It has been a while since since Lin Jian had been admitted to his rank. His days were hectic, barely having spare time. He trained more since and had grown. Yes, we still occasionally hang out, every one in a month; catching up, dueling, and fishing as our new hobby. Our investigation were coming to a devastating end with no new leads, my suspicions cooling down.
I finally decided to end the investigation, so I invited Lin Jian for a walk one day to talk about it.
We talked about it, then a voice made us turn back our tracks, "Lin Jian!" It was Li Yang. Scent of plum blossoms filled the air, their delicate fragrance a stark contrast to the storm within me. Li Yang, her raven hair cascading down her back like a silken waterfall, stood inches from Lin Jian, a playful smile in her lips. Her hand, delicate as jade, extended towards him, a shimmering silver pendant dangling from her slender fingers.
She has taken a liking to Lin Jian ever since the competition. I can see that she became open about her feelings, which for some reason, gutted me.
" I found this in the marketplace," she said, her voice a melodic chime, "a charm for good fortune. I thought of you right away."
Lin Jian, his eyes mirroring the warmth of the spring sun, took the pendant with a gentle smile. "Thank you, Li Yang," he replied, grateful, "It's beautiful."
He strung it around his waist, the silver glinting against his sun-kissed skin. My feet, restless and unbidden, started kicking the air. My fists clenched at my back, the pang of jealousy a sharp, unexpected sting.
I let out a smile, pretending unconcern. "That's a lovely pendant," I said, my voice strained. "It suits you perfectly, Lin Jian."
He glanced at me, his gaze lingering for a moment before returning to Li Yang. "Thank you, Yinuo," he replied, "It's just like you to notice."
My stomach churned. Was it just me, or was there a new flicker in his eyes? The warmth I'd felt from him that day when we investigated Hua Lin, the connection that was about to start, seemed to falter. Was I just imagining things? Was he growing closer to Li Yang?
I forced a laugh, a desperate attempt to mask the tremor in my voice. "Of course, I notice," I said."I have excellent taste, as you know."
He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. He glanced back at Li Yang, a new spark igniting in his gaze. My heart, fluttered with a frantic beat. He seemed to like Li Yang. Was I just assuming things? Was I just imagining things?
Whatever.
"That was what I wanted to tell you today, Lin Jian. What do you say?" I proposed. "Okay, Yinuo. If there's anything else, you can come to me again." He replied.
Retreating to the comfort of my room, I sought solace in the presence of my peridot sword, its nascent form nestled upon the altar. A gentle glow emanated from the blade, a silent acknowledgment of my turmoil. The warmth of the light, a beacon of understanding, cooled down my envy.
Later that evening, the aroma of roasted duck and fragrant tea filled the air as Master Xinyue and I dined in his lavishly furnished room. His gentle probing questions about my day, his keen eyes observing my every nuance, brought a sense of normalcy back to my world.
As I walked back to my room, the warmth of the night air filled my lungs. Suddenly, a shadow fell over me, startled I instinctively drew a dagger, the blade gleaming under the moonlight. The face of the shadow came to light, it was Lin Jian. To my frustration at the scare, I lammed at him leaving him tumbling back. His sleeves that bore hues of the ocean green and sky blue danced in the air as we brawled. We exchanged a few moves , abruptly he pressed me down the oak tree.
Unbelievable! Did he really just overpowered me?
Lin Jian, his face a mix of amusement and concern, chuckled softly. "You should be more careful, Yinou" he said, stepping back.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack." My grip on the hilt tightened. "What are you doing here?" I demanded.
He took a step closer, his eyes searching mine. "Why do you let Li Yang get so close to me?" his voice was low, a hint of possessiveness in his tone. "Don't you like me?"
The words left me speechless. My heart pounded in my chest, a confusing mixture of relief and something else, something I couldn't quite name, swirling within me. I knew I had to answer, but the words refused to form.
"No way? Don't say that you really like me?" he mocked, intently looking at me for an answer. "Look at me. I dare you to say that you don't like me." challenging me, his eyes glistening at the moment, peacock tail like eyelash fluttering. There was a pause in that moment as I looked at him.
"Yes! I like you! I love you! No, I worship you! I'd die for you!" I mustered to say sarcastically with a straight face, I was swirling with emotion inside. He beamed a soft smile that reached his eyes, "That's understandable. I am formidable," his tone gentle. I nodded, and he patted me in the back.
"Yes, I admit that you're a good fighter." I finally acknowledged. He smugly looked at me. "My head is spinning, my feet sweating, my insides curling. I can't explain what I am feeling!" he dramatically said, imitating my voice. "Thank you for the compliment!" still teasing me.
"You're too cheesy," I chuckled at him. We chatted under the moonlight of the roof for a while the trees danced, cherry blossom in the wind parading; that moment was everything. "Let me take you back." I offered.
"Okay," he carried my sword, as we strolled in the crisp night. I took him back in their quarters, and waved him a bad night as I return to mine.
I couldn't sleep for a while that night. I keep reminiscing the moment, talking and giggling about it to my peridot sword. He was ridiculously cheeky and cheesy. It's funny and disgusting!
It let out an excited glow expressing its feelings. "Peridot sword, you should take form soon. I'd like to hear you talk back." I caressed it, before drifting to sleep.
As the sunlight fell upon me, I felt a hand wrapping me in an embrace. Its body warm like the earth, its hands strong like trees. It's here, my peridot sword.