The city and its famous gathering places were undeniably beautiful, a canvas of silver and violet. Yet, today, Kirihito looked more stunning than all the lanterns combined. And just like the tides that move without effort, he was creating his own tumultuous emotional surges.
The interior of the restaurant, Yīn Yīnģxìaõ (蔭影嘯), was gorgeously appointed. The air was filled with soft, overlapping melodies—the sharp clarity of a gǔqín blending with the soothing breath of a dizi flute—a musical balm so sweet that it occasionally made Kirihito yawn with sleepy contentment.
The floor was silver-blue marble, the tables dark, polished wood, and the seating was adorned with silver-blue cushions bordered in rich violet. Silver-blue and violet lanterns cast a warm glow. There were reserved sections, often occupied by the high-ranking Hàngwō and Yin Lan males. The servers wore the signature silver-blue robes trimmed with violet edging.
Portraits of the legendary clan leaders adorned the walls, and in the center stood a large silver statue of their Earth God, or Dì Zūn. Engraved at its base were the words: Mortals are sacred but fragile. Forgiveness is balanced; cruelty and indulgence must be monitored.
Today, the restaurant was packed with prosperous commoners and cultivators celebrating the annual event—a day when ordinary people, unlike the higher Dàozǔ with their dedicated temples, held their own quiet observances. Xio was fairly certain the most powerful Yin Lan and Hàngwō males would be occupied elsewhere. Still, the junior members posed a significant risk.
Couldn't you find any other restaurant to get into?! Why this one?? Xio cursed Kirihito silently. His hand tightened around Kirihito's arm. The crowd was dense, and Kirihito was an untamed force; one careless bump could spiral into disaster.
"We'll sit somewhere safe," Xio murmured, loud enough for Kirihito to hear, his eyes scanning for an empty table. He then remembered his disguise: as Lan Suji, he had access to Suji's reserved seating.
He turned toward Kirihito, who let out a sharp hiss when a large, round man bumped heavily into him. The man looked at Kirihito with a confused, slightly offended expression.
Kirihito, restrained by the hood and Xio's warning about meeting eyes, could only murmur under the scarf, "Wèi hates those fat, ugly insects even more... Wèi will cut out all their fat."
"Careful, little boy. Your size is so beautifully thin that if I blow, you'll fly away " the man grumbled, his annoyance barely concealed by his prideful tone.
Then, realized Lan Suji is in front of him. the man instantly shifted to forced politeness. "My apologies, Suji Kùmsūn! I was just giving your friend a little advice to eat more properly! I won't ask like others why you haven't gone to the temple for today's event!" He quickly backed away, his massive stomach trembling with his movements, not waiting for Xio to speak.
"What the... has no manners," Xio muttered under his breath, genuinely affronted by the man's rudeness toward Kirihito and his condescension toward Lan Suji. He couldn't help but wonder what the real Lan Suji would do to a man who spoke to him or his brother, Kansai, like that. Xio knew Suji's habits intimately; Lánxiè males were, after all, clever at digging up secrets.
Xio was relieved, though, that the man hadn't pressed him about his absence from the temple, which would have required yet another carefully constructed lie..he doesn't wanted to repeat the same lies here too which he did the whole path here..
On the other hand, Kirihito's jaw was almost dropping. Being called so thin he could be blown away was an entirely new form of insult. He was usually praised for his beauty and perfect form; this comment struck a deep nerve.
The Dark Voice spoke, bristling with disbelief and wounded pride: How dare he speak of us like that?! I will slice him into millions of pieces and feed him to the yokai!
Kirihito's voice, childish but edged with nascent danger, agreed: Wèi will help you at it. Wèi will break his head into two pieces. The white one will be placed at the right side and the red one at the left side.
Xio, struggling to maintain his Lan Suji façade while simultaneously defusing his companion, could only hiss softly, "Don't mind him. Humans are that way, you know."
"Wèi also knows how to send them back to their home, too," Kirihito whispered, a dangerous, hooded smile curving his lips beneath the scarf.
Alarmed by this clear sign of plotting, Xio quickly pulled Kirihito deeper into the restaurant. "Let's sit at our reserved seat and order something to eat! You must be hungry, Wèi," he whispered, forcing a smile to maintain public dignity.
"Hmph," Kirihito softly hummed, his cheeks still puffed up from the insult.
They settled in Lan Suji's usual spot with his clan brothers: a beautiful window seat located at the back of the restaurant. It overlooked a peaceful lotus pond where white swans gracefully played—a tranquil scene perfect for enjoyment.
Xio let out a silent sigh of relief. He knew that the junior Yin Lan members were likely preoccupied. Utsushi, one of their own, had been severely injured, meaning the clan was busy investigating the spirit attack, the source of the soul garden melody, and the strange happenings in Fukaki. He suspected the Hàngwō Sect was also preoccupied.
Xio, as a member of Lánxiè, knew much about Fukaki's secrets, secrets that the younger Yin Lan clan—with only 300 to 350 years of history—were woefully unprepared to uncover. He knew Master Suiren was heading to Fukaki tonight, a journey he viewed as a dead wish. He briefly wondered about Utsushi and Kiro; he was the black shadow who had saved them from the woods, and he hoped the children were safe.
Lost in thought, Xio propped his face on one hand, the wounded hand resting gently on the table. He didn't realize he was staring fixedly at Kirihito for a good three to five minutes.
Kirihito, unaware of the scrutiny, tilted his head at various angles like a curious, confused snake, his beautiful lips slightly parted. He held his childhood rabbit charm, gently handling it as he had throughout the journey. The scarf had shifted slightly, revealing more of his face, and the wind from the window played softly with his black hair. He truly looked like a crimson-black diamond glowing in the sunlight.
As the scarf threatened to fall off entirely, Xio snapped out of his trance. He quickly reached out and fixed the scarf back into place, careful to make the action look casual and public-appropriate.
Kirihito looked at him. Xio smiled softly. "Don't stay angry longer, Wèi. It's not good for your health, even for yokai."
Kirihito pressed his lips together, nodding thoughtfully. He was still mentally consumed by the insult—plotting how he would sever the fat man's head and whether his blood would be mixed with fat—but Xio's words gently tugged his attention away.
Xio finally asked, his voice soft and concerned, "Is something wrong? You are weirdly silent right now... and you usually have no limits to your mischief."
Kirihito glanced around, genuinely confused as to why he wasn't brimming with mischief. He felt a dull ache, perhaps from the sudden knowledge of the Dark Voice or the fractured memories. He turned toward his right, where the fat man was sitting, his hand gripping his chopsticks like a knife. His expression was softly upset, yet dangerously edged.
Xio's eyes tracked the movement and the threat. He gently slid the chopsticks away from his companion's grip. "You won't need those. Let me order something you'll like."
Then Kirihito spoke in a small, injured voice. "Wèi hates that fat insect. He called Wèi a paper. Wèi will kill him when Wèi's adventure is done." He sighed dramatically, both angry and sadly lying, playing with the edges of his hair.
Xio froze. He had to act fast; Kirihito was clearly burning with wounded ego and emotional hurt, and a public scene was imminent.
At that moment, Kirihito's stomach rumbled, loud enough for Xio to hear clearly. The poor snake was truly hungry. He purred softly, hugging his stomach. "Wèi is hungry," he said, looking down at his flat stomach, which hunger had seemingly pressed against his bones.
Xio felt a wave of tenderness and immediately focused on the menu, already deciding what to order.
"I will order lotus soup with two bowls of soybean rice and dry fish. And as a drink, we can take green tea." His eyes landed on Kirihito as he spoke the last magical words. "And your favorite dragon fruit."
Kirihito's face lit up immediately. He slapped his hands lightly on the table. "Wèi will get dragon fruits too?!" he said excitedly.
Xio shushed him gently. "Shh... talk low."
Kirihito lowered his head and whispered, "Wèi will get lots of dragon fruits?!"
Xio held back a chuckle, nodding. "They serve normal dragon fruit and also a popular milk dessert here."
"W-Wèi wants all!" he said eagerly, thrilled to taste the new dessert.
Xio called the servant, who rushed over. "May I know what you are desiring to order, sir?"
"A bowl of lotus soup with two bowls of soybean rice, dry fish, two pairs of solid dragon fruit, two cups of green tea, and two dragon fruit desserts," Xio commanded in the refined voice of Lan Suji.
The servant noted everything, bowed, and departed. Once he was gone, Xio looked at Kirihito, who was visibly happier, swinging lightly in his seat, his hands hugging himself and holding the scarf on his head.
"Happy?" Xio asked softly, smiling.
"Wèi is always happy~ Wèi Yīlíng never cries~ Wèi will not~" Kirihito sang softly, a tender lullaby only Xio could truly understand.
And Xio could only think tenderly: I hope to never see you cry as him too, Wèi.