Red Strings of Connections

Chapter 45 Under the Willow Tree

Tiao Reinshun stood up, still looking at him.

"Are you alright now Xuanyu?" There's really no need to confirm it based on his actions, it is obvious that he already recovers from that sudden intrusive trauma but has now facing something more frightening to him.

Upon getting question, he was shocked and panics to the point he absentmindedly took back his hands from water and hid it behind him, ignoring the fact that it was both incredibly wet and water were dripping down the wooden floor of the inn and his robes.

The night on that very same day, Xingxiu Xuanyu stays at that ball position until Tiao Reinshun slept.

It was an awkward moment for them, but she doesn't care, not for Xingxiu Xuanyu though, who just want for the ground to open up and swallow him whole.

Twisted, someone might call her, but as always, she doesn't care, she really finds "Xingxiu Xuanyu the Ball" incredibly adorable, and if she get ask why, then it is just because she much prefer this adorable sulking state rather than him having an attack because of his trauma.

Tiao Reinshun sat down next to him, trying to peek if she could see a little portion of Xingxiu Xuanyu's expression currently, no luck. She raises her hand and gently patted his back head, that had been long since free from his own hand. Upon the familiar touch, Xingxiu Xuanyu jerks up and whips his head with wide eyes he confirms the person sitting next to him that have smile.

The kind of smile that Tiao Kanglin could never ever able to copy despite them being twins.

The smile that made Xingxiu Xuanyu fell in love to her repeatedly.

That beautiful genuine smile that lace with soothing effect to whoever would see, fortunately for Xingxiu Xuanyu, he sees this smile from her everyday and much more often than to their siblings, even much more than to Wei Wuxian.

"Reinshun..."

Tiao Reinshun tilts her head in recognition of his soft voice saying her name, "You know I miss that... you—calling my name."

Gently, Xingxiu Xuanyu took her hand from his head and let go of it as soon that he lowers it.

"Aren't it "You misses everyone calling you to your courtesy name" instead?"

"What? Throwing tantrum now? At our ages?"

"As if..." Xingxiu Xuanyu pouted, looking away from her, on another hand, Tiao Reinshun finds him cute.

Both went quiet for a while, Tiao Reinshun's gaze landed on the crystal-clear pond, while Xingxiu Xuanyu peeks at her calm and refreshing face.

"Where have you been Reinshun?" Xingxiu Xuanyu finally ask, defeating the silence that eating them. "And what happen? There's no way you'll get kidnap at all."

"You are giving me too much credit, Xuanyu."

"It was just either you let them take you or they've used something to make you lost consciousness then dragged you."

"Wow... such credit. But... yeah, I did come with them... peacefully."

"Why? Who are those people that took you away? It is just like Ying-xiong have said?"

"What did he say?"

"That... it was probably your grandparents."

"Right, Ying-xiong is the only one that knew about it..."

"So, it was really them?" Tiao Reinshun nodded, "But why?"

"To replaced me—no, on their term it was to give back what have really belonged to Tiao Kanglin."