Shen Qiyao looked at He Qing while they sat inside the shrine.
"Your clothes are really worn out," Qiyao said quietly. "The sleeves are fraying."
He Qing pulled at his old robe and laughed. "Ah, Mr. Taller Shen noticed? These are my only clothes. I'm basically a poor wanderer. What can I do?"
Qiyao sighed softly. "We can go to the market. I'll buy you new ones."
He Qing's eyes widened dramatically. "Really? You're going to spend money on me? Mr. Taller Shen, are you sure? I might pick the most expensive ones just to test you!"
"Pick what you want," Qiyao replied. "Just get decent clothes."
He Qing jumped up excitedly. "Yes! Let's go right now before you change your mind. I've never had someone buy clothes for me before. This feels nice."
They walked down the mountain path toward the village market. He Qing talked the whole way.
"Mr. Taller Shen, what color do you think suits me? Bright red? Or something soft like blue?"
"Anything practical," Qiyao said.
He Qing bumped his shoulder. "Boring answer. I want something that makes me look good next to you. Tall and handsome Mr. Taller Shen needs a stylish friend, right?"
Qiyao didn't reply, just kept walking.
At the market, voices and footsteps filled the air. They stopped at the cloth stalls. He Qing immediately started touching different fabrics.
"Look at this one! So soft. How much?" He Qing asked the seller.
"Too expensive," Qiyao said calmly, standing beside him. "This grey one is better quality."
He Qing pouted. "But grey is so plain! I want this blue one. It feels nice. Touch it, Mr. Taller Shen. See?" He grabbed Qiyao's hand and pressed it against the cloth.
Qiyao pulled his hand back gently. "The grey one lasts longer."
"Mr. Taller Shen is so strict," He Qing complained with a grin. "Fine, fine. But I want two sets then. One grey and one blue. You're paying anyway."
Qiyao nodded and paid without arguing.
He Qing held the new clothes happily. "Thank you! Now I won't look like a beggar next to you. You're really generous when you want to be. I could get used to this treatment."
"You talk too much," Qiyao said.
He Qing laughed loudly. "And you talk too little! That's why I have to speak for both of us. Best friends share everything, right? Clothes, food, even money now."
They continued walking through the market. He Qing kept chatting.
"Everyone is staring at us. Probably because you're so tall and I'm so charming. We make a good pair, don't we?"
Qiyao ignored the teasing and kept moving.
Suddenly Qiyao slowed down near a small seed shop. He stopped and looked at the packets displayed outside.
He Qing noticed immediately. "Mr. Taller Shen? Why did you stop? You want to grow something?"
Qiyao didn't answer right away. He stepped closer to the seeds.
The shopkeeper smiled. "Looking for vegetable seeds? Good time for planting."
Qiyao pointed to one packet. "Lily of the valley. White ones."
He Qing leaned in curiously. "Lily of the valley? Never heard of it. What's special about those?"
The shopkeeper shook his head. "Those won't grow well this season. Wrong time. Soil isn't right either. Better pick something else."
"It's fine," Qiyao said softly. "I'll take them."
He paid and took the small packet.
He Qing took the seeds from Qiyao's hand and examined them. "Why these specific ones? They look ordinary. And the uncle said they won't grow. Are you sure, Mr. Taller Shen?"
Qiyao started walking back toward the shrine. "Doesn't matter."
He Qing hurried after him, still holding the seeds. "Come on, tell me. Do you like flowers? Or is this for the garden? You always do things quietly without explaining. It makes me curious."
Qiyao stayed silent for a while.
He Qing didn't give up. "Mr. Taller Shen, are these seeds for me? Or for the shrine? You looked really focused back there. Like they mean something."
"They're just seeds," Qiyao replied.
He Qing laughed. "Liar. Everything you do has a reason. Even if you don't say it. Are they white because they remind you of something? Or someone?"
Qiyao glanced at him. "You ask too many questions."
"That's because you answer too few!" He Qing said, bumping shoulders again. "But it's okay. I like that about you. Mysterious Mr. Taller Shen. I'll just wait until you feel like telling me."
They walked side by side on the path back. He Qing kept playing with the seed packet.
"These are really small. Hard to believe they become flowers. You think they'll actually grow in the shrine garden?"
"Maybe," Qiyao said.
He Qing smiled. "If they do, I'll help water them every day. We can take care of them together. Best friends do that kind of thing, right?"
Qiyao nodded slightly.
He Qing continued talking. "Today was fun. New clothes, market trip, mystery seeds. Spending time with you is never boring even when you're quiet. Thank you again for the clothes. I really mean it."
"You're welcome," Qiyao said softly.
He Qing leaned closer while walking. "See? You're getting better at accepting me. First clothes, now seeds. Next thing you know, we'll be doing everything together."
Qiyao didn't disagree.
The path climbed gently toward the shrine. He Qing kept asking questions about the seeds, and Qiyao gave short answers. The packet stayed in He Qing's hand the whole way.
By the time they reached the shrine steps, the sun was higher.
He Qing held up the seeds one more time. "Whatever these are for, I'm glad you bought them. Makes me feel like we're building something here. Together."
Qiyao looked at him quietly.
No big words. Just a small, meaningful pause between them.