Chapter 42 Black Bear's Comforting Kiss
The night wind, carrying dampness, slipped in from the eaves of the Xie family's old house, stirring up the half-inch of dust that had accumulated on the windowsill of the study. The wooden window frames creaked in the wind, the sound mingling with the rustling of leaves from the old locust tree outside the courtyard, all of which was particularly clear in the otherwise heavy silence of the house.
The footsteps of Wu Xie and Fatty Wang had just disappeared at the end of the corridor. Fatty was still muttering, "If we run into those old fogies from the Nine Gates tomorrow, I'll smash their teacups!" Wu Xie whispered to him not to be impulsive. The door between the two of them clicked shut, shutting out the last bit of their lively conversation. Xie Yuchen didn't return to his room. When he bumped into him in the courtyard earlier, he was holding a hand-drawn map of the house, instructing several men in short jackets on the defenses. There were three underground channels hidden under the foundation of the Xie family's old house. They were built by Ninth Master Xie to guard against unforeseen circumstances. During the daytime inspection, they found that the entrance to the westernmost channel had been disturbed. No one could say for sure whether it was left by someone watching them.
Only Zhang Qiling remained in the study. He didn't sit, but stood by the window, the moonlight pouring down on him like cold water, making the shoulder lines of his navy blue hoodie appear even sharper. The windowpane reflected his profile; his jawline was taut, his eyelashes drooping, obscuring the emotions in his eyes, leaving only a faint shadow on the bridge of his nose. In his hand, he clutched half a yellowed piece of paper, which he had found that afternoon in a hidden compartment of the old house. On it, a corner of the Zhang family's ancient building was drawn in vermilion, with a few lines of blurred handwriting beside it—the handwriting of the ancestors of the Nine Gates. Years ago, the Zhang family and the Nine Gates had agreed to jointly protect the Bronze Gate, but at the last moment, someone stole the crucial key, causing the Zhang family to lose most of its manpower. He had held this grudge for many years.
When the door was gently pushed open, Zhang Qiling didn't turn around. He was all too familiar with Hei Xiazi's footsteps; they were as light as a cat's, yet carried an inescapable smell of tobacco, which could be detected even from several steps away.
"Still struggling with this piece of paper?" Black Bear's voice carried a hint of amusement as he held a white porcelain plate with two celadon cups on it. The wine inside was warmed yellow rice wine, gleaming with an amber light. He walked over to Zhang Qiling, placed the plate on the windowsill, and handed him a cup. His fingertip deliberately brushed against the back of Zhang Qiling's hand—the touch was slightly cool, like touching a thin layer of snow. Zhang Qiling's fingers twitched almost imperceptibly, but he didn't pull away.
"The debt to the Nine Gates must be repaid." Zhang Qiling took the cup, his gaze still fixed on the old locust tree outside the window. The swaying shadows of the tree resembled the tangled vines in the ancient building back then. He recalled the sight of his clansmen lying in pools of blood, and his Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
Hei Xiazi leaned against the window frame, one hand in his pocket, his fingertips rubbing the mint candy inside—it was given to him by Wu Xie during the day, who said it would refresh him. "Debts must be repaid, but one cannot be worn down." He looked at Zhang Qiling's hand gripping the cup, his knuckles white from the force. "Do you think you're made of bronze? You were fighting in the dark all day, the cuts on your arms haven't even healed yet, and now you're out here in the cold wind at night."
The aroma of alcohol slowly spread between them, mingling with the scent of grass and trees outside the window, somewhat dispelling the somber mood. Zhang Qiling tilted his head back and drank the wine in his glass in one gulp. The warm wine slid down his throat, but it couldn't warm the chill in his heart. Hei Xiazi stared at his profile. The moonlight fell precisely on his brow, making the habitual furrowed brow line particularly prominent, as if someone had carved a mark on it with a knife. He suddenly reached out and gently traced that line with his fingertips, the movement so light as if afraid of breaking something.
"Don't always frown." Black Bear's voice lowered, with a hint of softness that was barely perceptible. "If you really get wrinkles, you'll look old even when you're fighting Fatty for steamed buns."
Zhang Qiling grabbed his wrist, the grip not strong, but with a clear sense of resistance. He didn't push him away, just held it, his fingertips able to feel the pulse on Hei Xiazi's wrist, steady and powerful. "You're meddling too much," he said, his voice flat, but a faint blush crept into his ears—he didn't actually dislike Hei Xiazi's touch, even somewhat used to it, but he was clumsy with words and couldn't bring himself to say anything soft.
“Fine, I’ll take care of it.” Black Bear took advantage of the situation and moved closer, the distance between them instantly shrinking to almost nothing. He could smell the faint scent of pine in Zhang Qiling’s hair. “Who told me I’m your man? You didn’t say that when you gave me the oxygen tank at the bottom of the Xisha Islands last time.”
These words were like a pebble thrown into calm water. Zhang Qiling recalled the time in the Xisha Islands when he was trapped on a coral reef, his oxygen nearly running out. It was Hei Xiazi who risked his life to pull him out, even giving him the last half-empty oxygen bottle, almost suffocating himself in the water. He knew then that this man was different. He turned his face away, unable to look into Hei Xiazi's eyes—those eyes, always smiling, now shone as if they held starlight, too easily making him uneasy.
Hei Xiazi chuckled, his voice full of triumph. He took the opportunity to lean forward, his lips lightly touching Zhang Qiling's lips, like a feather brushing against them, carrying the mellow aroma of rice wine.
"You..." Zhang Qiling was about to speak when Hei Xiazi extended his fingertip and gently pressed it against his lips. The fingertip had thin calluses, the result of years of handling guns and knives, and felt very solid.
"Shh—" Black Bear's eyes gleamed with cunning as he gently lifted Zhang Qiling's chin with his other hand, making him turn around. "Let me take a good look at you."
He slowly leaned closer, his nose brushing against Zhang Qiling's cheek, a slight tickle. Their breaths mingled, the scent of alcohol mingling with their own, flowing between their lips and teeth. This kiss lasted longer than before, yet remained gentle, like moonlight falling on skin, so tender that Zhang Qiling's fingers trembled slightly. He thought of all these years, how he had always traveled alone, from Changbai Mountain to Xisha, from the Qinling Mountains to Gulou. People came and went, but only Hei Xiazi was like an inseparable shadow, appearing when he was most weary, shielding him from the storms of life.
"Fool." Black Bear pressed his forehead against his, his voice tinged with pity. "If you're in pain, just say it. I won't laugh at you." He knew the bitterness in Zhang Qiling's heart. The family missions that weighed on his shoulders, the lingering past, were like a mountain, making it hard for him to breathe.
Zhang Qiling was silent for a moment, then slowly released Hei Xiazi's wrist and instead grabbed his collar. He didn't speak, but tilted his head slightly and kissed him first. The kiss was tinged with alcohol, and with suppressed grievances and dependence, clumsy yet passionate, like a flood finally finding its outlet. Hei Xiazi was startled at first, then reacted, gently wrapping his arms around Zhang Qiling's waist, pulling him closer to his chest, and running his other hand through Hei Xiazi's thick black hair, his fingertips gently caressing his scalp.
Moonlight streamed through the window, casting their intertwined shadows on the wall like a flowing painting. The old locust tree leaves were still rustling, and the wind, carrying a dampness, blew in, but the chill from before was gone. After a long while, the two separated, panting. Zhang Qiling's cheeks were flushed, and her eyes held a hint of confusion, like a small animal that had just been calmed down.
"Are you feeling better?" Hei Xiazi's thumb gently caressed Zhang Qiling's burning earlobe, the touch so soft it made his heart tremble.
Zhang Qiling didn't speak, only softly humming in agreement, then buried his head in Hei Xiazi's shoulder. His movements were gentle, tinged with a cautious dependence. Hei Xiazi could feel his warm breath on the crook of his neck, like a feather tickling his heart. His heartbeat slowed instantly, and he tightened his arms, completely protecting Zhang Qiling in his embrace.
"Go to sleep." Hei Xiazi's voice was gentle. "We still have to deal with those old foxes tomorrow. If they see the dark circles under your eyes, they'll think we're afraid of them." He knew that tomorrow's confrontation wouldn't be easy. Those descendants of the Nine Gates were all scheming and might use some tricks. He had to protect Zhang Qiling and not let him get hurt again.
Hei Xiazi reached out and blew out the oil lamp on the table, plunging the study into darkness, with only the moonlight remaining. He naturally took Zhang Qiling's hand, their fingertips intertwined. Zhang Qiling's fingers were a little cold, so he wrapped them in his own hand, and they slowly walked towards the door. The corridor was quiet, with only the sound of their footsteps falling softly on the blue brick floor, like a gentle drumbeat.
As Hei Xiazi approached Zhang Qiling's door, he stopped. Before he could let go of Zhang Qiling's hand, he heard Zhang Qiling softly say, "You stay too." His voice was soft, yet clear enough, and Hei Xiazi's eyes instantly lit up.
"Okay." Black Bear replied with a smile, took his hand, and pushed open the door to go inside.
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