Xio was about to go shower, but exhaustion won first. The moment he sat on his bed, he didn't even realize when sleep took him. Hugging his body pillow and still holding the towel he'd brought, he fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
His lips were slightly parted, hair messy and unbound across his face. His wounded arm rested over the pillow, wrapped in the makeshift bandages he'd applied before leaving Kirihito . He looked calm, vulnerable—an image rarely seen of the Second Grandmaster.
Then something stirred. He felt soft fingers running gently through his hair. A familiar scent danced around him—his favorite perfume, mixed with dark chocolate. That scent, he loved it since childhood. Once nameless, now it had become popular across Bài Rùxiān and Wàngshān Guǐyuàn under the name Huàn (欢)—meaning Joy. But only one person knew how much it meant to him: Lánhuā.
He sensed the chocolate near his lips, parted slightly in a sleepy attempt to bite it—but it vanished before he could. His stomach growled in complaint. He sleepily pouted.
When he opened his eyes, he saw her.
Lánhuā sat beside him, smiling gently, holding a bar of dark chocolate. Her fingers threaded through his hair, soothing him deeper into comfort.
"...Sis…" he mumbled like a child, eyes half-lidded.
Her touch was tender, almost hypnotic. His eyes fluttered back, fighting to stay open. She chuckled softly and offered him a piece of the chocolate.
He bit it gently, chewing with an almost bashful smile—embarrassed, yet happy. Only with her could he act like this. Not the cold, composed cultivator everyone knew. Here, he was just Xio. A boy who craved warmth.
To Lánhuā, he was still a child—not the tortured one, but the peaceful one he should have been allowed to be...she's also really playful and talkative if she's with Xio .
"Easy now," she said, brushing a lock of hair from his face. "It's all for you, no one else. Eat slowly. But we'll finish the rest after breakfast."
Her fingers paused over his injured arm, eyes darkening with concern. She gently took his hand, inspecting the faded blood and fraying bandages.
"And why didn't you tend to yourself?" she scolded softly. "You're this injured, and you're just lying here after a deadly mission? What happened? And… why do you look like you've had a panic attack? If you can't eat by yourself, I'll feed you too."
Xio blinked slowly. He'd forgotten how easily she could read him. His face always betrayed the truth around her.
But he couldn't tell her. He didn't want Língxi to know Kage Ou's abuse—if he did, he might sever the friendship...Because Língxi hates abuses over children..And if he finds out , Lánhuā would be forced away from him too.
Even after all the torture, Xio chose silence.
He sat up slowly, covering her hand over his cheek with his own. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Sis, sis, sis~ breathe a bit…" he murmured. "I didn't sleep properly for days. Missed my bed too much. Sleeping just felt more urgent than eating or tending wounds. And I'm not sad—I just lost some blood, so I look like a corpse—"
"Shut up."
Lánhuā snapped, her voice sharp. "Don't ever call yourself that. Do you even know what you're saying? I could never bear the thought of you lifeless—and you joke about it like it's nothing?!"
Before he could respond, she pulled her hand away and crossed her arms, looking away with a huff. She even took the chocolate with her.
Xio pouted. "Ahh… what's this now? Hurting me like that instead of giving me extra affection . " He reached toward her, trying to reclaim the chocolate as he added while making sure faces
" it's not like I'm being killed by anyone who teared off my one eyes out of love..and another out of hate and then left as food for insects when already 5 stabes are d--- ahh !! It hurts , sis !! "
. She shifted further away and pulled his one ear . Not to hard but enough to stop him from saying those .
"No means no. You hurt me first. You called yourself dead. That's your punishment—no more Huàn for you...and how dare you still say those nonsense again ? "
She spoke with mock sternness, but the hurt in her tone was real. Xio chuckled, trying not to show it.
Then he faked a dramatic cry.
"You're so mean~ I only wanted a bit of love and sweetness, and instead I get banished from Huàn " he whined.
She tried to stay serious, but it was difficult. He knew exactly how to melt her. Grabbing a strand of her hair playfully, he tugged her head gently toward him.
"No fair! You're charming your way out again," she protested.
"And you're punishing me like I love chocolate more than you," he teased, arms wrapped around her.
"You do," she said, half-pouting.
"Who told you that nonsense? I don't love Huàn more than you. You're my best friend, my sister… when needed, even a mother. You're my everything."
His voice softened. He rested his cheek atop her head, carefully removing her crown so it wouldn't get in the way.
She chuckled and ruffled his hair. Their dark gray and white strands mingled—his locks like a curtain over her.
"Hey! Don't mess up my hair, naughty bunny. I spent an hour doing it myself. And don't sugarcoat me like that. You'll forget me once you fall in love."
Xio stilled. The nickname bunny made him think of Yuzai again—but he forced the thought away. He didn't want to spoil this fleeting moment of peace.
"Don't worry," he said, gently combing her hair. "I'll make it even prettier. If I do, you'll owe me ten Huàn."
"Xio, you're injured," she warned softly.
"So what? I'm not a baby anymore. And besides, I'll be the one doing your hair on your wedding day too," he said proudly.
She glanced at the mirror, then back at his reflection behind her.
And for a moment, it looked like time stopped—like childhood never really ended, and the pain was still far away.
He had her arms. She had his smile.
It was enough for now.