"I do not!" Gu Zhiwei protested, standing up. "I have perfect balan--- whoa!"
He stepped on a slick patch of moss and flailed, arms windmill-ing.
Ji'an reached out and grabbed the back of his collar, steadying him before he could face-plant into a patch of Spiky Thorns.
"Perfect balance," Ji'an deadpanned, releasing him.
Gu Zhiwei laughed, rubbing his neck. "See? Brother Lin always catches me."
By the time they finished, Ji'an's bag was full of herbs, and Gu Zhiwei looked like he had wrestled a swamp monster and lost.
"We should go," Ji'an said, looking at the setting sun. "Before the Young Sect Lord comes patrolling and has an aneurysm seeing you covered in mud."
"Right!" Gu Zhiwei nodded. He looked at his dirty hands. "This was fun. I never knew... digging was so satisfying."
He looked at Ji'an, his eyes full of admiration.
"Brother Lin, you really are amazing. You turn 'trash' weeds into treasure. You turn a kitchen into a home. I... I want to be like you."
