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My eyes close at a sudden breeze in the dark cozy night while I stand on the city wall glaring at the people from above. With a deep breath, I inhale for a moment being reminded of a similar moment years ago.

It has been a while I could stand without any worries. I wasn’t alone this time, because I had my shifu, A’Ying and Zhen Lan with me. Oh, and Duke Wei too!

 “Senior Mo, A’Ying and the others aren’t back yet,” I assume while staring down as the people go about their duties. Most were unsheltered and injured. Watching their misery makes me remember the people of Liang. I had to protect them from Wei no matter what it costs.

 
 He remains silent with his hands behind him after a hush of wind blows over us. As I turn to him, I notice his sleek hair moving along the tune of the wind although he still keeps his eyes on the people.

 “As long as they’re with those they cherish, they can overcome this situation.”

 “What makes you say that?” His question brings me aback. While my eyes keep flickering, I glare at him for countless minutes wondering what happened to him today.

 
He was asking me a question voluntarily? He acknowledged my presence too!

 
When he realizes that I wasn’t replying, he looks away and keeps staring at the people moving about. I couldn’t help but keep smiling. It is only after I realize I was over exaggerating that I clear my throat and exhale.

 “I believe passing on love can keep one going even in difficult times.” After hearing what I had to say, he tears his gaze away and lowers his head. “Do you have anyone you cherish?”

 
He doesn’t respond this time too. With a heavy sigh, I drop my hands behind me and take a step closer to him. He quickly moves back and lifts his head in surprise. “I’ve followed both A’Ying and Zhen Lan all my life. They’re my good friends, but none of them has time for me and always busy.”

 
 The gloomy look in my eyes melt after I I acknowledge a sudden thought. “But I have one who’ll always be by my side. So I have to cherish each time.” 

 
 After each speech I make, he seems unconcerned and more attentive to the city movements. Drawing my courage, I move forward in baby steps and stand right in front of him to get his attention. As I stretch my neck to grasp his gaze, I stutter.

 
“Don’t you want to know who it is?” The serious look in his eyes remain unchanged even after I try to get him curious. Pouting my lips, I manage to put on a smile and retort, “You.”

 
His eyes begin to waver at my words. Slowly turning to me, I keep smiling with my hands behind me. “I don’t know why you’re always gloomy and unconcerned. But I’m going to change that too! I have a feeling there’s much more to those cold eyes.”

His cold composure slowly unsettles as he looks at me. With a bright smile, I tear my gaze from him and stare at the downtown. “Love solves everything, including what there going through-“

 
With a swift turn of events, my ears twitch at his reply. “Love isn’t sufficient. It’s useless.” “Shifu,” I attempt to argue but a growl in my stomach gives me off. Before I could think over the reason behind his cold reply, he starts walking away. I quickly rush after him.

 
 “I’ve been practicing what you left.” When he stops, I step back surprised. “I didn’t inquire about it.” With this, he continues walking away. My head tits in shame as I realize that I had given myself out without even realizing it. As I rub my hands in my hair, I chase after him towards the town square.

 
Dragging her feet, she bumps into several stones along the way. “Ya! Ya!” she yells trying to balance her movements while Mo Yan drags her along. He is forced to stop at a point when he feels a hard stomp on his shoes, specifically his foot.

 
 “Ouchh! Who dares-"

 
 “It’s me! What will you do?!” His ‘ready to fight’ glare fades when he realizes who had stepped on his feet. Forcing a smile, he shakes his head and let’s go off her hand. As she massages her wrist, she stomps on his foot again before rolling her eyes.

 
 To ease the pain, he jumps on his left foot and attempts to massage the hurt foot with his hand. “What did I do this time?” She opens her eyes wide enough to scare him. “What did you do? What are you in a rush for? You almost broke my legs!”

 
 As she clutches to her left leg, she returns an angry glare while Mo Yan runs his hair. “Does it hurt? How about I get some medicine from the market?” Annoyed, she rolls her eyes and adjusts her feet to move forward and sit on a bench nearby.

 
 “It’s almost a dead town! Where would you get one?” Sighing, he turns around before return a positive glare. “Trust me on that and stay here. Don’t move,” he assures. Stepping back slowly, her eyes unsettles in an attempt to understand what he just said.

 “Where are you going?”  He didn’t give her a response and kept running towards the end of that street. Almost as if he knew every corner of the city, he finds his way in a few minutes to a little medical shop with an elderly woman. After he takes a short glance of the shop, he lets out a sigh.

 
 “It still looks the same,” he comments. The elderly woman clears her throat and returns a puzzled look. “Have you been here before?” Smiling, he nods and points at a little ointment on the table. “Can I have that, please?” She slowly packs it up and passes it to him with a smile.

 
 “Mo Yan?” His eyes widen in shock at her words. She recognized him after all these years. With a bright smile, he hugs her amidst tears.

 
“How have you been? Did the war affect you? Are you injured?” She chuckles and shakes her head. “You don’t have to pay for these. Your father once saved my life.” His grip on the ointment bottle loosens when he hears this. “You know my parents?”

 
She heaves a sigh and nods. “I did, but he never exposed his face. He left you in my care and left. I was only able to watch over you for a few years until the sects asked for you. I haven’t seen him again.”

 Trembling, he lowers his hand to pick the bottle up from the floor. “Didn’t he leave a message? He just left like that?”  She nods and pats his shoulder. “I’m sure he had a good reason for leaving you behind. You should continue to live a goof life and don’t keep and hatred against him. Hatred will destroy your life.”

 
Although her words were right, but he still couldn’t help but have grudges against them for abandoning him since he was little. Leaving him without any words nor anything to search for him with. Did he not want to know his own son at all?

 
 As he stared at the ointment, he nods and smiles at her. “Take this. In case you need my help, you can find me with this badge.” She returns a light smile and pats his shoulders before he leaves. He quickly runs back and meets up with her. When he spots her looking around for him, he takes a deep breath before approaching her

 
 “Did you miss me?” Irritated, she attempts to get up but stumbles at her first attempt.

 
With a chuckle, he bends down and takes out the bottle from his hanfu. “What are doing?” she asks pulling her leg away flustered. Sighing, he smears a bit over a cotton and pulls her leg closer. “It is only effective when rubbed right. Can you do that?”

 
Returning silence, he pulls the lower part of her hanfu and starts to gently rub the bruised part of her lower leg with the ointment. “Does it hurt?” Astounded by his gentle gesture at that moment, she begins to wonder if he was the same Mo Yan she knew. At this point, she realizes that there’s more to him than she thought.

 
 “Where did you get it?” His head lowers in an attempt to hide the expression on his face. “Just around here. You know I’m quite lucky. You won’t regret becoming my wife.” Just at the end of his statement, she bumps his shoulder angrily and forces her legs to support her to stand up.

 “You have to take responsibility for me concerning that day-“

 
“Nothing happened. Shut up, others are here!” With a short laugh, he throws her into his arms and carries her along the way. “Hey! Put me down!” People around quickly turn and watch them whispering. He smiles and glares at her after a moment. “Put me down!”

 
 In order to avoid them, he starts to walk quickly. “If you don’t want to attract attention, you’d rather want to be quiet. Where’s the inn?” As she slowly looks around, she realizes that her scream was truly attracting their attention. After controlling herself, she bumps her foot against his leg before pointing to the left.

 
“That way! Hurry up.” He scoffs and continues walking away.

Crowded in the room, the victims lower their heads in respect for them. She sighs and continues to serve those who hadn’t received the medicine. “Thank you, miss.” She hears this rhythm almost throughout the time she stays there with Xiao Fan.

When she gets to the last woman and her child, she smiles at them and forwards a set of towels. “You can clean yourselves with this. There’s a small room in front where you can change.” She quickly nods and turns to her little girl.

 “Thank you, miss.” Sighing, she runs the little girl’s hair playfully before turning to her mother.

 “Junior Cheng?” Her head lifts when she hears a familiar voice. Spotting him at the door, she returns to them and says a goodbye before walking up to him. “The others in the left wing have been taken care of. How about here?” She nods and lowers her head from exhaustion.

“Everyone’s covered.” He quickly throws a jar of water for her. She fumbles for a moment whether to accept it or not. “I haven’t poisoned it if that’s what you’re thinking.” She slowly looks up and takes a gulp. After wiping her mouth with her arm, Xiao Fan looks around.

 
 “There’s a noodles stop around here closer to the inn. Would you want to go?” After hearing his suggestion, she nods and takes a last gulp from the jar. He steps forward and opens the door for her. As she looks up into the sky, she walks ahead while Xiao Fan keeps up with her from behind.

 
 They walk in silence under the gloomy moon along the abandoned streets. The streets were a bit livelier than when they got here. City people had began to set stores up to feed themselves and build their houses from the ruins. As they watched them set up their lives again, Su Ruo keeps looking around.

“We’re almost there,” he exclaims pointing to a small noodle shop in front of them. He swiftly grabs a seat for her and calls the owner over. “Could you get her a bowl of noodles?” He nods and smiles at them. “Are you couple? We have couple sets here.” Both of them clear their throats while she looks away.

“You’re mistaken. She’s the only one eating.” His mouth widens as he nods. “Sorry for misinterpreting. I’ll be right up with your order!” 

 He returns in no time to break the silence between the two. “Here. Enjoy. If you need anything, I’ll be around.” Xiao Fan drops a few silver coins. “Take the change.” The shop owner nods happily and lowers his head in respect. Su Ruo slowly picks the sticks and takes a bite of the noodles while the man looks at them.

“The city has been in mess. Looking at your clothing, you must be from the sects. Thank you so much for helping the people.” Xiao Fan sighs and suddenly turns to her when she holds on to her forehead. Feeling dizzy, a set of short giggles run through her mind.

 
“Don’t touch my sister! Let her go!” a little voice croaked. “You want the noodles? Eat it!” Forcing it into his little throat, a little girl attempts to stop them crawling on the floor towards him.

 
“Junior Cheng?” After a sip of water, she turns to the owner of the shop exhaling too fast. “How long have you been here?” Perplexed by her sudden question, he retorts, “15 years ago.”

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Why was Su Ruo inquiring on that?

Who were the two children in her flashback?

What happened to Mo Yan’s parents?