AZI Volume 6 Chapter 20

As Long Hua plays the flute, Wu Xiao—who is able to hear the intent behind the tune can't help but frown. 

"…"

Despite wanting to say something, Wu Xiao finds it difficult to do so. 

The sound of the tune is by no means bad, if anything, it's quite good.

In fact, it was much better than what it was last time, and that is exactly what makes it difficult for Wu Xiao to say anything. 

As soon as Long Hua finishes the first tune, Wu Xiao remarks—

"Why do I feel like… You're purposefully trying to anger me with that tune, so that I would change my condition to make you proprietor of this restaurant?"

"…"

Towards this question, Long Hua sets the flute down, and replies—

"Now what could you possibly be talking about?"

"The meaning behind that tune, it tells a story involving a man—who despite being married, would continue to go off, and engage in lascivious activities with other women. So busy he was with that—that he had neglected his wife until the end."

Hearing this from Wu Xiao, Long Hua raises an eye, as he drinks from his glass goblet, prior to remarking—

"Surnamed Wu, impressive listening skills you've got."

"Are you actually using that tune to imply that our marriage will be the same way?"

"I don't consider us a married couple. Our relationship is strictly business. What marriage is there to talk about ending in that way?"

Towards Long Hua's passive-aggressive way of answering her question, Wu Xiao picks up her goblet, and sips the wine with narrowed eyes. 

"…"

Pressing the flute to his lips, Long Hua moves onto the second tune, and—

"…"

30 seconds into this tune, Wu Xiao shakes her head, and unable to contain herself, she raises her voice, to ask—

"Can't you play something normal? This one is the exact opposite of the first; it talks about a wife who cheats left and right."

Shrugging his shoulders, and setting the flute down, Long Hua replies—

"Ai, surnamed Wu, I don't really know your taste in music, and-"

"My taste in music is normal, nothing as nonsensical as what you were just playing."

"I'm not trying to make things difficult, but what exactly is your definition of normal?"

"…"

Glaring at Long Hua, who is clearly trying to make things difficult, Wu Xiao sighs, and asks—

"The tune you played during the auction. Who was it addressed to?"

"…"

Blinking his eyes at the question, Long Hua answers—

"…My shizun."

"Play something involving them."

"Hmm."

With a solemn expression on his face, Long Hua closes his eyes in thought. 

"…"

Pressing the flute to his lips, Long Hua recalls memories from his time at the Dao He Palace. 

Dao He Palace, a place filled with artistic talent, where none are ugly. 

Spirit foxes busied themselves with their individual crafts. 

Laughter and jeers sent to those whose efforts bear no fruit. 

Awkward, that would be the first word that comes to mind—to describe the first portion of the tune, but the latter portions flowed rather smoothly. 

"…"

Swirling the wine in her goblet, Wu Xiao smiles, as she listens to the tune with closed eyes. 

I have too many regrets in this place.

Promises unfilled to the people there. 

And many a spring, a summer, an autumn, and a winter unspent. 

If I may dream myself back into the distant past, I would wish to never wake; simply allow it to go on and on—into eternity. 

…How have you all been? 

I…

"…"

Stopping here, Long Hua draws in a subtle breath before lowering the flute, and making a reach for the wine. 

As soon as the wine touched his tongue—

"…?"

The fruity taste of it had become much more evident—nothing like the mild taste that he had before. It is a refreshingly sweet taste that leaves the mouth somewhat dry after its passing. 

Seeing the expression on Long Hua's face, Wu Xiao remarks—

"Finally kicked in?"

"What do you mean?"

"This wine is meant to be drunk by two people in one sitting. The taste of it becomes more evident with every refill."

Hearing this, Long Hua raises an eye, and remarks—

"I didn't take that surnamed Yun to be so… Thoughtful?"

"Not thoughtful and crude, that's the general impression that little brother of mine gives to others. However, he is the one to represent us—the Four Executioners in the military, so he's actually quite responsible."

As Wu Xiao refills their cups, Long Hua says—

"…I feel like I just got told something incredible, but I don't feel any sense of shock—due to how abrupt it had been revealed to me."

Shrugging her shoulders, Wu Xiao takes a sip before saying—

"In any case, I'd much prefer you—to give me tunes of that nature, over whatever nonsensical crap that you had been blowing before."

"Easy for you to say. But it's actually quite draining to go down memory lane."

Saying this, Long Hua takes a sip, while Wu Xiao replies—

"Doesn't have to be stuff like that all the time; all I'm asking is for you to keep things normal."

"…"

Seeing there to be not much of the wine left, Long Hua pours half of it into his vessel before pouring the rest into Wu Xiao's, to which, she remarks with a hint of surprise—

"Oh? You actually thought to share the final bit, instead of taking it for yourself? Does this mean I'm finally getting through to you, my dearest?"

Turning to Wu Xiao, Long Hua asks—

"Just what exactly made you want to pull off that stunt?"

"The marriage? Haven't I already answered you? To repeat myself—if you like someone, you should stick to them, I'm only following what I believe in."

Chuckling subtly, Long Hua says—

"Doesn't feel realistic. So, what happens if the person you like doesn't wish for you to be around them?"

"Then…"

Setting her goblet down, Wu Xiao leans towards Long Hua, and towards the former's approach, the latter leans back in his seat to evade; however—

"Well, this is nice in its own way." 

Having missed Long Hua's shoulder, Wu Xiao lands her head right onto the former's lap. 

"To answer your question… Hmm. Even if that person doesn't want me around, I'd still stick close to them no matter what. After all… I don't like the feelings of regret that came about as a result of helplessness."

"Hm?"

Somewhat confused by the meaning of Wu Xiao's words, Long Hua raises a frown. In the same instance, the latter's eyes land onto the former's nape, where runes in the colors of amber are scribed there. 

(Those runes… Are they tattoos? …For some reason, they seem familiar.)

Just as Long Hua is thinking of this, Wu Xiao turns her body to face the ceiling.

"…"

Staring up at Long Hua's face, and feeling the urge to touch it, Wu Xiao raises her left hand upwards, while remarking—

"I really do wonder what my dearest's true face looks like."

"…"

Glancing into Wu Xiao's amber-colored eyes, Long Hua replies—

"What if my true face is that of a hideous man-eating monster?"

"Hmm. Nothing that I can do, but regret my decision that day then?"

Towards Wu Xiao's truthful answer, Long Hua chuckles, and remarks—

"How realistic."

"But I don't think I would divorce you."

Pausing the movement of his hand that is bringing the goblet closer to his lips, Long Hua looks at Wu Xiao quizzically. 

"…Why?"

Lowering her hand, Wu Xiao says—

"A person should only marry once in their life, that is my personal opinion on the matter. Those who remarry for whatever reason, all the power to them, but I do not see any reason in me doing so."

Taking in a mouthful of wine, Long Hua replies—

"…One of these days, I'm going to leave this world and the Everlasting Spirit Realm. You…-?"

Cutting Long Hua off, Wu Xiao says—

"I still won't think to remarry. I think… Being a guest in your life will be a very interesting experience."

"Guest…" 

Staring at the lantern that is hanging from the ceiling, Wu Xiao adds—

"Until we live out the entirety of our life, it's impossible to say who's a guest and who's a companion in this life that we've had led. Being a companion is nice, but being a guest has its own merits as well. Especially so when the person—that we are a guest to, has heavy baggage."

"…"

As Long Hua finishes the rest of his wine, Wu Xiao continues to remark—

"I still think it would be nice if you would come and visit me once before leaving. That's the least you can do as my husband, don't you think?"

"I suppose. …In any case, I want to leave right now, so get off me."

Heaving a sigh, Wu Xiao obediently gets off Long Hua's lap. 

Setting the goblet down, Long Hua leaves his seat.

And taking five steps away from the table—

"Wu Xiao."

"…"

Being called by her name, Wu Xiao pauses the movement of her hand that is reaching for her goblet, while Long Hua goes on to ask—

"…Do you know the origin of the runes on your back?"

Towards this question, Wu Xiao replies—

"No idea. Either it's utter nonsense, or it might just be characters—belonging to a language, that doesn't exist in the Everlasting Spirit Realm."

"…I see."

Upon Long Hua vanishing down the stairs, Wu Xiao mutters—

"How long has it been since someone had called me by this name, I wonder?"

The feeling that she's currently experiencing isn't bad. 

However—

"…Asking me about those runes, can that be considered a reaction? Hmm."