Gu Xingyu strode through the camp, the firelight fading as the darkness swallowed her surroundings. The night breeze carried the scent of wet earth and cool grass. She pulled her coat tighter, her eyes searching the shadows.
"Cang Lan... Cang Lan!" she called out, fearing he had wandered too far. Finally, on a slope behind the camp, she saw a familiar figure sitting on a rock. He was staring at the stars, his shoulders trembling slightly.
"So this is where you're hiding," she said softly, sitting beside him. "Let go of the past, and walk bravely into the future... Cang Yuan."
The name hit him like a thunderclap. His shoulders stiffened, and he turned to her, his eyes wide with shock. "You... you know?"
Xingyu nodded. She didn't press for details, only speaking in a gentle tone. "I know you've been living as your brother. You kept the name 'Cang Lan' to tell yourself he was still here—that he never truly left."
She looked into his reddened eyes. "You aren't a coward. You're just terrified of forgetting. You used his name as a suit of armor so you could feel like you were still together. But what about you? What about Cang Yuan? Do you still remember who you are?"
Cang Yuan gripped his fists until his knuckles turned white. "If I had just convinced them to leave the village with me... or if I hadn't snuck away that day... they wouldn't have died." He closed his eyes, tears finally falling onto his hands. "As long as people call me 'Cang Lan,' I can remember him. It's like he's still alive."
"He lives in your heart because of how you live, not because of a name," Xingyu said, looking up at the night sky. "If you lose yourself, he disappears bit by bit. But if you forge your own path, he'll be walking right there beside you."
She turned to him with a tender smile. "You don't just have your brother anymore. You have us. You aren't alone, Cang Yuan."
Cang Yuan's throat tightened. He took a deep breath, the starlight reflecting in his eyes, and finally nodded. "...My name is Cang Yuan," he whispered—a declaration, an reclamation of self. "I will live well. For him, and for myself."
When they returned to camp, the campfire was burning steadily, and the aroma of soup filled the air. Luo Ye was ladling soup into bowls, Sang Qi sat with a teapot looking relieved, and Lin Lie and Li Yan sat in quiet contemplation.
"Look who's back. Get lost in the dark, did you?" Luo Ye teased, though he couldn't help but notice the subtle change in the distance between their shoulders.
Xingyu sat down and took a bowl of soup. "Thanks, Chef. Smells amazing."
"Of course. My skills are top-tier," Luo Ye boasted. He had set that bowl aside earlier so it would be at the perfect temperature for her.
Cang Yuan sat down as well. Though no one spoke, there was a newfound sense of acceptance in the air. He looked at the group and spoke clearly. "...From now on, just call me Cang Yuan."
The name felt like a seal being broken, a barrier he had finally lowered himself.
"Cang Yuan? Weren't you Cang Lan?" Sang Qi asked, confused.
Xingyu put down her bowl and explained the story of the twin brothers. Silence followed, until Lin Lie gave a simple nod. "Alright."
"Living as yourself is more important than anything," Li Yan added solemnly.
Luo Ye chewed on a biscuit. "Mmm... honestly, I don't care what you're called, but Cang Yuan has a nice ring to it."
Sang Qi huffed. "So you finally admit it. Cang Yuan... yeah, it's a good name."
A small smile played on Cang Yuan's lips. He didn't say 'thank you' out loud, but the gratitude was clear in his eyes. Xingyu teased, "Finally, your story is out. I'm parched from all that talking!"
The laughter that followed was light and genuine. That night, they sat by the fire, breathing freely for the first time since the forest. They didn't talk about the pain they saw in the mists, but the understanding between them had grown. The distance had closed.
[The Next Morning]
Before dawn, the forest was still draped in a light fog. Xingyu stepped out of her tent to the sound of birds and the low clinking of metal. Lin Lie was squatting by the Yao-Rover, checking the drive gears.
"Starting work this early?" she asked.
Lin Lie looked up, a soft morning glint in his eyes. "Adjusting the power structure. The slope yesterday caused a slight misalignment. I don't want any issues on the road."
Xingyu handed him a cup of warm water. "Hard work, Mr. Engineer."
As he took the cup, their fingers brushed. For a heartbeat, they simply looked at each other—a natural, silent connection.
Nearby, Luo Ye was reheating breakfast, yawning as he flipped pancakes. "Xingyu, you're up early. Did the noise wake you?"
"The smell of your pancakes woke me," she laughed, taking a hot bite and handing one to Li Yan.
Sang Qi emerged from his tent with messy hair and dark circles under his eyes. "Is there hot water? I need to wash my mouth. The taste in here... ugh."
"Washing it won't help your attitude," Luo Ye retorted.
"If you burn that pot, I'll give you a laxative that lasts three days," Sang Qi shot back.
"Hey! Don't you dare! I am the guardian of the culinary soul!" Luo Ye protected his pot immediately.
Li Yan sat quietly sharpening his blade, a small smile appearing when Xingyu brought him breakfast. "Thanks," he said softly—his voice still deep, but much warmer than before.
Finally, Cang Yuan appeared. He walked over, rubbing his eyes, his hair standing in all directions. He sat down quietly and took a cup of tea from Xingyu. "The tea is... just right today."
"No complaints?" Xingyu asked, surprised.
"Because today... I just want to be quiet and remember this feeling."
He didn't explain what 'this feeling' was, but they all understood.
As the sun rose and the mists cleared, the team packed their gear. The hum of the Yao-Rover and the steady rhythm of their footsteps formed a new overture. They weren't just moving toward a destination anymore; they were moving toward each other.