Cloaked in Mystery

Zi Qian inched closer to Xiao Yang, a curious glint in his eyes as he reached out to gently grasp Xiao Yang's hand. A look of bewilderment washed over Xiao Yang's face, his gaze fixed upon Zi Qian, who was about to unveil a mystery that had been puzzling him. As Zi Qian delicately rolled up Xiao Yang's sleeve, his wrist revealed an exquisite bracelet with mesmerizing beeds. The intricate blue beads possessed a captivating sapphire-like hue, reminiscent of the deepest, most tranquil ocean waters and the clear blue sky. Interlaced with these were white beads with looked like round pearls exuding an ethereal and pristine sheen that bewitched a person's eyes.

Each bead bore a meticulously carved pattern of mystic symbols, reflecting the Shen family's unparalleled skill in weapon-making. With an air of intrigue, Zi Qian pointed at the bracelet, his fingers gracefully tracing the contours of one particular bead. "That day," he began, his voice carrying a sense of revelation, when I held your wrist, I noticed this very bracelet in your hand. And astonishingly, I came across it once more in the virtual world when we were confronting black sorceress."

" It can't be a coincidence that too person possess the same bracelet adorned with same patterns,"His voice was filled with a sense of wonder and intrigue, echoing his curiosity.

Xiao Yang's eyes widened in realization as he understood the significance of Zi Qian's words. He hadn't anticipated that Zi Qian would make this connection, exposing a vital link between their encounters.

"I've heard that the Shen family is renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and their commitment to preserving their legacy," Zi Qian continued, adding depth to his explanation. "Each member of the Shen family possesses a unique weapon or artifact, something that cannot be possessed by others. I'm i right?"

"How have you come to know about this ?" Xiao Yang asked, his expression a blend of genuine curiosity and a hint of confusion as he furrowed his brows. A tinge of exasperation crept into Zi Qian voice as he continued, "Xiao Bai, told me of this tradition once a few days ago." Xiao Yang couldn't help but let out a faint, almost inaudible sigh, realizing that Xiao Bai's loose tongue had disclosed their family's guarded secret. His head shook gently, a wry smile gracing his lips. "Little Xiao Bai has always been a big mouth, unable to keep anything to himself," Xiao Yang admitted with a dry chuckle, Xiao Yang couldn't help but roll his eyes. " that is why He's usually the last to be informed about important matters in our family."

A small smile crept onto Xiao Yang's lips as he continued, "You see, if you're already aware of these aspects, why do you think I've been trying to get closer to you?" Zi Qian, perplexed by the mystery surrounding Xiao Yang's actions, pressed on with his inquiry and he implored with a hint of desperation, "I honestly don't know, Xiao Yang. That's why I'm asking you." A small smirk crept onto Xiao Yang's lips . Xiao Yang's eyes twinkled with mystery and mischief as he leaned closer, his lips brushing against Zi Qian's ear. His lips were mere inches away from Zi Qian's ear. The sudden, intimate closeness caused Zi Qian's cheeks to flush, and his heart raced. Breathlessly, he struggled to maintain composure, his right hand clutching his robe tightly, while his left hand attempted to push Xiao Yang's chest away. But Xiao Yang was unyielding. His breath caressed Zi Qian's left ear as he whispered in a tantalizing and husky tone, "I can't reveal it to you just yet, but rest assured, the truth will reveal itself soon." Zi Qian's heart was a chaotic blend of curiosity, desire to know, and unease, all swirling in the storm of the moment. A feeling of uneasiness pervaded him and it grew stronger every passing minutes.

Before Zi Qian could respond to the electrifying moment they were sharing, their connection was shattered by a piercing noise that resonated from outside the room. Xiao Yang swiftly pulled away from Zi Qian, and both men avoided locking eyes, the tension in the air palpable.

The familiar voices outside made it clear who had decided to stir up trouble once again.

"What's happening now?" Zi Qian let out a weary sigh as he tried to rise from his seat, his body still in the process of recovering from their previous ordeal. " Let me help you," Xiao Yang offered his assistance, moving to help Zi Qian to his feet. Standing by his side, Xiao Yang extended his hand, allowing Zi Qian to grasp it. He was careful and gentle in his approach, aware of Zi Qian's lingering pain and discomfort. Wrapping his arm around Zi Qian's waist, he allowed Zi Qian's arm to rest on his neck for support. Xiao Yang helped Zi Qian navigate the imminent disturbance, walking side by side as they ventured outside to confront the source of the noise.

Zi Qian limped outside, stealing occasional glances at Xiao Yang, who continued to provide steadfast support. A sudden sharp pain in his chest caused him to gasp momentarily, and he instinctively placed a hand over his heart. "What happened? Are you hurt?" Xiao Yang inquired with genuine panic, his eyes focused on Zi Qian. Zi Qian, however, mustered a reassuring smile and gently removed Xiao Yang's hand from his waist. "I'm fine," he assured, his crescent eyes smile twinkling with warmth. Yet, the genuine concern in Xiao Yang's eyes didn't go unnoticed, and Zi Qian couldn't help but appreciate it.

But their interaction was once again disrupted as a pair of shoes flew past Zi Qian, landing on the ground. They both turned to find the source of the commotion, and there was no surprise in their eyes when they saw Xiao Rui and Xiao Bai locked in a heated argument. Xiao Rui's clothes were torn, her normally pristine hair disheveled. It was a rare sight, as Xiao Rui usually took great care of her hair. Xiao Bai's nose was bleeding, likely from Xiao Rui's not-so-subtle move. Her clothes were also wet, indicating that the argument had escalated to the point where both of them had taken an unplanned dip in the cold spring. "Stinky pig!" Xiao Rui exclaimed, her nostrils flaring as she extended her arm to punch Xiao Bai. However, her fist was halted by her own whip, which was being held by Li Ying Ying. Xiao Rui may be a child, but she possessed remarkable strength, a fact that Xiao Bai was reminded of as he tried to evade her strike. " Xue Rui you brat, stop resisting," Li Ying Ying yelled breathlessly as she tried hard to pull Xiao Rui back.

"They will never get along," Zi Qian sighed, shaking his head, as he motioned for Xiao Yang to take him closer to the scene near the cold spring. As they approached the dueling duo, both kids fell silent, finally realizing the gravity of the situation. Zi Qian, his arms crossed, cleared his throat and fixed a stern gaze on them, awaiting an explanation. "We weren't fighting, just playing, right?" Xiao Bai quickly went to Xiao Rui's side, standing shoulder to shoulder with her and nudging her playfully. Xiao Rui gritted her teeth and gave Xiao Bai a hidden pinch on his back, forcing a strained smile. "Of course, brother. Just playing," Xiao Rui chimed in, her words forced through clenched teeth. Zi Qian retorted with a hint of sarcasm and rolled his eyes, "I can see how much fun you're having. You should stop before others start throwing shoes or tomatoes at you for making so much noise.