Power Up, Artist Yang!

Yujia was still staring at a sleeping Lianye when Yufeng came back. 

The sound of Xie Yufeng entering through the door startled Yuija. She nearly jumped, but seeing that it was just Yufeng, her heartbeat steadied. 

"She's asleep?" Yufeng asked, her voice soft.

Yujia replied with a nod.

Yufeng took a few steps forward, setting a bundle of medicine on the small table next to Yujia. "Here is some sleeping medicine I picked up along the way. If she has trouble sleeping later on, this should help."

"That's… very kind of you," Yujia thanked, taken aback by the sudden kindness.

"What do you mean? Am I not the kindest person you have ever met before?" Yufeng scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Yujia couldn't stop a smile, then said a few moments later, "Let's talk outside."

…

"I thought you hated me," Yujia immediately blurted once the two of them were standing in the yard. "Do… you?"

She really had to know. 

Yufeng appeared puzzled, a frown curving on her lips. "Why would I hate you? There are only two people in this world which I hate, and you are not on the list."

"Just the things you've done in the past," Yujia admitted, her words becoming slightly rushed now that she realized she was wrong, "You've said some things that come off in a very off putting manner, ever since when we first met."

"What did I say?" Yufeng narrowed her eyes, recalling the past. "That comment about how you should cut your face up?"

Yujia nodded. That was a comment she still remembered: "If I were you, I'd find some sharp rock and slice up that face real bloodily."

Yufeng burst out in laughter. "Oh, come on. You took offense to that? I simply spoke the truth. What did that worm— what was his name again? A'Yan?— originally intend? Don't forget that his first target was you. And why was that? Is it not because you have a pretty face? I gave you some valuable advice, alright? It was your mistake for not listening to it."

This revelation was making Yujia more flustered by the second. "What about the time with the clothes? And washing them?"

"I taught you, did I not? And perhaps I did make some slightly sharp remarks, but that was just the truth, again. The truth is not always beautiful."

"What about the buckets of water?" Yujia continued to question.

"To help you build your muscles. You can't be a good servant if you don't have any arm strength."

"Then— that one last comment. You told me that you were 'glad that I would be gone' when I said I was moving courtyards. What did that mean?"

Yujia really wanted to see how Yufeng could justify that.

The things that Yujia was hearing right now— she really found it difficult to believe. So, she had misunderstood Xie Yufeng all along? Except, Yufeng's words did make sense.

Seeing the incredulous expression Yujia wore, Yufeng stated, "Alright, alright. I know that I come off a bit sharp. But you won't find another person as brutally honest as me."

Yujia couldn't help but laugh, her cheeks heating up. "No— I'm sorry for misunderstanding you all this time. That was… immature of me."

"Well, I am glad that these misunderstandings are settled," Yufeng exhaled with a nod.

The words that Yufeng spoke before echoed in Yujia's mind. She couldn't help but to ask again, "You said before that you had a lot of experience. What exactly do you mean by that? What.. had you seen before?"

"I may be honest, but there are some things that I would still like to keep to myself," Yufeng answered, a lazy smile on her lips. Though her expression was relaxed, Yujia could tell how her body still tensed up. This was, very obviously, not a topic that Yujia could pry from Yufeng no matter how much she prodded.

"I understand," Yujia said, "That's fine."

"Regardless," Yufeng went on, "You can rest assured that a certain someone will be castrated. He might die in the process, but he's getting castrated. That's for sure."

Words tumbled out of Yujia's mouth. "Thank you. I know I said thanks earlier, but I want to thank you again. I really don't know what would've happened if you didn't appear. And thank you for everything before."

"No need to thank me, like I said before. I only did what any normal human would do." Yufeng blinked, sighing. "It's getting late. I'm heading back. See you around."

They exchanged their farewells, and Yufeng left the courtyard. 

…

When Yujia got back to the room, Lianye had awakened.

Lianye was pressed up against the wall, her back hunched and her legs gathered to herself. She was visibly shaking, clutching her blankets closer to herself. Yujia couldn't see her expression. Lianye had her head tilted down.

Yujia sat down next to her, extending out a hand, but Lianye flinched from her touch.

The young girl looked up, her eyes watering. 

Seeing that it was just Yujia, the tears from her eyes fell, streaking down her face. She was crying, uncontrollably, and as she did so, she pulled the blankets back over herself, curling up tighter and tighter as if she could just disappear that way.

Yujia tried reaching forward to comfort her again, but Lianye only cried out, "Don't touch me— please— leave me alone—"

Recoiling back, Yujia stood up and took a few steps away. Her fingers curled up, nails digging into the flesh of her palm.

She didn't know what to do. She didn't know if it was a good idea to leave Lianye alone, like how the girl asked, or if she was supposed to stay.

Lianye, underneath the blankets drawn over her face, was still crying, but it sounded like she had her hands pressed up against her mouth, smothering the sobs. It was almost like she didn't want Yujia to hear her cry, but her tears were relentless, unstoppable.

It pained Yujia to see the younger girl. She felt guilt earlier, but now, it was even worse. The frustration was suffocating.

Quietly, Yujia finally spoke up, "Do you want to talk about it, or would you really like me to leave you alone?"

"For now— I just— I just want to be alone. Please."

Yujia closed her eyes. "Alright. I'll be sitting outside. If you need me, call for me."

Lianye didn't respond. Yujia turned, walking out and closing the doors behind her gently. She slumped down, on the wooden porch, leaning her head back against the wall. She looked up at the moon, staring at the lonely half-crescent. Only moments later, wisps of gray clouds loomed over, covering up the moonlight and leaving nothing behind.