The fire crackled softly as Feng Rui finished recounting their recent harrowing escape, his voice steady but his gaze sharp, watching every flicker of emotion on the stranger's face. Li Wei, seated close to the warmth of the flames, clutched the book tightly, his knuckles white.
The stranger tilted their head, their wide-brimmed hat casting a shadow over their face. "So, you're being hunted for a dusty old book," they mused, their voice laced with intrigue. "What a dangerous life you've stumbled into, scholar."
"It's more than a book," Feng Rui interjected, his tone firm. "And you know it. That's why I didn't gloss over the details. If you're planning to help us, you should know the stakes."
The stranger chuckled, a low, melodic sound that seemed to ripple through the air. "Help? That depends. What exactly are you offering in return?"
Feng Rui narrowed his eyes, but before he could answer, Li Wei spoke up. "We don't have much to offer, but… we'll pay you back. Somehow."
The stranger's gaze shifted to Li Wei, their lips curling into a faint smirk. "You're sincere. I like that. But sincerity doesn't pay for supplies or silence, does it?"
Li Wei opened his mouth to respond, but Feng Rui raised a hand, silencing him. "What do you want?" he asked, his voice cold.
The stranger leaned back, their expression thoughtful. "Protection is costly, but… information? Now that's priceless." They gestured toward the book in Li Wei's hands. "Give me access to it. Let me decipher its secrets. That's my price."
"No," Feng Rui said immediately, his tone brooking no argument. "The book stays with us. Its secrets are dangerous, even in the wrong hands of an ally."
The stranger laughed softly, shaking their head. "You're cautious, I'll give you that. But I'm not asking for ownership. Just a peek. You want safety for the night? That's my offer."
Li Wei glanced nervously at Feng Rui, unsure how to respond. Feng Rui's jaw tightened as he weighed their options. The woods were treacherous, and their enemies relentless. But the thought of exposing even a sliver of the book's contents made his stomach twist.
"We'll stay," Feng Rui said at last, his voice low. "But the book remains closed."
The stranger's eyes glimmered with amusement. "Suit yourself. But don't expect my hospitality to extend indefinitely."
---
As the fire burned lower, casting the clearing in a dim, amber glow, Li Wei found himself drawn to the stranger's enigmatic presence. They moved with a grace and confidence that hinted at a life far removed from his own, and their piercing gaze seemed to see straight through him.
"You seem uneasy," the stranger remarked, breaking the silence.
Li Wei shifted uncomfortably. "It's just… I'm not used to this. Running, hiding, fighting. It's not my world."
The stranger studied him for a moment, their expression unreadable. "And yet, here you are, holding onto a book that could alter the fate of nations. Quite the burden for someone who prefers ink over swords."
Li Wei looked down at the book, his grip tightening. "I didn't ask for any of this. But now that it's in my hands, I have to see it through."
The stranger's lips twitched into a small smile. "A noble sentiment. Let's hope it doesn't get you killed."
---
Meanwhile, Feng Rui sat a few paces away, sharpening his sword with deliberate precision. His ears were tuned to every sound, his instincts on high alert. The stranger's offer of sanctuary didn't sit well with him, and their fixation on the book only deepened his mistrust.
But his thoughts kept drifting to Li Wei. The scholar's determination was unexpected, and it stirred something in Feng Rui that he hadn't felt in years—a sense of protectiveness, and something deeper that he couldn't quite name.
As he glanced over at Li Wei, who was now absorbed in a hesitant conversation with the stranger, Feng Rui felt a pang of unease. The scholar was too trusting, too open. It was both endearing and dangerous.
---
Later that night, as the fire died down and the camp grew quiet, Feng Rui approached Li Wei. "Get some rest," he said softly, his voice gentle despite the tension in his posture.
Li Wei nodded, settling onto the makeshift bedding the stranger had provided. "You should rest too," he said, his voice tinged with concern.
Feng Rui shook his head. "I'll keep watch."
Li Wei hesitated, then reached out, his fingers brushing lightly against Feng Rui's arm. "Thank you," he said, his gaze earnest.
Feng Rui froze, the simple touch sending a jolt through him. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Then he nodded, his voice quiet. "Just stay safe, scholar."
As Li Wei drifted off to sleep, Feng Rui sat by the dying embers, his thoughts a tangled web of distrust, duty, and the growing bond between him and the man he had vowed to protect.
In the shadows, the stranger watched them both with a faint smile, their intentions as mysterious as the forest around them.