They had been traveling for over half a month without incident, and their journey had grown increasingly harmonious. One day, they arrived at a bustling market town. It was noon, and the sun blazed mercilessly, making it almost impossible to keep their eyes open. The streets were nearly empty, with only a few pedestrians braving the heat. Even the calls of the street vendors sounded faint and weary.
Ji Chun, feeling his throat parched and his head throbbing from the heat, decided they needed a break. He turned to look at Su Ran, whose cheeks were flushed from the sun, his lips dry and pale. Su Ran was visibly uncomfortable, his brows furrowed as he tried to endure the sweltering conditions.
"Let's find an inn to rest for now," Ji Chun suggested, his voice tinged with concern. He walked over to a nearby stall and bought a folding fan. For a moment, he considered fanning Su Ran himself but decided against it, feeling it would be inappropriate in public. Instead, he handed the fan to Su Ran without a word and continued walking.
Su Ran frowned as he opened the fan and waved it a few times, but the motion only seemed to irritate him further. Too tired to speak, he followed Ji Chun in silence as they searched for an inn. Soon, they found one, and Ji Chun quickly paid for a room. They left the noisy lobby behind and made their way to the guest rooms on the second floor.
Though the room was quieter, the stifling heat remained. Su Ran, exasperated, tossed a silver ingot to the innkeeper who had followed them and ordered weakly, "Go buy some chilled fruits from the street."
As the innkeeper left, Ji Chun knocked on the door and entered, carrying a cup of cold water and a handkerchief. He found Su Ran sitting in a chair, his beautiful features twisted in discomfort as he fanned himself impatiently.
"This is fresh well water," Ji Chun said. "Perhaps rubbing it on your skin will help cool you down."
Su Ran glanced up, then dragged himself to the basin. He scooped up a handful of water and splashed it on his face. The coolness soothed his heated skin, and his groggy mind began to clear.
"I've asked the innkeeper to bring some fruits. They should be here soon," Su Ran said, his tone uncharacteristically polite. "Dashi you're welcome to stay."
Ji Chun was surprised by the lack of hostility in Su Ran's words. He clasped his hands together and gave a slight nod. "I apologize for the intrusion," he said, then took a seat in the corner without another word.
"It's unbearably hot today," Su Ran muttered, slumping over the table as he continued fanning himself. "Dashi, have you gained weight recently? Your robes seem a bit tight."
Ji Chun turned to look at him, studying Su Ran for a moment before replying, "In my opinion, you've lost quite a bit of weight lately." It was true—their days were filled with walking, and their meals on the road were simple. There was no way Su Ran could have gained weight.
"Oh? Is that so?" Su Ran yawned, his drowsiness returning. He shuffled to the bed and laid down. "I'll rest for a while. Dashi, do as you please."
With that, he fell asleep almost instantly. Ji Chun was about to leave but found himself lingering. For reasons he couldn't explain, he walked back to the bed and looked down at the sleeping man. Su Ran tossed and turned, his brows furrowed, his collar disheveled from the heat. Without thinking, Ji Chun picked up the fan from the table and began to fan him gently. Only when Su Ran's breathing steadied and he seemed to rest peacefully did Ji Chun finally leave the room.
As the sun began to set, Ji Chun woke from his nap and left the inn. He wandered into the market, asking for directions to the town's clothing store. The evening breeze was cool, and he thought it would be a good idea to buy some lighter clothes for Su Ran, as his current ones would soon be too heavy for the weather.
When he arrived at the clothing shop, the customers coming and going gave him curious looks—it wasn't every day they saw a monk buying clothes. Ji Chun ignored their stares and entered the shop calmly. A short, stout man with small eyes and a sharp nose approached him, a warm smile on his face.
"Excuse me, Gongzi, who are you buying clothes for?" the shopkeeper asked, bending slightly in a polite gesture.
"I'm here to buy some seasonal clothes for a friend," Ji Chun replied, clasping his hands together and nodding slightly.
"How tall is your friend, and what's his build?" the shopkeeper inquired.
Ji Chun paused, considering. "About this tall," he said, raising his hand to indicate Su Ran's height. "And he's quite thin."
"Thin?" The shopkeeper frowned slightly, then pointed outside to a young man passing by. "Is he similar in build to that man?"
Ji Chun glanced at the passerby. While their body shapes were somewhat alike, Su Ran's posture and bearing were entirely different. Still, he nodded. "Yes, similar to that. Do you have any clothes ready that would fit him?"
"Of course, of course!" the shopkeeper said eagerly. "The young master of the Wu family in our town has a similar build, and we've made many styles for him. These clothes are a bit pricey, but the quality and design are excellent. After all, when you're buying for a friend, it's important to show your taste and sincerity, don't you think?"
Ji Chun's expression remained impassive. When the shopkeeper finally stopped talking, he said calmly, "Please show me what you have."
The shopkeeper immediately called for the clothes to be brought out. They were laid out on the table, showcasing a variety of styles. The fabrics looked delicate and smooth—thin yet textured, perfect for the hot weather. Ji Chun stepped forward and picked out two simple yet elegant outfits: one white and one blue. Both had minimal embroidery, with only a few auspicious clouds adorning the cuffs and hems. The designs were understated, exuding a sense of comfort and ease.
"Dashi, you have excellent taste," the shopkeeper gushed. "These two pieces are the latest styles from Kyoto. No one in town has worn them yet. And the fabric—oh, just feel it! So soft and breathable, perfect for this sweltering heat..."
The shopkeeper rambled on, oblivious to Ji Chun's growing impatience. When the man began running his rough, dark hands over the delicate fabric, Ji Chun finally had enough. He took the clothes from the shopkeeper and asked curtly, "Price?"
"Four taels of silver!" the shopkeeper declared, holding up four fingers, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Ji Chun frowned slightly. Four taels was indeed a steep price for clothing. But as he pictured Su Ran's tall, striking figure, the cost suddenly seemed trivial. Without hesitation, he paid the amount, took the clothes, and left the shop.
As Ji Chun walked out, the shopkeeper called after him, "Dashi, next time you come, we'll give you a discount!"
Back at the inn, Ji Chun went straight to Su Ran's room and knocked on the door. Su Ran opened it, looking slightly surprised to see him. He stepped aside to let Ji Chun in. After closing the door, Ji Chun handed over the clothes and said simply, "These are for you. Try them on. I'll leave you to it." With that, he turned and left.
Su Ran stared at the clothes in his hands, puzzled. The monk went out to buy me clothes? The thought felt strange, almost unsettling. Why would Ji Chun do something like this? Shaking off the odd feeling, he removed his outer robe and tried on the white outfit. It fit well—light and comfortable—but his eyes were drawn to his belly. Over time, it had grown noticeably rounder. No wonder his old clothes felt tight. It was because of this thing inside him. Even the new clothes Ji Chun had bought were snug around his lower abdomen, making the bulge more obvious.
Annoyed, Su Ran kicked the small table beside him. He yanked the belt tight around his waist, but the bulge below remained unmistakable. He had never paid much attention to his appearance before, but now, frustration boiled over. The thought of walking around with a bloated belly, like some delicate woman, filled him with rage. He couldn't—wouldn't—allow such a humiliating spectacle.
In a fit of anger, he kicked over a stool and tore the clothes on the table to shreds. Why is this happening to me? he thought bitterly. I'm a man! Why do I have to endure this? The injustice of it all consumed him. His fists clenched, and he began punching the wall, over and over, as if the pain could somehow ease his fury. Blood dripped from his knuckles, staining the wall with crimson smears.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
The sound of someone at the door snapped him out of his rage. He turned, his eyes fierce and bloodshot, and strode to the door. When he opened it, he found the inn's innkeeper standing there, trembling.
"What do you want?" Su Ran's voice was icy.
The innkeeper, terrified by Su Ran's menacing expression, stammered, "S-sir, the... the frozen fruits you ordered... they're sold out..."
"When did I ask for them? Why are you only telling me now?!" Su Ran's eyes flashed with anger. He grabbed the innkeeper by the neck and lifted him off the ground. The innkeeper struggled, gasping for air, but Su Ran's grip was unyielding. Just as the innkeeper thought he was about to die, a sharp voice cut through the tension.
"Stop!"
It was Ji Chun. He had been about to leave the inn when he saw Su Ran attacking the innkeeper. Without thinking, he intervened.
"You stupid monk," Su Ran snarled, his anger now directed at Ji Chun. "This is none of your business!"
The fragile harmony they had built over the past few days shattered in an instant. Su Ran's expression turned cold and unfeeling, his earlier rage now replaced by a chilling detachment.