“Young Master Longwei?”

Longwei took a rag and wiped the blood from his blade before sheathing his sword and smiling at Mengyao. Mengyao noticed Longwei wore a more plain black yuanlingpao with gold linings around the sleeves and collar.

“Didn’t expect Tung-Mei to let her beautiful servant go riding off at night,” Longwei commented. “What were you doing out here?”

“I should ask you the same,” Mengyao said, looking at Young Master Longwei suspiciously. It was strange for Longwei to be out this late in the middle of the night and he seemed unbothered.

“I normally don't go riding off at night but something told me to go riding. And now, something enchanting happened to cross my path. And he looks absolutely dazzling."

Mengyao felt heat burst in his cheeks. Was Longwei always this flirty? He was thankful it was a bit dark out or his face would give him away. He cleared his throat before saying, "Young Master Longwei, I humbly thank you for helping me out. But I need to go find my horse."

“Let me tell you something: Your horse will be fine in the morning. Besides, aren't you afraid someone will pick you up and spirit you away?" Longwei asked. Mengyao noticed the intense gaze and huffed a bit.

He knew he wasn’t going to convince Longwei to let him go. As long as he knew Longwei, he knew he was stubborn like a goat. Mengyao thought about whether he should just stay put or find his horse.

He had all his important things on him in his bag of holding. Longwei was right. She’d be okay in the morning. He finally looked up at Longwei after a few moments.

“Alright,” Mengyao finally answered.

Longwei nodded as he led him toward his campsite. Mengyao looked up at the sky and through the trees, saw the waning moon, smiling at them as they walked. 

“Here we are,” Longwei said.

Mengyao gave a confused smile. The tent he had seemed much too small for two people and the camp fire seemed as if it were about to go out any moment. Well, Mengyao could admit to himself that he would have fared no better but something seemed a bit sad about this set up.

“We’ll share my tent.”

Mengyao, with his confused smile still on his face, blinked multiple times before looking at Longwei. Was he crazy?

“I don’t think your tent can accommodate both you and I. It’s fine, I can conjure a construct for myself,” Mengyao said.

“Why? Afraid it won't protect you? don't worry, I won't let anything bad happen to you,” Longwei said, taking Mengyao by the wrist and leading him to the tent. 

Before Mengyao could open his mouth about how small the tent was, his eyes widened.

It looked like a small cottage inside this tent! Complete with a stove, table and chairs and the like! He was thoroughly in awe as he looked around. In a far corner of the cottage were two beds, enough to accommodate adults.

“How…”

“Mage’s magic. Comes with atleast two beds. If you'd like, we can share a bed. Give me a second, I'll get some tea going.”

Mengyao was going to have to tell Madame Tung-Mei to invest in more mages. A tent like this was incredible. But he shook his head and thought of the questions he had for Longwei.

When Longwei brought tea, he set it in front of Mengyao before sitting down in the chair across from him. Mengyao gave him a smile.

“I hope you don’t mind if I ask you a few questions. Why were you really out here this late at night? I’m certain the Duan Residence is at least a day’s trip from here?”

Longwei chuckled as he sipped his tea. “Sometimes I ride so far, I forget how far I went. I get lost in thought.”

“What could you possibly be thinking about that caused you to ride out this far in the Tengyang forest?”

"Maybe i was thinking about you? And considering how gorgeous your eyes are, who wouldn't think about you?"

Mengyao raised an eyebrow. “Young Master Longwei, be serious!”

“I am being serious.”

Mengyao sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Madame Tung-Mei was right. You are quite inccorigible."

Longwei smirked. "Nothing wrong about admiring a painting come to life before me."

Mengyao gulped at his tea in a bit of frustration. The heat in his cheeks and the tips of his ears refused to leave and the way Longwei continually flirted with him made him feel a bit embarrassed!  

When did Longwei become like this? The last time he remembered him, he was a simply sweet boy who did everything with him. And now he's become this playboy who thinks his flirting will get him everywhere! Mengyao glanced at Longwei, who rested his chin in his palm and smiled at him. Mengyao turned his head away but couldn't help but notice something.

He noticed that Longwei’s skin was quite peachy now. The last he remembered, his skin was only a shade or two darker than his. Or was he misremembering?

Wait, why was he noticing that?

Mengyao sighed before saying, 'Young Master Longwei, I feel a little tired. Is it possible for me for to sleep first?