Lanyin continued, his expression slightly worried as he recalled what Suiren had told him.
"As you know, Utsushi was deeply affected and traumatized after that incident at the Fukaki... He was close to death—almost…"
Suji nodded in understanding before asking,
"And then…?"
Lanyin explained every detail he knew.
"Then Master used the Shen spiritual talisman on him... to send him into a coma for a few days."
Suji raised an eyebrow. That talisman wasn't something to be used so lightly—it could sometimes even weaken the user.
"Sent into a coma… with the Shen talisman?"
Lanyin nodded.
"Yes, Lan Suji."
Suji's curiosity sharpened.
"What really happened that he needed to take such a serious step?"
Lanyin's expression grew a little guilty.
"I apologize... Dao Suiren didn't tell me everything. He said he would explain the rest to you himself."
Suji nodded. His expression was serious, yet understanding.
"It's alright. And... what about Kairo? His condition was nearly as bad."
Lanyin let out a small, relieved sigh.
"He's sleeping—better than before. His fever finally broke earlier."
Suji sighed too, a bit lighter now. Then, trying not to sound too bothered, he asked carefully:
"That's good to hear... And what about Kansai?"
"His condition is better than Kairo's or Utsushi's. He's also sleeping, but... he hasn't eaten anything yet."
Suji cleared his throat, his expression thoughtful. Then he stood up and said,
"Then I'll manage the rest myself. Thank you for reporting to me. I'll discuss my duty with Master Suiren and learn what he wants me to do next. You may go now."
Lanyin bowed and left the room.
Once alone, Suji quietly adjusted his hair, trying to perfect it—like someone who didn't want anyone to know he'd slept awkwardly half on the floor, half on the bed, beside Kansai the night before.
His mind drifted back to last night's thoughts
Suji was in his own room, placing the first aid box next to a beautifully carved wooden box. Thoughtfully, he opened the lid, revealing the glistening gem: Lán Qīngyè.
He stared at it for a moment before placing it carefully into his robe.
"Maybe this time..." he murmured.
Then he walked back into Kansai's room, intending to ask him what he wanted to eat and call Lanyin to bring it.
But instead, he found Kansai lying flat on the bed. His eyes were closed, his bandaged arm resting on the mattress, and his good hand across his chest. He looked like a sick little chick, trying to sleep off his injuries.
"I told him to decide what he wanted to eat, and he's already asleep while I was away?"
Suji whispered to himself.
He stood beside the bed, watching for a moment. Kansai's eyelids fluttered faintly—he wasn't fully asleep yet.
Hesitating, Suji sat beside him. Then, with careful fingers, he gently squeezed Kansai's shoulder—wary of hurting him since it was his injured side.
"Wake up, you fool… I told you to decide the proper menu, not sleep without eating. Do you know you're supposed to eat three times more than you're doing now? And you haven't even had a bowl?"
He scolded Kansai in a rough, low voice, his jaw clenched, ears burning slightly—not from anger, but embarrassment.
He was the Second Grandmaster… and here he was, running around with a first aid box, tending to a 5th-ranked Lan member, trying to wake him just to feed him. It was absurd—and oddly, no one would even believe it.
But Kansai's fingers twitched. He turned his face to the side, neck slightly exposed, swallowing softly—like a baby—yet still didn't wake.
Suji quickly sat up straighter, suddenly aware of how closely he'd been watching him.
Since when have my eyes gotten this sharp…?
He could clearly see the pulse fluttering in Kansai's neck and how his Adam's apple moved with each swallow.
He let out a frustrated sigh. His hand nearly rose to cover his face—but he stopped, thinking about what might anyone say if thry walked in at that moment..no body isn't slept yet
Agitated by everything—his own behavior, Kansai's stubbornness, this weird intimacy—he suddenly grabbed Kansai's throat. Not enough to choke, but enough to jolt him awake.
"I said... WAKE UP!"
Suji growled, jaw tight.
Kansai's eyes flew open in a panic.
"I-I-I'm awake! I'm awake!! Don't kill me—I'm innocent! I'll clean the washrooms instead!!"
He blurted like a child saying a prayer. His eyes squeezed shut, terrified of Suji's sharp gaze. Both his hands—injured and good—flew to his mouth, as if to silence himself, hissing slightly in pain.
Suji immediately let go of his throat, startled by Kansai's frightened response. His eyes softened, though his cheeks burned from anger... and something else.
Clearing his throat, he spoke again—his voice more neutral, a bit gruff.
"Just... wake up. Don't sleep without eating in that condition. And don't move too much."
Kansai swallowed hard, his eyes darting toward Suji. His muscles slowly relaxed as he nodded, face flushed in embarrassment.
Suji let go of his hand quickly, awkwardly brushing the corner of his own left eye—then absently ran a finger through his long hair, from behind his ear down to the tip.
A strange little habit he had when unsettled.
"Did you decide what you want to eat?"
He asked, watching Kansai carefully as he slowly sat up, adjusting his position. Suji stayed alert, ready to catch him if needed.
"I... I'll just have some soup," Kansai said in a low tone.
Suji blinked.
"Only soup? Look at yourself—do you really think you'll survive the night with only a bowl of soup?"
"B-but… Lan Suji, I can't eat anything more. I might throw up..."
"Why? Who throws up from eating when they're just injured?"
"I… I just can't. Not eating anything will be fine too…"
"You're not a child anymore, to be told this like a bedtime warning—and still you're being stubborn."
Suji murmured, then sighed.
He said nothing more—but his silence said enough:
"Then sleep. I'll stay."
He stood up and approached the wooden table where Kansai's guqin rested. It was a simple black instrument—not as ornate or luxurious as Suji's.
Suji began to play a familiar melody: Huābàn Sǎhuǎng Shí—the same one from last night, though it hadn't yet been named.
Silence fell again.
Only the soft melody... and their quiet breathing.
Kansai found the melody sweet. His eyes grew heavy, and he softly called out,
"Dao... Su…"
He was so sleepy, he couldn't even finish Suji's name.
The softness in his voice made Suji's chest tighten. It felt like something whispered right into his ear... like a name turned into a nickname.
He didn't look at Kansai, but he heard everything.
His hand reached for the gem in his robe, squeezing it tightly. He couldn't decide—should he give it now… or not? Or he's losing his mind for willing to give it right now while Kansai is barely awoken?
"It's beautiful…" Kansai murmured, barely awake, "But I... didn't read that note in... any book… what's..."
Before he could finish, he had already fallen asleep.
Suji let the last note fade, then gently rested his hand over the guqin strings—silencing the melody under his fingertips.
He stood and stepped closer to Kansai, watching his sleeping face.
"Fast sleeper... like a baby."
He whispered, half-amused.
"But who's going to keep raising this big baby when grown men are out handling peace, cultivation, and whole families?"
Kansai slept so carelessly, like nothing in the world mattered more than rest.
Suji watched his pale face, slightly parted lips, and the awkward angle of his neck. If he stayed that way too long, he'd definitely sprain something.
Suji moved to adjust him... but then he noticed Kansai's sharp collarbone peeking out, his soft lips slightly drooling.
There wasn't a soul in the world who'd deny it now:
This boy was a big baby.
Suji froze. His eyes landed on Kansai's lips, the glistening drool—
He swallowed hard.
A strange, burning embarrassment bloomed inside him.
He couldn't move. Couldn't think.
His thoughts turned dangerous.
Stop it—just stop...
He cursed himself internally, struggling to shove away whatever strange heat was pooling in his chest.
The air suddenly grew too heavy—silence thick with tension.
Back to Present…
Suji shook his head, flustered . He was just succeed to embarrasse himself
"H-he didn't even eat anything the whole night... and... n-no, nothing."
He whispered to himself, cutting off his thoughts.
Suiren's room was empty. He looked around—then noticed Utsushi's unconscious, pale body lying on the master's bed.
Suji silently stepped closer to examine him.