During the autumn, they traveled many different roads, even rafting down the river, where Fu Yao meditated for hours under the cool wind, feeling how fresh streams smooth out the wounds in the heart and whistle between the splits of the soul. Looking at his flowing hair, Xie Lian mentally returned to the time when he and Feng Xin were standing on the wall, and Mu Qing looked down gloomily, arms crossed over his chest in impotent anger. It is amazing how these two images overlapped each other, making him yearn for the past and rejoice at what he has now. Will they be able to have the same carefree time when Fu Yao regains his memories? The crown prince only hoped that they could still remain friends and that an unbridgeable chasm would not fall between them again. Hua Cheng placed his head on the prince's lap, while he thoughtlessly fingered his inky hair, contemplating the horizon. If only this wonderful moment could be extended.
As soon as the cold winds picked up, it became difficult to spend the night in the open without warming spells, and it was decided to settle down somewhere for the winter period. In this way, Fu Yao can calm down and rethink his journey, and Xie Lian and San Lang will not worry about him if they have to leave for heaven and the Ghost Town. When they arrived in one of the largest cities they met along the way, a house already bought was waiting for them, put in perfect order. Fu Yao and Xie Lian immediately turned their heads towards San Lang, who looked absolutely pleased with himself. "I can help with a little something." Fu Yao's eyebrow twitched at those words, and he entered the courtyard with his chin held high, which spoke louder than any words. Over the next months, they had to establish a joint life, because life in one's own house was different in many ways from stopping in a forest or an inn, so that the trinity of travelers had to synchronize their rhythm of life, which turned out to be easier than one might have imagined in advance. Fu Yao organized cleaning at the same time as checking the premises and was surprised that in the process it did not turn into a fight, because never in his memory was there a case when someone (and himself in particular) was satisfied with everything, because of which he most often preferred to do all the work alone, because it is easier to come to an agreement with himself.
Xie Lian clearly had a lot of experience, so the two of them pushed San Lang out into the backyard to chop wood, while they themselves rolled up their sleeves and began to inspect each plank, talking about rearranging furniture and buying new ones if necessary. One could say that life went on by itself: they talked about something and after that they all went to the shops and shops or sent away the least busy that day. At first, Fu Yao often disappeared from morning to evening to establish contacts and find a possible means of earning money. Thus, he was known as a carpenter, and a cook, and a doctor, and a gardener - everything was described by the same set of words for which the guy was ready to kill San Lang even at the stage of opening his mouth. Their neighbors knew that three spellcasters settled in the hitherto empty house, to whom one could come for help or advice at any time of the day or night, so the trinity was mostly loved and revered. There were also dirty rumors, but they died in the bud as soon as the gentleman in scarlet cast a casual glance at the gossips. The trouble came from where they didn't expect - one fine winter day, Fu Yao had to face Xie Lian's cooking, to which his mortal incarnation turned out to be even less ready than the divine. He nonchalantly agreed when the prince offered to take over the kitchen, allowing Fu Yao to step aside as a cook for once. Returning with a bunch of new books and a bundle of warm clothes, Fu Yao first noticed a strange smell, not attaching much importance to it at first, until he noticed a large dish in the middle of the table, the contents of which could not be described by any word other than "something". - What is this horror? he asked with an unreadable expression on his face, which meant the best reprimand, the worst - a whipping. "I decided to experiment with the ingredients that were in the basement," Xie Lian explained, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. "And in the end he translated them all," the guy stated, showing ruthless straightforwardness. "If I had known this would happen, would not dare to let you even close to the kitchen. "Hey, gege put his soul into this dish, show respect," San Lang replied from his familiar place. It is easy to speak to someone who will not be killed by the strongest poison! "I'm just telling the truth. You can't eat this," Fu Yao snapped, pointing his finger at "something" around which even the air seemed to move in waves. Xie Lian looked somewhat drooping from such harsh criticism, and San Lang's gaze turned dangerous. - And what is the use of your "truth", which implies the humiliation of other people's efforts? he asked, sounding like a predator tucking its paws in for a jump. Fu Yao looked from the prince to the dish and back again. - Do you love him? He pointed his finger at Xie Lian, for whom the question was so unexpected that he even tore his eyes from the floor, staring at his companion in a daze, as if he suddenly spoke in an unfamiliar language. "Deeper than the seas and farther than the skies stretch," Hua Cheng answered without hesitation, resting his chin on his open palm with a raised eyebrow. His instant response made Fu Yao's heart tremble, but he did not show it, continuing to defend his thought. Xie Lian was just trying to figure out what was going to happen. "That's exactly why you should not indulge indiscriminately, but help him improve. White lies are worse than the terrible truth. Even though Fu Yao's voice remained low, it was as if a wind blew through the room, and Xie Lian's skin was covered in goosebumps. It was difficult to argue with this statement, because during the whole time of their journey, Fu Yao never lied to them, answering every question with the truth. Even Hua Cheng dropped his mocking mask for a moment after realizing that guy is not joking. What annoyed him even more was that Fu Yao was, in fact, right, even if he said it in an unnecessarily rude way. Seeing how heavy the atmosphere was, Fu Yao shrugged his shoulders and sighed. He looked back at his failed attempt to make dinner, then looked back at the gray face of the prince, who looked as if he had personally insulted everyone in this room and was now feeling the wildest shame, bordering on suicidal desire. Fu Yao sighed again, blowing off steam, he himself thought that he reacted too harshly, making a scandal out of nothing, and Xie Lian wanted to do the best, thinking that he could please him. At this thought, the hostile squint disappeared, and the expression of the eyes softened, in an instant changing to something never seen before. San Lang raised his eyebrows intrigued, noticing this change of mood, while Xie Lian focused all his attention on the edges of his own sleeves. Sighing for the third time, Fu Yao addressed him, "Okay, here's what we'll do: I'll get rid of it now, and you won't interfere with me." The prince nodded meekly. "If you want, I can teach you something simple. That way you can get involved in the cooking, and I'll make sure it doesn't turn into a disaster. Xie Lian did not expect that he would be given a second chance and, in addition, allowed to learn something, because of which his gaze became completely lost, like that of a mischievous child who was not beaten on the hands. That way you can get involved in the cooking, and I'll make sure it doesn't turn into a disaster. Xie Lian did not expect that he would be given a second chance and, in addition, allowed to learn something, because of which his gaze became completely lost, like that of a mischievous child who was not beaten on the hands. That way you can get involved in the cooking, and I'll make sure it doesn't turn into a disaster. Xie Lian did not expect that he would be given a second chance, and, in addition, allowed to learn something, because of which his gaze became completely lost, like that of a mischievous child who was not beaten on the hands.
