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It had been at least two hours since Sushang left the two at the nearby bookshop to focus on her Cloud Knight duties. By now, Dan Heng had gone through his 67th book from the shelf, yet still, he doesn't stop, reading through the pages in silent interest.
Luo Cha on the other hand was busy taking small sips from his teacup, presumably thinking of the things he must've had to sell right now. He did mention something about how he sold just about anything as long as it wasn't illegal— If Dan Heng wasn't mistaken. Although, what was he selling anyways? That coffin was probably the only thing on Luo Cha's person at all times.
Well anyways, it wasn't his business. He goes back to reading his book, taking his time skimming through the words so as to not miss anything from the complicated story he was reading.
Just before he could flip another page from his book, the silence between them is interrupted by none other than Luo Cha, who sets his teacup down to lean in towards Dan Heng's direction. "You seem quite fond of reading."
"Is it that obvious?" Dan Heng would respond, gaze leaving his book to focus on the man in front of him. "What makes you say so?"
Luo Cha takes a moment to think before glancing over to the neatly stacked books by Dan Heng's side. Compared to him, all Luo Cha had on his side of the table was the tea set he'd requested. He gives a slight smile before opening his mouth to answer.
"If I'm not mistaken, you've already read 66 books— 67 if you finish the one in your hand." He seemed precise in his claim, which sets off Dan Heng a little. And how would he have known that? He wonders, internally shocked by how correct that number was.
Dan Heng averts his gaze a bit before glancing back at the blonde. "How did you know that?" He didn't find it strange or creepy, more of a surprise at most.
"You would get up every time you'd finish the fifth book in the stack you'd gotten." Luo Cha would say in response, recalling how Dan Heng would shut the book in his hands before disappearing into the library area of the shop before coming back with more books to read, setting them down on the floor beside their shared table. "I was quite set off by how quick you would come back with more books right after returning everything else you've just read." Luo Cha gives a slight chuckle at what he had just said. "Here I wonder, just how do you remember what goes on in those books when you immediately read one right after the other?"
Dan Heng still skims through his pages, intrigued by how much Luo Cha had observed from him— So he was an observer type? How interesting.
"Small notes help me remember whatever I just read. Although, just a general idea of the book is also enough for me to remember fine details about it."
"Interesting," Luo Cha would mutter, though, just loud enough for Dan Heng to catch that. "But truly, you must find some of these titles a bore, right?" By the way he asks that question, it's quite clear to Dan Heng that he was quite interested in whatever he was doing right now. (though he might've been assuming things)
Though, to answer that question, Dan Heng gives a slight nod. The confirmation has Luo Cha intrigued. "Some of these are difficult to read, but I don't find it a waste of my time." He glances back at his now forgotten book before shutting it, placing it on the table. "Although this one's getting quite repetitive. I'd rather read something else for now." He would say, preparing to get up from his position to stretch a little.
Luo Cha's eyes follow him before he goes back to his tea set, humming slightly as he places each cup back onto the tray provided. "If that's the case, would you like recommendations on what to read this time? I know quite a few books that might interest you."
"Really?"
"Yes, I'm sure." Luo Cha gets up from his seat, giving Dan Heng a glance of amusement. "Come on, let's pick out a few. I'll read some with you since I have nothing better to do with my time."
To that, Dan Heng could barely contain his excitement. It was quite interesting when someone was willing to participate in whatever activity he wanted because that'd mean he'd have someone to understand the many troubles and joys he might have in that specific field. Although, for the sake of being at least calm, he only gives Luo Cha a slight nod in response as he follows him into the library area.
—
"This is also a nice pick." Luo Cha would say, picking up another book from the topmost shelf. "Very intriguing and complicated characters."
"You have…. seven in this stack already, don't you think it's time we head back to read all of these?" Dan Heng would raise a brow in concern and astonishment by how much books Luo Cha wanted to grab at this moment. In most of these, they all tackled either romance or necromancy.
"Hold on, I also haven't read this in a while. It'd be nice to reread this one." Luo Cha would dismiss Dan Heng in favor of another book, reaching for it. Although right after that, he would turn to look at Dan Heng— "If you want something, just take what you want. Don't let me crowd your interests, alright?" The blonde would say, a polite smile right on his face as he went back to skimming through the romance genres again.
Dan Heng would blush slightly at that before shaking his head, moving to another genre to look for good books to read. He'd best distract himself before Luo Cha notices his slightly red face. He'd muse to himself, reaching to grab a book that caught his eye by the spine of it— It was a pleasant jade color, highlighted by a darker shade of green. Now what was that about? Dan Heng could only wonder, reaching for it. Unfortunately for him, the book was a bit too high up for him to grab completely, so he'd had to struggle to reach for it, silently suffering from his very unhelpful height problem. But was he going to ask for help? No way. He could do this in maybe a minute.
Although, before he could struggle even more with his book reaching problem, a hand effortlessly takes the book he was reaching for, and the scent of fresh lilies and cologne fill the air surrounding Dan Heng. By the sight of blonde hair in his peripheral vision, it was already clear who it was.
So, he turns to look at the unexpected help— confirming his guess as his teal eyes travel up to meet green ones that hold a sense of amusement to them.
"... Is this what you were looking for?"
"Ah … Yes. Thank you for helping me get that. I was having a hard time with it." He takes the book from Luo Cha's hands, trying to hide his very evident blush right now by looking down. He wasn't really doing a good job on it, the more he thought of it.
Luo Cha chuckles a bit, the rich sounding voice making Dan Heng's blush worse, causing him to avert his gaze— looking over to the side. "No problem, Master Dan Heng. I'm always happy to help, you know?" He would say, the amusement from his tone not helping in any way at all. He seemed to have noticed that, backing up a little as he offered his hand out to help with Dan Heng's stack of books. "Well, shall we head back? I've gotten what I need. What about you?'
Dan Heng on the other hand, had a hard time recovering, but still tried his best to respond. ".... Yes, I'm done with my stack as well."
"Are you alright, Master Dan Heng? You're awfully quiet."
"Don't worry about me, I'm just thinking of what books I might need."
"Are you sure?" Luo Cha seemed deeply concerned by how he was responding. "You seem a bit troubled about something."
"It's nothing, really. I'm just—" Cut from trying to act like his calm and collected self, Luo Cha tilts Dan Heng's chin up, forcing the man to look at him completely as his blushing face becomes evident. With wide eyes, Dan Heng could barely utter a word to Luo Cha, who was deep into analyzing his expressions.
"It's not nothing if you're actively avoiding looking at me."
"Luo Cha—" To his dismay, it does nothing, only opting for the blonde to touch his face more, faces almost touching by how intimate it was. If this escalated any further, Dan Heng would definitely not be able to think straight for a while.
"You don't seem to have a fever anywhere." Luo Cha would mutter before whispering right at Dan Heng. "Could it be that you're nervous because of something?"
Dan Heng doesn't move.
"...... Nevermind, you don't need to tell me, I apologize for being too straightforward." Luo Cha suddenly pulls away from him, ceasing all contact as he flashes a pitying smile at Dan Heng, who was still so speechless from what happened. Was he aware of the effect he had on the boy? Dan Heng could only wonder as he would feel a slight sense of shamelessness from the man in front of him. Although, that might've just been him being delusional.
Though, Dan Heng replied.
"... It's fine.. Don't apologize." Was his voice trembling? He could barely tell anymore. ".. We should probably go back to reading, I'm quite interested in what you recommended." He smoothly covers up his spluttered sentence by going back on topic, finally finding courage to look Luo Cha in the eye. "I'll meet you back at our spot." And with that, Dan Heng grabs the stack of books Luo Cha had picked out, along with the jade-colored book, walking out of the area leaving the blonde to his own devices as he observed his companion handling the books in his hands.
To Dan Heng, it may have been the most humiliating thing he's gone through the entire time he'd been back at this place.
But to Luo Cha, it may have sparked something within him, causing him to smirk a little.
How adorable. Was all he could think, letting out a hum of amusement and intriguement.
The idea of having his recommendation be the 67th book Dan Heng would read in this library wasn't a bad idea all of a sudden.