider, and he sighed in relief, bowing his head slightly, "That's great. That's really great."
His hands played with her fingers, and after a moment he said, "Your fingers are so small."
Lu Yan gently withdrew her hands from his.
He suddenly stood, and pulled her up too.
Placing a hand on the top of her head, he measured it across the space between them, and found the middle of his chest.
Surprised, he said, "Ayan, you're so short!"
Lu Yan slapped him lightly on the forearm.
He pulled her down to sit again, "How old are you?"
"Eleven, I'll be twelve soon."
He seemed shocked, "I'm twelve now. How come you're so much smaller than me?"
Lu Yan didn't look at him, mumbling, "Master said it's because I didn't have enough to eat. Before."
He exhaled lightly, and looked up at the sky, "I used to be smaller than everyone too. Until brother Han found me, I didn't know what a full stomach felt like. The first few days I always ate too much and vomited immediately after. But I couldn't stop myself."
Lu Yan looked at him from the corner of her eye.
He was smiling, "Heng hated me because I made brother Han work so much harder."
He turned to her, "Since then, I eat a lot. Now I'm only slightly shorter than Heng."
Patting her head, he said, "Don't worry, you'll grow taller soon."
Lu Yan pushed his hand away, "I know."
Reaching into her pouch, she pulled out a small packet, "Actually, I've been carrying this for days, meaning to give it to you."
Shan happily unwrapped the packet. Inside were several almonds and walnuts coated with a thick brown layer of sugar.
"The nuts taste so much better like this," Lu Yan informed him.
Shan popped one into his mouth, and chewed.
"Isn't it good?" Lu Yan asked expectantly.
The outer layer broke with a crack, and chewing the nuts and sugar together really made the taste better.
Shan continued eating, "Hmm, it's good!"