Shen Qiyao woke up early the next morning. The shrine felt peaceful after last night's wine and running.
He Qing was still sleeping soundly on his mat, breathing slow and even.
Qiyao sat up and watched him for a while. Something inside his chest felt different today. The happiness from the past few days suddenly felt new… and very fragile.
He Qing stirred and opened his eyes. He smiled sleepily. "Morning, Mr. Taller Shen. You're staring at me again. What did I do this time?"
Qiyao looked away. "Nothing. You were sleeping."
He Qing sat up and stretched. "Liar. You always wake up first and watch me. Tell me the truth. Is something wrong?"
Qiyao stayed quiet.
He Qing moved closer on the mat. "Come on, Mr. Taller Shen. After we stole wine and ran from chickens together, you can talk to me. What's on your mind this morning?"
Qiyao passed him a bowl of water. "Drink first."
He Qing took the bowl and drank. "Thank you. See? You're always nice like this. But seriously, you look like you're thinking too hard. Is it about last night? Did you regret going with me?"
Qiyao shook his head. "No. I don't regret it."
He Qing tilted his head. "Then what? You've been looking at me differently since yesterday. Like you're searching for something in my face."
Qiyao finally spoke softly. "This happiness… it feels new to me."
He Qing smiled. "Of course it's new! We've been having so much fun. Market trip, new clothes, stealing wine, chicken chase. Everything is better now."
Qiyao looked at him carefully. "Yes. But it also feels fragile."
He Qing blinked. "Fragile? Why would you say that?"
Qiyao stared at the floor. "Because good things don't stay long in my life. I lost my family. I lived alone for so long. Now you're here every day. Laughing. Teasing. Sleeping in the same room. It feels warm… but I keep thinking it might disappear one day."
He Qing put the bowl down and scooted even closer. "Hey. Look at me, Mr. Taller Shen."
Qiyao lifted his eyes and studied He Qing's face. The messy hair, the bright playful eyes, the easy smile. He noticed every small detail now.
He Qing reached over and gently fixed Qiyao's long black hair. "I'm not going anywhere. You already told me I can stay as long as I want. Remember that night on the veranda?"
Qiyao nodded. "I remember."
He Qing continued. "Then stop thinking it's fragile. We make a good team. I talk too much, you listen. I fall in streams and get chased by chickens, you pull me out. This is solid. Not something that breaks easily."
Qiyao watched He Qing's fingers in his hair. The touch felt warmer than before. More real.
"You make it sound simple," Qiyao said.
He Qing grinned. "Because with you it is simple. I like being here. I like teasing you until you smile. I like when you buy me clothes and share stolen wine with me. Why would I leave someone like you?"
Qiyao stayed silent, still looking at him.
He Qing bumped their shoulders. "Mr. Taller Shen, are you worried I'll get bored and go away?"
Qiyao shook his head. "Not bored. Just… things change."
He Qing laughed softly. "Not us. We already survived my first night here, the stream slip, the market, the chicken chase. We're stronger than you think."
Qiyao looked at He Qing again. The awareness was growing stronger. This person had become important very quickly. Too important.
He Qing noticed the long look. "You're staring again. Tell me what you're really thinking. No more short answers."
Qiyao hesitated. "This closeness… it's new. Having someone here every morning. Every night. It makes me happy. But happiness like this feels easy to lose."
He Qing leaned against Qiyao's shoulder. "Then let's make it harder to lose. We can do more things together. More adventures. More quiet mornings. I'll keep talking until you get tired of my voice."
Qiyao gave a small smile. "I don't get tired of your voice."
He Qing's eyes lit up. "Really? That's the nicest thing you've said in a while. See? We're doing well. Best friends who share everything now."
They sat together quietly for a moment.
He Qing suddenly asked, "Want to make breakfast together? I'll help today. Or are you still lost thinking about how fragile I am?"
Qiyao stood up. "Breakfast."
He Qing followed him with a big grin. "Good choice. While we cook, you can tell me more about what's in your head. I want to know everything Mr. Taller Shen is feeling."
As they prepared simple food, He Qing kept talking. "You know, when I first came here I thought you'd kick me out fast. Now you worry about me leaving. Life is funny."
Qiyao passed him the rice. "You were very persistent."
He Qing laughed. "Yes, I was. And it worked. Now look at us. Sharing mornings like this. You even let me fix your hair."
Qiyao glanced at him again. The feeling was still there — this happiness was beautiful, but it made his heart feel tight. Like something precious he wanted to protect.
He Qing handed him a bowl. "Here. Eat. And stop overthinking. I'm right here. Not planning to go anywhere."
Qiyao took the bowl. "Good."
He Qing smiled warmly. "See? One word answers, but I know what you mean. We're okay, Mr. Taller Shen. Better than okay."
They ate together. Qiyao kept looking at He Qing between bites. The realization was starting to form inside him. Slow. Unclear. But real.
This closeness with He Qing had become something he didn't want to lose.
And that made the happiness feel even more fragile.
Yet for now, in this quiet morning, it was enough.