In the dimly lit confines of the stables, surrounded by the subtle scent of hay and musk, Xu Zeng's fingers delicately traced the intricate scales adorning Xu Hu Zhe's face. Each touch was reverent, a silent acknowledgment of the unique beauty concealed beneath the mask.
Xu Zeng couldn't fathom nor did he even try to understand why Xu Hu Zhe felt compelled to hide his striking features.
The dark scales beneath his eyes held a mesmerizing allure, captivating Xu Zeng's gaze as they shimmered in the faint light. Despite the barrier between them, Xu Zeng felt an undeniable connection, a magnetic pull drawing him closer to the man before him.
It was a pull that began the first time Xu Zeng laid eyes on Xu Hu Zhe. One that had never waned since the time he took Xu Feng's place for a day.
