On their way there, Su Nian and Bao Fang were busy making one plan after another to kill the deadly snake...
completely unaware that the real serpent wasn't lurking in the lotus pond... but inside Duie's mind.
Duie was barely holding back his laughter. The way Su Nian and Bao Fang discussed their grand snake-slaying schemes made it seem like they weren't just targeting a serpent, but planning to destroy the entire world.
Finally, they arrived at the beautiful lotus pond.
In the very center of the pond stood a magnificent blue flowers tree, its dazzling blossoms scattered like jewels across the already-blooming surface of lotus flowers. The entire scene looked like a painting
pure, serene, and otherworldly.
But one gaze was fixed entirely on Su Nian.
And Su Nian knew...
someone was watching him from the shadows.
That someone was Duie, hopelessly and silently in love with Su Nian.
Back when Yu Sui first told Duie about Mo Yan, Duie would often seek out Su Nian just to talk about them. They'd spend hours discussing Mo Yan's loneliness without Yu Sui, laughing, sharing, connecting.
But neither of them knew when those casual conversations turned into something deeper...into an unspoken emotion that lingered in every glance, every pause, every touch.
Every evening, they'd share meals. They'd try to catch butterflies together, giggling like children.
And Duie… he always brewed a special lotus tea for Su Nian....his own unique blend, made only for him.