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Ba Ye marched into Fo Ye's estate like he was on a warpath, his robe fluttering dramatically behind him.
None of the soldiers outside stopped him; they were already used to his antics. Besides, Ba Ye pretty much had free rein to come and go as he pleased, just like Er Ye, unless Fo Ye or his Fu Guan explicitly said otherwise.
Taking two steps at a time, Ba Ye climbed the staircase leading from the main hall to the upper floor and turned sharply left. He wished he weren't quite so familiar with the building at times like this, but at least it made it easy to find Fo Ye's office.
The doors stood open, so Ba Ye let himself in without even bothering to knock.
Surprisingly, the desk was deserted, though papers were stacked high upon it, held in place by a tiger carved from dark wood.
Ba Ye was half tempted to pocket the paperweight and leave, forcing Fo Ye to come looking for him instead, but in the end he didn't dare. Even if he had been the one to give Fo Ye that tiger as a gift.
Huffing in frustration at not finding his target where he expected him, Ba Ye turned to leave when he spotted the silhouette of a man in a very familiar uniform sitting in an armchair with his back to him.
A sly smirk spread across Ba Ye's face.
Was the poor commander taking a nap in his office without even noticing his arrival?
Why, it would be a shame if someone were to startle him awake by, say, blowing against his ear from a safe distance, wouldn't it?
Especially after Fo Ye's men had turned up at his shop while Ba Ye had been out and harassed his assistant into "lending" them some old artifacts for an "emergency" without providing so much as an explanation.
All they had left his servant with was a promise to do their best to return the pieces in the same condition they'd borrowed them.
Not very reassuring for someone who'd witnessed Fo Ye handling artifacts under duress during "emergencies."
So yes, Ba Ye figured some payback was in order. Just a little, at least. Not that it would do him much good in the long run—Fo Ye would still do as he pleased—but it would give Ba Ye a small measure of satisfaction.
Carefully slinking closer on tiptoe, Ba Ye couldn't help but grin mischievously. He knew it was too much to hope that Fo Ye would let out a high-pitched scream, but he certainly hoped to make him jump.
Leaning toward where he deduced the man's head to be, Ba Ye drew a breath, ready to blow it out in a sudden puff, when he caught a better glimpse of the hair and realized the color was off.
Carefully peeking farther around the chair, he realized he'd almost pranked the wrong person.
Rather than Fo Ye, it was his lieutenant, Rishan, resting in the armchair. His face was slack in sleep, making him look every bit as young as he was—and so very innocent.
Ba Ye wanted to scoff at the thought but couldn't quite bring himself to. Even if Rishan could be just as much of a tease as Fo Ye—hardly surprising with that kind of role model—he was innocent in plenty of other ways.
As much as Ba Ye wanted to tease him in return by giving in to the nearly irresistible urge to pinch those cheeks, he refrained.
He'd witnessed firsthand how Fo Ye made use of his capable lieutenant, never pushing him too far, but still working him nearly to the bone without quite crossing the line.
So seeing Rishan relaxed and resting for once was a rare sight. Clearly, he felt safe here in Fo Ye's office, comfortable enough to lower his guard and stop keeping watch.
It wouldn't do to ruin that just for the sake of a little payback.
At least not where Rishan was concerned.
Turning on the spot, Ba Ye looked around and had to bite his lip to keep from exclaiming in triumph when he spotted a folded blanket nearby.
Fo Ye could brag all he wanted that his Fu Guan never got sick, but that didn't mean Ba Ye couldn't offer him a little comfort.
The seer moved with exaggerated care as he draped the blanket over Rishan and tucked it snugly beneath his chin.
With the door standing open and the weather threatening as it was, all it would take was for the heavens to open and the temperature would drop quickly.
By Ba Ye's calculations, that was going to happen any moment now.
Content with his handiwork, Ba Ye admired the scene for another moment before feeling oddly self-conscious watching the other man sleep and tucked his hands behind his back.
Realizing he wasn't going to air his grievances to the man responsible for them today, he quietly left the office. After a few steps down the corridor, he came to a halt, his thoughts lingering on the sleeping lieutenant. With a quiet sigh, he turned back.
The floorboard creaked beneath his foot as he stepped into the room once more, making him wince, but luckily the other occupant didn't stir.
Taking hold of one of the doors, Ba Ye carefully drew it shut before easing the other closed, the latch settling into place with little more than a soft click.
A few moments later, Ba Ye marched away, satisfied that people would think twice before disturbing anyone inside now that the doors were shut.
They knew better than to ignore such a clear sign.
Whistling happily to himself, he stepped out of the mansion and hurried down the street, slipping beneath the eaves without breaking stride just a heartbeat before rain came pouring down.
Inside the mansion, Zhang Rishan was warm and cozy, and his cheeks felt pleasantly warm.
That Ba Ye.
He couldn't understand him or his actions at all.
Hadn't he listened when Fo Ye told him Rishan couldn't catch a cold? It was just like Ba Ye not to listen.
Still, he couldn't deny that he'd been intrigued when Ba Ye had attempted to sneak up on him, so he'd let him, fully prepared to startle him right back if he tried anything funny.
He hadn't expected the other man to stop, simply watch him, and then wrap him in a blanket.
The gesture had been completely unnecessary.
Even so...
It made him feel... fuzzy.
In a comfortable sort of way.
Perhaps he'd back the Eighth Master up the next time Fo Ye pushed him too far.
Then again, it was always entertaining to watch Ba Ye get all flustered. Though Ba Ye protested—a lot—Rishan had the distinct impression he didn't mind nearly as much as he claimed. After all, he always ended up forgiving Fo Ye.
Or perhaps Ba Ye was a greater schemer than Rishan had given him credit for.
The warmth was making him sleepy again, and it became harder and harder to resist the temptation of another nap.
All his duties were finished, so surely Fo Ye wouldn't mind?
He'd have to tell Fo Ye about Ba Ye's behavior, though. Once Fo Ye returned. Maybe he could make sense of it.
With those thoughts in mind, Rishan drifted off to sleep once more.