Cursed Mansion [Completed]

7. Secrets and shadows...

yibo was in the study room with the lord of the mansion when the lights went out. he saw something scary from his bad dreams...

a spasm of terror courses  through him at what he's just seen. he blink his eyes to regard the spectacle once more but it seemed to have vanished. his heart continues to thump very rapidly in his chest. and the lights suddenly turn on again.

"did you... did you just see that?" asked yibo.

"see what?" asked wei ying.

he turns to regard where yibo is pointing at.

"the light just went out." said wei ying.

"what about the long shadow by the wall?" asked yibo.

"what shadow? there's nothing there." said wei ying.

"but there was a shadow. right over there." said yibo.

'and it bore semblance to the monster in my dreams...' thinks yibo.

"i don't see any shadow." said wei ying.

"i saw something there and i know it. something strange just happened here." said yibo.

wei ying regards him nonchalantly.

"just ignore whatever you thought you might have seen. it's probably nothing." said wei ying.

yibo shake his head in doubt.

"no, i'm sure of what i saw." said yibo.

'and it is definitely something as strange and mysterious as this mansion.' thinks yibo.

wei ying doesn't say anything further. he just keeps calm with his tear-glistened face.

'i never saw him shed a tear in front of anyone. it's so heartbreaking. i should not push him so hard...' thinks yibo.

he wipe the remnant of tears on wei ying's cheek with a handkerchief.

"forgive me for being too emotional." said wei ying.

"no, it's okay. i don't mind." said yibo.

wei ying smiles gently at him before he quickly rises from his chair. he holds yibo by his waist to prevent him from falling due to his sudden action.

"steady..." said wei ying.

a blush creeps to yibo's cheeks and it seemed to reach further down his neck.

"oh..." said yibo.

wei ying turns him around to face him smoothly. he tucks a strand of loose hair behind yibo's ear, the gesture seemingly so tender, it makes yibo blush harder.

"let me escort you back to your room. except... if you're not feeling quite able to walk and you want me to carry you all the way?" asked wei ying.

"no, thank you. i can walk all the way. i wouldn't want to impose, especially as you look tired yourself." said yibo.

"if you say so..." said wei ying.

they both walk side by side all the way in silence. yibo turn around to thank him as soon as they both reach yibo's room.

"thank you for escorting me." said yibo.

wei ying just smiles in response.

"i'm certain you're still worried about your friend, ziyi." said wei ying.

"yes, i am." said yibo.

"don't worry. i'm sure she'll soon turn up. perhaps she went into town." said wei ying.