EMS Chapter 7

Of course he should be leaving as soon as possible, but Feng Lingjun couldn’t be sure when he’ll be back. The situation is complicated, he needs to return to his sect to assess things further. He estimated that this trip would take at least a month, and at most two or three.

 

He spoke truthfully to Chu Qian, and Chu Qian’s eyes, which seemed to have been crushed, instantly became even dimmer. They had to be apart for so long, yet they had only known each other for a few days, hadn’t they?

 

That evening, the two returned to the thatched cottage together. Feng Lingjun searched himself for a long time but couldn’t find anything he could give to Chu Qian as a token. He wondered what he should leave behind this time. After some thought, he decided to cut off a lock of his hair as a gift.

 

The red candle flickered in the room, casting a solemn hue on his face. He raised his sword and, without hesitation, cut off a lock of hair, handing it to Chu Qian. Chu Qian was taken aback: “What do you mean by giving me your hair?”

 

“It makes it seem more serious,” Feng Lingjun replied.

 

“……”

 

Chu Qian was confused and unfamiliar with the customs below the mountain. He vaguely remembered his master mentioning something similar. What did it mean to exchange hair? … Then he suddenly remembered. His master had once said that the woman who swore an oath with him under the tree had cut a lock of her hair during their betrothal, intertwining it with his as a sign of their lifelong commitment and unity.

 

A lifelong commitment, huh…

 

Chu Qian suddenly felt awkward, almost unable to meet Feng Lingjun’s gaze. He turned his face to the side, yanked off his hair tie, and let his long hair fall. Using Feng Lingjun’s sword, he cut off a lock of his own hair, then twisted the two locks together and tied a knot.

 

Feng Lingjun was momentarily stunned, just about to ask a question, when Chu Qian, disregarding everything, pushed Feng Lingjun down and firmly kissed him against the bedpost.

 

Although Chu Qian’s actions were decisive, he was still trembling. He gripped Feng Lingjun’s wrist tightly, forcing himself to stop shaking. He was sad, yet this sadness brought him a joy he had never experienced before, and the joy intensified his sorrow, creating a cycle that threatened to numb his entire heart. His other hand remained tightly grasping the knot of hair.

 

“We have already done the tying the knot ceremony, you cannot forget about me.” Chu Qian bit Feng Lingjun’s lip and said stubbornly, “No matter how good or lively it is outside, no matter how beautiful the scenery is, you must not forget me, okay?”

 

“……”

 

“Alright?”

 

Feng Lingjun couldn’t resist. How could he disagree? He considered himself a person who prioritised the bigger picture, and romantic feelings had never been a hindrance for him. Yet, the weight of Chu Qian’s sorrowful gaze was too heavy, even the most heartless person would struggle to bear it.

 

Feng Lingjun almost indulgently allowed Chu Qian to loosen his belt. Chu Qian was quite clumsy, especially on this parting night, his movements both awkward and fierce. Feng Lingjun suspected he might want to bite him to death. He was clearly the one at fault, yet his expression was still pitifully on the verge of crying. 

 

How did it come to this?

 

Feng Lingjun recalled with a sense of daze, suddenly realising that his fate had taken a sharp turn in Wangchun Mountain. He had picked up a person and, in a muddled way, had invested his later years into this relationship.

 

Can he still turn back?

 

As if sensing his thoughts, Chu Qian tightened his grip around his waist, instinctively engaging him with fervour. There was little tenderness; instead, it gave rise to a lingering, passionate intensity.

 

As emotions intensified, the night darkened.

 

Feng Lingjun didn’t know when he had fallen asleep, while Chu Qian refused to sleep. He stayed awake watching over him, watching him the entire night.

 

The next morning, Feng Lingjun descended the mountain. Chu Qian saw him off with red eyes, walking while still tightly holding his hand for two miles. Feng Lingjun felt a stir in his heart. However, parting is still inevitable even after being together for a long time. He pried open Chu Qian’s iron-like fingers and picked a flower from the narrow mountain path; it was still a camellia. He forcefully stuffed the camellia into Chu Qian’s hand.

 

“I’m leaving now, you should go back.”

 

“……”

 

Feng Lingjun, dressed in the white clothes he had arrived in, truly resembled a passerby as he walked through the mountains and forests. Chu Qian watched him leave, standing still in place, tears uncontrollably streaming down his face.

 

Feng Lingjun glanced back briefly, then turned away again. His figure, silhouetted against the rising sun, vanished along the winding mountain path—

 

Completely disappearing. 

 

……