The muffled sound of clothes rustling echoed in the empty corridor. Xiao Yun was squashed into a corner of the sect dorms, his heart pounding. He grabbed the hand that held his wrist in place.
'It's not a ghost at least,' Xiao Yun thought in relief. In the modern world, he hadn't believed in ghosts or anything supernatural, but this strange new world was an entirely different matter.
"Who are you? Are you one of Shen family's lackeys?"
Xiao Yun's tone was sharp and guarded.
He knew the Shen family would want revenge, but he hadn't expected them to act so quickly—or so recklessly. This didn't seem like their style. As he turned to finally see the face of his attacker, realization dawned on him.
It was the man he'd seen outside the courtyard earlier—the one who'd seemed vaguely familiar before disappearing amidst the chaos.
And then it clicked. Xiao Yun did meet this person.
…..but that was in the modern world.
It was Zhang Wei, the young master he had met back in the camp.
The man looked almost the same—cut from the same mold. The only noticeable difference was his dark hair, now tied in a long ponytail that fell to his waist it enchanted his features, the same as when Xiao Yun had woken up in this world.
Zhang Wei noticed Xiao Yun's recognition and, in a measured, cold tone, said, "Let's find another place to talk."
Understanding the need for secrecy, Xiao Yun nodded. "Let's go to my dorm. It's close by."
Zhang Wei followed silently, both walking quickly and quietly. Neither made eye contact the entire way. Once they reached the dorm, Xiao Yun checked to ensure the coast was clear before they entered the wooden room, closed the door, and lit a candle to illuminate their surroundings.
Wasting no time, Zhang Wei began, "I ended up here after the forest fire. And you?"
"Same as you. I thought I was done for, but when I woke up, I was in an ancient-looking clinic… with weird items like a big cauldron."
Zhang Wei nodded. He had already caught wind of the commotion involving Shen Hao and Xiao Yun earlier that day. When he went to investigate, he had seen Xiao Yun push through a crowd to defend another disciple, Le Xing, from Shen Hao's bullying.
Zhang Wei had been shocked to see him. He had thought he was the only one transported to this strange world. After the gathering, he had lingered until Xiao Yun left the elder's lecture, ensuring they could meet without anyone else knowing.
A heavy silence blanketed the dimly lit room. Both men were lost in their own chaotic thoughts until Xiao Yun hesitantly broke the silence .
"So… what are we going to do? Is there a way to get back to Earth?"
The question wasn't necessarily directed at Zhang Wei but more at himself. Xiao Yun knew nothing about this world. It was alien and unfamiliar, and while he hadn't had much of a place in the modern world either, at least there he had people he knew and goals he wanted to achieve.
Here, everything felt… surreal.
Shifting uncomfortably in his seat, Xiao Yun clenched his fists. Zhang Wei's sharp eyes darted to the floor briefly, betraying a flicker of unease despite his collected demeanor.
"I've gathered some information about the sect and this world," Zhang Wei said, his tone calm and logical. "There's a library we can visit. For now, we just need to stay under the radar."
Xiao Yun nodded. He felt slightly embarrassed. Zhang Wei's rational approach contrasted sharply with his own panicked reaction. They were both in the same predicament, yet they handled it so differently.
A frown crept onto Xiao Yun's face as another problem crossed his mind. "How are we going to meet up again without drawing attention?"
Zhang Wei thought for a moment. "Mages and martial artists can train together during their free time. It won't seem suspicious if we're seen going to the library together."
Xiao Yun agreed. He recalled the elder saying something similar. But as he thought about their situation, something struck him. The only time he and Zhang Wei had met before was far from pleasant. Yet here they were, working together.
Xiao Yun made a decision.
As Zhang Wei turned to leave, Xiao Yun stepped forward and blocked the door, spreading his arms out. Zhang Wei raised an eyebrow, tapping his foot on the wooden floor with an annoyed expression.
"Right now, we need to work together until we can find a way back to Earth," Xiao Yun said firmly. "We only know each other, so we have to settle any grudges we had before. Let's solve it like adults."
Zhang Wei looked befuddled at first but gradually calmed down. What Xiao Yun failed to notice was the momentary dazed look on Zhang Wei's face, as though his mind had wandered elsewhere.
"Fine," Zhang Wei said. "But what are we going to do if we disagree on something?"
Xiao Yun thought for a minute and then declared, "Rock, paper, scissors. Best two out of three."
Zhang Wei blinked. Once. Twice.
"…Rock, paper, scissors?" he repeated, incredulously.
Smacking his forehead with a resounding thud, Zhang Wei exclaimed, "Solve it like adults? Do adults settle things with rock, paper, scissors?"
"Okay, smartass," Xiao Yun retorted. "Do you have a better idea?"
"Deduction. Reasoning. Logic," Zhang Wei replied with arrogance that could rival a Peacock, his tone dripping with condescension.
Xiao Yun rolled his eyes. "I like my idea better."
Zhang Wei gave him a look that could only be described as parental disappointment.
Ignoring him, Xiao Yun rummaged through the belongings in his dorm and pulled out a brush and paper. But as he stared at them, his expression shifted into confusion. He turned to Zhang Wei.
"…Do you know how to use a brush?"
Without a word, Zhang Wei took the paper and brush with practiced skill. "What do you want me to write?"
"This is an agreement," Xiao Yun explained. "First, we settle disagreements with rock, paper, scissors."
Zhang Wei sighed but nodded, giving up on arguing.
"Second, we stick together and don't tell anyone about our secret."
Zhang Wei agreed wholeheartedly. If their secret got out, trouble would surely knocked on their door.
"And third," Xiao Yun said, grinning gently, "we'll be partners who help and benefit each other."
Xiao Yun extended his hand. Zhang Wei hesitated for a moment before reaching his hand out. without their knowledge this was going to be the best decision they ever made in their lives.
With everything settled, they pressed their fingerprints onto the agreement. Zhang Wei informed Xiao Yun that he'd pick him up in the morning to visit the library, then left as swiftly as a shadow into the night.
Once alone, Xiao Yun removed his outer green robes and let his hair down from its bun. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, but as he lay on the bed and blew out the candle, he couldn't sleep he needed sleeping pills.
Staring at the ceiling, his mind raced with memories of sleepless nights in a room full of kids or his childhood home, filled with shouting and chaos.
'Why do I have to remember this now?'
Frustrated, he pulled the blanket over his head like a child, closing his eyes.
'Maybe, just maybe, things will get better.'