The day's journey had been long, the path winding through dense forests and across quiet streams. The air was cooler than usual, a sign that winter was beginning to creep in. As they reached a small clearing, Feng Rui finally called for a break.
"We should rest here," he said, settling down on a large rock, wiping the sweat from his brow. "The next stretch is going to be a tough one."
Li Wei nodded, grateful for the pause. He had been carrying the book for days now, its weight a constant reminder of the mystery they were tangled in. But today, the thought of it felt distant. In this peaceful spot, surrounded by the sounds of nature, Li Wei felt a rare sense of calm.
He sat down beside Feng Rui, his back against a nearby tree. The sun was dipping lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the clearing. Feng Rui had already begun unpacking their supplies, and for a moment, the silence between them was comfortable, not strained.
Li Wei reached for the small pouch of dried fruit they had packed. "We should eat something," he suggested, breaking the silence.
Feng Rui looked up, his face lighting up with a grin. "Finally, some food! I was starting to wonder if you'd forgotten about it."
Li Wei chuckled softly and handed him a handful of fruit. "You're always thinking about food, aren't you?"
Feng Rui took the fruit gratefully, leaning back against the rock. "A man's gotta eat to keep his strength up," he said between bites. "Especially when he's dealing with… well, you know. All this."
Li Wei smiled, feeling the warmth of the moment settle in. "I'm not exactly the one causing all the trouble here."
Feng Rui glanced over at him with a raised eyebrow. "Oh? Because I seem to recall a certain scholar who's gotten himself tangled up in a very dangerous game."
Li Wei blushed slightly but didn't argue. "I suppose I have," he admitted. "But I never expected any of this to happen. I just thought it was an ordinary book."
Feng Rui paused, his expression thoughtful. "It's never really just an ordinary book, is it?" He shifted closer to Li Wei, his tone light but his eyes searching. "But I'm glad it's you carrying it and not someone else."
Li Wei didn't know how to respond to that, so he simply nodded. His heart skipped a beat, and he found himself stealing a glance at Feng Rui. There was something in his gaze—something that felt both reassuring and mysterious.
"I don't know if I'm cut out for all of this," Li Wei admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I've never been in a situation like this before."
Feng Rui's smile softened. He set down his food and shifted closer. "You're doing fine, Li Wei. You've made it this far, haven't you?"
Li Wei looked into Feng Rui's eyes, his nerves settling at the sight of his calm, steady gaze. "I wouldn't have made it this far without you."
Feng Rui chuckled softly, a sound that seemed to carry warmth with it. "Good thing I'm here, then. You're lucky to have me."
Li Wei's lips twitched into a smile. "I suppose I am."
The conversation drifted into a comfortable silence, with only the sounds of the forest filling the air. Feng Rui stretched his legs out, looking up at the sky as the stars began to emerge.
"This place is nice," he said after a while, his tone casual. "We should come here more often."
Li Wei nodded, his gaze following Feng Rui's to the sky. The stars shone brightly above them, casting a peaceful glow over the clearing. It felt like a simple moment, a pause in the chaos of their journey.
For once, there were no threats, no puzzles to solve, no hidden dangers lurking. It was just the two of them, sharing a quiet evening in a safe place.
"I'd like that," Li Wei said softly, his voice carrying a hint of warmth.
Feng Rui turned his head toward him, his smile more genuine than usual. "Then it's a plan."
As they settled into the night, the weight of their shared journey seemed a little lighter. There were still challenges ahead, but for now, they had each other—and that was enough.