The moon hung high in the sky, casting a pale glow over the sect grounds. Crickets chirped softly in the bushes, and distant lanterns flickered like stars scattered across the earth.
Lan Shuyin left him alone to his thoughts. "Don't overthink what Li Feng said earlier," she'd advised. "He's always distant with everyone. You're not special."
But her words had only made Jin Yue think more.
He sighed and leaned back against the table when a knock came at the door again — this time, brisk and firm.
It was a disciple from Elder Zhang's quarters. "Senior asks for a copy of the 'Basic Qi Circulation' scroll. Immediately."
Jin Yue blinked. "At this hour?"
"He said, 'If the boy wants to survive, he should learn to serve without whining.' His words."
Jin Yue groaned inwardly, grabbed the scroll, and tucked it into his robe. The sect hallways were dim, lit only by moonlight and a few faint spiritual lamps. Shadows stretched long across the stones as he hurried through the eastern corridor.
He turned a sharp corner—
Thud.
He slammed into something — no, someone.
Scrolls slipped from his arms. His foot caught on the edge of a stone. He was falling—
But hands caught him.
Strong. Steady. Cold as the night wind.
He looked up, heart in his throat.
Li Feng.
Dressed in midnight-blue robes, hair slightly tousled from rest, sword still strapped at his back. His face was calm, but his grip around Jin Yue's waist was firm — grounding.
They stared at each other for a beat too long.
Then Li Feng's mouth curved ever so slightly. "I didn't know I was this irresistible."
Jin Yue gawked, face heating up. "I—I wasn't—!"
Li Feng let him go slowly, with the smooth confidence of someone completely in control. "You're lucky I was passing by. Next time, try not to throw yourself into my arms when you're carrying an important scroll."
He bent, picked up the scroll, and handed it back. Their fingers brushed — Jin Yue flinched at the contact, pulse jumping.
Li Feng noticed.
"I'll take this to Elder Zhang," he said coolly, turning. "Go back before you trip over your own feet again."
And just like that, he vanished into the shadows, the faint scent of sandalwood and frost left in his wake.
Jin Yue stood alone, flustered and burning.
"…He really is impossible."
But deep in his chest, something strange stirred.