Hot flashes

Xiao Jue quickly packed his things.

There wasn't much to pack. A few changes of clothes, a short knife, and some loose silver. He pulled out a small bundle, stuffed the things inside haphazardly, tied it up, and slung it over his shoulder.

He carried his bundle and strode out. But when he reached the door, he suddenly stopped.

He turned around, his gaze falling on the locked cabinet.

He walked over, opened the cabinet, reached into the deepest part of the cabinet, and pulled out the small wooden box.

Then he stuffed the wooden box into the bottom of the bundle, turned around and went out the door.

The main hall was brightly lit.

The old man sat in the main seat, Uncle Chen stood to the side, and Zhou Heng was also there.

Xiao Jue walked in and stood in front of the old man.

The room was quiet for a while.

The old man stood up and walked over to him.

He raised his hand and placed it on Xiao Jue's shoulder. The hand was thin, with distinct knuckles, yet very strong. He patted Xiao Jue's shoulder, as if measuring something.

"You've grown so much."

Xiao Jue's nose suddenly stung with tears.

The old man looked at him with gentle eyes.

"Be careful on the road," he said. "Don't act impulsively, and listen to your Uncle Chen. Your life is more important; as long as you're alive, there's always a chance for things to turn around."

Xiao Jue nodded.

The old man said a few more words, just some ordinary words of advice. Xiao Jue responded to each one.

Having finished speaking, the old man withdrew his hand.

"Let's go."

He turned around, his back to Xiao Jue.

Xiao Jue stood there, looking at the hunched back.

He knelt down.

He touched his forehead to the ground and kowtowed three times heavily.

The old man didn't turn around. He waved his hand.

Xiao Jue stood up, turned around and walked out.

As he reached the door, someone suddenly tugged at his sleeve.

Xiao Jue turned around.

Zhou Heng stood in front of him, his face showing a hint of hesitation and his eyes filled with struggle.

He said, "I'll go with you."

Xiao Jue was stunned.

Zhou Heng's voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet night, every word was clear.

"You and me?" Xiao Jue thought he had misheard.

Zhou Heng nodded.

The other two people in the room were also stunned. The old man turned around, and Uncle Chen looked up, both looking at Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng felt a little uncomfortable under those gazes. He scratched his head and smiled.

"Perhaps I can be of some help."

He said it very casually.

But Xiao Jue's heart suddenly felt as if it had been violently struck by something.

He opened his mouth, but it took him a long time to manage to utter a word.

"no."

Xiao Jue's voice was strained, but his tone was firm.

"It's too dangerous. You stay here and wait for me to come back."

Zhou Heng shook his head.

I'm worried about you.

Xiao Jue's heart skipped a beat again.

"I'll follow," Zhou Heng said, "maybe I can help you."

Xiao Jue looked at him.

In the lamplight, that face was still as beautiful as ever. Her eyebrows and eyes were gentle, her gaze calm, as if she were simply talking about something very ordinary.

But Xiao Jue knew this was no ordinary matter.

This trip might be a death sentence.

He himself could die, but Zhou Heng could not.

"No," he said, his voice harsher than before. "You stay here. Don't go anywhere."

Zhou Heng remained silent.

The two of them just stared at each other.

Uncle Chen, standing nearby, seemed about to say something but swallowed his words. The old man stood behind, watching the scene without uttering a sound.

After a long while, Zhou Heng spoke.

"Xiao Jue," he said, "just because you don't let me go, does that mean I can't go?"

Xiao Jue was stunned.

Zhou Heng took a step forward.

"My legs are my own," he said. "Can you stop me?"

Xiao Jue opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.

Zhou Heng looked at him.

"I might not be of much help if I go with you," he said, "but what if? What if I can help?"

Xiao Jue's eyes suddenly reddened.

He wanted to say something, but it felt like something was stuck in his throat, and he couldn't squeeze out a single word.

Zhou Heng walked over, passed by him, and looked back at him at the door.

"Let's go," he said. "Stop dawdling."

Xiao Jue stood there, looking at the person standing at the door.

The light shone from behind him, gilding his silhouette.

He walked over and stood in front of Zhou Heng.

Zhou Heng felt a little embarrassed by his gaze.

"Alright, alright," he said, "Don't look at me like that, it's kind of cheesy."

Xiao Jue suddenly reached out and pulled him into his arms.

Zhou Heng could barely breathe from the tightness. He held her for a while before letting go.

The old man's voice came from behind.

"Young Master Zhou."

Zhou Heng turned around.

The old man stood there, watching him.

That look was complex. It contained gratitude, and it contained worry.

"Take care," the old man said.

Zhou Heng nodded.

"You too."

He turned around and followed Xiao Jue into the night.

Uncle Chen stood at the door, watching the backs of the two people, then turned back to look at the old man.

The old man had already sat back down in his chair and closed his eyes.

"Go," he said. "Protect them."

Uncle Chen gave him a deep look, bowed, and then turned and chased after him.

The night wind howled, making the old man's white hair a little messy.