Wind grazed the stranger’s cheek. Immediately, their other hand clamped over the bamboo hat. That brat almost knocked this over! The veil was still needed!

Upon seeing this reaction, the young man’s eyes shone over like embers.

Damn, does the Dìdì also have a Jīn Dān from his years of cultivation?! He’s so young, and it’s been such a waste—for him to become a runaway prodigy! It’s rare for someone to train under a Shīfù, even more rare to cultivate a complete Jīn Dān of Qi energy in under eighteen years.

Soon, the stranger scrunched their brows.

Not only that, it’s a naughty cultivator who practiced mixed martial arts!

Swiftly, the two people ran around the tables. Here to there, the stranger dodged the blows of fists and more kicks. Tables flipped. Food flooded the floor. Chairs, crushed flat.

“Dìdì!” The stranger shouted, with a smile. “Why are you causing so much trouble over a child’s fairytale, ah!”

“ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOU–BUT NOT FOR ME!”

“Hah?! Are you in need of help?! Is there anyone here a doctor?! Hello? Help this Dìdì!”

“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!”

“Right, right! I don’t understand how delusional you can get!”

Another chair explodes into a mess of wooden chunks and splinters.

Aiya! It was clear that the righteous hero didn’t wish to solve the problem! Instead, they hoped to scare the troublemaker away. When it failed, the ‘hero’ wanted someone else to take responsibility, ah!

Of course, the two didn’t need to say anything else. Everyone thought that the situation worsened! These two needed to be rid of!

With everyone’s generosity, the front screen doors opened. Out went a boy chasing after the white-cladded stranger! The two hopped over outdoor tables and zig-zagged through the crowds! Over and over again, the young man failed to grab the other’s white robe.

“Aiyo, aiyo!” Dashing around the bystanders, the stranger found these people to be perfect obstacles. Moreso when they clumped together, watching the bizarre spectacle in front of the Chuánqí Teahouse. “Shouldn’t you be rolling in pain?! What’s wrong with you?!”

“But what is pain…” The young man didn’t relent, seizing hold of the stranger’s slim arm. “...when the grief still grows?”

For a moment, the stranger watched how those bright irises blazed with relentless fire. The young man’s lengthy lashes fluttered as red autumn leaves blew into the air. The way he gazed upon the stranger was almost as if they had met somewhere.

“Li Zhi Yi.” A gentle smile spread through the stranger’s lips. “You’re also familiar with his poem, Song of Divination. Not just fairy tales!”

Unexpectedly, the stranger leaned toward the young man. Between them, there lingered a faint floral aroma, tranquil rivers, and sweet maple. Light but alluring. The young man’s eyes grew larger when the hat’s veil brushed against his cheek. Behind the hazy fabric, the young man could make out a rather delicate face.

Only then did the other snatch the young man’s wrist. Shit! The other had already wiggled free. A white boot threw the young man off balance. His world rolled up to the blue skies overhead. Darkness fell momentarily.

“You lost.” said a soft, melodious voice.

Instantly, the young man awoke with a start. From all around him, dozens and dozens of eyes scrutinized his dirty clothes and messy ponytail. He sat up–only to have a folded fan smack his head. He turned around and saw the stranger standing over him from behind.

For a moment, the two only stared at one another. A light breeze swept through the stranger’s long white veil. As the sun beamed against their white robe, the billowing cloth continued to obscure their gentle features. It hung from the wide bamboo hat like an overdue secret, teasing all those who were curious.

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The young man, despite partaking in the picturesque scene, also bore a secret.

He wanted to rip the veil off. It was a wicked thought. Why?

“RUN! THE GUARDS ARE COMING THIS WAY!” The panicked voices of people were so obscenely loud, it dismantled the dream. Right away, the young man and the stranger were yanked out of it. Crowds drifted apart like leaves in the wind. “RUN!”

Shit.

“Dìdì!” A small pale hand reached out.

Why? The young man felt his own breaths quaver. Without thinking, he grabbed the hand that belonged to the gentle stranger. He was soon back on his feet.

Endless curses flooded his mind. Why was it…that he would scheme to never let go of their hand? His mind drowned with such swirling, intense emotions… But his hand scorched just as hot as his own ears. Reprimanding him.

Of his losses. His sins.

Still, the young man held their hand. So warm.

Clanks of metal ventured toward them. With glinting spears.

But the two had fled, disappearing altogether.

***

“That was too close, ah.” The stranger whispered.

With backs against the wall, the two hid from view as men scurried past the wooden buildings and papered windows. On the lush grass and earth, their standing shadows had stretched. Overhead, the skies waned over to lavender, painted with streaks of blush and rose. Birds cried out as they flew far into the skies.

Silence followed. The stranger peeked around the corner. They hid next to the young man again. Shoulders bumped. It was then that the young man’s hand released the other’s.

“Dìdì...” The stranger began softly, “I must ask: Have…we met before?”

Soon, their face hovered toward the young man’s. The veil danced with the cool breeze, with the faint fragrance of flowers and maple. Of a particular kind. Familiar almost.

“What?” He breathed out, watching the stranger’s dark eyes crinkled up again. So bright like stars.

It wasn’t long when the young man noticed that the stranger’s skin was smooth as jade. There was an irresistible enigma with their smiling eyes and lengthy lashes. This peerless and beautiful person exuded a quiet confidence and a warm…mischievous aura like none other.

But he turned away, saying, “No, you must’ve mistaken me for someone else.” The top of his ears bloomed pink.

Oh… The stranger blinked a few times and tilted their head. They studied the young man’s soft nose, his red lips, and other facial features. Even the way his side bangs fell short of his bright, rebellious eyes. Despite the dirt and grime against his skin, the young man was rather handsome.

The stranger laughed, “Is that so?”

The other nodded. “Mm.”

“Still, don’t go back just yet. Since you stirred such a storm at the Chuánqí Teahouse, I’d suggest that you lay low for a few days and go back during the peak business hours from now on.” Soon, the stranger’s brows raised. “Oh! How about this? Why don’t you go over and check out that Lán Huā Tavern down the stree–”

The young man gritted his teeth. “You…!”

“Aren’t you drunk? Your face is bright red, ah!” Though the stranger expressed disappointment, their eyes reflected the golden sunset. Then, they asked, “One would think that you’ve undergone Qi Deviation, a demon’s curse.”

The young man tried to retort–but clamped his mouth shut.

Qi Deviation occurs by various events: a cultivator rushes too fast into cultivation, entangles too long with dark arts of Qi, suffers from a backlash of Qi due to reckless cultivation methods, or has an unresolved well of negative emotions and therefore—manifesting negative Qi also called Yin. As a result, the cultivator suffers from painful headaches to complete madness. In most cases, yes, madness and self-destruction. Or death. Just death and lots of other deaths.

Silence lingered. With nothing to do, the two people stood around and watched their shadows.

The stranger asked, “...By the way, how old are you?”

There was a sigh, then, the young man replied, “...Eighteen.”

“If they had known that you were drunk in there, someone would have tried to take advanta—”

“Whether I am or not, it’s none of your business! Who are you to get between me and that annoying Lǎorén at the teahouse?! What happens to me—is none of your damned business!”

Ah, that outburst was unexpected.

Aiya, to be so young and stupid! There was no use lecturing one who isn’t ready to receive and is too stubborn with arrogance.

Eventually, the stranger recalled the poor Yéye and his granddaughter with the lute. And the tale of an unlucky Chrysanthemum fairy named Mei Ying. They watched the young man, who sat on the ground. With his head bowed, he was quiet.

Now, it was the stranger’s turn to sigh. They asked, “Do…you believe in celestial fairies?”

Instantly, the young man snapped his attention to the stranger. His eyes were no longer burning. Instead, they were as tranquil as pools of mountain springs.

Perhaps, this person must have had a fateful but ill encounter.

But where did this feeling of nostalgia come from? Familiar, melancholic, and bittersweet already, like a song that one could never forget when viewing the moon, with wine.