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The first time they met was beneath the plum trees.
“What are you reading?” Yu Wenzhou turned his head around. Behind him was the Wang family’s young master.
Yu Wenzhou closed the book and stood up. “Art of War.”
“Is it good?” Wang Jiexi asked, “I’ve heard many things about it.”
“I’ve enjoyed it so far,” Yu Wenzhou was hesitant on what to say. It was not every day that one would find themselves holding a conversation with the eldest son of the prestigious Wang family. “It’s a must-read for battle strategists.”
The Yu family was not far behind either. However, that did not mean Yu Wenzhou enjoyed the same popularity as Wang Jiexi.
Weak, they called him, as his crippled hands prevented him from ever holding a weapon. He was the disgrace of the family, a dirty secret locked in the basement, overshadowed by his younger brother.
There was a twinkle in Wang Jiexi’s eyes, “I’ll consider reading it then.”
The brilliant reds and oranges were starting to set in, as the sun neared the horizon. Yu Wenzhou nodded and walked away. His silk robes dragged against the tiles, and a soft breeze drifted blossoms across his face.
“My name is Wang Jiexi, “ A voice shouted behind him.
Yu Wenzhou stopped before slowly turned around. The sunlight hit just so Wang Jiexi’s entire silhouette was illuminated. He looked like a god, standing amongst the falling flowers, with a slight smile on his face. But the two uneven eyes grounded Yu Wenzhou back to reality.
“I know,” Yu Wenzhou said in a whisper, hoping that the wind would carry his words.
There was someone in his usual spot. It was unmistakable who that person was.
“Ah,” Wang Jiexi looked up from the book he was reading, “You’re here.”
“Yes,” said Yu Wenzhou. It seems that I am, the sarcastic side of him wanted to say. But he held his tongue, this was young master Wang Jiexi he was speaking to after all, “Did you need something?”
“I was just reading the book you recommended me,” Wang Jiexi tilted the cover, just enough that the four characters, The Art of War, showed.
“Oh, how do you like it so far?” Technically he did not recommend the book, but Yu Wenzhou was a curious person.
“It’s enjoyable as you said,” Wang Jiexi thought for a bit, “Enjoyable for people like me.”
“For people like you?” Yu Wenzhou sat next to Wang Jiexi. He never noticed how small these benches were as it was just usually him wandering through these gardens.
“What was the word you used?” Wang Jiexi turned to Yu Wenzhou. His eyes lit up when he found the answer. “Battle-strategist.”
Yu Wenzhou chuckled, it had been a long time since he had company, “What is your favorite part?”
“Hmm. I don’t have any so far,” replied Wang Jiexi, “What about you?”
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Wang Jiexi scrunched his face, “That’s not very practical.”
“No it’s not,” Yu Wenzhou said after a while, “But it sounds nice.”
Wang Jiexi stared at Yu Wenzhou for a while before going back to his book. Yu Wenzhou sat there like an idiot, staring at the now empty sky.
After a while, Wang Jiexi got up to leave. However, he paused and turned around, “I don’t think I got your name last time.”
Yu Wenzhou was taken aback, but quickly regained his composure, “Yu Wenzhou.”
“Yu Wenzhou,” Wang Jiexi said slowly as if tasting the way it sounded in his mouth, “A pleasure to meet you.”
He was there the next time.
“Yu Wenzhou,” Wang Jiexi said after they sat in silence for an hour, “What’s your favorite food?”
“Why does that matter?” Yu Wenzhou mumbled. The interesting part just started so he did not bother setting his book down.
“I just wanted to know.”
“White-cut chicken.”
“Oh okay.”
Then the next time.
“This is for you,” Wang Jiexi shoved something into his lamp before settling down in his spot.
“What’s this?” Yu Wenzhou was careful not to drop it, “Why did you get me white-cut chicken?”
“Do you not like it?”
“No, I love it. Thank you.”
It went like this for many seasons.
Yu Wenzhou was not alone anymore. When he turned his head, there was always Wang Jiexi behind him. He would lift his head up and smile then go back to reading.
One day, Yu Wenzhou noticed that Wang Jiexi’s eyes were green. They were usually brown but when the sunlight hit at a certain angle, hues of green could be seen. Yu Wenzhou also noticed that the right side of Wang Jiexi’s mouth would raise higher whenever he smiled, or that he smelled like the Chrysanthemum tea.
“Yu Wenzhou,” Wang Jiexi’s voice shook him out of his daydreams, “What are you looking at?”
Yu Wenzhou was taught to tell the truth, but he lied this time, “Nothing.”
Over time, Yu Wenzhou felt a heavy weight slowly settle in his heart.
It was almost fall.
The darkening clouds and cold weather were a sure sign of it. Yu Wenzhou shivered as he sat on the bench.
Wang Jiexi was not here yet, but that was normal. He was an important person in a politic-torn landscape, so there were duties he had to attend to; and Yu Wenzhou could only live his dreams through his books.
He arrived soon after. Yu Wenzhou put his book down to greet him, but the expression on Wang Jiexi’s face stopped him.
“Wenzhou,” Wang Jiexi said as he sat down in his usual spot. Yu Wenzhou turned to face Wang Jiexi, but he did not do the same, choosing to stare at the sky in front of them.
“Is something the matter?” asked Yu Wenzhou
“Do you know about the war?” Wang Jiexi chose his words carefully, meticulously pronouncing each one.
Did he know about the war? Of course, Yu Wenzhou knew about the war. Everything was about the war nowadays, and Yu Wenzhou could only watch and listen to the stories, “I do.”
“I’m being conscripted.” The sky was empty but Wang Jiexi continued to stare at it.
Yu Wenzhou opened his mouth and then closed it. There were so many things he wanted to say but chose the simplest thing in the end.
“Stay safe okay? I’ll wait for you.”
Knock, knock, knock.
Yu Wenzhou hurriedly ran to open the door.
“Excuse me,” said the servant, clear from the way he dressed, “Are you Yu Wenzhou?”
Yu Wenzhou was taken aback. No one was supposed to know his name.
“Yes, that’s me,” he said.
The servant nodded and handed a letter to him, “Young master Wang instructed that I deliver this to you.”
“Oh really,” mumbled Yu Wenzhou as he carefully opened the sealed envelope, “How is he doing?”
The rain was the only thing that could be heard in the background.
After a while, the servant opened his mouth, “Wang Jiexi died in battle.”
Yu Wenzhou could only watch as the letter dropped to the floor.
They won as soon as the Hexagram Prison was cast. It covered the sun, turning the entire arena black.
Troubling Rain descended from the sky, cutting through the endless night with a simple Falling Light Blade. It was like lighting. Fast, bright, and deadly, as it cut through Vaccaria with a single swoop.
It didn’t take long before the “You Won” screen appeared in front of Yu Wenzhou.
“And the winner of season’s six championships is Blue Rain!”
“Captain Yu,” a voice called behind him.
“Captain Wang,” Yu Wenzhou greeted, “Your playing was impressive today”
“Thank you,” Wang Jiexi sat in the empty space next to Yu Wenzhou, “But clearly yours was better.”
It was the middle of spring and the plum trees were in full bloom. A small breeze passed by the area, sending blossoms floating through the air.
Yu Wenzhou smiled. “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
Wang Jiexi blinked a couple of times and then let out a chuckle, “The Art of War?”
“Oh, you’ve read it?”
“Yes, I have.”
“What do you think of it then?”
“It’s enjoyable.”