The Pieces of You

A Peaceful Interlude

A bird sang somewhere in the distance in accompaniment to Wen Kexings flute. His fingers danced on the instrument, pulling luxurious notes from the jade vessel. He was playing very carefully today because his audience was dozing off under a pear blossom tree, the rays of sunshine peeking through the branches throwing patterns onto his beautiful features. We Kexing subtle moved without ceasing his melody and his tall form blocked some of the light threatening to shine in the male's eyes. Zishu looked so peaceful, Kexing couldn't bear to disturb him so he continued to play even when his lungs ached. 

A light chuckle came from below and when he peered down, Zishu was squinting at him with amusement. "Lao Wen, are you planning on becoming a lantern and floating into the sky?" He patted the space next to him where he was leaning against the tree trunk. "Come, sit, before your lungs decide to abandon you." Wen Kexing was partly relieved but he truly would have played until he passed out if Zishu hadn't said anything. 

He lowered himself to the ground and sighed blissfully, enjoying the way the spring breeze skipped through his hair and clothes. Their shoulders brushed and he angled his head covertly so that his cheek was pressed ever so lightly to Zishu's temple. The male allowed it while hiding a smile at the small display of affection, but Kexing saw it from the corner of his eye. He was quite pleased with himself in all honesty. Zhou Zishu rarely wore his veil in Kexings presence anymore, and the sparse times he had were in the company of others. Wen Kexing never tired of looking his beautiful face nor did Ah Xu's smile ever fail to turn his heart into a warm babbling brook full of calm and happy emotions.

The peace and quiet in the garden was broken by Cao Weining, Gu Xiang, and Chengling walking by in deep conversation. The two men watched as the three went to the circular space of flat stone and Chengling got into a martial stance while the others critiqued it. Kexing and and Zishu observed the whole scene with some amount of amusement as it resembled two slightly older baby birds teaching the youngest to fly. Zishu picked up the veil he had discarded from his lap and slipped it on, and Kexing had to hold back his frown of disappointment. Kexing stood first and reached down to help the older male up. These days Ah Xu only wore the ornate feminine dresses during business hours, and often donned tastefully designed hanfu when he was lounging with Wen Kexing. The clothes were still almost too pretty for a man, but somehow suited Zishu perfectly. Wen Kexing liked it purely because he could see Ah Xu's body better thanks to the more fitting attire.

Zishu's hand lingered in his for a moment and then they turned to abandon their private oasis under the tree. The three looked up enthusiastically at their approach and Gu Xiang beckoned to her master. "Master, show him how to do this!" Although she was well versed in martial arts herself, her true intent soon became clear when her and Cao Weining backed up a step in unison. They obviously designed to escape on their own while the two men took care of Chengling. 

"Ah...like this and like this." Kexing directed helplessly and he threw a pitiful glance at Zishu. Zhou Zishu sighed heavily and joined the pair, demonstrating to the youngest how to execute the move. Chengling watched with wide eyes and afterwards bowed deeply to Zishu. "Please be my Shifu!" Zishu took a step back and glared at Wen Kexing before resolutely shaking his head. "I wouldn't make a good teacher." Wen Kexing smirked at him then leaned down to whisper something lowly to the boy. Zishu was only able to discern, 'men' and 'cling' before Chengling moved to stick to him stubbornly. "Please be my Shifu!" Like this, Zhou Zishu was chased around the courtyard and directly abandoned by Wen Kexing. It was a stark betrayal and Kexing felt slightly bad, but he had something important to take care of. 

Wen Kexing went further into the garden to find the pair and arrived at a place where a miniature wooden bridge curved over the pavement. Gu Xiang was standing with her back to him and her face was lifted to catch the sun on her skin. Cao Weining stood by her side and when Kexing approached, he heard the male reciting poetry for Gu Xiang. A brow lifted and he frowned when he heard that the poetry was mixed, jumbled, and quite frankly embarrassingly botched. Not that Gu Xiang would know since she had never had a penchant for reading. He waited until the male turned and then motioned for Weining to follow him.