BOOK 11. Zhao Yunlan has two jobs. In his normal day job, he is an independent police detective who helps with cases that are difficult to solve. However in his other job, he goes where he is sent. Usually to aid individuals with life problems an...
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EPILOGUE
Life changed for the happy couple after they had left the hospital. Ava contacted her hotel, the one she had been ignoring for years, but they still recognised her voice over the phone, and informed them that she was coming to inspect the kitchens. The staff panicked, and thought that she was going to sell it but she was only making sure that Wei's favourite food would be available for him. It didn't matter about Yunlan's choice, she thought, he's adaptable, and it became a regular place for them when they needed a break.
Black Robe changed his work habits and began to separate from Wei to patrol on his own for two nights a week, giving Wei more rest. He'd had a copy of the report from Gelan about Wei's heart and wanted him to live a happy life for as long as possible, because he knew that when Yunlan would face death, so would his host, and he had respect for Shen Wei's choice.
The island they went to was warm, sunny and beautiful. The people were friendly and the tourists kept the economy flowing in a healthy direction. The hotel was outstanding and catered for everyone's needs with full length bedroom windows which faced the sun as it set, making it a very romantic place. Neither of them had ever taken time for a holiday, therefore everything was a new experience. From breakfast in bed, if they requested it to their Shirley Valentine moment on the beach, when the sun went down.
Wei relaxed on the bed wearing his white cotton bathrobe, watching the last of the sun disappearing through the open windows while Yunlan was in the shower and he shouted to him as he heard the water running.
"I'm thinking about retiring, what do you think?"
"Xiao Wei, did you say retiring? From the university?" he asked as he washed his hair and shook his head.
"From Black Robe." Wei answered and Yunlan stopped dead. He grabbed a towel for his face and turned the water off before he stuck his head around the door.
"Are you serious? Have you really thought about it?" Yunlan asked as he reached for a bathrobe to wear and came closer to Wei.
"We both have, but he said that I had to discuss it with you. So what do you think?"
Yunlan was shocked and tried to ask basic questions, trying to find out why Wei had come to this decision.
"Won't you miss him and the power behind it all?" he asked, but Wei was quite calm as he answered.
"We both know that I'm not a strong person, and there have been a few difficult circumstances to deal with these past few years. It would be a gradual process. He already has reduced his hours with me but he still has to return to my body for a day at least. He is going to get help from the PAB to stay separated for longer, so it won't be for a few years. Sometimes when Black Robe changes hosts, he waits for centuries, other times it's weeks, with me it was hours."
Yunlan walked to the window and stared out while he thought about the box episode and the condition Wei's emotions were in, the first time they had met, and then he remembered that he would be the next volunteer host after Wei died, and looked directly at him
"Are you ill, is there something wrong with your health Xiao Wei?" he said as he stared looking for the truth.
"No, Ah Lan, not as such. My heart is weaker after the gas attack in the classroom, but it will only be affected when I'm older." Wei said as he dropped all his defences allowing Yunlan to read his mind if he wished.
"Will he patrol alone and then return to you for a rest?" Yunlan asked as he tried to understand.
"Sometimes, but not always, not until he can manage for longer He will still be a large part of our lives up until we die." And Yunlan instantly understood.
"We die? You've already decided." He said sadly and took Wei's hands into his.
"Yes my love. I could not live without you. He knows and respects my decision, so you stay healthy for both of us." and Wei laughed.
Yunlan felt a bit lost and didn't know what to say, several large decisions had been made without telling him, even though they were Wei's decisions to make.
"Ah Lan, come closer."
Yunlan approached, as Wei smiled into his eyes and stretched up to kiss him, but he lowered himself, making it easier for Wei to reach his face, and shivered as he felt his soft hands slide inside his bathrobe before removing it. This was better than the roof top, there were no clothing barriers between them as they felt their breathing in tune while they invaded and explored each other in turn.
Yunlan used Wei's body as a pillow while he looked across the water to the horizon, through the long open windows.
