Sons of Nature

3 The Witch's Dance (9)

Reaching his own house, Zhan Cheng went to lie down on his bed, staring at up at the ceiling. In his thoughts, he continued to see the face of the witch. This just ... He knew that he couldn't expect anything but he couldn't help himself.

Well, with time, maybe this would lessen. Also, he was slowly running out of excuses to go there. Telling him about the story with the ghost today had still been logical. If he went to deliver something more in the next few days, it would still be alright as well but, after that, it would be difficult to come up with an excuse. Just the thought pained him.

He sighed and rubbed his forehead, finally turning onto his side and furrowing his brows. He should get over this already. From everything that Gongliang Ye had told him today, he didn't think that he was open to a relationship. Even if he was, he probably wouldn't want somebody like him. With his experience with humans and the story of his parents, he might prefer somebody related to the spirit tribe. Or even better another witch. Somebody who both knew about that world but also wasn't exactly a spirit person. Anyway, a human was probably out of the question.

Ah, he really hated this. If only there was a way ... he could just confess and then maybe have a chance. But he knew that that wouldn't work. Although, maybe he should just tell him. Even if it didn't lead anywhere, he at least would have tried his luck. Then he could be sure. Otherwise, who knew if he wouldn't always think about what could've been if he had been more daring.

Thinking of that, Zhan Cheng got up again and started to look through the things in his house. Since he had realized that Gongliang Ye should have trouble keeping his hut warm, would bring over some furs.

He had hunted some animals himself in the past and kept the furs. They weren't new and it might not be that special anyway but it might look more sincere. Also, he could get some better ones from the marketplace before he left. In any case, he probably shouldn't immediately go over tomorrow. He should give it a few days so it would look as if he had only thought of that later and not planned it from the beginning. He didn't want to be too bothersome after all.

Zhan Cheng had thought quite well but, in the end, he couldn't bring himself to actually wait. He went out of the house the next morning, hurrying to buy some more furs and even a bundle of firewood, and then made his way over to the witch's house.

When he arrived, lunchtime had already passed. As usual, there was the smell of herbs lingering around the house, and he could hear faint steps inside as if Gongliang Ye was moving around.

Zhan Cheng stood outside, listening intently to make sure that he wasn't interrupting anything important like some ritual for another patient. The steps weren't as uniform though and he couldn't hear any chanting either. Realizing this, he walked up to the door and knocked. Then, he waited with bated breath.

Gongliang Ye glanced up from where he had been sorting through the shelf, taking stock of the herbs he would still need to gather before winter arrived, and turned to look at the door with a weird expression.

He felt like he had a good guess just who was on the other side of the door and he also felt like, after this many times of uninvited visits, he could guess that this visitor wasn't just trying to repay his gratitude. No, this man wanted something more.

He lowered his hand in thought before he finally went over to the door and opened. He leaned in the doorway, crossing his arms in front of his chest, and gave the man an inquisitive look. "Didn't you come by just yesterday? What brought you back so soon?"

Zhan Cheng's ears turned red as if they wanted to make sure that Gongliang Ye knew that he had had the right idea about this visit. He nestled at the hem of his sleeve and then motioned to the bundle that was hanging over his shoulder. "Well, when you mentioned yesterday that the winter would be cold, I couldn't help but worry about it. I noticed before that your hut was slightly cold. So I brought you some more firewood and a few furs." He put down the firewood and then took out the furs, opening up the bundle for Gongliang Ye to see. He couldn't help but especially show him the one he had taken from his house and lowered his head. "I hunted this one myself."