Fated | Fangs Of Fortune [ZhuYi]

Chapter 3 : Promises in the Snow

Unbeknownst to them, the sky grew darker with each passing second as they wandered, fully absorbed in their first outing and the joy of making a new friend. Tiandu City was far too vast to explore in a single day.

"I think it's time for me to go home" Yichen said, glancing up at the darkening sky. Snowflakes had fallen onto his robes and hair, creating an ethereal sight.

Zhu Yan felt reluctant to return to Kunlun Mountain but figured it was best to leave before he earned a scolding from the old man. "I'm afraid it is" he agreed. They both stood quietly, looking at the ground, as Zhu Yan fidgeted with his fingers. Suddenly, Yichen reached out and brushed a few stray snowflakes from Zhu Yan's hair. Zhu Yan froze for a second, caught off guard.

"With your hair color, the snow almost blends in" Yichen noted with a gentle laugh "but look at how much has piled up." Zhu Yan blinked in surprise before laughing with him.

"Will we ever meet again like this?" Yichen asked softly.

Zhu Yan grinned, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Young Master Yichen, do you happen to have three coins to spare?"

"I do." Yichen opened his coin pouch without hesitation and offered Zhu Yan his last five coins.

Zhu Yan took them, tucking them away. "Then I guess we'll have to meet again for me to return these."

Yichen laughed. "I guess we will!" They held each other's gaze for a moment, then Yichen spoke up. "Same day in a month?"

"Same place?" Zhu Yan replied.

Yichen nodded, a smile lighting up his face as they said their goodbyes. Yichen watched Zhu Yan's figure disappear through the snow-dappled night market towards the city gates. Once alone, he pulled the deep blue jade from his pouch, gripping it tightly as he headed home, eager to tell his brother about his new friend.

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Zhu Yan reached Sinan Water Town in seconds using his powers. The market was winding down, and he spotted the nut vendor closing up shop. He hurried over, buying four coins' worth of peanuts before making his way to Kunlun Mountain, hoping his master wouldn't be waiting. But there he was—Ying Zhao, watching him with a patient but expectant look. Zhu Yan managed to sidestep most of the scolding with the peace offering of nuts and eventually slipped away to his quarters.

Inside, he pulled out a wooden box from the desk at the center of his room, its latch secured by an old charm. He crossed his left fingers over his lips and murmured a word, "Open." The box clicked, revealing his small collection of keepsakes from the human world. He carefully placed the coin and the reddish jade on top of the other trinkets, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

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Yichen made his way to a large wooden door adorned with intricate metalwork. Just as he reached to open it, the door swung open, revealing a tall figure standing in the entryway. Yichen's face lit up with excitement as he cried, "Gege!" and rushed into his brother's arms.

His brother embraced him warmly. "Where have you been, Didi? I was worried" he said, releasing him to check for any sign of harm.

"Gege, you're back! I didn't know you'd be coming home or I wouldn't have sneaked out" Yichen said playfully as they walked inside.

"Father's furious, Didi" Yi Xuan said with a hint of concern. "You should've waited—I would have taken you to the market myself."

"I know" Yichen replied with a giggle, "but you're too well-known in Tiandu, Gege. They'd recognize the Hero Yi Xuan in a second!"

Yi Xuan chuckled and shook his head. "Alright, so what happened today? You seem more excited than last time."

"I made a friend! My first real friend!" Yichen's eyes shone with joy as he clutched the jade pendant tightly, describing his new friend to his brother with delight, playfully adding how it was all thanks to Yi Xuan's fame.

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As the snow fell gently outside, two soulmates, each with a memento of their brief meeting, found themselves gazing up at the same dark sky, thinking of each other and of the promise to meet again.

Gege = elder brother
Didi = younger brother