Oh. My. Fate?! (BL, Volume 12, Part 1)

154 Too Concerned

Back in the dragon realm, Xiang Yong didn't immediately go to see Zheng Yin. It was still early in the day and he didn't think he should bother him at such a time. No, it would be better to wait a little longer. He used the time to deal with his own tasks and only left his study when another two hours had passed. As for where to find Zheng Yin ... he really didn't need to think twice.

His steps took him to the library and he quietly entered, not wanting to disturb the scholars that often gathered here to study. He made his way through the room, finally finding Zheng Yin sitting quietly in the furthest corner from the door, his head lowered over a book. Xiang Yong hesitated for a moment but finally went over and sat down across from him.

Hearing the faint sound of the chair moving and clothes rustling, Zheng Yin glanced up and then paused when he recognized the dragon opposite him. "Adviser Xiang Yong."

Xiang Yong inclined his head. "I hope I am not disturbing you."

Zheng Yin shook his head and closed the book, putting it to the side. He had no official reason to be here and had simply stayed because the circumstances had allowed for it and ... he wanted to. He didn't know Xiang Yong very well but had spoken to him often enough to have a rough grasp on his personality. He wasn't the type to come to him to chat idly. If he was here, there was likely something important he wanted to talk about. "Nothing of the like. Is there something I can help you with?"

Xiang Yong smiled. It really was nice talking to people like Zheng Yin who understood without him even needing to say a single word. "Well, His Majesty contacted me a while ago about a topic that concerns you as well. Would you be free to discuss this later today?"

Zheng Yin examined Xiang Yong's expression but only found him to be very calm. He glanced at the book he had put down instead, feeling that he probably wouldn't have the peace of mind to peruse it further. "To be honest, I am quite free at the moment. Why don't we discuss now?"

Xiang Yong inclined his head. "Very well. Would you like to come to my study so we are undisturbed?"

"Of course." Zheng Yin grabbed the book and got to his feet. He wasn't sure what this would be about or how long it would take but he figured he might as well take the book along for later.

Xiang Yong got up as well and led the way, not saying anything until they reached his study. Once there, he motioned for Zheng Yin to sit down and went to brew some tea. Putting a cup in front of the spirit beast, he didn't directly start on the topic but instead sat down and gave him a long look. "You've been here for a while now. How have things been?"

Zheng Yin put the book down at the side and quietly picked up the teacup, thinking about that question for a while. The answer ... really wasn't easy to figure out. "I have learned a lot." In the end, this was what he went with.

He had indeed learned a lot here. He had been able to try something nobody else had probably ever done and even done so with the person who was hailed as the greatest refiner of the last few generations. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Apart from that, he had read many of the books in the library and actually found that not a small part of those on the topic of refinement was written by precisely that person, containing an immeasurable wealth of knowledge that sprang to life from his experience. Just being able to get his hands on those books and studying them was able to help him further his insights considerably.

The only thing that marred his experience in the dragon realm was the constant thoughts of Xin Lan. He had seen him and had been ignored unless he was needed. Clearly, Xin Lan held no softer feelings for him. He had been with him while convenient and had probably enjoyed his time with him as well but ... it never went further than that. Unlike him who had stupidly fallen in love with this person.

Zheng Yin took a sip of the tea, ridiculing himself inside. He shouldn't be like this. He hadn't been looking for love. He had gone to the mortal realm to investigate their people's disappearance and also see the state of refinement in the mortal realm, hoping to learn a little at the side from their different approaches to problems. His entanglement with Xin Lan had happened at the side and it shouldn't have meant anything. So why ... could he not put it down?

Xiang Yong sighed when he saw his downcast look. It actually wasn't that obvious but knowing about the matter with Xin Lan, he could roughly understand what was going through Zheng Yin's head. Considering this, it might not be the best idea to have him be the bridge between their people.

Zheng Yin raised his gaze and looked at Xiang Yong questioningly. "I am sure the dragon king did not simply ask after my well-being here in the dragon realm."

Xiang Yong shook his head. "No. It is ... He is concerned about the relationship with the spirit beasts and he had hoped that you would be willing to help with his efforts to better it. I ... could understand if you were not up to it though."

Zheng Yin looked at him quietly, not sure how to feel. The former part of what Xiang Yong was saying came directly from the dragon king and even though he subtly felt that this concern came quite late, he was also elated that he cared at all, no matter what had finally caused this. On the other hand, the latter part ... that was clearly Xiang Yong's personal opinion and it was precisely this that put him at a loss of what to do. He simply did not understand why this man was so concerned about him.