#si ye

``-> After giving a few pointers, Si Ye decided on guiding Xu Rongyuan when he bumped into the other again(He definitely didn't send a butterfly to follow). He found Xu Rongyuan quite adorable, getting scared easily, progressively sweating and avoiding his quiet touches. It's not everyday that the Priest find one wandering the mountains, and it's not everyday he so graciously lend a hand. Other days... sacrificing one never hurts his Believers.

``-> Observing the boy picking even more herbs along the way, clearly amazed by the floras flourishing in the deep dark mountain—something clicked within Si Ye. Isn't this like a cat? Hearing the younger (Si Ye assumes) whispered voice felt like heaven on earth for the past hour leading the way, he didn't find himself being lost to riddles for once. Glancing at Xu Rongyuan who still looking up and down the flower and a book his hand holds, Si Ye approached quietly. He reached his hand out, "If you would like, enter the mountains every six days the same way, I will show you more of these herbs you so long for."

``-> It was a coincidence appearing in the mountains. In fact, Xu Rongyuan knows he didn't enter a mountain that is quite ominous. He's certain of it. The smell is different from the original mountain he halfway explored. And the way he even entered, for half a second, he felt the mountains shift, his heart thumping loudly against his chest. He remembered falling down in a clear area with nothing that could have potentially trip him.

``-> Xu Rongyuan accepted the offer after having clear judgement in his eyes. In truth, he never thought his basket would be so bountiful. He came because he read in a mythology book, there is a herb that could cure every chronic illness there is. Few he picked up along the way are shown in the book, so there could be a chance Mu Linghao could be cured by him with the help of this man's mountain.

``-> Sure, the way Si Ye stares is off putting and downright sends shivers down Xu Rongyuan's spine, if it helps even a little to his friend's suffering then... He showed Si Ye the book page, his heart beating faster when the other came close. It didn't matter to him anymore whether Si Ye was a friend or foe. Right now, he's the only one who may know the wherebouts of a legendary herb. Xu Rongyuan never wants to see his friend faked being fine, he's supposed to be able to help him. Even on his own death bed, he'll find a cure. In any way, if anything ever happens the next time he visits, he already marked all the trees they passed by; never too cautious of a strange man with a staff and a butterfly mask.

``-> Seeing the page, Si Ye quietly nodded—not saying anything in particular. Is he captivated by the voice? He is. Did the hopeful eyes with long lashes of the young one stir something? The long hair? Who knows. Possibly. But alas, it is their first meeting and he is a priest. He can't ask for where the boy lived nor if he is willing to be his 'medicine'. He'll wait for the pretty doll to loosen his guards. Coming up a few excuses or showing other rare herbs may help prolonging the search of the herb Xu Rongyuan had showed. Maybe then, he can ask him to join ♪ It irked him however, when Xu Rongyuan says he can't guarantee to visit every week. A feeling of frustration creeped Si Ye. It's unreasonable to expect the boy to come every week..

``-> Xu Rongyuan after finally getting to the foot of the mountain, exchanged names with Si Ye. That turned out to be a bad decision, as for the week, he kept sneezing—leading Jiusi to ask him to lay down and take a rest. He would later found out the mountain is somehow connected to Nanjiang and Si Ye is a Priest of the Eternal Night the hard and long way. An encounter he wished he gave up on from the first week.

``-> Receiving an invitation to Nanjiang because of a patient is rare and takes a long time to prepare. With the two countries in tension with each other, such visits became less accepted for the Serene Clinic. But this time, Xu Rongyuan doesn't want to reject it and hurried to make permission to leave the Capital for the needed days; An old friend of his father's is in dire need of help, yet is stubborn enough to not want to approach a nearby clinic that is not his father's.

``-> When he arrived, he's grateful the children of the man tries their best to make it as discreet as possible, making sure his identity is hidden from the crowds and servants. He spent a week treating the patient, the situation was worse than he iniatially thought, and stayed up at every minute to see progress. At the end of the week, the older man got better and only need to drink more medicines without being stubborn. It was a simple illness, but it could worsen to the point of death if the patient refused medicine or check up. Finally, Xu Rongyuan was about to leave, but was invited to dine at a restaurant in the Jianghu. He still had a week or two permission, so it should be fine.

``-> Dining at a high end restaurant felt quite strange and out of place for Xu Rongyuan. He thought they'd enjoy it all together, but Old Li has business to do.. so it is just Jiusi and him for today. Atleast the yellow clothed boy is excited to try the restaurant out, that made Xu Rongyuan feel a bit better.

``-> On the way to the restaurant, Xu Rongyuan bumped into a red haired man. He apologized, he doesn't have the strength to find anyone today.. and Jiusi could end up hurt while on Jianghu. Thankfully the man didn't seem to mind, laughing it off. He then asked the scroll Xu Rongyuan is holding; a reservation for Hundred Flavors Pavillion. We're just two people.. and he seems familiar with the route, inviting him won't hurt.

``-> The three sat down in the private room, a servant soon arriving. Xu Rongyuan noticed the servant tensing, but maybe it's just because he is wearing a veil accompanied by two guys wearing a bamboo hats and one a sword, the other a heavy sword..? He tries to calm the mood by asking Fei Luodao for reccomendations(they introduced each other on the way). The Red Haired stared at Xu Rongyuan intensely, he reminds me of the cats I feed.. Ah, isn't Xiao Ai becoming a mother? Mother cats need high proteins.. High protein..... and so he recommended dishes based on his foolish thoughts. He usually recommend while thinking something else, but somehow.. the vibes of Xu Rongyuan is that of a cat and he couldn't shake it off.

``-> After ordering and explaining the dishes, Fei Luodao stood up. Xu Rongyuan asked where the other is going, which he replied : "Cooking the two of yours food!" He laughed as the shock came clearly on the two guys faces, they looked at the waiter's expression and she just points a towards a wall.

``-> 'Fei Luodao, Head Chef of Hundred Flavors Pavillion.'

``-> The food was more than delicious. A bite of it drained all of Xu Rongyuan and Jiusi's exhaustion of travel away.. nothing was beneath perfection. Every last bite and broth tasted heavenly! Fei Luodao had sat back on his seat, enjoying the faces of the two. Paying close attention to Xu Rongyuan's. He was just going to have some fun joining the two, but.. he seems to be in a bit of a pickle, the compliments Xu Rongyuan gave him made his heart beat faster than ever. It's pumping out of his chest. He says he's a travelling physician—falling in love would be bad! I might not be able to see him again!! He's the one always flirting, not fall in love. Crushes won't do well in the Jianghu..

``-> Even so, Fei Luodao saw the two of them out the Pavillion. Jiusi lending a shoulder for a 'slightly' drunken Xu Rongyuan. It was Fei Luodao's fault for wanting to close the night with a drink of alcohol! But before saying goodbyes, his face reddened like his hair.. X-Xu Rongyuan just..! He ran back to the Pavillion like a child, he's never washing his face ever again!! Or forget this memory.. he still needs to keep the kitchen sanitary qwq..

(I ran out of brain juice, hoping I get my mind across. Sending thoughts.)

BONUS INTERACTION

``-> "Si Ye! Si Ye! Tell me my fortune for love, I think I've found my soulmate!"

``-> "Hah? Who did you even meet for you to react this way?"

``-> "Beautiful long blue robes, bangs flowing down the sides of his face like twin waterfalls, his eyes are kind and gentle, his voice melodious—everything firing my heart like my passion for cooking! Tell me, will I meet him again? He also resembles cats! Should I pursue him?!"

``-> 'Why does the description sound so familiar..?'