Later that night, the courtyard quieted.
Lan juniors had returned to their rented inn; the Pavilion halls smelled of smoke, wet wood, and faint wine.
Xiao, sitting on a cracked sill, let the silence stretch until it threatened to crack.
"So you came back," he said, voice softer than a tease.
Yujin exhaled, shoulders dropping.
"I said I would."
Xiao's mouth curved — still sly, but something raw behind it.
"They always say that. You're the first to mean it."
For a while, neither spoke.
Outside, the rain had started again, drumming soft on scorched tiles.
Finally, Xiao broke the hush:
"Lan-Hun… are you afraid of me?"
Yujin turned, surprised.
"No. Why?"
"You never touch me," Xiao murmured, gaze lowered.
"Not even by accident."
A flush rose in Yujin's face, barely visible under lamplight.
"Because… if I did, I might not stop," he confessed, voice rough.
Xiao's breath caught.
But Yujin looked away immediately, shame tightening his jaw.
Moments passed.
"It's not about your robes, is it?" Xiao whispered.
"No," Yujin answered, quieter still.
"It's about… who I become if I forget them."
Author's note :
If you're here from the love for mo dao zu shi , thank you for walking through that world with me. If you ever want to step into a colder, stranger one… there's Candle Eyed Long Night. It's not an easy walk—but it's mine, from my heart to yours..and I believe as an writter and reader , I haven't written anything fake looking or boring.. I hope you all will try it once..and also love it "