Liang Fei laid back, assuming the matter was resolved and he could finally sleep. But that wasn't what happened.

No, Xieren wanted to keep talking.

"Shizun?" A quiet voice in the darkness called out.

"Are you not tired?" Liang Fei sighed, wanting to sleep. Xieren however, did not pick up on this.

"No."

"Well, I am so please refrain from waking me up again." He grumbled as he rolled onto his side.

"Ah!" Xieren watched his master turn away. "R-right..."

Liang Fei closed his eyes relaxing so he could finally get some sleep. It had been a long day and he truly wanted nothing more than to drift to sleep. Yet he could hear Xieren as he tossed and turned about on his bed. When he wasn't moving around, Liang Fei could swear he felt the young man's stare.

Why won't you let this old man sleep?!

"Just ask me what you wish." He sighed, opening his eyes. It was dark and quiet yet he could somehow see Xieren's heterochromic eyes glow in the darkness. He briefly wondered if that was just his imagination but Xieren next words gained his attention.

"What about Shizun?" He asked, his eyes bright with earnest curiosity.

"Me?" He echoed. Why was this about him now? "What about me?"

"Does Shizun have any plans to marry?"

"That's a bit ..." He truly hadn't thought such a thing. He planned on returning home someday. To get married here would just be cruel to that person. Seeing his master's troubled expression, Xieren relented.

"Sorry." He mumbled, pulling his blanket up to cover most of his face. A pair of red and gold eyes peeked from behind the blanket. "May I ask a personal question?"

Aren't you already? He wanted to counter with but kept the words to himself.

"What does Shizun think of a younger person?"

"Younger?"

"I mean... like someone to marry?"

All these questions about marriage! Why so many? Liang Fei was a bit confused by how much focus he was putting on this. Xieren was just getting at the age where females become things to admire as opposed to strange yet all he asked was about marriage?

His disciple was surprisingly earnest. To be thinking this far ahead at such a young age. It was to be admired, right? At his age, surely his own thoughts were much less pure.

That's when Liang Fei noted that he didn't actually recall how old Xieren was. He knew the child had gotten older but thinking about it was an entirely different thing.

"Xieren, how old are you?" He asked suddenly, surprising the young man beside him.

"Eh? Has Shizun forgotten?" He pouted, feeling a bit annoyed. He knew his master treated him like a child but surely this man knew he was older than that.

"Have you ever told me your age?" He countered, pretty sure they couldn't have had a discussion on this. From what he could recall, Xieren was firm about how neglectful the original Liang Fei was so, he doubted that man would bother to ask.

However, despite the perplexity of it all, that man did ask such a thing. Buried deep in the young man's memories, the short conversation they'd shared was filled with such questions. The answers given were very important to that man, so he made sure to remember them all.

Why else would such a capricious man have picked up a dirty child?

At present, however, Xieren was of the same mind as his master. Neither knew just how much the original knew about Xieren.

"I'm sixteen." He grumbled, feeling a bit more annoyed than before. Part of him liked being spoiled by his master but being spoiled was very different than being treated like a child.

"Ah! That explains it then." Liang Fei concluded, nodding sagely. Despite the age being the same, in this time period, such thoughts were surely normal. Young people married long before modern people so it made sense for him to be this focused. Liang Fei didn't understand it completely but went along with it anyway.

Xieren watched his master, seeing that the elder had come to some kind of conclusion. While he wasn't sure what it was, he felt that it might be grossly inaccurate. And be about him.

He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

"Xieren shouldn't seek to follow after me." Liang Fei finally said, seeking to end the conversation. He yawned. "Marry whom you wish."

Liang Fei soon fell asleep, the day's activities wearing him out. Xieren watched his master's back, even as he himself began to succumb to the darkness. Despite his earlier annoyance, Xieren found himself liking this moment.

Falling asleep with the last thing he sees being his beloved master.

***

The next morning, Xieren woke up to quite the sight. It was a curious sight, one that had him both confused and amused.

Shizun was gone.

At least from his bedding.

When Xieren was with Shizun as a child, he'd never slept in the same room as the man, always waking up back at the sect. It frustrated him to no end at the time and he began to wonder if perhaps he was disliked by the older man.

But now he'd learned why his master never let him sleep in the same room as him. It wasn't dislike or even the snoring, as he'd begun to assume.

No, his master just liked to move around in his sleep.

Xieren stood beside the man, looking down as Liang Fei pressed himself against the wall. His blankets having curled around him until he looked less human and more like a roll. The sight was quite adorable, even as Xieren tried to figure out the hows.

Considering the distance between the bedding and the wall, Xieren was surprised he hadn't heard him as he moved. Surely, such a journey must have made some noise, right?

Heck, there was a small desk and chair between him and the wall. How'd he get past it in his sleep without making any noise?

As Xieren tried to imagine the acrobatics needed to perform such a feat, Liang Fei opened his eyes. Sleepy violet eyes stared up at Xieren as the boy tried to think of a possible route.

"Must you stare so much?" He sleepily grumbled, sitting up. "This master is not some pretty girl to admire. So early..." He yawned, expertly untangling himself from the blankets, having done so every morning since childhood.

Liang Fei had always been a messy sleeper. If he wasn't rolling about the room, he was clinging to others. He didn't really question this habit, just saying he liked the feeling of something firm beside him. Whether it was a wall or a body, he was not so picky.

His sister thought it was because he was lonely and subconsciously wished for someone to be close to him but he brushed this off.

Xieren watched his master slip away, moving about to get ready. When they were all packed up, he turned back to see Liang Fei leaning against the wall, his calm breaths signaling he'd drifted back to sleep.

"Shizun?" He called, moving closer. He was wary, since cultivators were known for being quick to attack if surprised. Yet his master remained still, not showing any sign of awareness. "Shizun?"

"Hm?" He grumbled, turning away a bit. He huddled deeper into his blanket, much like Xuejie when he had to be woken up.

"Shizun?!" The action had surprised Xieren, the slight pout on his master's face making him feel a bit nervous.

"What?"

"...We should get going." Xieren offered a hand, a bit surprised at this kind of master. His master was usually so stern and fierce yet showed this cute side so easily?

"Right." He yawned, violet eyes wet from sleepiness peeking from beneath a fan of jet black lashes. As the man stretched his body, his student remained dazed, his eyes glazed over as the splendid sight of his master's cute sleepy face burned itself into his mind.

***

After some time, they found themselves on the road. Originally, Xieren had suggested they fly to the next town using their swords, since it would take them days to traverse on foot. The idea was immediately shot down, stating that such an action would draw undue attention onto them.

Xieren wasn't completely convinced about his master's motive, however, considering the speed in which his refusal came out. There was definitely some other reason but etiquette made him remain silent.

Their second option was traveling by carriage or horse. Xieren preferred to use a horse, since it was faster. Yet ultimately, the choice was made to go by carriage, since it would provide much more secure shelter.

The way he spoke about it, once would think his master had never slept outdoors before this.

(A/N: That's cause he hasn't. LF is a born and bred city kid.)

Unfortunately, their plan was derailed when after a few hours on the road, they were attacked by the hooded figures from before. Despite the difference in strength, Liang Fei had suggested they retreat, not wanting to risk being outnumbered if reinforcements were called.

Over the next few days, they were ambushed a few more times, forcing them to take detour after detour to avoid the men. At first, Xieren was pissed they were running but quickly changed his tone as he noticed that every ambush had more hood figures than the last.

They were indeed getting reinforcements.

Yet after the third time, they seemed to have lost them, having a full two days with no threat. This allowed the two to relax somewhat. Liang Fei had been keeping night watch over the last few days and hadn't slept in all that time so Xieren was asked to keep watch.

The peace that fell made them feel relaxed enough to sleep.

Sleeping in such close proximity to his master allowed Xieren to notice his habit of moving around in his sleep. It was strange too, since whenever Xieren tried to watch his master, the man never moved. Yet the second he looked away, he was in another position without making a sound.

It was both frightening and amazing.

Even when there were things in the way, his master always managed to maneuver his way to the nearest hard surface, be it a rock or a tree. It was like witnessing the aftermath of a force of nature.

Xieren spent the next few nights attempting to block his master's path. Not because it was truly a cause for concern. Not even because his master had complained about it.

No, it was purely for fun.

The act of waking up to find his master so far from where he'd started was starting to become a pleasant surprise for him. He began to look forward to finding out just where his swaddled up master had rolled himself to.

His favorite time had been when he'd deliberately placed himself against the only hard surface in the area. He was sure his master couldn't get past him yet somehow, he'd woken up to find himself shoved aside while the elder man snuggled up against the wall.

How!? Had he rolled over him!?

Xieren was thinking about his next attempt when Shizun came by, combing the leaves from his hair. The ease in which he did this spoke volumes on how often the man had done this. Amused by the sight, Xieren couldn't help but chuckle.

"Eh? Is something funny?" Liang Fei asked, surprised to see Xieren so chipper this early. He was still somewhat out of it himself, restraining a yawn.

The young man searched his master's expression, noting the slight downward arch around his lips. He knew the expression well.

"I brewed some tea." He stated, expertly distracting from the question. The time they'd spent together had drawn them closer. He had learned quite a few things about his master.

One being that despite his apparent dexterity while asleep, he was terribly unsteady in the morning. His movements were sluggish and he often would stare into space (not the way he usually does) for minutes at a time. There were even times he saw the man fall asleep with his eyes open.

It was quite a sight.

At first, he'd ask for something called 'coffee', which Xieren was wholly unfamiliar with. After a few days, Xieren offered his own supply of tea, a special blend he'd had Xinyi make for him. It helped regulate his energies and other things. He was exceptionally protective of the brew, since just a few days without it left him sick and weak. He wasn't sure how it would affect his master, since he wasn't strange like him but the alternative would be watching his master sleepily wander about the woods for an hour.

The sight was very appealing and tempted him many times. When Shizun would stumble and Xieren caught him, their bodies would be so close, he could feel the man's breath on his skin. Those moments were brief but every time, made him want to hold his master close.

If he didn't do something, he might just go crazy!

Liang Fei meanwhile sipped his tea, happily enjoying the brew. It wasn't coffee but something warm in the morning was better than nothing. He looked up at his student.

"Ah, you've let down your hair again." He noted, watching Xieren clear up their campsite. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail, presenting his full face in plain view.

Liang Fei couldn't help but admire Xieren. He'd predicted he'd grow up to be handsome but truly, he had underestimated this child. His eyes were just another factor to add to it. Women would adore staring into his eyes.

Part of him felt a bit envious of all the attention he'd get, his own desire for affection rearing up within him. Due to his efforts to remain a favored mentor, he'd not allowed himself much free time.

Perhaps at a later date. His main focus had to be on his students. It truly was a good thing he advised the young man on how to handle such situations. With that face and eyes, he'd most definitely become warped and become a no-good slag.

"Does... Shizun dislike it?" Xieren's cheeks flushed red, suddenly wanting to pull his hair over his face. Shizun had called his eyes beautiful before, making him want to show them off more. Was he wrong?

"I don't mind. If you wish to do so, that's fine by me." He clarified, his expression softening slightly. "I'm just surprised since you said it was scary for you before."

Honestly, Liang Fei didn't get it. Sure, the colors were unorthodox but they weren't unpleasant to look at. Perhaps he'd been made fun of before?

Ah, his poor student~

Xieren saw his master sigh, a hand on his cheek as if thinking of something tragic. He briefly wondered what conclusion his master had come to just then. He was even tempted to ask but refrained from doing so.

"Shizun is the only one around, so I'm fine with it like this." He stated, smiling as he turned his back. Liang Fei just continued to drink his tea.

***

Xieren let out a breath, relaxing as he sank his tired body into the warm spring. As they traveled, almost lost due to their constant detours, they had found a hot spring and decided to take a break.

Liang Fei wasn't a hot springs kind of guy so he told Xieren to go first. The young man was more than willing to go, leaving his sword with his master. Such an action was considered foolhardy but Xieren trusted his master so he felt no concern over the matter.

Instead, his mind was on the man himself.

Traveling with his master had brought forth many new memories he had forgotten. Memories of him before. Of forest green eyes staring down at him like he was a bug.

He had wanted to ask his master about it, wanting to know which one was the true him. The master he dreamt about was cruel and mocking, cold in ways his master could never be. Yet it felt like there was a mist over those thoughts, making his head hurt every time he thought about.

He'd have to ask Shizun about it one of these days.

(AN: System Q is half-assing his duties it seems)

He closed his eyes, his sense of smell slightly dulled from the spring. Yet before he could fully relax, heard a small splash. His eyes hadn't anytime to open before he was grabbed and shoved against a stone, covering his mouth.

Xieren panicked, unfurling his claws to tear the throat of the person who grabbed him before a pleasant scent hit him.

"Shh, don't move." Liang Fei whispered, his eyes darting about. "They might be close."

Xieren relaxed, on full alert as his master removed his hand. They were now under a bush hanging over one of the stones. Listening out, Xieren heard the footsteps of a couple of men, echoing over the water.

It was their pursuers.

Liang Fei climbed over Xieren, peeking from over the rock to observe the men. As expected, there were about a dozen hooded figures lurking about. Neither could hear what was being said but they both knew it was best not to be discovered.

Liang Fei had rushed over when he noticed them approaching the spring, so he failed to bring his own sword and Xieren's was lying beside his own. Still, he didn't plan on fighting over a dozen men with only a sword-shaped club. He had a feeling that it wouldn't work.

As he carefully moved to get a better look at the situation, his foot slipped on the wet stone. They both panicked, knowing a single splash would reveal them. Xieren reached out, holding onto Liang Fei to keep him from slipping into the water. The motion made the surface ripple and splash, barely audible to even them yet the men froze at the sound.

Liang Fei saw two of the men spread out, their eyes wandering about the water's surface. Luck was on their side, since the trees hanging over the spring hid them from plain sight. Only movement would give them away.

The air was humid and sweat dripped down both men's neck, but for very different reasons.

As they waited, Xieren came to realize his position. To keep his master up, his hands had found themselves grasping the man's upper thighs, just under his butt. While the soaked fabric of his robe stole some of the elder's sensations, Xieren could just barely feel how soft those limbs were. Every involuntary twitch of his fingers made them sink into the warm and soft flesh he had wished to see.

Feeling his heart was near to bursting, Xieren tried to pry his mind from those impure thoughts and look elsewhere. Yet there was no reprieve to be found. Even with his eyes closed, his master still tempted him.

The air was heavy and while the scent of the spring was overpowering, with how close the two were, his master's scent was surrounding him. Eyes of a sunset glimmered darkly as Xieren drew closer, watching the stray drops of water fall from his master's soaked robe.

He felt regret that he couldn't see through the fabric since they were too close. He kept imagining the sight of water raining down on pale and lovely skin. Just the thought had him feel thirsty, wanting to drink up each drop.

A certain little brother chose that moment to make itself known, causing his owner to involuntarily clench his fist. The cycle of pain continued as the softness was brought back to the forefront of the young man's mind.

Xieren bit his lip until it bled, not wanting to make a sound lest this moment end.

Liang Fei, completely unaware of the dilemma his poor disciple was going through, continued to listen out. The men wandered about for a few minutes before disappearing into the mist. The elder man relaxed, leaning back a bit.

"That was close." He sighed, barely noticing his position. His relief made him unaware of how close he and Xieren were, with him now practically sitting on his disciple's lap (Or really, on his knees)

Xieren remained still, not saying a word.

Concern for his student had Liang Fei jumping from the youth's lap and pulling him from the bushes. He quickly brought him to the shore.

"Xieren? Are you alright?" He asked, genuinely concerned. Perhaps he'd stayed too long in the spring? "I'm sorry, I kept you in too-"

As Liang Fei was looking over Xieren's body, checking for anything out of the ordinary, he spotted something... male and hard. Liang Fei moved back a bit, feeling a bit awkward. He knew about such things, obviously since he himself was male but this was a young man. Did he have to explain such matters to him?

This was not something he thought he'd have to do in his life!

"Shizun?" Xieren opened his eyes, feeling much less warm than before.

"Ah, you're awake. Good, I was worried." Liang Fei moved closer, making sure to remain a steady distance from... that. Xieren frowned, a bit confused by the unfamiliar tone in his master's voice. Was he... nervous? "Perhaps I should leave you alone for a bit." He said, his eyes darting about the place. "To... take care of things."

"Take care?" He echoed, confused. Liang Fei felt a bit awkward, not wanting to speak the words out loud. He only hoped Xieren knew about these things or else he'd have to have 'the talk' and considering his lesson on not being a slag, it makes things confusing.

His hope was fulfilled when, after gesturing with his eyes, Xieren noticed the state of his body. His face flushed a deep red as he sat up to cover himself.

"Ah! I-I'm sorry, I-"

"No need to apologize." Liang Fei sighed with relief, assuming his student at least understood what an erection was and how to handle it. He didn't want to have that conversation. "You are young and male so it's perfectly normal."

"Shizun isn't mad?" Red and gold eyes gleamed with suspicion as he spoke, sure his master knew why his body was reacting the way it was. Was his master fine with his feelings?

"Why would I-" He started before realizing the issue. Considering their position before, Xieren might have felt awkward for having a reaction so close to another male. "Oh, think nothing of it. It's perfectly normal to get like that. Young people are a lot more sensitive to things like proximity so there's no need to be embarrassed."

Liang Fei was under no assumptions that the erection had anything to do with him. Others might have come to that conclusion and tore into the child for it. He knew better than anyone how little control over one's body men had and thought nothing of the matter. Had he known just how much influence he had over Xieren, he might have felt a bit more trepidation over his words.

"But... I will leave you to your own matters." He said, standing up to leave. "Come back to the site when you are... done, I guess."

Xieren was left sitting on the bank, watching his master walk away, the moonlight highlighting his body like an intimate embrace. Water had his robes clinging to every curve and muscle on the elder man's body and his hair glistened brightly, begging for a single touch.

Needless to say, Xieren had a lot to think about as he 'took care of his own matters'.

Sometime later, after Liang Fei had dried and changed clothes, Xieren returned, a bit red in the face. Liang Fei said nothing, as did Xieren. The two sat in silence, neither wishing to broach any subject.

Xieren felt too embarrassed to even look at his master, considering all the things he'd thought about the man just minutes before. Seeing his master casually eating, his lips wet from his tea, made the young man fairly anxious.

Liang Fei on the other hand, was just impressed by the amount of time his student had taken. He knew young people had more energy but surely, there was a limit? Almost 2 and a half hours? He must have been exhausted.

As if on queue, Xieren declared himself to be tired and going to sleep, the first words exchanged since sitting down. Liang Fei thought nothing of it and nodded, continuing to eat.

That night, Liang Fei kept watch, unaware of the heterochromic eyes watching him from afar.

***

The awkwardness between them didn't last long as the next evening, they arrived in the town they'd been going to. To both their surprise, the town was having a festival that lit up the night.

Being the first festival he'd witnessed in this world, Liang Fei was quite surprised by how similar it looked to his own world. There was no TV screens or camera's around but bright lights and the noise was something he recognized even now.

"Do you think those hooded men will find us here?" Xieren asked, a bit worried. While retreating in a crowd was easier than in a forest, he worried about the people around them getting involved. If a hostage was taken, his master wouldn't stand by.

"I can't say." He replied, looking around. His eyes fell onto a certain stand. "They haven't attacked us in a crowd but we might as well take advantage of this."

"How do you mean?" Xieren watched his master walkover to a stall quickly return, placing something onto Xieren's head. It was a red and white fox mask.

"We make it hard for them to find us." He said, placing a similar mask over his face, leaving only his mouth visible.. "Like hiding a tree in a forest."

All around them, people were wearing masks, allowing them to blend into the crowd. With a nod, Xieren covered his face and followed after his master, his eyes darting about the festivities.

Xieren looked around, mouth agape at the festivities. He was quite familiar with festivals like these. As a child roaming the back allies, events like these were a godsend. The crowds made it easy to slip in and out of sight and the plethora of treats that could be found was tempting to all.

Though only those who were quick and clever could get away with it without getting caught.

He, unfortunately, wasn't either at that time. Hence why he got caught and beaten within an inch of his life. Still the treats he'd succeeded in stealing made it slightly worth the pain.

"What a sorry sight you make." A voice echoed in his head, memories of green eyes staring down at him rushing forward. The voice was familiar but the tone disgustingly sly. "It'd be nice if you didn't get too close."

Xieren frowned, not sure why he suddenly thought about that. In his mind, he knew Shizun wasn't like that but neither did the memory feel wrong. He wanted to ask his master about it but...

What if his memories were correct?

He tried to mesh the two images of Shizun together but they both felt so foreign to one another. Like they were different people altogether. Every day with Shizun brought forth new images but they felt so faded and unclear, he'd assumed they were just dreams.

Could four years of kindness erase 2 years of cruelty?

Xieren let out a breath, letting the matter rest for a moment. He couldn't question his master just then, as they were in a crowd and anyone could be listening in. Moreover, they were on a mission, so they had to focus on that.

Yet when he turned back to his master, he saw a curious thing.

To his surprise, he saw that the older man was equally as enthralled by the festivities, his gaze drifting everywhere. Every stall, even the most mundane, was scrutinized as if it was the first time ever being witnessed.

In Xieren's eyes, Shizun very much resembled a shy child attending his first festival.

Liang Fei, having not noticed he was being watched, continued to look around. In spite of his age, Liang Fei truly felt like he was a child again. Surrounded by fun things yet unable to enjoy himself.

Still, this was the closest he'd ever been, so perhaps it wasn't that bad.

"Shizun?" Xieren whisper-yelled over the crowd.

"Hm?" Liang Fei turned to Xieren. "Yes?"

"Did..." He stopped, feeling it might not be right to voice his assumption out loud. Instead, he pointed to the sky. "Brother, look! Fireworks!"

Just then, the sky exploded in a cascade of lights and explosions. The timing was superb and one might assume a coincidence but that would be wrong. Even from a distance, Xieren could faintly hear the firework wiz through the air just before exploding.

"Ah!" Liang Fei stared up, his heart racing at the sight.

"What a show." Liang Fei's tone was even but Xieren could tell that his master was also awed by the sight.

"Can we go watch?" Xieren pleaded, turning to his master. At that moment, his excitement made him sound more like a child than before. "I've never seen fireworks from up close."

"It isn't any less fantastic from afar." He replied, his expression closing just a bit. Fireworks were indeed a sight to behold from afar but Liang Fei had never seen them from up close.

"Still, I would very much like to get close." He suggested, feeling that Shizun was reluctant to leave just then."Perhaps we could stay and watch?"

Xieren watched his master's expression, catching the subtle micro-expressions being shown. His master looked like he wished very much to stay. Xieren also wanted to stay, since every day spent with Shizun was enjoyable.

"...No, we should get going." He finally sighed, looking away from the sky and turning away. Xieren didn't see his expression just then, but he felt the melancholy radiating off his master.

"Shizun."

"We have a mission to complete." He continued, though he spoke as if to convince himself rather than his student. "We can't let ourselves get distracted."

"But-"

"We're leaving!" He snapped, his voice low and level yet clear on his desire for silence. Xieren lowered his head, following behind his master.

"Yes, Shizun." He mumbled, following after his master as they walked through and out of the festival area. After some time, Xieren spoke again. He wanted to pry just a bit more. He was sure his master knew more than he let on. "Has Shizun ever gone to a festival before? You seem familiar with them."

"No, I've never gone to one before." He replied, thinking back on his own life.

"Really?!" Xieren was a bit surprised, since he was sure he'd met his master at a festival like the one in town. "Yet you know so much about them."

"I suppose things aren't that different, no matter where you end up." He sighed, looking around with a cocked brow. "China is China after all."

"Eh?" Xieren's confusion was ignored as Liang Fei continued.

"As for why I know so much about festivals, I've spent a lot of time watching them but never attending." He explained, his tone a lot more even than before. It disturbed Xieren a bit, sounding so dry and lifeless. It was strange to hear such a tone from his master.

Like the matter had nothing to do with him.

"Why not?"

"... I didn't have the time to do so." He sighed, looking away. The desire to get closer rose within Xieren but he remained in place.

"Ever?"

"No." Liang Fei sighed, his mood plummeting. He really didn't want to think about all this. Yet the words just kept spilling out. "I'm not sure if I regret it though. What I had to do was important, so it couldn't be delayed but having to watch everyone with smiles on their faces as they returned from the festival..." His eyes drifted to the sky, memories of those night flooding into his mind. He let out a huff that could be mistaken for laughter but with no mirth. "Perhaps it's my fault, for being so antisocial."

"Shizun."

"Even now, I'm too busy to attend and our business is more important to delay." He stated, sounding exasperated. "I don't have time to waste on frivolities."

Wasn't that just the story of his life?

After he and his sister had lost their parents, he no longer had any free time. He couldn't. He had a sister too little to understand why mommy and daddy weren't coming home to watch over. He had to take care of the house while his aunt and uncle worked to care for them. He had school to attend and jobs to work. Every second was used to make life easier for his loved ones.

He'd even had to give up his dream to be a teacher because of money issues.

He remembered watching fireworks from his window, the faint shouts of joy and awe drifting into his room. He recalled the muffled laughter as those who had attended walking under his window. Friends shoving at each other, couples embracing and families holding hands. All of them drifted by, unaware of the eyes watching them as they passed.

It was a fate he'd long since accepted.

He wasn't meant to be among friends as they joked around.

He wasn't going to be the boyfriend who teased his girlfriend.

He couldn't even be the one to catch his little sister before she tripped out of excitement.

No, he was always going to be the man who watched the aftermath, always too busy with something to have any fun.

He'd long since accepted that as his lot in life.

"I see." He mumbled, his eyes drifting back to Shizun. Seeing his master's biting his lips, Xieren felt a bit concerned. He couldn't see his master's whole face but he could tell the man was not happy. "Then maybe... you could attend the festival next year?" He nervously offered, unsure of what was happening.

"Next year?" He muttered, relaxing somewhat. "So it's annual?"

"Yes, its to celebrate the end of the demon wars and another year of peace." He explained, staring up at the hanging lights. All around them, there are decorations using props resembling the demon repelling flowers. Though, Xieren could smell a few real ones littered about.

As a child, he'd hated them since the smell was so overpowering, it gave him headaches. Still, hunger forced him to endure it all to steal some food.

"Maybe, but what will I do then?" Liang Fei continued, drawing Xieren from his memories. "Attending a festival alone is just sad." He stated, only half-serious. While he had no issue going alone, his desire was to spend time with someone and have fun for once. Going alone would just be lonely.

"T-then maybe..." He mumbled, his eyes darting about the area. He summoned all his courage and spoke firmly, hoping to be heard above the crowd. "W-we could go together!"

"Together?"

"Y-yes!" Xieren felt a bit more confident since he hadn't been shot down immediately. With a steady momentum going, he let the words spill out, fearful of being refused or chastised. "I know the town pretty well so I could make sure Shizun enjoys his first festival. I also know where all the best spots are so no matter how close or far you want to be from the show, I can help you."

"You..." Liang spoke calmly though with an underlying tone of disbelief. "want to go with me?"

"If Shizun is fine with it." Xieren stammered, feeling like his heart was about to burst from his chest from embarrassment. What was he thinking?! Asking Shizun to go with him? It was so improper and wrong!

Saying it out loud, Xieren felt like he was asking for a date or something! How could he be so brazen with an elder? Worse, with his master!!

His trepidation increased as silence fell between the two, the outside noise brought into focus by the lack of words. After a few beats, Xieren nervously looked up, sure he'd see his master's disapproving stare.

Yet Xieren was dazed and stunned into silence, his heart stopping in his chest as he saw an amazing sight. The image would be burned into his mind for years to come and still leave him lightheaded.

Shizun was smiling.

No, smiling was too weak a phrase for the look of absolute joy painted across the man's face. His eyes were glowing with barely contained excitement as he fought to restrain himself.

Liang Fei was having a hard time containing his happiness.

He had long since forgotten what it was like to be asked to hang out. Most of those who wanted his company had long since stopped asking. He didn't hold it against them. They knew he was too busy and asking him to forgo those tasks, knowing his eventual answer, was just cruel. Yet in this life, he was free from most of those responsibilities. He could relax if he wanted to. He actually had time to do so.

Yet he had no one to spend time with.

He felt that the sect leader might be willing but was always told by Zhihao that the man was busy running the sect. Liang Fei understood and never bothered the man about it.

I'm more than fine with it. He'd told himself many times, in this life and his previous.

So to be given the opportunity to spend time with someone, even if it was just a student being nice, he couldn't help but feel excited. He turned back to Xieren, wanting to respond since he must have seemed strange for remaining silent for so long.

Seeing Xieren's dazed expression, he suddenly realized his position. Pulling the mask tighter on his face, he briskly walked forward, feeling embarrassed. Had he shown a strange expression? Surely not but how could he know?

Ah, it's not his fault, though! To say such a thing, how could he not get excited? How could he resist the joy blooming in his heart? Even though it was such a mundane thing...

He had to get back in control. This silliness must be tampered down. There was a mission to complete.

Only after that, could he finally do as he wished.

Xieren stood there for a minute, his head and chest feeling full of fluff.

By the time Xieren reached the man, his expression had returned to his usual passive one. Part of him felt sad that he couldn't see his master smile again. He even briefly wondered if the sight had been an illusion.

He'd seen something amazing and rare.

He'd have assumed he had gone crazy if his master hadn't spoken.

"I apologize for that." He said, masking the uncovered part of his face with his hand. "We have a mission to complete so perhaps we can discuss this matter at a later date."

"Later..." He echoed, his mind still trying to catch up with the present. Cause he was sure his master was... embarrassed just then and surely he was hallucinating! "You mean, you'd allow me to accompany you?"

"Is that not what you said?" Liang Fei turned to him with a frown. "Did you lie to me?"

"Never!"

"Then I'll be holding you to that." He nodded, turning away to walk further into the crowd. Xieren watched him, a bit taken aback. The master he'd come to know over the last few days was so different from the one he'd known for the last few years.

The stern and immovable Shizun who trained his disciples until their bones creaked was the same Shizun who had a hard time waking up in the morning and rolled around in a bundle.

But he was also the same Shizun from his memories, who was cold and distant.

Thinking about the matter made his head hurt like crazy but Xieren refused to let the matter go. He had to know which was the true Shizun.

"Shi-" He began to call out when he saw a man grabbing his master by the arm. They looked to be in a highly animated conversation but Xieren couldn't hear them over the crowd. As he drew closer, a single statement could be heard.

"-do this to us, Xiao Fei! Do you not recognize your own fiancee?"