*Xiao Zhao's POV*

As the sight of the wooden structure with a small porch supported by wooden poles came into view, Xiao Zhao's heart quickened. I am late. I hope he doesn't mind. Maybe if I'm lucky, he won't notice if I sneak in.

He quickly ascended the small step, leaning his back against the wall, he  crouched in front of the entrance. Timidly, he peeked into the room. Gu Shi Fu was sitting in front of a table of herbs. The backs of his classmates were against him and he could tell they were all examining something on their tables. 

"Now this is ginseng, an herb that can relieve inflammation," Gu Shi Fu said as he held up a white radish-like object. It had brown bumps here and there and on one end of it, there was a tangle of white that branched off. Xiao Zhao watched carefully for an opportunity to slip in. Unfortunately, he quickly realized that it could be a while until he might get his chance as Gu Shi Fu had the keenest eyes and could spot something millions of miles in the sky, or so it was rumored. Either way, Xiao Zhao was in no mood to be confronted by him. The less trouble, the better.

Xiao Zhao slowly sank into a sitting position on the hard wooden floor as he peered in through the door, but quickly hid himself whenever Gu Shi Fu looked his way.

*Quan Mo Ran*

It is getting late and Xiao Zhao still hasn't arrived. Mo Ran glanced at the empty seat beside him. He was one of the first people in class and it seemed that everyone considered him too rude and moody to get close to and except for a couple of odd stares here and there, he was largely ignored. Did something happen to him? Wait, why am I so worried about him? Mo Ran shook his head slightly to clear his mind. He has the Dan Wen. I have to take it somehow without wasting another life.

He heard a subtle movement of clothing and was suddenly alert. The sound of the movement did not come from inside the classroom. He quickly glanced behind him just in time to see white clothing slide out of his sight. It's Xiao Zhao. Mo Ran realized as he pictured Xiao Zhao in his white, tattered clothing. Well, that's none of my business. Mo Ran was about to return to his studies when the second voice in his head said, Yes, it is. Why? Because, you are supposed to retrieve the pieces and you can't keep an eye on him if he's out of sight. You got a good point. I should help him out.

Mo Ran took out a pebble and put it in between his forefinger and thumb. Putting his arm behind his back, he furtively glanced at the door. When he was sure Xiao Zhao was peering in, he flicked the rock in his direction using his inner force.

*Xiao Zhao's POV*

The pebble flew at him at lightning speed. Before Xiao Zhao could do anything, it smacked him squarely on the forehead. "Umph!"

"Who's there?" Gu Shi Fu called, suddenly alert.

Xiao Zhao stayed still and hoped he would continue his talk. It was to no avail for Gu Shi Fu said, "Whoever is out there, you better come inside now, or else I won't be graceful to you!"

I guess there is no way I am getting out of this now. Reluctantly, Xiao Zhao stood up and appeared in the doorway, looking at the ground, bashful.

"Yuán lái shì luó xiǎo zhāo, qǐng jìn. Nǐ wèi hé zài wài miàn? Wèi hé bù jìn lái tīng kè?Nán dào nǐ pà wǒ chī nǐ bù chéng? Wǒ yǒu nàme chǒu ma?" Oh, it's Luo Xiao Zhao, come in. Why were you outside? Why didn't you come in to listen to me? Are you afraid that I will eat you? Am I that ugly?

"I..." Xiao Zhao still looked at the ground, shifting between his feet.

"Tái qǐ tóu (raise your head)," Gu Shi Fu commanded.

Hesitantly, he slowly met Gu Shi Fu's gaze.

"Why don't you speak? Oh...I know. If it's not my ugliness that made you speechless, it's probably that I am beautiful beyond human comprehension," he said as he delicately stroked his messy hair with his thick, dirty fingers.

"A-hem," Xiao Zhao glanced to his right. Li Qing was sitting as straight as a wooden board and sat cross-legged. He did not acknowledge Xiao Zhao's existence but instead continued to look straight ahead. The mask he wore made it even harder to read his expression. 

"Oh...yes, where was I?" Gu Shi Fu asked as he looked at the ceiling. "Ah, right," turning his attention to Xiao Zhao, he asked, "Why didn't you come in? Were you too embarrassed to come in because you were late?"

Xiao Zhao felt his face flush red and heat spread across his body. Gu Shi Fu's  gaze bore through him. Unable to hold eye contact, he looked at the floor.

"I can't believe you would come late," Gu Shi Fu said sternly.

Xiao Zhao braced himself for the oncoming slaughter of abuses he was sure to receive. He waited a few seconds, but upon hearing nothing else, he furtively glanced up. 

On Gu Shi Fu's face, was a look of perplexity and thoughtfulness. His face suddenly brightened and he clapped his hands together, exclaiming, "Why! This is the first time a student has refused to enter the class, preferring instead to stay outside to listen! Fabulous!"

Xiao Zhao lifted his left eyebrow in surprise. What is going on?

"But Gu Shi Fu!"

Xiao Zhao turned his attention to the voice.

It was the man that chased Han Jun earlier. Let's see...his name was...Hu Tiao Xia. That's it.

The man stood up and after bowing, straightened and protested, "Why are you encouraging such unruly behavior? Are you saying it is good to break school rules? Besides, he might have just been late and was scared to enter."

"Ha haha," his voice rumbled. " Xiao Zhao, tell them why you were sitting outside."

"I..."

"Gu Shi Fu," Li Qing rose from his seat and holding his arms outstretched, he bowed his head to show respect. "May I speak?"

Gu Shi Fu looked at Li Qing and flicked his wrist, giving Li Qing permission to speak.

Turning to Hu Tiao Xia, he said, "Xiao Zhao wanted to take this time to remember his responsibility to the people."

"How?" Hu Tiao Xia asked.

"The world is full of sick people who do not live comfortably. His action showed his reverence to the people's pain," he paused and glanced at Xiao Zhao who took the cue.

Immediately he jumped in. "He's right. I wanted to remember that although it is comfortable in our classroom since we have tables and nice cushions, I should not forget about the people to whom we have a responsibility to. By sitting outside on the uncomfortable wood, I remind myself of their pain and also remember why I want to become a doctor."

"Shén me pì huà?Zhè fēn míng jiù shì biān de!"What nonsense! It's obvious that he made it up!

Immediately, the classroom burst into chattering.

"So ridiculous! Why should we care about people's pain? I will be charging for my services!" one man close by declared.

"I know right? Nothing is free on earth! They should become doctors themselves! Who told them to be sick!" Another agreed.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Alright, everyone! Quiet down!" Gu Shi Fu said as he banged his fist on the table to get the attention of the students. When everyone had quieted down, he continued. "What Xiao Zhao did was very honorable," he stood up and started to pace around. "It is easy to forget about our responsibility to the people. If you want to be a doctor, you must love the people as your own! Instead of laughing at Xiao Zhao, maybe all of you should learn to respect our people!"

The silence was deafening.

*Mo Ran's POV*

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Everyone suddenly started packing up their ink quills and paper, creating loud noises as things got shoved into their baskets.

"All of you! Go home and think about what I said today! See you tomorrow!"

Mo Ran stood up and started packing his things. After he had put everything away, he turned around and headed outside where all his classmates had already gone. He felt the presence of a figure and through the corner of his eye, saw Xiao Zhao. Mo Ran brushed past him as if he didn't exist.

They had walked a couple of paces before Mo Ran suddenly stopped. Xiao Zhao did the same. "Why are you following me?" Mo Ran asked in a cold tone, looking straight ahead.

"I..."

Mo Ran slowly turned his head to look at Xiao Zhao. He was looking at the ground and shifting between his feet. "If you have something to say, say it. I don't have time for this."

Xiao Zhao slowly made eye contact with Mo Ran and said, "I...ummm..."

Mo Ran stared at him, waiting.

" Oh stop looking at me that way!" he bursted out.

"Why?" inquired Mo Ran.

"You intimidate me with that blank stare!"

"Not my problem," Mo Ran looked ahead and started to walk again.

"Wait!"

Mo Ran paused his walking but didn't turn to look at Xiao Zhao.

"Th-thank you," Xiao Zhao stuttered loudly.

No reply.

"Why did you help me?" Xiao Zhao asked as he tried to catch up with Mo Ran.

Mo Ran didn't say anything but resumed walking. Strolling through the stone paved courtyard and into the wooden building where food was served, Mo Ran found himself one of the first people to arrive at lunch.

"Where is everyone?" asked Xiao Zhao.

Mo Ran ignored him and instead strode up to the people holding big serving spoons. When he approached the first chef, the man asked him, "Do you want everything?"

Mo Ran nodded.

Picking up a plate from the stack of plates beside the huge container of rice, the man plopped a large serving of rice on the plate. The plate moved to the next man in line who put a big oily blob of fried water spinach with lots of garlic chives. Finally, the last man put some oily meat with hot peppers on his plate and handed it to Mo Ran who took it without saying anything.

Mo Ran looked around the room and although there was empty space in many of the tables, he opted to sit by the window. This way. I can see if I get other messages.

Xiao Zhao plopped down beside Mo Ran and said, "I'm going to sit here." Upon seeing no reaction, Xiao Zhao said no more.

In no time, the building started to fill up  with the chattering of his classmates, ruining  the tranquility of the room. Despite this, Mo Ran kept looking out the window and drowned out the noise around him. That was, until he was suddenly poked on the arm. He whipped his head to see who it was.

"Li Qing! Thanks for saving us a seat!" Han Jun said as he sat down to Mo Ran's right. Then, noticing the alert look in his eyes, smiled and said, "Why do you look so alarmed all the time? You should learn how to relax. Like me."

Mo Ran glared and turning away, mumbled, "Childish." 

"Aren't you supposed to be in the healer's quarter? Why are you here?" asked Xiao Zhao.

"I feel all better! Besides, I really didn't want to miss out on politics!"

"Are you...sure?" Xiao Zhao asked.

"Huh? What's wrong? Did something grow on my face?" 

Mo Ran turned his attention to Han Jun who was using his bandaged hand to wipe his face. It was an obscure sight: His head and one of his eyes was bandaged in white cloth for wounds. Purple and blue of various shades covered most of his body, and on his right arm, was a splinter for broken bones.

Mo Ran shook his head in disapproval and turned his attention back to the tree that was outside the window. Another poke.

"Li Qingggg. Come on, don't be boring! Talk to us!"

Us? Mo Ran suddenly glanced around. To his left, was Xiao Zhao who was eating his food quickly and barely looking up. Directly in front of him was Cao Xin and to Cao Xin's left was Ping Xi.

"This is—"

"No need to introduce. Not interested," Mo Ran interrupted.

"But Li Qing! I told them I'd introduce them to you!"

Mo Ran feigned disinterest as Han Jun went around the table introducing each person, poking Mo Ran once in a while to get his attention.

"So, Ping Xi, how long have you been coming here?" Han Jun asked after the introductions.

"I've been coming here since last year," Ping Xi replied.

"And..." Han Jun's voice started to disappear as Mo Ran tuned out of the conversation. He allowed his mind to wander when suddenly he heard someone exclaim, "You did that on purpose!"

He tuned back in, once again turning his attention to those around him. He saw green spinach, rice, and meat all over Ping Xi's clothing. "What do you mean I did it on purpose? You are framing me!" It was Chang Li Jue and his crowd of followers.

"No I'm not! You purposely spilled food on his clothing!"

"Hey, Li Jue. I think Han Jun is itching for another beating," one of his followers said.

"Yeah! He didn't get enough last time!" Another yelled, rolling up his sleeves, ready to fight.

Han Jun suddenly leaped to his feet and puffed out his chest. 

"Wow, he's already hurt that badly but he acts as if he's perfectly fine. That's skill," Xiao Zhao said. Mo Ran glanced at him and saw admiration in his eyes. 

"Come if you dare!" Han Jun bellowed. Mo Ran looked at the scene before him.

The two stood and faced off: one in numerous bandages, fists clenched and standing as if he were perfectly healthy, and the other, with blazing, fiery eyes, having an intent to kill no matter the cost...