The night was calm, a soft breeze whispering through the trees as Ban Shu Li and Sui Inyi walked side by side, their footsteps crunching softly against the dirt path. The weight of the day's emotions still clung to them, but for the first time in hours, Shu Li wasn't drowning in grief.
The two had wandered toward a small river outside the village, where the water glowed silver under the moonlight. Shu Li took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling heavily. His mother was gone. The pain still throbbed in his heart, but at this moment, with Inyi beside him, he felt an odd sense of warmth—like a flickering light in the darkness.
"Inyi…" Shu Li's voice was quiet, yet firm. "After today, I've been thinking a lot. And I realized something."
Sui Inyi turned her head toward him, curiosity in her eyes. "Oh? What's that?"
Shu Li clenched his fists and exhaled. "I… I don't just see you as a friend." He glanced at her, his expression serious. "I don't think I ever did. You've always been more than that to me."
Sui Inyi's lips parted slightly in surprise, but then she smiled—one of those soft, knowing smiles she always had when teasing him. "Took you long enough to say it, idiot."
Shu Li blinked. "Wait… you knew?"
She rolled her eyes. "Of course I knew! You're so easy to read, Shu Li. You act tough, but I know the truth. And honestly?" She stepped closer, her fingers brushing against his hand. "I feel the same way."
Shu Li's heart pounded in his chest. He had prepared himself for rejection, for awkwardness, but hearing her say those words filled him with warmth he hadn't known he needed.
Before he could say anything else, Inyi suddenly smirked. Her expression turned mischievous as she leaned in close, her breath warm against his ear.
"But do you remember," she whispered, "I've seen everything about you? Every little thing. Even that tiny, tiny—"
Shu Li's face turned beet red in an instant. "Wha—you—!"
Sui Inyi burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching her stomach as she leaned away. "Hahaha! Look at you! Your face is priceless!"
Shu Li groaned, running a hand through his hair. "You really don't know when to stop, do you?"
Still giggling, she grabbed his hand, squeezing it lightly. "Come on, you know I'm just messing with you."
Shu Li took a deep breath, then smirked. "Oh? You said tiny tiny, huh? Alright then… I'll show you just how big it really is!"
Inyi's laughter stopped immediately. Her eyes widened in panic as Shu Li suddenly lunged toward her.
"Hey—wha—You bastard! No, don't pull me—please, no! Hey! You shameless—!"
Laughing, Shu Li effortlessly lifted her up and threw her over his shoulder like a sack of rice. Inyi kicked her legs, struggling as she pounded her fists against his back.
"Put me down, you brute!"
"Nope," Shu Li said, grinning. "You insulted me. Now you'll pay the price!"
Sui Inyi groaned dramatically but soon started laughing again. "Fine, fine! You win!"
Shu Li smirked. "Of course I do."
Still carrying her, he made his way back toward his home.
That night, they would cross a line they had never dared to before. Their bond had always been strong, but now, it was unbreakable. No words were needed, no explanations. They had always belonged to each other. And now, they would never be apart.