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She took his hand in hers, passing her thumb over the back of frail, nimble fingers. Her teacher… mentor… father…? he sighed, smiling as he turned his head to look at her, his hand unconsciously reaching to pet a friend that was no longer there.
“Qiqi, shouldn’t you be helping Chen?” he asked, a smile framing his words. She frowned as he coughed into his sleeve, pursing her lips as her hold tightened just a bit.
“Chen will be fine without Qiqi,” she replied, letting his hand go to reach for the water on his nightstand. “Uncle Gui taught him well, right?” she inquired, nodding once when Baizhu laughed, a strained sound coming from him. He took the water from her, thanking her silently as he brought the cup to his lips. “So can’t Qiqi just stay here?” A beat. “Stay here with you?”
Baizhu hummed, and she moved to help him sit up, concern colouring her face as he winced. As always, he waved her off, pushing her hands away as he straightened his posture. His bright hair had long since lost its vibrance, strands of green now marred by white that framed his face. And yet Baizhu was still so content on doing things on his own, tapping the back of her hand as he reached for his glasses.
He didn’t even have to open his mouth for her to know his answer, shaking her head as she took his hand again. “It doesn't matter if you don’t think you need help,” she scolded quietly, bringing her chair closer to him. “Qiqi wants to help you.”
He chuckled again, and Qiqi pouted. Despite her poor memory, there was only so much she could recall at will, leaning her head against her palm as she looped her fingers with his. Baizhu smiled, his eyes creasing at the edges as he squeezed her hand. He always did this when he was younger, but now… his grip wasn’t half as strong as it used to be.
Believe it or not, this really did worry her, a soft huff escaping her frame as he waved their hands around, rocking to an old tune she couldn’t remember the name of.
“Master Baizhu,” she started, and he hummed to show her he was listening. “Qiqi thought… Qiqi always thought the adepti would let you live long with her… since you watched her? But Qiqi…” her voice trailed off, eyes falling to her lap. Baizhu’s grip diminished to nothing and Qiqi scrambled to pick his hand back up, too ashamed to look at his face. “Chen and Uncle Gui said you… they told me that...” she bit her lip. “You’ll get better, right?”
He laughed, and she felt her shoulders fall, disappointment and dejection flooding her senses. “Master Baizhu,” she said again, uncaring of the whining tone her voice had taken. Still, he raised his hand, a knowing smile on his face.
“I’m afraid that isn’t the case, my dear Qiqi,” he replied, patting her hair. “The gods have blessed me with a long life. A life much longer than I could ever dream of.” He shrugged and Qiqi found herself finding little comfort in the action. “I have no other thing to do now but be thankful.”
She tilted her head, brows knitting together. “Thankful?”
“Yes, very thankful,” he echoed. “I have not been the most honest man and some might go out of their way to call me a fraud, but the archons have overlooked my failures and gave me the opportunity to get to know you.” A smile as Baizhu pulled his hand back into his lap. “We have done many things together, my dear Qiqi. We have seen waters and mountains, stars and lanterns… what more do I need in life if it wasn’t to have you by my side?”
Qiqi frowned, deep in thought as she knotted her fingers together. The silence was almost too much for her to bear, from Baizhu’s steady breathing to the crickets from outside the window, her mind was going much too fast for her to handle, much too fast for her to make sense of anything.
She blinked, turning to look up at him with determination.
“You need to be reborn, Master Baizhu,” she said suddenly, and the man’s eyes widened in surprise. “Qiqi hopes the gods give you a new life soon!” She pressed the palms of her hands together, nodding to herself. “Qiqi is sure you weren’t that bad. The archons should have mercy on you just like the adepti will. You took care of Qiqi for so long after all. After you do that, you can grow up and be with Qiqi again. She’ll find you. She promises.”
He stared in shock, golden eyes glazing over before he chuckled. She watched him swipe at his eye before opening his arms. Instinctively, she climbed into the bed beside him, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug. “And are you sure you can keep this promise?” he asked once she pulled away, sitting next to him instead.
“Qiqi promises, Master Baizhu,” she said, taking his hand when he offered it to her… only to rip it away to grab her notebook. “But she needs to write it down first. She doesn't want to forget since it’s very important,” she admitted, and Baizhu laughed as she scribbled away.
He sighed again as he brushed her hair.
A long life indeed.
FIN