The dining area was spacious, adorned with dark wood furniture and dim, ambient lighting. As Jichen settled into his chair, he gestured for Xiaoxing to sit beside him. Lu Shen took a seat across the table, still reflecting on the grim events of the day.
"Do you like rice?" Jichen asked, his voice softening as he looked at the small girl, who seemed lost in thought.
"Uh-huh," Xiaoxing replied quietly, her gaze still downcast. It was clear she was still processing the trauma of the day.
A servant entered, carrying a large steaming bowl of rice, followed by dishes of meat and vegetables. The scents filled the air, and for a moment, the grim memories faded into the background. Xiaoxing's stomach growled again, breaking the silence.
"Eat up, little star," Lu Shen encouraged with a playful grin, trying to lift the girl's spirits. "You need your strength."
As they began to eat, Jichen observed Xiaoxing from the corner of his eye. She hesitated, her small hands trembling slightly as she picked up her chopsticks. "It's okay," he said gently, "take your time."
Once she managed to grasp the utensils, she started to eat slowly, her eyes darting between the food and the two men. They shared stories, but the atmosphere was tense. Jichen's mind drifted back to the horror they had witnessed—the lives lost, the children stolen.
"Have you ever been to a place where you felt safe?" Lu Shen asked suddenly, breaking the uncomfortable silence. Xiaoxing paused, looking thoughtful.
"I… I don't remember," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I just remember mumma… and the bad uncles." Tears welled in her eyes, and she quickly wiped them away with the back of her hand.
Jichen's heart tightened at her words. "You're safe now, Xiaoxing. We won't let anyone hurt you again," he promised, his tone firm yet soothing.
"Promise?" she asked, her big, innocent eyes searching his for reassurance.
"I promise," Jichen replied, his voice unwavering. "You can stay with us for as long as you need."
Xiaoxing nodded slowly, though doubt still lingered in her expression. Jichen understood that trust would take time. They finished their meal in relative silence, each person lost in their own thoughts.
After dinner, Lu Shen suggested a game to help Xiaoxing relax. "How about we play a guessing game? I'll think of something, and you have to guess what it is!"
"Okay!" Xiaoxing replied, her face lighting up for the first time.
"Alright, I have something in mind. It's big, and it can fly!" Lu Shen teased, watching her furrow her brows in concentration.
"A bird?" she guessed hesitantly.
"Good guess! But it's not a bird."
Xiaoxing thought hard, and then her face brightened. "An airplane!"
"Bingo! You got it!" Lu Shen cheered, clapping his hands. Xiaoxing giggled, her laughter echoing through the large dining hall.
Jichen watched, a small smile creeping onto his lips as he observed the bond forming between Lu Shen and Xiaoxing. It reminded him of happier times, before the darkness of his world crept in, consuming everything.
As the night wore on, they moved to the living room, where Lu Shen pulled out a stack of board games. "What do you like to play, Xiaoxing?"
"I like puzzles!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Puzzles it is!" Lu Shen declared, and soon they were all huddled around a colorful puzzle depicting a bright, sunny meadow filled with flowers. The pieces scattered on the table began to come together under their hands.
As they worked, Xiaoxing shared stories of her mother, of laughter and love, weaving her memories with each piece they placed. Jichen listened intently, holding onto every word, determined to protect this little girl who had already endured so much.
But as the evening drew to a close, a shadow flickered at the edge of Jichen's mind—a reminder of the triad and the darkness they had uncovered. The world outside was still perilous, and he knew their fight was far from over.
"Time for bed, little star," Jichen finally said, noticing her heavy eyelids.
"Can you stay with me?" she asked shyly, her voice trembling.
"Of course," he replied without hesitation, his resolve strengthening. "I'll be right there."
As he led Xiaoxing to a guest room, he felt the weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders. He couldn't change the past, but he could shape her future.
Jichen tucked Xiaoxing into bed, and as she closed her eyes, he stood by the door, keeping watch like a guardian. The shadows of the past may haunt him, but for her, he would fight against the darkness, one day at a time.
As he turned to leave, a faint sound caught his attention—a soft whisper from Xiaoxing.
"Jichen?"
"Yes?"
"Will you be my papa?"
The question hung in the air, heavy with longing. Jichen's heart ached. "I… I will be whatever you need me to be, Xiaoxing."
With that, he stepped out, closing the door softly behind him. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battles ahead. Tomorrow, they would begin to unravel the threads of the triad and uncover the truth. But tonight, he found solace in the innocence of a little girl who had found her way into his heart.
The darkness may still loom, but for Xiaoxing and him, hope flickered in the shadows.