LUO FAN

“That man is a freak,” Jinjing muttered as we stepped through the gate to her house. The late hour demanded we speak in hushed tones, careful not to disturb the neighbors. “To think he’s so good-looking, too.”

“He is?” I asked. Although I had noted his imposing physique, I hadn’t been able to discern his facial features clearly.

“He really is,” she confirmed.

“More handsome than I am?”

“You’re beautiful. He’s handsome. You two can’t be compared.”

I frowned. “Why can’t I be handsome?”

“Because you’re beautiful,” she said with a grin.

The conversation was going in circles, and I decided to drop it. “A good face doesn’t define a person’s character, though.”

“You’re right—except in your case,” she said, unlocking the door and stepping inside. “You’re beautiful inside and out.”

“You never stop humoring me,” I said, shaking my head as I followed her.

“Do you not believe it?”

“We should eat,” I said, redirecting the topic. “I’m sure you’re hungry.”

I went to the stove, relieved to find that the ember had kept the food warm. Transferring it into a large bowl, I brought it to the table, where Jinjing was already setting out bowls, chopsticks, and the food she had saved.

“You must have caught that man’s attention earlier,” she said as we sat down.

“What could I have done to catch his attention?”

“I don’t know. Maybe because you’re too beautiful,” she said lightly.

I sighed. “He’s a man. Why would he be interested in me?”

“That drunk man from before—Chang Tao, remember? He was interested in you.”

I grimaced. How could I forget that incident?

“He was drunk and didn’t know what he was saying.”

She sighed in response. “Fan, you really are too naïve. In this city, it’s not unusual to see two men falling for each other anymore.”

I paused, startled. “Is that… possible?”

She giggled. “Oh, Fan, you’ve lived such a sheltered life. It’s not only possible, but it happens more often than you’d think.”

I struggled to process her words. Two men? Together?

“So…” Curiosity got the better of me, and I knew it was improper to ask such questions, especially during dinner, but the intrigue gnawed at me. “How do they… copulate?”

Jinjing burst into laughter. “Fan, that’s not something to discuss over dinner!”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. “I apologize.”

“Here,” she said, placing a few pieces of meat into my bowl.

I picked up a piece, chewing slowly, though my appetite had vanished. Before encountering that man earlier, I had been looking forward to sharing this meal with Jinjing. Now, his presence lingered in my thoughts, casting a shadow over the evening.

Someone had discovered my whereabouts. And not just anyone—this was someone I could never hope to defeat in battle. My presence here could endanger Jinjing. If I truly cared about her, I had to leave.

But where would I go? And without money, how could I survive?

“Fan, I have a question,” she said, oblivious to my inner turmoil.

“Just ask.”

“…Is it true what that rude man said earlier? That you’re a priest?”

I sighed and nodded. “I was. But I’m not sure if I still am.”

“That doesn’t surprise me much,” she admitted. “From the way you speak and act, I had suspected it. But there’s one thing I didn’t expect… Were you a disciple of a sect?”

I lowered my gaze, silent for a moment. “It’s true.”

“So you’re proficient in martial arts? You lied to me when you said you only knew basic techniques?”

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “I didn’t mean to lie. It’s just…”

“Just what?”

I sighed again, the weight of my past pressing down on me. “Jinjing, I’m not the same man I once was. I… did something terrible. Because of that, they nullified my cultivation and banished me from the sect.”

She went quiet. I could sense her hesitation, the conflict in her mind. Did she still trust me?

“Forgive me for keeping this from you,” I said, my voice heavy with regret. “I was afraid that if you knew, you wouldn’t want anything to do with me. If my presence here is no longer welcome, I’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

“No.” She reached out, her hand covering mine. “I didn’t mean that. I was just… surprised. I didn’t expect…”

“I’m sorry.”

She squeezed my hand gently. “I still believe you’re a good man. Whatever you’ve done, I’m sure you didn’t mean to.”

Relief washed over me, and I exhaled deeply. “Thank you. Someday, I’ll tell you everything. But not now. It’s still too painful to even think about.”

“If you can’t talk about it, you don’t have to,” she said softly.

“Thank you,” I whispered again.

“One more question,” she said hesitantly. “Is Wei Fan your full name?”

I hesitated, then sighed. “It’s the name my master gave me. But I’d prefer if you called me by my real name: Luo Fan.”

“Oh.” She seemed to ponder this for a moment. “I think I’m too used to calling you just Fan. I won’t change it.”

I smiled faintly. “I prefer it that way too.”