"Bai Gege!" Han Shun entered the empty teashop, trying to find Bai Gege somewhere.
"Bai Gege, it's me, Han Shun!"
…
There was no answer from the kitchen where Bai Gege usually stayed. He started to get anxious when he couldn't find Bai Gege anywhere, even when he searched all around the teashop.
"M—Maybe he is in his courtyard!" Han Shun said to calm himself down. He rushed to Bai Gege's courtyard, hoping he could see the beautiful Bai Gege playing Guqin under the plum blossom tree.
But when he entered the courtyard, he found nothing but silence.
"Gege…"
Han Shun was lost. He didn't know what to do since he couldn't find Bai Gege everywhere.
He approached the plum blossom tree and found a letter near the tree trunk.
He opened the letter and found Bai Gege's handwriting. He knew this because Bai Gege had taught him how to read and write, so he knew really well what Bai Gege's handwriting looked like.
—
Han Shun, you're too weak, and it's not possible for me to take you with me.
I gave you everything in this residence and the teashop, please take good care of it.
I am returning to my realm, Heavenly realm.
- Bai Shijue
—
Han Shun's heart was shattered into pieces as he slumped on the ground, his tears started wetting the letter.
Han Shun shook his head, unable to believe this happened, "Bai Gege! Why did you leave me? You said you would wait for me. Why!?"
"Bai Gege, please answer me!"
"BAI GEGE!"
**
"Gege—" Han Shun opened his eyes in a split second. His heart was pumping, and he was sweating all over.
He looked around and found himself inside the military barrack, sleeping in a wooden bed with a very thin mattress.
'So it was all a dream….' Han Shun thought. 'But that dream feels so real, Bai Gege… will leave me for real…."
Four years had passed since he entered the barrack. He was now twelve years old, and he grew out to be not so scrawny, at least. Thanks to Bai Gege's constant meat delivery, combined with the arduous training every day.
Nothing changed much. He was still the same kid who trained with all adult soldiers under Young General Fei's command.
General Fei thought that Han Shun would give up against the training, but it turned out he had enough determination for this harsh life of a soldier. He even started learning martial arts seriously and had shown great progress for twelve years boy, especially since he could beat soldiers twice his size. He was also skillful enough to stay on his feet for more than five minutes against the majestic General Fei.
Needless to say, General Fei was impressed.
Han Shun told him that he didn't want to be the little helper for General Fei to deliver his feeling towards Bai Shijue. Thus, General Fei punished him severely so many times.
Yet, this kid was very willful.
…
Han Shun got up from the bed and went out to wash his face. He couldn't sleep after dreaming of Bai Gege leaving him. He had to train again, training his body, his martial arts, and everything, to be with Bai Gege.
Han Shun stood in an open field near the lake where everyone usually took a bath and started practicing his martial art stance and kick.
"Hyat! Hah! Huh! Hup!"
"Han Shun, it's late at night. You should be sleeping."
Han Shun heard the familiar voice of Bai Gege. He looked around, trying to find the voice source, and saw the light coming from the moon above.
"Bai Gege?"
Hundreds of butterflies formed in the sky, and Bai Shijue manifested his body after the butterflies dispersed.
He was floating down gently until he stepped his foot right in front of Han Shun.
"Why are you still practicing late at night?" Bai Shijue asked.
Han Shun wasn't unfamiliar with Bai Gege, who visited him often. Bai Gege usually manifested himself when the full moon rose and often gave Han Shun food that he cooked from the teashop.
"Gege…" Han Shun stared at his Bai Gege for a moment before lowering his gaze. "I… I just want to get stronger, Gege. That's why I'm practicing my stance."
"Rest is still important, you know. Don't get too tired. Go to sleep."
"I can't sleep, Gege."
"Hm? Why?"
"Because I have a terrible dream tonight," Han Shun said truthfully. "I… I found myself too weak, too useless for you. When I returned to the teashop, I couldn't find you anywhere, and you left me a letter saying that you left me because I'm just not good enough."
"Gege, will you leave me?" Han Shun asked. He sounded desperate and sad at the same time.
[Awww, baby boo, I won't leave you. Literally, my mission in this world is to bring you to the immortal realm!]
[Pupa: It's been 4 years already, you should teach him one or two things about cultivating qi.]
[Aish, you said that I should be waiting for him to be at least 16 years old!]
[Pupa: That's just a rough guess, who knew that he grows up really fast and strong. He is literally almost as tall as you right now. He is also almost as strong as General Fei. General Fei can defeat him easily because Han Shun was still inexperienced compared to General Fei, who had been in many life or death situations.]
[Hmm, I feel like he needs more time. Probably when he reaches 13 years old? It's only a few months away anyway.]
Bai Shijue had set up the birthday for Han Shun. Since Han Shun didn't know his birthdate, Bai Shijue set up the first time Han Shun ever came to his teashop as his birthday.
"I will not leave you, Han Shun. I will stay until you're strong enough to follow me. So you should work hard and have needed rest, okay?" Bai Shijue suggested.
"… Gege, can I request something?" Han Shun suddenly asked.
"Of course!"
Han Shun took one step forward to close his gap with Bai Gege, and he hugged Bai Gege's chest tightly.. Han Shun buried his face on Bai Gege's chest and said, "Gege, hug me."
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