Ashes. A promise beyond death

Chapter 17 - Silent Threads, Hidden Thorns

Morning sunlight spilled through the window like soft gold, weaving gentle patterns across the floor and creeping up the bed. It pooled on Xian Chen's face, warm and quiet, coaxing him from unconsciousness. His lashes fluttered.

The first thing he saw was Yu Bin—curled beside him, breathing softly, her hand wrapped tightly around his as if letting go might unravel something vital.

His chest tightened—not from the wound this time, but from something far more unsettling.

Carefully, he tried to slip his hand away, not wanting to wake her. But the moment he moved, his heart betrayed him, thudding louder in his ears.

What is this? Do I have heart problems now? he thought, unnerved by the erratic rhythm.

“You have heart problems?!” Yu Bin bolted upright, her voice cracking the stillness like lightning across a calm sky.

He flinched. “Do you want to kill me? Why are you shouting this early?”

“Shut up and answer me! Did you just say something’s wrong with your heart?”

“When did I say that?”

“Just now!”

He blinked slowly. “...”

“Don’t look at me like that, Xian Chen. And don’t you dare say you’re fine again. I won’t believe it.”

The sarcasm he usually kept at the ready… didn’t come. His gaze softened.

“You… took care of my wounds?”

Yu Bin looked away. “I… I mean—yes.”

A beat passed. Then, “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me,” she muttered, still not meeting his eyes. “I didn’t do it for you. I did it because I don’t want to die with you.”

Despite the bluntness, a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Even so… thank you.”

She turned her face further away, hoping he wouldn’t notice the warmth creeping into her cheeks. He always had this way of disarming her—cutting through every wall she tried to build.

“Let’s rest today,” she murmured, settling against the headboard. “You need it.”

“I need to train.”

“Don’t be stubborn. I felt your pain last night. It nearly killed me. I stayed up the whole night because of you.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. Just…” Her voice dipped, quieter now. “Let us rest. Please.”

There was something behind her words. Not just tiredness—fear. Worry. A quiet ache she hadn’t shown him until now.

After a moment, he said, “Can we go to the garden?”

She groaned. “Xian Chen…”

“I promise I won’t move around. I just… want to see if Longwei is okay.”

“…Fine. But if you collapse again, I’m leaving you in the dirt.”

He smiled. “Fair.”

---

The air in the garden was crisp, carrying the scent of morning dew and cherry blossoms. Beneath the shade of the tree, Xian Chen summoned Longwei.

But the dragon that appeared was still a tiny, fluttering version of himself.

“Master…” Longwei’s voice trembled. “You’re still hurt, aren’t you?”

Yu Bin stared. “Could it be… poison? That would explain why the wound isn’t healing.”

Xian Chen shook his head. “It was just a training field. There shouldn’t have been poison.”

“Even so, something’s wrong.”

Without thinking, he reached out, brushing her cheek with his thumb. “Don’t worry, Yu Bin. I’m stronger than I look.”

She closed her eyes, leaning into his hand for the briefest second. “Stop saying you’re fine. That word means nothing anymore.”

Longwei’s tone shifted, darker now. “If the wound turns purple, it means poison. But if it is poison… one of you is being hunted.”

Xian Chen’s voice was quiet. “I know.”

Yu Bin froze. “Xian Chen… are you poisoned? Is that why you’re not healing?”

He hesitated—then forced a tired smile. “It’s just a wound. Healing’s slow, that’s all.”

She didn’t believe him. But she didn’t press it. Not now.

“Can I… sleep on your shoulder?”

He blinked. “Of course. I’ll wake you later.”

She leaned in. When her head slipped, he gently guided her to lie with her cheek against his lap. His fingers wove gently through her hair.

She looked so peaceful like this. The wind rustled softly around them. For a moment, the pain eased.

And for the first time in years…

Xian Chen fell asleep.

---

Yu Bin stirred first, blinking up at his face—so serene, so still. Her breath caught in her throat.

Ugh, even asleep he’s unfairly handsome…

As if on cue, his eyes opened.

“What are you doing?” he asked, voice rough with sleep.

“I… I…”

“Stop staring.”

She tilted her head, playful now. “I was just wondering something…”

“What?”

“Are you really human?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Am I too handsome?”

“Oh no. I was wondering because… you look like a monkey.”

His eyes widened. “A monkey?!”

He lunged. She shrieked, laughter spilling from her as he pinned her down and tickled her mercilessly.

“Stop! Hahaha, please—I’m sorry! Brother Xian!”

He froze.

That name—so simple, so small—settled deep in his chest like a forgotten warmth.

“…Say that again,” he whispered.

“Huh?”

“That name. Say it again.”

She smirked. “Why? Do you like it?”

“…It sounds nice.”

Her voice softened. “Alright then… Brother Xian.”

A rare, genuine smile touched his lips—unguarded, quiet, real.

Yu Bin’s heart fluttered. He smiles like that, and I’m supposed to stay calm?

Both of their pulses quickened.

“…Yu Bin,” he murmured. “Turn around. I need to change the bandage.”

“Let me help—”

“I can do it. Please… just turn around.”

She obeyed reluctantly, her heart still racing.

Behind her, he peeled away the bandages.

The wound had darkened.

Longwei had been right.

Poison.

Still, he said nothing.

Not yet.

Not until the rope was gone.

Until then… he would bear it.

Alone.