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Shen Qingqiu's seat was empty. The Peak Lords waited for about ten minutes for Shen Qingqiu to arrive, instead it was Ming Fan who came and announced his master was feeling too sick to attend. Some Peak Lords just rolled their eyes, others complained loudly.

"Now he doesn't even show up to meetings? Is it just me or is Shen Qingqiu getting lazier every year?" Qi Qingqi grumbled. She got few quiet hums of agreement.

"And when his presence is crucial even." Liu Qingge had a look of utter annoyence.

"How do we even know he's actually sick and not in a brothel?" someone added.

Before Yue Qingyan could say anything Mu Qingfang spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. "He did send a disciple for pain killers and fever medicine earlier today."

"That doesn't prove anything."

"That's enough." Yue Qingyuan finally stopped the quarrel. "Let's just start the meeting."

The meeting continued as dark clouds gathered over the mountain range. Despite it being the middle of spring the cold was bone chilling. Over night frost would enveloped everything, ice-cold rain would fall sporadically. The promise of a downpour was hanging above everyone's head.

The Peak Lords were discussing new trade routes to the less civilized parts of Jianghu. It would be nothing out of the ordinary if said route could be established like any other. Instead, a gang of criminals has taken over the land, terrorizing the civilians. Only through Cang Qiong's interference could the threat be eradicated. They planned on creating a station for cultivators to oversee the safety. Shen Qingqiu with his insight and extensive knowladge about the region's culture would be great help. As the second in command he would also need to approve any decisions. But he was not there.

He was not there the next day also. And the day after that. Still with the same excuse.

The rain was falling steadily now for two days, it's cold grip giving shivers even to the most hardened bodies. The Peak Lords treated themselves to warmed wine after the meeting to dispel the chill and relax some in company. There was laughter and a feeling of companionship, especially since a certain killjoy was absent. Some however still couldn't stand not insulting him even without the man there.

"Good thing Shen Qingqiu isn't here. At least we can enjoy ourselves now."

"True. If he wishesh to destroy his reputation by being a scum instead of a Lord, then so be it!"

"Lecherous scum." "Lazy, spoiled last son." "Pervert." "Bastard."

"Shidi, Shimei, that's enough." Yue Qingyuan's steady voice was laced with anger. If not his presence the Peak Lords would say just what they thought about this favouritism. "It is inappropriate for people of your position to speak ill about someone behind their back, especially your fellow Peak Lord. Shen-shidi must have his reasons for his absence and it is not our concern. "

Qi Qingqi had enough of the sect leader excusing their villanous martial brother all the time. In his eyes Shen Qingqiu could do no wrong and it infuriated her.

"We would certainly tell him all this if he was present, Yue-shixiong." she spoke. "Why haven't you sent for him yet, Sect Leader? He claims sickness but has not gone to Qian Cao yet, has he?" she looked at Mu Qingfang.

"No, but he has sent for another batch of medicine. Shen-shixiong... " he answered.

"See? He's bluffing!"

"..... Shen-shixiong, however, has never been to Qian Cao anyway. Since our disciple days I had no chance of treating him once."

"That doesn't prove anything." Qi Qingqi still upheld her accusation. "Maybe we should pay Shen Qingqiu a visit and see for ourselves?" she was already standing up, reday to fly straight to Qing Jing.

"Qi-shimei, please sit down." Yue Qingyuan was getting annoyed, which was rare beyond measure. "We will not intrude on Shen-shidi's provacy."

"But Zhangmeng-shixiong," Wei Qingwei chimed in "Shen-shixiong has not shown up several days in a row, despite presence bieng mandatory. Shouldn't you take disciplinary action?"

"Yes, that would be the most logical thing to do.", "Zhangmeng-shixiong should discipline this slacker.", "I agree, let's send him a message.", "And let's think of punishment."

The Peak Lords were already devising a plan how to punish Shen Qingqiu, while Yue Qingyuan just sat there baffled. It wasn't the first time their martial siblings targeted Xiao-Jiu, but they always had some proof to cling onto. Now, it was only Qi Qingqi blowing things out of proportion. Yet he felt pressured and eventually bent his will to everyone else.

Yue Qingyuan wrote a letter to Shen Qingqiu. It was an order to show up for tomorrow's meeting. Failure to do so would result in Shen Qingqiu's suspension and signifucant limitation of Qing Jing's budget for undetermined period of time. That was the softest he could get considering everything the other Peak Lords came up with.

"Alright," Yue Qingyuan said. "The meeting's over I suppose. I'll have a disciple deliver the-"

"I'll deliver it." Liu Qingge spoke up unexpectedly. Only then did everyone realize he was unusually quiet throughout all of the conversation. Normally he would not let the opportunity to complain about Shen Qingqiu slip, yet his expression was stormy. Something was visibly bothering him.

"Alright." Yue Qingyuan passed him the letter cautiously, as if Liu Qingge would bite him.

All watched in confusion as the Bai Zhan Peak Lord took the paper and hurried away. Yue Qingyuan wondered wether he made a mkstake by allowing him to go.

Flying in the heavy rain Liu Qingge only remained dry thanks to his cultivation. He hurried to see Shen Qingqiu and quiet down the turmoil in his head. As much as he (definitely, absolutely, without a doubt, not lying to himself at all!) despised Shen Qingqiu, he did not understand why it was so important to others to prove the man was lying. If he was sick, he was sick, end of story. Liu Qingge did know he was the one to spread many rumours about his shixiong, but they were never baseless! Some Peak Lords however seemed dead set on tarnishing Shen Qingqiu's name, not caring that he was sick enough not to show up, but if he was pretending.

He had never realized they all assumed the worst of Shen Qingqiu right off the bat until now.

Now he would need to see for himself who was in the wrong here. 

No one answered his knocking for a long time. There was some rustling in the house, so Shen Qingqiu most likely was home. At one point Liu Qingge heard a thump, sounding like someone falling on the ground, followed by more rustling. 

Finally Shen Qingqiu spoke from within the house, telling whoever was bothering him to come inside. Liu Qingge entered the clean and neat bamboo house cautiously. He found Shen Qingqiu slumped over the daybed, looking as if he was lazing around there all day. His hair was only tied in a loose ponytail and the robes were somewhat ruffled, put on in a hurry to look presentable. He would look straight from a spring dream (why would he even think that!), if not for the sickly pale skin. Shen Qingqiu was unwell indeed. 

"Liu-shidi, to what do I owe the displeasure? " Shen Qingqiu was scowling at him. 

"Why are you not showing up to the meetings? Are you actually ill?" 

"Are you accusing me of lying?" 

"No! But you haven't gone to Qian Cao so..." Liu Qingge really didn't want to repeat what their martial siglings said, fortunately Shen Qingqiu interrupted him with anger. 

"This master can deal with his ailment himself. Now scram, you're giving me a headache." he waved Liu Qingge off, but the brute didn't budge. 

Liu Qingge took out the letter and stepped closer to the day bed. No matter how Shen Qingqiu tried hiding it Liu Qingge noticed how he tensed up. Being this close he could see a thin sheen of sweat on Shen Qingqiu's temples and something peeking out from behind the many pillows decorating the day bed, it looked like carved stick perhaps? It had some simple decorations. Liu Qingge could not figure out what it could be. 

Shen Qingqiu snatched the letter from Liu Qingge's hand. He quickly read it as the other waited for... he didn't know what. At last Shen Qingqiu cursed under his breath and tossed the crumpled letter away. His expression was that of anger laced with tired resignation. It made something thorb in Liu Qingge's chest, something he couldn't name, but suddenly he wanted to wipe this expression off Shen Qingqiu's face. 

"What are you still doing here?" Shen Qingqju realized the other haven't left yet and his rage just sparked anew. "Get lost!" 

"I can vouch for you." Liu Qingge said despite himself, surprising both of them. 

"What." 

"I can see you're unwell. The others don't believe it, but they will if I vouch for you." 

"And why would you do that? Are you trying to mock me?!" 

"What? No! I just.... Ugh, forget it!" with that Liu Qingge run out into the downpour trying to understand his own thoughts and that wierd feeling. Needless to say, he was unsuccessful. 

The next day it was still raining as the Peak Lords slowly filled the hall, taking their respective seats. The cold was even worse than any day before, despite their high cultivation the Lords shivered from time to time. 

There was still some time till the meeting ought to start, few seats still empty. All the eyes however darted between one seat and the door, awaiting. 

"Just few more minutes. If he hasn't shown up yet, I doubt he ever will." Qi Qingqi said while inspecting her nails, acting all unbothered. It infuriated Liu Qingge. He knew they were both responsible for Shen Qingqiu's reputation, but he thought he was acting in line with his morality and that he had base for accusations, and Qi Qingqi just seemed to hate Shen Qingqiu. She seemed to thrive on the social scorn he received. 

"Even if he won't, that is none of your business." Liu Qingge spoke up and suddenly all the eyes were on him. Even Qi Qingqi stopped pretending to be bored. "Besides, he is ill. I have confirmed it yesterday as I delivered the letter." 

"Oh? And what illness does he have?" Qi Qingqi wanted to argue. 

"I-" Liu Qingge didn't get to say he hadn't asked as the door to the meeting hall opened and Shen Qingqiu himself strolled in. 

He was dressed perfectly pristine, his hair decorated by an expensive guan, and face covered by a fan. He looked nothing like what Liu Qingge saw yesterday, save for the pale skin and eyebags. He was moving significantly slower, a bit sluggish, but beside from that he seemed fine. He ignored the stares no one seemed to bother covering as he quietly took his seat. 

"Shen-shixiong," Mu Qingfang broke the silence. "good to see you again. How are you feeling?" 

"This shixiong is feeling quite well, thank you for your concern, shidi." Shen Qingqiu responded. 

Bullshit Liu Qingge wanted to say, but remained quiet. 

As the minutes passed and all seats filled, Yue Qingyuan entered and officially strated the meeting. 

"Shen-shidi, I'm glad you showed up," he said with his custom apologetic expression. Shen Qingqiu inclined his head respectfully, but it was clear he was holding back on commenting. "Now, let us begin. Yeasterday we have established that the best route through....." 

The agenda of the meeting was as boring always and Liu Qingge paid it no mind. All his attention was focused on observing Shen Qingqiu. In the beginning the man was listening carefully, flipping through documents to catch up on the situation, but as his hands started shaking badly he stopped and focused on only listening. He spoke rarely, only giving one word answers or hums. Liu Qingge noticed some Peak Lords scoff or snicker when Shen Qingqiu didn't elaborate on his answers and an akward silence followed, he wanted to strangle them. The man was clearly on the verge if passing out! How was he supposed to engage?

If only Liu Qingge wasn't sitting so far away across the table be would do..... something!

At one point Shen Qingqiu's gaze became unfocused, pupils dilated and skin even paler. Sweat appeared on his temples. That was the moment Yue Qingyuan decided to ask him something.

"What do you think of this solution, Shen-shidi? Would Qing Jing be able to provide?"

Shen Qingqiu seemed not to hear him. He was looking at Yue Qingyuan, but not seeing him.

"Shen-shidi, are you..... feeling alright?" still nothing. If anything Shen Qingqiu started swaying slightly.

Liu Qingge shot up from his seat and rounded the table hurriedly.

"Shen Qingqiu. Do you hear me?" he started waving in front of Shen Qingqiu's face but there was no reaction. "Hey, say something. Can you see me? Anything?"

Shen Qingqiu slowly shook his head and terror creeped on his face, as if he just realized he can't see.

Mu Qingfang finally stood up and approached to examine Shen Qingqiu's condition. Just as he was about to reach for his wrist Shen Qingqiu swayed to the side and collapsed, Liu Qingge barely had time to catch him as he lost consciousness.

"Lay him on the floor." Mu Qingfang said and settled down to take the unconscious man's wrist. He stayed quiet for a while, occasionally humming to himslef. At some point he reached out to Shen Qingqiu's face and lifet his eyelid. All the Peak Lords watched with draed for any movement from Shen Qingqiu, but nothing happened. "Liu-shidi, elevate his legs, I need him awake."

While Liu Qingge did that Mu Qingfang took something out of his qiankun pouch.

"Mu-shidi, have you found anything?" Yue Qingyuan asked.

"Overdosing, but I cannot identify what." he said as he stuck the vinaigrette beneath Shen Qingqiu's nose.

"He's doing drugs? Right before a meeting too? Disgusting." Qi Qingqi spoke up, her comment didn't go unnoticed, but no one joined the conversation.

Shen Qingqiu's nose scrunched and he finally sneezed, waking up. He looked around the faces hovering over him not understanding how he even got there.

"Shen-shixiong. What did you take?" Shen Qingqiu stared at him blankly. "You overdosed. It can be a threat to your life. What did you take?"

".....My legs hurt...." he said weakly. Hearing that Liu Qingge slowly put his legs back on the ground and Shen Qingqiu hissed.

"That is terrible news shixiong, but I need to know what drug you have taken." Mu Qingfang urged.

"That fucking rain makes it worse. And my hips.... hurt... too..." Shen Qingqiu was loosing grasp on reality again. "Everything is spinning...."

Mu Qingfang sighed heavily. "I need to take him to Qian Cao, fast. And I need someone to search the bamboo house for any substances he might have taken."

"I can go to his house." Qi Qingqi spoke surprising everyone. "I will gladly find out what he was getting high on these past few days."

Liu Qingge really didn't like her tone. "Then I will go too." he offered, stunning everyone into silence. Before Qi Qingqi could refute, Yue Qingyan dismissed them hurriedly and helped Mu Qingfang transport Shen Qingqiu to Qian Cao. Some more gossip-hungry Peak Lords followed akwardly.

The bamboo house was just as clean as the day before, at least the front rooms. Shen Qingqiu's bedroom on the other hand was messy, clothes thrown haphazardly on the floor without care, dirty cups on the nightstand alongside with a half empty container of pills. It was the most common kind of pain medicine, nothing that could cause severe side effects. If taken in right dosage that is.

"That can't be it. Let's keep searching." Qi Qingqi frowned as she examined the container.

"Why not?" Liu Qingge was genuinely getting tired of people refusing to believe Shen Qingqiu on something so harmless.

"Come on Liu-shidi, you can't exactly get high on these."

"Maybe that wasn't his intention? Maybe he actually was in pain?" Liu Qingge closed the jar and stored it away to take to Mu Qingfang.

Qi Qingqi looked at him wierd for a minute, then scoffed and continued searching. Liu Qingge also resumed the task, but with a different goal.

In one of the cabinets were three empty jars identical to the one he stored away. Beside them were bandages and other items for every possible ailment. Shen Qingqiu was very self sufficient with treating his own sickness it seemed. It was to be expected, considering he never visited Qian Cao.

Having found nothing worth attention Liu Qingge stepped out into the hallway. Qi Qingqi also came empty handed with a sour expression.

As they were about to exit the house, something in the corner caught Liu Qingge's eye. It was that wierd, carved stick he saw yesterday. Now he realized it was a cane. He reached for it and inspected the various signs of use.

"A cane? Why would Shen Qingqiu need such a thing?"

"He did say his legs hurt...." Liu Qingge mumbled to himself. The realization of what the whole situation was really about hit him suddenly. Without even sparing a glance for Qi Qingqi he took the cane and flew to Qian Cao top speed.

It wasn't difficult to guess which room Shen Qingqiu was taking as disciples run in and out in a hurry and Yue Qingyuan with some other Peak Lords stood akwardly in the corridor. The sect leader's face was dark with worry and he was deep in thought. As soon as he saw Liu Qingge and Qi Qingqi behind him, he bombarded tyem with questions.

"Have you found anything? What was it? Is it really drugs? Why do you have a cane Liu-shidi?"

"We found nothing, Shen Qingqiu must be good at hiding." Qi Qingqi tried to say but Liu Qingge spoke over her.

"Shen Qingqiu most likely took to much pain medicine for his legs. The cane was in his hallway, definitely his, I've seen it before. We will have to have Mu-shidi examine his legs."

"So Liu-shidi is saying Shen-shixiong deliberately overdosed?" some nosy no name Liu Qingge didn't even bother to recognize spoke and it made anger in him boil.

"When have I said that!?" he barked "Why would he even do that? It was clearly an accident."

"To cause a scene, to get away from further duty. We all know what Shen Qingqiu is like." the random continued.

"Shidi, that is enough." Yue Qingyuan scolded but only half heartedly, which only infuriated Liu Qingge further. Wasn't Yue Qingyuan "favouring" Shen Qingqiu?

"He is using a cane to move around. He was in so much pain he took to much medication, or wanted to make himself presentable, because we pushed him, because he knew we would judge him no matter what. And yet you have the audacity to accuse him of something so ridiculous." as Liu Qingge was speaking he took a step towards the nameless shidi, then another, and the shidi kept backing up until his back hit the wall. Everyone else was watching shocked into stillness. "I advice shidi to shut up and get lost. Same goes for anyone who wants to speak ill of Shen Qingqiu."

The nameless shidi, knowing just what the Bai Zhan Peak Lord can do, fled the scene hurriedly. Few followed after him. Liu Qingge sent Qi Qingqi a nasty glare as if asking why she is still here. She scoffed at him and finally left. In the end it was just him and Yue Qingyuan waiting for any news regarding the patient.

"Liu-shidi.... Thank you for defending Xiao... Shen-shidi." Yue Qingyuan said, awkwardness dripping from his voice. 

"Maybe instead of thanking me you should take action too." Liu Qingge grumbled. The other man didn't respond.

Without looking back Liu Qingge barged into the sick room where Mu Qingfang was working on a barely conscious Shen Qingqiu. Yue Qingyuan followed.

"Here." he tossed the container of pills to the doctor. "That was the only thing in the house he could take."

"That's just pain killers?" Mu Qingfang wasn't convinced.

"He said his legs hurt."

The doctor wondered in silence for a minute before turning back to the patient.

"Shen-shixiong, did you take this medication?" Shen Qingqiu slowly nodded. "How much?"

His eyebrows furrowed in the effort of trying to remember. "Four?"

Mu Qingfang sighed in relief. "He will be fine. I will keep him here for observation, but his life is not in danger."

"Can you check why he's in pain in the first place?" Yue Qingyuan asked.

Mu Qingfang intender on doing that either way. He chased the two man out of the room to peacefully examine his shixiong. They waited in the corriddor in silence until Mu Qingfang emerged with a worried expression.

"And?"

"No wonder Shen Qingqiu needs a cane." the doctor sighed looking at the stick in Liu Qingge's grasp. "Both his legs have been broken, probably in childhood, and in several places. They didn't heal properly."

Hearing that Yue Qingyuan paled remembering something. Mu Qingfang unaware of the man's tribulations continued. 

"Because of that Shen-shixiong must be experiencing chronic pain, cold weather, such as today, amplifies such pains. Especially since there is also nerve demage in his lower spine.... Also from childhood.... And even that is not all. There are unhealed breaks all over his body. "

"Where would he get those injuries?" Liu Qingge wondered aloud.

"That looks like severe abuse...." Mu Qingfang was trying not to show how this revelation affected him.

The one who was the most shaken however was Yue Qingyuan.

"It's my fault." he mumbled, while his complexion became even paler. He looked almost ashen, like a dead person.

"What do you mean?"

"If I came back... If I was faster, maybe then... If I didn't help that kid in te first place.... It's my fault..." he was shaking at this point.

"Yue Qingyuan. What is your fault?" Liu Qingge pressed.

"We... We were beggers as kids... Me and Xiao-Jiu. He was caught by the Qius because of me and... He was a slave. I menaged to escape. I promised I'd come back..."

But you didn't. Liu Qingge could hear Shen Qingqiu's voice in thoughts, venomous and cruel, but now he understood it was in fact the voice of hurt and betrayal. The conversation between the two he once overheard made a lot more sense now.

Yue Qingyuan could deviate any moment so Mu Qingfang led him to an empty room. In passing he instructed Liu Qingge to keep Shen Qingqiu company and make sure he is warm, since he's been complaining about the chill.

Shen Qingqiu was staring blankly at the ceiling, unaware of Liu Qingge's presence until he sat down on the chair next to the bed. Only then did Shen Qingqiu spare him a glance and went back to staring. 

"How are you feeling?" Liu Qingge asked, unsure what else he could do and how lucid Shen Qingqiu was right now. 

"Dizzy. Sick."

"Mu-shidi said you will be alright. You just need some rest." 

"Mn." 

"He said you're cold. I could...." Liu Qingge gathered qi in his palm, making living heater out of it. Shen Qingqiu didn't seem to understand what he was saying, so he slowly put his hand on Shen Qingqiu's chest to demonstrate. At first Shen Qingqiu looked suspicious at the hand and braced for impact as it got closer. Now, knowing why he would have such a reaction, Liu Qingge felt uneasy, and remembered all the times he thought Shen Qingqiu avoided spars, or used dirty tricks. He finally realized all those instances were Shen Qingqiu flinching or reacting in self defense and he felt disgusted with himself. 

As he put his palm on Shen Qingqiu's chest he could feel his heartbeat and the way he relaxed as the comforting heat registered. The man quickly dozed off. In the silence Liu Qingge took his qi and probed Shen Qingqiu's meridians. Their state was even worse than he anticipated. No wonder he deviated so frequently. He could feel the tangles of his spiritual veins around the breaks Mu Qingfang mentioned. Indeed, his lower body wasn't the only damaged part. Ribs, arms, collarbones. Now that he paid attention even Shen Qingqiu's fingers were crooked. 

Rage filled Liu Qingge's vision. He wanted to deal the same treatment to whoever did this to Shen-shixiong. 

Liu Qingge was thrown out of his thoughts when his wrist was caught in a death grip that would surely leave bruises. 

"What are you doing?" Shen Qingqiu was piercing him with his gaze. 

"Keeping you warm." he could only speak the truth. 

"Why?" 

"Because you were cold....? "

"You stupid brute, what's gotten into you? Why are doing this? Why are suddenly nice to me?!" Shen Qingqiu could clearly remember how Liu Qingge wanted to vouch for him. How he was the one to notice something was wrong during the meeting, and now he was the one to sit with him. It was absolutely out character for a battle obsessed idiot like Liu Qingge, who also seemed to hate Shen Qingqiu's very existence. 

Liu Qingge opened and closed his mouth for a minute, trying to find the words that would best express his mind. Now he regretted never having paid attention in poetry classes. 

"I realized.... how wrong I was to assume things about you. The others wouldn't listen to any logical arguments and just... It got me thinking." 

"My, my, don't overheat that thick scull of yours."

"Shen Qingqiu!" Liu Qingge reacted in the only wat he knew, by hurting the other even verbally, but quickly remembered the rage he felt when anyone else did it. He was the same, wasn't he? "It was just infuriating to see everyone accuse you of laziness without proof." 

"Haven't you been doing the same?" Shen Qingqiu finally let go of his bruised wrist, slapping it away. 

"I have." Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened, as if he couldn't comprehend Liu Qingge admiting his blame. "I ralized only now and... I want to apologisd." Shen Qingqiu's expression morphed to that of pure shock as Liu Qingge kneeled on the ground and kowtowed before him. 

"What do you think you're doing?! Get up! I don't want your half assed apologies, go choke on them! And don't you dare pity me—ack!" In his uproar Shen Qingqiu tried standing up but he only managed to sit up as pain shot through both of his legs, sending him tumbling back down. Liu Qingge's reaction was fast as he supported him to lay down gently. Shen Qingqiu could only curse quietly, profoundly. 

"I can warm your legs if that would help." Liu Qingge said like a gentle sheep that he was not. 

Shen Qingqiu wanted to spout curses at him again, but something stopped him. Curiosity. He was curious how far this newfound kindness would go and when it would end. What part of his past or scummy character would drive him away again. What would spark the disgust he knew everyone harbored for him. 

He nodded. Liu Qingge moved the sheets away to be met with Shen Qingqiu's clothed legs. He warmed his palms with qi again and was about to start when the other spoke. 

"Skin to skin would be better." he said. He decided to push Liu Qingge as much and as harshly as possible to get this over with. He would even act in spite his fear of men touching him, just to blow the bubble Liu Qingge has entered. Just to get rid of him and that uncomfortable feeling in his chest, because it was better to convince himself he in fact didn't deserve kindness, than to recieve it and feel unworthy. 

Liu Qingge flushed red, but rolled Shen Qingqiu's trousers without a word. He nearly gasped. Both his legs had scars on them, and the places of breakage were visible through irregularities of the bone structure. 

Shen Qingqiu scanned his face, instead of anticipated disgust he saw... empathy? More like mocking pity! 

"What are you staring at?" he asked. 

Liu Qingge's fingers started tracing the old injuries, gentle warmth spread through Shen Qingqiu's body. It didn't make the pain go away, but it dulled it a great deal. "Where are those Qius? I just want to talk." Liu Qingge finally said, expression flaming with anger, for once not directed at Shen Qingqiu. 

"Did Yue Qingyuan tell you?" 

"Mu-shidi said your injuries are an effect of abuse and Yue-shixiong almost broke down. He said it was his fault." 

Shen Qingqiu started laughing bitterly. "Hahaha! Yes, it is his fault. And yet he still has no idea what really happened in that house. No, I will not talk about it right now." he quickly clarified when he noticed Liu Qingge was about to ask. He himslef didn't want to remember his lowest, most disturbing moments, not right now. "To answer you former question, they are dead. I killed them. I burned the house and everything within. I left one survivor without anything to her name. And then, Wu Yanzi took me as a disciple. I killed people Liu-shidi. And then I killed him. How do you feel abuot that?"

Liu Qingge stared at him for a long, long time, processing what he just learned. The stream of warming qi never stopped. 

"Did you have a reason for all of this?" he asked finally. 

"I guess." 

"Would you tell me the whole story?.... Someday! It doesn't have to be now." 

Shen Qingqiu glared at him as if asking "are you insane?". It was beyond his comprehension that after hearing all of this someone would still want to inteact with him. Not even his Qi-ge didn't want anything to do with him. 

"Has something possesed you, brute? You are freaking me out." 

"I don't want to assume anything again and be wrong later." Whithout a word both his hands moved to his hips to soothe the pains there. Shen Qingqiu was to caught up in thought to notice. 

"Maybe if I see real improvement." Shen Qingqiu scoffed, but didn't refuse. That was enough for Liu Qingge. 

The next day brought another meeting. Shen Qingqiu, released from Qian Cao showed up supported by a cane and Liu Qingge's elbow, yet he didn't look one bit fragile. Uncomfortable, in pain, but not fragile. Then and there he and Mu Qingfang loudly discussed reseting the bones with surgery, and how the nerve damage was partially recoverable for everyone to hear. No one dared to speak. 

Since then the sight of the Bai Zhan and Qing Jing Peak Lords together became common, especially during cold or rainy days Shen Qingqiu would support himself on the other man. This continued even after his bones were broken and reset again. They were always together and Liu Qingge haven't run away, or shown any disdain when he learden the truth about Shen Jiu. 

At first Shen Qingqiu felt utterly overwhelmed by Liu Qingge's attitude, but the more they knew each other, the more addicted he became. And Liu Qingge was happy to indulge his addiction.