An Yu froze. His back hit the wooden banister as Fu Teng's words filled the quiet hallway.
Fu Teng was breathing heavily, his eyes full of deep, long-hidden pain. The cold, quiet face he always wore was completely gone.
"You think this started at the pavilion?" Fu Teng's voice shook, low and hurt. "You think we met for the first time in these barren lands?"
An Yu stared at him, his mouth slightly open. The arrogant smile was gone from his face.
"Back in the capital, when I was just fourteen, I snuck out of my house," Fu Teng said, taking a step closer to An Yu. "I went to a grand party. Everyone was wearing costumes and heavy makeup. You couldn't even tell who was a man or a woman. I was dressed as a woman that night."
Fu Teng let out a painful, bitter laugh, looking straight into An Yu's eyes.
