In the Shadows

Chapter 10

Xiao Zhan and Wang Yibo found themselves in the tranquility of Yibo's study. Uncertainty and doubt clouded Zhan's mind, echoes of Wen Qing's words reminding him of the alleged betrayal.

Seated on the floor, Wang Yibo positioned himself, his fingers poised to caress the strings of his guqin. As the enchanting melody filled the room, Zhan's ears became captivated by the ethereal sounds, resonating with a bittersweet melancholy. He listened as Wang Yibo's fingers gracefully danced across the instrument, each note a reflection of his profound emotions, while he twirled the black flute in his hands.

Wang Yibo's gaze shifted towards Xiao Zhan, his eyes reflecting a profound nostalgia. The twirling of the flute in his hand evoked memories from centuries past, a time when they would embark on nocturnal adventures together, united as one. A smile appeared on his face.

"Does it hurt to become a vampire?" Zhan's question hung in the air, causing Wang Yibo to abruptly cease his playing. A flicker of concern passed through Yibo's eyes as he carefully considered Zhan's words.

"I will not let her turn you into a vampire," Yibo responded firmly, his voice laced with determination. He rose from his seated position and placed his guqin on the desk with a forceful gesture. In a swift motion, he grasped Zhan's hands, his grip tight and unwavering.

"Listen to me," Yibo urged, his gaze intense and resolute. "I will not allow that to happen to you. I will protect you, no matter the cost." His words carried an unyielding conviction, a testament to the depth of his devotion.

But Zhan pulled away, a mixture of frustration and determination etched on his face. "You have no right to dictate my choices," he declared, his voice tinged with defiance. "I want to help Wen Qing. I want to aid her brother, who has endured that state for four centuries. The anguish of living with the person you love the most, yet being unable to reach them... It must be an unimaginable torment." He paused, his realization dawning upon him.

His words trailed off, Zhan realizing the unintended parallel he had drawn. The unspoken truth lingered between them, a reminder of their own complex history and the lingering questions that still remained unanswered.

Wang Yibo held Zhan tightly, drawing him closer to his body. His head rested on Zhan's shoulder, his tears mingling with the weight of regret that consumed him.

"I should have been by your side, fighting alongside you when you sought to save the remnants of the Wen Clan," Yibo whispered, his voice laden with sorrow and self-reproach. "I should have stood up for you, speaking out against the senseless violence inflicted upon innocent women and children. If only I had intervened, if only I had protected your spiritual core from being destroyed... None of this would have come to pass. You wouldn't have been forced to endure that transformation."

His words carried the weight of missed opportunities and the burden of guilt. Yibo's heart ached as he acknowledged the repercussions of his inaction, the consequences of his silence. In that moment, he yearned to rewrite the past, to rectify the choices that had brought them to this point of anguish and separation.

As Zhan stood in the presence of Wang Yibo, he couldn't help but sense the raw emotion emanating from him. The tremor in Yibo's body spoke volumes, echoing the pain and longing that had plagued him for the past 400 years.

In that profound moment of connection, Zhan's heart stirred, a flicker of recognition burning within him. Though his memories remained elusive, the intensity of Yibo's love and longing for Wei Ying reached deep into his core.

With tenderness and care, Zhan wiped away Yibo's tears, his touch a balm to their wounded souls. "It's okay," Zhan whispered, his voice filled with compassion and reassurance. Each gentle kiss he placed on Yibo's eyes carried the promise of healing and understanding. It was a gesture that spoke volumes.