Yu Bin. Immortal Of Water Land

Chapter 4 – The Taste of Forgotten Truths

“Congratulations, boss,” Moon said, offering his hand with a half-smile.

“Congratulations! Come on, we have to celebrate this properly!” Xian Chen grinned broadly, already half out the door in excitement.

Yu Bin chuckled softly. “We should… I suppose.”

“Hey, hey, don’t sound so hesitant. You just got promoted again. Drinks are mandatory,” Xian Chen teased.

Moon narrowed his eyes. “Xian Chen, have some decency. Show our boss some respect.”

“But I am respectful,” Xian Chen said, throwing his arm lightly around Yu Bin’s shoulder. “Aren’t I, boss?”

“Hm… right,” Yu Bin replied dryly, swatting him away.

She didn’t push him too hard, though.

“Come on then, both of you. Let’s take a break from all this formality and breathe a little.”

Moon raised a brow. “Boss, try not to get drunk again.”

“When have I ever gotten drunk?” Yu Bin asked, lifting her chin.

Xian Chen immediately burst out laughing. “Always.”

“Xian Chen,” Moon groaned, “for once in your life, shut up.”

At the Restaurant – Later That Night

The noise, the clinking of glasses, the hum of celebration — none of it really touched Yu Bin. She laughed with them, nodded at stories, but her eyes never quite lit up.

By the fourth drink, her shoulders loosened. By the sixth, she leaned into Xian Chen, her breath warm against his neck.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Moon said, standing. “We’ve got work tomorrow. Boss, you’re done for tonight.”

Yu Bin murmured something unintelligible, curling against Xian Chen like she belonged there.

“She’s fine,” Xian Chen said softly. “Let her rest. I’ll take her home.”

Moon hesitated. “You sure?”

Xian Chen didn’t answer. His expression had changed — quiet, almost too still.

Moon watched the way he held her. “You get strange when she drinks,” he muttered.

“I just… take care of her. That’s all.”

“No,” Moon said quietly, “it’s something else. You change. Both of you do.”

There was a silence.

Then: “Go. I’ve got her,” Xian Chen said without looking up.

Moon nodded reluctantly and left.

Yu Bin’s Apartment – Close to Midnight

Xian Chen helped her inside gently. She was barely conscious now, mumbling beneath her breath.

He laid her down on the couch and turned to leave, but her hand shot out and caught his sleeve.

“Don’t go,” she murmured.

He froze.

“Don’t leave again,” she whispered. “Not again…”

Xian Chen sat beside her, unsure whether she was talking about now — or then.

Her eyes were open, glazed. But suddenly, they sharpened with terrifying clarity.

“You,” she breathed. “Why did you kill them?”

Xian Chen’s heart stopped.

“What…?”

“You killed them,” she whispered again, voice trembling. “My master. My parents. That night… the fire… you…”

“I…” he looked down. “I wasn’t there.”

“You said ‘I’m sorry.’ When I asked you, back then. You didn’t deny it.”

Xian Chen looked away, jaw clenched.

“I left,” he said finally, his voice breaking. “I had to go. They summoned me. Heaven Realm—”

“Don’t!” she cried, pushing him weakly. “Don’t you dare blame your kingdom for what you did.”

He didn’t respond.

“Why do I remember it only when I’m like this?” she asked, voice small. “Why is it clearer when I drink? Like it’s not from this life…”

Because it isn’t, Xian Chen thought, but said nothing.

“You killed them,” she whispered again, but her voice was unsure now. “Didn’t you?”

He met her gaze, and though his lips parted, only one word came out.

“…I’m sorry.”

Her expression crumpled. “You could’ve just said yes…”

She turned her face away, shoulders trembling.

Xian Chen didn’t try to explain. He couldn’t. Not yet. Because maybe, in some twisted way, he still believed her pain was deserved. That her hatred was justice for his absence.

He stood slowly, watching her curl into herself like a wounded child.

“I’ll stay here tonight,” he said gently. “On the floor.”

She didn’t answer.

And he didn’t expect her to.