Liu Yang

Yang glanced at the young man lazily. Although they were unfamiliar, he immediately recognized him as the son of the Head of the Fengling Gong Clan, who, in his opinion, had absolutely nothing to do in such a remote place. But he decided to pretend that he did not recognize the one who addressed him, and he was in no hurry to give his name either. Noting to himself that the caster felt a little insecure, he smiled one of his brightest smiles and waved his hand invitingly

— Why are you standing at the entrance, come through. How did you end up here, and at such a time? You're probably frozen. Sit down by the fire, we'll talk here, — Yang said in a soft voice, demonstrating friendliness with all his appearance.

Gong Sheng Li (Li Xin)

He was indeed cold. Deciding that it would be absurd to change his plans because of an annoying obstacle in the person of a student of his Order, he approached and happily stretched his hands to the hearth, trying to warm himself.

Sheng Li chuckled softly and smiled back so radiantly that no one would have thought that completely different thoughts were spinning in his head. 

— Myself? Yes I was just walking, — he lied as usual, looking closely with suspicion, — and will you answer my question?

Liu Yang

Laughed quietly in response, but answered.

— Nothing interesting, really. My story is as similar to yours as two peas in a pod. Classes were cancelled today. And it seems that a similar idea occurred to many. Since we were so lucky not only to wander into this place, but also to meet another disciple from our Order, then why not celebrate it?

The caster glanced at his interlocutor, noting to himself that he seemed to be really frozen. This was not at all surprising. By evening it had become even colder, and the breeze, gentle and ready to flirt with anyone in the morning, had become sharp and scorching, like the blow of a whip.

— You know, when I went for a walk, I grabbed this with me, — smiling sweetly, Yang demonstrated a jug of wine, — Why don't you and I have a drink to our acquaintance? We'll warm up at the same time. To be honest, I'm a little chilly too.

Here he lied, but it was much more pleasant to drink in company, and then, you could learn something interesting. The youth looked at Sheng Li with a smile and handed him the drink.

Gong Sheng Li (Li Xin)

— Have a drink? — Li Xin grinned, — I think this is a good idea.

Taking the outstretched vessel in his hands, he took a large sip and, demonstratively wiping his lips, returned it to his interlocutor. The tart alcohol seemed to immediately enter the blood from his mouth, warming him, and he took a more relaxed position. Leaning back, he rested his palms on the cold stone, looking at the stranger with interest. 

— My name is Gong Sheng Li, — smiling, he licked the remaining taste on his lips.

Liu Yang

He lightly touched the stranger's fingers and looked more closely - the hands were really icy. Yang took a few sips, continuing to watch every movement of the son of the Head of the Order. Despite his young age, he had already tasted wine more than once and knew that he was not in danger of getting drunk quickly.

— Let's get acquainted, Gong Sheng Li. I am Liu Yang, — A charming smile never left his lips, revealing slightly protruding snow-white fangs. He handed the jug to the young spellcaster and leaned towards the fire to stir the coals and add more wood. All his movements were very flexible and complete, the result of his innate flexibility and constant training. The sparks rose up like little stars, and the young man looked again at his interlocutor.

— Beautiful... Even better than the real ones.

Gong Sheng Li (Li Xin)

— Liu Yang, it's surprising that you and I have never met in the Order, — Sheng Li said, drawing out the sounds, — neither in class nor at training, but I'm glad to meet you.

Lost in his own thoughts, he didn't immediately notice the jug that was extended to him and, with a slightly guilty smile, quickly took a sip. The rush did no good, and Li Xin began to cough.

Liu Yang

Seeing his condisciple choke on his wine, he grabbed him by the waist and quickly jumped up, pulling Sheng Li along with him. As soon as they were on their feet, he dove behind his back, pressing sharply on the area in the center of his stomach under the ribs. But for some reason he didn’t want to open his hands; instead, he pulled him towards him, and, leaning towards his ear, almost touching his lips, asked:

— Are you okay?

Gong Sheng Li (Li Xin)

Unexpecting anything like this, Sheng Li grabbed the hand that was tightly pressing him.

— It's fine, don't worry, — sighing, he turned his head to say thank you, accidentally brushing his lips along his cheekbone and blushing, he squeezed the other person’s fingers harder.

 — Sorry, — mumbled indistinctly, looking away to the side.

Liu Yang

The accidental touch turned out to be pleasant, and Yang involuntarily clasped his hands, pressing the caster even closer to himself. This was the rare occasion when he was at a loss and did not even fully understand what Sheng Li had said to him.

— Forgive you, for what? You accidentally choked, — the warmth of someone else's body caused very unusual sensations. Not quite understanding why he was doing this, he lightly touched his lips to the other's hair and froze, continuing to hug him around the waist.

After standing like that for a while, the young man let his classmate go.

— It seems we got carried away, — smiling, sat down in his original place and, taking the jug that had been standing all this time near the fire, took a deep sip, — sit down.

Gong Sheng Li (Li Xin)

— Thank you, Liu Yang. The wine, by the way, is very good, — after hesitating a little, Sheng Li carefully took the outstretched vessel, took a sip, and placed it closer to his interlocutor, — how good.

They sat in silence, listening for a long time to the crackling of the flames, greedily devouring dry wood.