Fu Yun brushed away the snowflakes that had settled on his hair and shoulders. Squinting his eyes, he trudged on, slowly passing through the forest, his bow slung over his shoulder. His feet made a slight sound with every step but it was drowned out by the cutting wind rattling the bare branches.

Far above his head, the stars started to dim and a hint of silvery sunlight appeared on the horizon. Fu Yun tsked and turned to glance around. He still hadn’t found any prey despite walking through the forest for hours. He had even entered a part of the forest he had never been to before but there was still nothing. If it continued like this, he’d have to return empty-handed.

He lightened his steps further and marched on, blinking his eyes more frequently as the snow continued to fall. His surroundings brightened further, making his heart fill with worry. There were still provisions but they’d have to be rationed more harshly as the cold months progressed. A few pieces of fresh meat would make his life and that of the other villagers easier for sure.

Just when he was about to give up, there was the faintest of sounds up ahead. Fu Yun stopped in his tracks and pulled the bow from his shoulder, notching an arrow. He barely breathed as he shifted to the side, waiting for his prey to appear between the trunks.

The snow once again gave the faintest crunch. Fu Yun narrowed his eyes, his muscles tensing. Finally, he saw movement behind the trees. He took a deep breath and took aim. Just one more step and he could shoot.

The other side moved and Fu Yun made a surprised sound. This wasn’t … well, not prey but neither a person like him. They seemed young but their white hair almost blended into the falling snow and their eyes shimmered with silver light as they turned around and took in his bow.

Yes, this person was not human, that much he could tell at a glance. They should be some type of spirit, although he could not tell what kind at just a glance. Anyway, he had never seen a spirit before so how would he know?

Fu Yun wanted to speak up but the other person already retreated behind the tree. Obviously, he had scared them off. He sighed and relaxed his grasp on the bowstring.

Putting the arrow back into the quiver, he lowered the bow and made his way over, making sure that his steps were audible. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to shoot you. I was hunting and thought there was some prey ahead. Who knew it’d be a person?”

Yes, although they might be a spirit, Fu Yun bore them no grudge. He had never seen one and never heard of them appearing in this forest either. What kind of bad blood could there be? Instead, he felt curious. What kind of spirits were there? Was this one just traveling and passing through the area? If so, then where did they want to go?

He stopped a couple of steps from the tree and tilted his head, trying to get another look.

There was a faint voice in his head cautioning him. Even though he had never met a spirit, he still knew from the old stories that not all of them meant well. There were fairies and demon spirits at the very least with the former encompassing those spirits you could trust and the latter being those you’d want to avoid. Either way, he could not bring himself to leave. Maybe he was already spellbound after just one glance.

When the spirit stayed silent, Fu Yun couldn’t help but clear his throat. “What … what are you?”

Finally, the other exposed half their head.

Fu Yun couldn’t help but stare. Not just the hair and eyes were of a silvery white. The brows and lashes were the same and even their lips were pale enough to look as if they had been coated by frost. It sure was a beautiful sight, making the hunter gulp.

“You are human,” the other spoke, their voice barely audible over the roaring wind.

Fu Yun took a step but the spirit pulled back behind the tree so he raised his hands in surrender and took a step back. “I am. What about you?”

The spirit continued to look at him. Seeing that he didn’t insist on coming closer, they relaxed. “A spirit.”

“Oh.” Fu Yun was a little disappointed. Wasn’t there more to say about that? Surely, he could have told him if he was a fairy or a demon spirit at least. Well, maybe that wasn’t the type of thing you told a stranger. Maybe he’d tell him in the future though.

Making up his mind, Fu Yun continued as if it didn’t matter and he was merely making a human friend. “My name is Fu Yun. What’s yours?”

“They call me Yue Ji.”

Fu Yun nodded, satisfied with that response. The previous question might indeed have been too loaded. He should get back to that later when they knew each other better.

For now, he took off the bow and leaned it against a tree. Maybe he wasn’t cautious enough but he couldn’t help but want to continue talking. If he showed that he was harmless, Yue Ji might stay and oblige his wish.

Yue Ji watched him but stayed in the same spot. Only when Fu Yun had put down the quiver of arrows as well did Yue Ji step out behind the tree completely, exposing a white robe.

Fu Yun looked up, his gaze wandering over the other side’s body. The voice had sounded androgynous and the face looked too foreign to reveal anything but now, he realized that Yue Ji was actually a man. It didn’t do anything to diminish his beauty though.

Fu Yun gulped and stepped away from the bow and arrows, getting closer to Yue Ji, hoping that he wouldn’t go into hiding again. “Do you live in this forest?” He couldn’t imagine that as he had never seen him before or heard about him but then, he hadn’t come to this part of the forest before and the other hunters also liked to stick to the paths they knew. Maybe there was indeed a chance that this spirit wasn’t just passing by.

Yue Ji nodded and also took a step closer. He still kept a safe distance between them as if he didn’t completely trust the peace though and glanced at the bow and arrows.

Fu Yun rubbed his cheek which had gone cold from the wind and then motioned over. “Do you want to take a look?” He took a step back himself, allowing Yue Ji to go over without worrying about him.

The spirit glanced at him and inched closer, picking up the wooden bow. He trailed his fingers over the arch, pausing on the faint carvings on top.

Fu Yun didn’t know why but seeing this scene, his heart thumped. He reached up and rubbed his chest but the feeling persevered. This might be magic. He couldn’t explain it to himself any other way.

Yue Ji must have put a spell on him the moment he first saw him. Well, it didn’t seem like one intended to hurt him so he didn’t mind. Most likely, it was just used as a means of protection. It was no wonder. After all, he had likely felt threatened by the notched arrow. Why wouldn’t he do something to keep himself safe? Anyone would in that situation. Having magical abilities just made it more convenient.

Yue Ji held the bow for a moment but then put it down and picked up an arrow instead. He held it up above his head, studying it closely while the snowflakes fell on his face.

Fu Yun watched him curiously, feeling that his actions were rather odd. Was he not familiar with humans and their things? He kept quiet for a moment but finally couldn’t help but speak up. “Have you never seen a bow and arrow before?”

Yue Ji turned his head ever so faintly to look at Fu Yun. “Not from up close.” He lowered his hand and brushed through the arrow’s feathers before putting it back into the quiver. Then, he stood still as if deep in thought.

Fu Yun wanted to speak up again but he wasn’t even sure where to begin. He had many questions but he wasn’t sure if he would be welcome to ask them. He didn’t want to step on Yue Ji’s toes again.

The silence stretched on and Yue Ji finally fully turned around to him. There was some hesitation in his gaze but finally, he took a step closer. Seeing as Fu Yun just looked at him but did not move, he inched closer and only stopped right in front of him. He peered into the hunter’s face and then gingerly reached up, his fingertips brushing the human’s snow-cold cheek.

Fu Yun’s eyes widened ever so slightly. Yue Ji’s hands actually carried a faint warmth with them, not unlike that of a human, belying the frosty appearance. “You … what type of spirit are you?” Finally, he couldn’t hold back from asking the question. He really needed to know. Otherwise … he wasn’t sure what he would get himself into.

Yue Ji gazed into his dark eyes and his fingers curled, lightly scratching his cheek. “A flower spirit.”

“I see.” Fu Yun fell silent, afraid to disturb him even though he wasn’t sure if he understood. Still, a flower spirit sounded a lot more like a fairy than a demon. Surely, he didn’t have to worry.

Yue Ji lowered his head, his eyelids shielding his gaze while his hand wandered down to the fur draped over Fu Yun’s shoulders. He brushed away the snow and then rubbed it like one would pet an animal.

Fu Yun took a deep breath, afraid to startle him. “Do you live in this forest?” His voice had sunken to a whisper.

Yue Ji nodded but did not speak, completely immersed in his own thoughts.

“So if I returned here another day, I could see you again?”

Finally, Yue Ji looked up, his gaze meeting the hunter’s. “Meet me?”

“Mn.” Without much thought, Fu Yun reached up, catching Yue Ji’s hand. It simply felt right as if this was what he was supposed to do.

Yue Ji was startled but unsure of what to do. He wasn’t even sure what Fu Yun meant by his actions. He cautiously looked at him, trying to find any hints. Unfortunately, there was nothing to see so he could only be more straightforward. “You … What do you want to do?”

Fu Yun let go at once, afraid that he might have scared him. He even held up his hands to reassure him that he meant no harm. “It’s nothing. I really mean no harm. It’s just …” He trailed off, not sure how to explain something he hadn’t even consciously thought about before doing.

He rubbed his neck, feeling vexed at himself for being so brash. Who treated a stranger like this? But then, hadn’t Yue Ji just reached up and touched his cheek? Taking his hand seemed tame in comparison.

Fu Yun tried to reassure himself, focusing on the fact that Yue Ji didn’t seem too familiar with humans and their habits. In that case, what was there to be worried about? As long as he explained himself, there should be no problem.

He pursed his lips and looked at the silent forest around them. “Well, you said you live in this forest but I’ve never seen you before. I didn’t hear about you from the others either. It must be very lonely. I could visit you so you’d have some company.” Despite the cold temperature, Fu Yun’s ears turned red.

Simply inviting himself was really lacking in manners but he couldn’t help himself. He didn’t know why but to think that he wouldn’t see Yue Ji again after today made him feel reluctance. He wanted to see him again. Since he couldn’t expect the spirit to take the initiative, he could only thicken his face and do something like this.

Yue Ji had hastily taken a step back when his hand was grabbed but now that Fu Yun did not do anything else he stepped closer again. He carefully scrutinized his expression but could see no malice in him. What Fu Yun was saying was likely the truth and even if it wasn’t, it was at most a pretense to hide the true feelings below.

He hung his head and thought for a while, finally covering his lips that looked human in shape but still seemed as if covered in a layer of frost that would have killed a man. “I am a spirit though.”

Fu Yun just smiled. “I don’t mind.” He might not be so sure about what type of spirits there were and how Yue Ji fit in there but he felt that it mattered little. This specific spirit seemed to mean him no harm. Maybe it was foolish to believe so after just meeting him but he couldn’t help his impression. If that made him walk right into a well-laid trap, then so be it. At least, it meant he hadn’t lost his human heart.

Yue Ji kept quiet as if those words meant nothing to him.

Fu Yun felt awkward. He had put down his original wariness despite knowing that the other side was a spirit and might be dangerous but it seemed this wasn’t appreciated. What had he said that for then?

He scratched his head, trying to think of what to do next. Yue Ji clearly didn’t care what he thought about spirits and yet, he had seemed to think that it was odd that he wanted to see him again. Come to think of it, maybe he had gotten it the wrong way around: Yue Ji hadn’t said that because he was a spirit but because he didn’t expect a human to say that.

In fact, it wasn’t that strange either. Who knew if he had seen humans before? Now, he had already been pointed at with a bow and arrow, and then later his hand had been grabbed without forewarning. Being reluctant to agree to see him again seemed normal if he thought about it like that.

Fu Yun really wanted to sigh. He should have been more careful earlier, then this wouldn’t have happened. But maybe there was still a way to remedy the situation. He just needed to get to the bottom of the issue and convince him. “I am human. Do you mind?” As soon as he said it, he felt that these words were much more appropriate than what he had said before.

This time, Yue Ji indeed looked up again. “I do know about humans. I have met some and the wind carries many rumors as well. I should probably be afraid.”

Fu Yun smiled faintly. This was the most Yue Ji had talked to him so far. Even though the conclusion hadn’t sounded that positive, they were at least going in the right direction by talking!

Of course, since the opportunity presented itself, he immediately struck while the iron was hot. “The same has been told to me about spirits.” Fu Yun wasn’t sure how much to say. He didn’t want to anger Yue Ji by saying something too bad but then, if the rumors the humans had heard of the spirits were really outlandish to him, maybe he would realize that those he had heard about the humans shouldn’t be any different. “They say a spirit will put a spell on you and you will be unable to forget them for eternity.”

The wind around them had picked up further, making the snow swirl up and down and around their figures. Yue Ji looked at the snowflakes and then raised his head as if he could indeed hear the wind bringing rumors at this very moment.

He closed his eyes, his expression turning from troubled to peaceful. When he opened them again, he nodded. “You can come back. I will appear before you again.” He only said this, not mentioning what had caused him to change his mind.

Fu Yun didn’t inquire further either. Whether it was his words or the rumors on the wind, what did it matter? He was happy that Yue Ji was alright with him returning so he gave a hum and then took a step back with a smile. “I will remember this place.”

He looked around the trees, hoping that he would indeed be able to remember it well. This wasn’t the part of the forest he usually frequented and with the thick snow piled on the ground and the branches, everything looked similar. When he came back, he would likely only be able to retrace his steps as well as possible.

Even though he realized this, Fu Yun went to pick up his bow and arrows. He still looked at Yue Ji though and he could not help but continue to do so while he slowly walked away. Up until the last moment, the spirit continued to stand there, his figure shrouded in snow, the white hair like a blanket.

Fu Yun finally turned in the other direction but in his mind, he still saw this very same picture, his heart throbbing faintly. His objective for coming to the forest had not been met but he did not regret it. He had found something much better and each day that he came here would be a new chance to meet Yue Ji again. It made him look forward to the following night.