How To Polish A Pearl

Epilogue

Author's Notes:

I hope you like this little added surprise!

⊂ (▀▿▀) つ❤

Even though Wen Ke Xing had been outside Ghost Valley plenty of times, this still feels like it is the first time and in a way it is. It is the first time in over two decades that he walks in the human world as one of them and not as a ghost. Everything looks different, smells different, sounds different. He had walked next to Zhou Zi Shu for a year as a young man, and now for months as his husband but even walking next to him now feels like the first time.

Since they are impatient to get to their old new home as soon as possible, they only stop to sleep and eat along the way. There is also the concern that Zhou Zi Shu might be recognized and that the word would get back to Helian Yi that he has resurfaced, after having gone rogue.

Whilst traveling, he had kept an ear to the ground and eyes scanning crowds, but Zhou Zi Shu hadn't seen anything that indicated Window of Heaven was nearby or even operating in the area. However, all of Jianghu seemed to be nervous, with something stirring in the background that drowned out all other things. Having just walked out of Ghost Valley and shed their ruling responsibilities, they decided to ignore it all and focus on returning home.

At last, back in the small town at the bottom of the mountain, where the valley of Four Seasons Manor starts, they walk through the market. They take their time just getting used to the bustling pace of the people around them. Even though it isn't their first time here, specially not for Zhou Zi Shu, it is different—it has after all been twelve years since either of them have been back.

Zhou Zi Shu can't help but smile, a soft giggle escaping his lips as he watch his man scurry between the stalls, buying cakes, fruit and other treats. Zhou Zi Shu is focused on getting supplies like rice and wine.

Wen Ke Xing takes a bite out of one of the three Tanghulu skewers, that he is balancing with his left hand, and looks back at his man. Zhou Zi Shu is walking leisurely at the center of the street, his eyes swaying left and right—taking in all of the things that is familiar to him and also noticing the things that are unfamiliar and new. Wen Ke Xing can feel the emotions radiating from his man, wanting to comfort him but knows that he will be fended off if he tries to hold his hand or give him a hug. Ah-Xu, I know just the thing to cheer you up.

When Wen Ke Xing disappears around the corner and out of his sight, Zhou Zi Shu gets the tiniest of lumps in his throat and walks just a little bit faster. Turning the same corner, he scans the street but can't spot his man in the crowd. Before his pulse starts racing, Wen Ke Xing steps back into view. Zhou Zi Shu can't even scold him because he is carrying a bottle of wine and a few steam buns. They eat and walk, picking up all the things that they might need in the coming weeks and then heads out of town.

It feels like a dream walking through the orchards, just like he had done when he was fourteen years old. The building he had lived in was no more than ruins now, having been abandoned for over a decade. The orchards were very much alive. Some parts were in full bloom whilst others were bearing fruit. The trees were growing a bit wild, and the irrigation systems needed tending to, but all in all—the orchards weren't that bad.

They hold hands as they walk up the trail to the manor, partly because they just like holding hands, partly to relive old memories of when they used to do this in their youth, and partly because they are nervous of what they might find. Zhou Zi Shu's heart is heavy. He had, after all, abandoned his home. The home that had been his sects for generations. The home that had been left empty under his watch.