One night, when Yujin was near to the Pavilion again to keep an eye… or maybe even something else, Xiao stepped closer than before, breath warm against Yujin's cheek.
"You can't ignore me forever, Lan-Hun Yujin."
Yujin's heart thudded painfully.
But his answer was barely a breath:
"Watch me try."
Yet even he knew: trying was not the same as succeeding.
Xiao's smile curved, soft yet sly.
He wasn't done.
At first, yes, it had been about pride... that stubborn refusal Yujin showed when all others turned so easily under Xiao's touch. He wanted to see that discipline crack, just once, wanted to see Yujin look at him not with caution, but hunger.
And if he managed to lure the upright Lan heir into his bed, even for a single night… oh, that would be a sweeter victory than any silver.
But over nights like this, watching Yujin's gaze turn guarded then soften, Xiao felt something shift. Now it wasn't only pride.
He caught himself worrying if Yujin ate enough, if the dark circles under his eyes meant sleeplessness over the case… or over Xiao himself.
And Xiao's pride whispered in his ear: If I do have him, I won't take a single penny. Let them all know: this one was earned, not bought.
Yujin's own thoughts tangled in quiet desperation.
This man was dangerous, cunning ....yet his smile felt warm on cold nights.
Focus, Yujin. Remember why you're here.
But part of him couldn't help the strange fear:
that if he ever let himself drink too much in the Pavilion, he might wake to find Xiao curled beside him, half-smiling and victorious.
So Yujin never drank freely here.
Never stayed so late the lantern oil burned low enough to dim judgment.
And never... god forbid.... let his heartbeat quicken when Xiao's hand brushed his sleeve.
But tonight, the air was different.
The suspect had taken his own life before revealing anything. The only clue left: 翠色不归 — Green never returns.
Yujin turned the words over and over in his mind, tasting fear, warning, promise.
Then came the hooded figures, gliding through drifting smoke like living shadows. Yujin tensed, palm brushing his sword.
Before him, Xiao's teasing faltered. Dark eyes sharpened, hunting danger instead of a heart.
"You still think he was only a puppet?" Xiao murmured.
"He died to protect something ....or someone," Yujin replied, voice tight.
Xiao's gaze flickered to him, lingering too long.
"Whose life are you afraid of losing, Lan-gongzi?"
Yujin looked away. "That isn't your concern."
"You think you can keep me out?" Xiao's voice dropped, low, dangerous... yet almost tender.
Yujin's breath caught. His discipline cracked, only for a heartbeat.
Then movement near the gate snapped it back.
Two shadows. A dark thread connecting them to the dead man.... and maybe beyond, to whoever truly pulled the strings.
"Stay behind me," Yujin ordered, voice low.
"Not a chance," Xiao shot back, smile sharp as a blade.
But before Yujin could argue, the figures turned toward them,
"Whatever happens, Lan-Hun… don't die tonight," Xiao whispered, his words brushing the edge of prayer.
"Then don't stand in my way," Yujin hissed.
For a heartbeat, the laughter and song of the Pavilion fell away.
There was only Xiao...heat at Yujin's side, promise and threat coiled in one smirk... and danger spilling like black ink across the courtyard.
Yujin's mind raced:
The silk clue. The dying man's last look. The shadows who move as one. What do they know? And why does this feel like a trap meant for me?
Xiao's mind, too, spun:
He doesn't see it. He doesn't see himself trembling. God, he's beautiful like this. Scared, angry, alive. But if those shadows cut him down before I can break that pride and win a single night…
For all his teasing words, Xiao's hand dropped to a hidden blade at his waist, ready to draw before the threat reached Yujin.
"If you fall," Xiao whispered, "who will I tease? Who will I ruin?"
Yujin almost laughed, but swallowed it, afraid it might sound too close to a sob.
Instead, he stepped forward, between Xiao and danger. "Stay behind me," he repeated.
"Never," Xiao breathed, the word a vow.
The hooded figures drew nearer. Lantern light shimmered across masked faces.... and for an instant, one of them looked back, gaze locking with Yujin's.
In that flash, something twisted: familiarity, or prophecy.
And behind it all, 翠色不归 burned in Yujin's mind:
Green never returns… but what will?
[ End of Chapter 5 ]