The Silent Bonds of the Heart
The third competition was fencing, and Xiang performed exceptionally well. Her movements were precise, her strikes swift, and her defense impenetrable. The crowd watched in awe as she demonstrated her mastery of the art, her every move radiating confidence and grace. Despite her outstanding performance, when the results were announced, her name came in third. A wave of disappointment washed over her, but she quickly pushed it aside. She reminded herself that she had given her best, and that was what truly mattered. Besides, she had achieved something far greater—she had become a permanent part of this place, a place she now called home.
However, her joy was tinged with a lingering sadness. Whenever she crossed paths with her master, Wen Shia, he would ignore her, walking away without a word. This behavior puzzled and hurt her deeply. She couldn't understand why he avoided her so deliberately. Unbeknownst to her, Wen Shia's actions were driven by concern. He knew that engaging with her might stir emotions that could cause her pain, and so he chose silence over conversation. Yet, his avoidance only deepened Xiang's confusion and self-doubt.
One day, unable to bear the distance any longer, Xiang decided to confront the situation. She convinced herself that perhaps she had made a mistake, something that had upset her master. Determined to make amends, she prepared a special herbal tea, carefully selecting ingredients known for their refreshing and healing properties. With the tea in hand, she made her way to Wen Shia's room.
Standing outside his door, she hesitated for a moment before softly calling out, "Master, may I come in?" Wen Shia, engrossed in a book, absentmindedly granted permission without looking up. As Xiang entered, she was struck by the state of the room. Scrolls and books were scattered everywhere, as though he had been searching for something important. The sight of her master so deeply absorbed in his work made her heart ache. She wanted to help him, to ease his burden in any way she could.
"Master, can I help you with something?" she asked gently, her voice breaking the silence. Startled, Wen Shia looked up and saw her standing before him. "How did you get in here?" he asked, his tone sharp. Xiang, taken aback, replied, "You gave me permission to enter, Master." Realizing his mistake, Wen Shia fell silent for a moment before asking, "Why have you come here?"
Xiang bowed her head slightly and said, "I thought perhaps I had done something to upset you. If I have made a mistake, please forgive me." Wen Shia's expression softened, and he shook his head. "There is no anger between a teacher and a student," he said. "I have just been very busy. You need not worry." He paused, then added, "Do you need anything?"
Xiang shook her head and placed the herbal tea on his table. "I made this for you, Master. It will help you stay refreshed." She then offered to help organize the books and scrolls. Wen Shia, after a moment's hesitation, agreed. As Xiang began arranging the books, her eyes fell on a scroll that lay partially open. Curiosity got the better of her, and she quietly unrolled it. To her astonishment, it contained a detailed drawing of a girl who looked exactly like her. At the bottom of the scroll, the name "Li Xiang" was inscribed. Confusion and surprise washed over her. Why would her master have such a drawing? And why was her full name written there?
She wanted to ask him, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she carefully placed the scroll back and continued her task, her mind racing with questions. When she finished, she noticed that Wen Shia had fallen asleep at his desk, his head resting on the table. She approached him quietly, studying his face. In the soft light of the room, his features looked serene and strikingly handsome. For a moment, she allowed herself to admire him, her heart fluttering with emotions she couldn't quite understand. But as he stirred slightly, she panicked and hurried out of the room, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
That night, Xiang found it difficult to sleep. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. When she finally drifted off, she dreamed of Wen Shia. In her dream, they were sitting together under a tree, his head resting in her lap. At another moment, she saw herself lying in his arms, feeling a sense of peace and belonging she had never known. The dream was so vivid that it startled her awake. She sat up in bed, her heart pounding. "How could I dream such a thing?" she whispered to herself. "Is it because I saw his face today? Do I… like him?" The thought both excited and terrified her.
Meanwhile, Wen Shia was also restless. He had been feeling uneasy all day, and the encounter with Xiang had only added to his turmoil. Unable to sleep, he decided to take a walk outside. As he stepped into the cool night air, his eyes fell on Xiang, who was sitting alone on the stairs, fanning herself with her sleeve. The sight surprised him. "What are you doing here at this hour?" he asked, his voice stern but laced with concern. "You shouldn't be sitting alone at night. Can't you sleep?"
Xiang looked up, startled by his sudden appearance. "I… I couldn't sleep," she admitted. "It's so hot tonight." She hesitated for a moment before adding, "Would you like to sit with me? Then I won't be alone." Without waiting for his response, she gently tugged at his sleeve, urging him to sit beside her. Wen Shia, though reluctant, complied. As they sat together, Xiang began to talk, sharing her thoughts and feelings. Wen Shia listened quietly, his gaze fixed on her. For the first time, he allowed himself to truly see her—not just as his student, but as a person with her own hopes and fears.
In the midst of their conversation, Wen Shia suddenly blurted out, "Is the girl in your room the same as the one in mine?" The question caught Xiang off guard. "What girl?" she asked, her voice trembling. Wen Shia hesitated, then shook his head. "Never mind," he said, his tone dismissive. But the question lingered in the air, adding to the mystery that surrounded them.
As the night deepened, the two sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The bond between them, though unspoken, grew stronger. And in that quiet moment, under the vast expanse of the night sky, they found a connection that neither could deny.
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