𝗣𝗨𝗣𝗣𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗪 ━ MO DAO ZU SHI

CHAPTER TWELVE ━ A POET'S HEART

"blue sky, a perfect protecting dome that plays with the sunlight on these fine days, promises to be the canvas to our laughter. it is here, with head in the silky grass that time both stops and stretches to our infinite, the green and the blue showing each other's beauty in their contrast."

"this blue sky is the echo of my porcelain soul - tough, humble, and pretty. it takes on the subtle changes as the day matures, an ever evolving artistic palate."

"i wasn't aware that you knew what poetry was," hai-feng teased.

"please," came jiang cheng's response. "just because you haven't seen me with my nose stuck in a book doesn't mean i'm clueless when it comes to something like poetry."

a tug on hai-feng's hair caused him to wince.

"jerk."

"who's offending who again?"

"i didn't mean you any offense, but can you really blame me? not once have i ever seen you pick up a book and read."

jiang cheng clicked his tongue, then took the empty spot next to hai-feng. it hadn't been too long after they returned from caiyi town. there had been an attack there. a bunch of water ghosts appeared and reached havoc. they all had ashen, swollen faces. always dwelling in the water, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. after that had been settled, it wasn't long before the two found themselves in hai-feng's dwelling.

"then perhaps," jiang cheng responded successfully pulling hai-feng from his thoughts. "you simply don't know me that well. if you were to ever come and visit the place i call home, you'd surely be surprised."

a grin settled upon the other's face. "is the exceptionally handsome jiang cheng offering to take me to his residence all the way in guangdong province, china?"

a pleasant shade of pink champagne presented itself on the tip of jiang cheng's ears as he coughed.

"only if you wish to come, though it's not a requirement or anything. you can think about it. or if you don't want to come that's perfectly fine. you'll probably be busy-"

"i don't mind tagging along the next time you decide to visit home."

"really? you'll come?"

"why not? i have to admit there's not much i know about you and this seems like the perfect opportunity to change that. though, it's quite odd isn't it? calling a place home."

jiang cheng glanced at him. "why do you say that?"

"it took me a long while for me to realize the difference between a house and a home. in my home that i have now, i feel calm. i can love myself. i can have balance within myself. i can be a strong pillar for others because i was, or still am, healing in this space. to share a home with a lover...that's the dream. that's the next step, a lover who loves me the right way. though, that's not very common amongst cultivators is it?" hai-feng concluded with a small chuckle.

jiang cheng couldn't help but notice the fact that there was always an honest smile on hai-feng's lips. it always came forth when words of love were spoken.

"what? having a lover? i wouldn't say it's impossible, but it's not something that happens often."

"have you ever loved anyone jiang cheng?"

"me?! i mean...of course there are people i love. people i care for immensely."

"that's not what i'm asking."

jiang cheng's confidence falters for a moment, clearly hesitant, before he gathers his courage and opens his mouth to give a proper response.

"there is someone i've had my eye on for a while now. but, i haven't really approached the topic of requesting them to be my lover. mainly because they have some things they're going through. they're still trying to adjust to changes within their life. so, i've been doing my best to respect that. of course, i'll always offer my assistance if they ever need it. if they need anything from me i'm more than willing to give it."

hai-feng simply stared at him for a moment before giving a thoughtful hum.

"who knew jiang cheng was such a romantic."

"oh shut up," the junior snapped with no real fire behind his words. "what about you? is there...anyone you feel affection for?"

jiang cheng held his breath as hai-feng nodded.

"well, it was actually in the past. i felt very affectionate towards her and despite the fact that she trampled all over that, i still care for her."

'a woman?' jiang cheng pursed his lips, suddenly contemplative. 'of course it's a woman he cares for. it's not like he was expecting for that someone to be....'

"why do you still care for her even though she's hurt you in the past?"

hai-feng gives a hollow laugh. "i wonder about that. perhaps she feared me? i mean, it's only natural that people fear that of which they do not understand. however, that fear can turn into violence. hurtful words hold power."

"she feared you?"

"the people in the town where i came from feared the things i was capable of. my own mother, the one who i hold so much affection for, feared me."

'he meant his mother?'

"do you have any idea how that feels? mother's are supposed to be your protector, your anchor, someone who loves you unconditionally. and yet, my own mother despised me. manipulated me emotionally and verbally. she tried to kill me several times all because i was different. i was something she couldn't understand. something people in the village couldn't understand. so, i left and crossed paths with lan wangji not too long after. he brought me back here to cloud recesses and this is where i've been staying ever since."

"you still hold that much affection for your mother even though she tried to rid you of this world more than once?" jiang cheng asked. "why?"

"that's what i've been asking myself over the years," hai-feng confessed. "i don't know why i still care for her even though she wants nothing to do with me."

if jiang cheng ever had the chance to meet his mother, which wasn't at all likely, he'd gladly end her life right then and there.

"but on the bright side of all of this, i was able to meet lan wangji and lan xichen. they both welcomed me with open arms, no questions asked and for that i'm extremely grateful."

"they do seem to care for you a great deal. especially lan wangji. it's...different."

"different?" hai-feng shot jiang cheng a questioning glance. "what do you mean?"

"lan wangji is....how do i say this? he keeps everyone at a distance. but he doesn't apply that distance when it comes to you. some people have been talking and wondering why that is."

"sometimes curiosity is a dangerous thing."

"can you really blame them though? lan wangji is known for possessing a true desire to follow the right path, and suppresses his emotions in order to do so. most of the time he appears completely emotionless."

"and you're implying that he seems different when i'm around?"

"i'm just informing you about the talk that's traveling from one bird to another."

"then the birds can continue to chirp for as long as they like. if people are that curious about the type of connection we have with one another they should just come right out and ask, wouldn't you agree?"

━━━━━━━━

thanks for reading!
comments are greatly
appreciated!

next chapter coming soon!