"Alright, Little Puddle. You go sit in your freezer and cultivate. Don't freeze yourself solid. When you come out, I'll make you a welcome-back feast that will make you cry."
Wangchen looked at the hand on his shoulder. He didn't lean into the touch, but he didn't pull away.
"I will hold you to that promise, Martial Uncle Lin," Wangchen murmured, his voice a flawless, polite murmur.
"You better," Ji'an said, pulling her hand back and standing up. She needed to leave before her confusing, completely irrational disappointment showed on her face. "Zhiwei, drink your tea. We have to hit the road."
Zhiwei quickly downed his tea, bowing deeply to Wangchen. "Have a safe seclusion, Brother Xie! May the Heavens bless your breakthrough!"
"Safe travels, Brother Gu," Wangchen nodded gracefully.
As Ji'an and Zhiwei turned and walked out of the moon-gate, Ji'an didn't look back. She kept her chin high, her strides purposeful.
