The morning after the kiss, a delicate tension hung between Lusi and Wang Jie as they prepared to continue their journey. Neither spoke of what had transpired the previous night, but the weight of unspoken words pressed on both of them. Their dynamic had shifted, and while the others remained oblivious, the two were acutely aware of the change.
Lusi was not one to dwell on matters of the heart, but the kiss replayed in her mind over and over. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced—soft, yet filled with an intensity that unsettled her. She had always been in control, of herself and those around her, but with Wang Jie, that control seemed to slip away so easily. And that scared her.
As they trekked deeper into the forest, the surroundings grew more ominous. The trees seemed to close in around them, and the air thickened with a sense of foreboding. Lusi could feel it, the weight of something unseen watching them, but she kept her concerns to herself. She couldn't afford to let her emotions distract her, not now.
Wang Jie, on the other hand, was hyper-aware of Lusi's mood. He had never seen her so vulnerable, and it made him want to protect her even more. He kept a close watch on her as they navigated the treacherous terrain, ready to step in if needed. But Lusi remained distant, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.
They stopped at a small stream to refill their water, the group taking a brief moment to rest. Lusi knelt by the water's edge, staring at her reflection. She saw herself, but the person looking back was different—softer, more open. She wasn't sure how she felt about that.
Wang Jie approached, kneeling beside her. "You're thinking too much again."
Lusi glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "It's hard not to when we're walking straight into the unknown."
He chuckled softly. "That's always been our reality. What's really bothering you?"
She hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I can't afford to be distracted. Not now. There's too much at stake."
His gaze softened as he looked at her. "You're stronger than you think, Lusi. But you don't always have to carry the burden alone."
She clenched her fists, her jaw tightening. "I've always been alone, Wang Jie. Depending on someone else... it's dangerous. It makes you weak."
"Or it makes you stronger," he countered, his voice calm yet firm. "Together, we can face whatever comes."
Lusi didn't respond, but the words settled deep in her mind. She had always believed that strength meant standing on your own, but now she wasn't so sure. The kiss had shown her a different kind of strength—one that came from connection, from trust. But trust was a risk, and risks had consequences.
Before she could delve deeper into her thoughts, a sudden rustling in the trees caught her attention. In an instant, she was on her feet, her hand instinctively gripping the hilt of her blade. Wang Jie was already beside her, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings.
A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in darkness. Lusi's heart raced as she prepared for a fight, but something about the figure felt familiar. As they stepped into the light, she recognized them—a member of their group, separated during an earlier skirmish.
Relief washed over her as the tension eased. "You're alive," she muttered, sheathing her weapon.
The reunion was brief, as the danger was far from over. But as they continued their journey, Lusi couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much larger—something that would test not just her strength, but her heart as well.
And with Wang Jie at her side, the stakes had never been higher.