The Mysterious Stranger

ZHAN SHENG SLOWLY opened his eyes, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. His fever broke, and he felt a renewed source of energy coursing through his body. He sat up in bed and looked around the room, but Lei Bo was nowhere to be found. Zhan Sheng got out of bed and walked towards the door, his tiny feet feeling unsteady beneath him.

The sounds of water splashing in the distance caught his attention, Zhan Sheng turned his head towards the direction of the noise and realized that it was coming from behind the pingfeng. It was slightly ajar, and the decorative screen was made of bamboo frames with panels of paper that stretched across them. There was an intricate design with patterns and paintings of dragons on it that were slightly transparent. Zhan Sheng's curiosity got the better of him and he walked over, peeking through the small cracks to look at Lei Bo.

As if sensing his movement, Lei Bo paused and Zhan Sheng panicked and sprinted back to the bed, falling face-first into the covers hiding his flaming cheeks.

Maybe if I pretend to be a human pillow he won't notice? Wuu! Wuu! Why do I always end up in situations like this? I must have some sort of magnet for trouble!

Lei Bo stepped out of the bathtub and wrapped his white inner robe around his body before he walked towards the bed. He didn't speak as he prepared more medicine for Zhan Sheng to take, placing the steaming bowl on a small table nearby.

Zhan Sheng cracked an eye beneath the covers, waiting to get scolded by the omega for peaking, but Lei Bo never said anything, he went about his daily routine and got dressed.

"Bath." Lei Bo took Zhan Sheng's ratty clothes and stripped them off, before taking him to the tub he had just vacated. Zhan Sheng had been bathed before by many omegas, but something about having Lei Bo watch him made him shy and hesitant. Lei Bo was patient, he didn't rush as Zhan Sheng dunked into the bathtub, staring up at Lei Bo with the water nearly up to his nose. Lei Bo's lips twitched, and even though he didn't smile his eyes were like crescent moons.

Afterward, Lei Bo called the servants to take the bathtub away and helped Zhan Sheng get dressed in brand new robes he bought. Zhan Sheng didn't understand what was happening, he was still black and blue from his beating by Xing Junwei so he didn't have time to process where they were going. Lei Bo fed him some more herbs, he called out to the servant to bring up some Congee for breakfast, and Zhan Sheng's stomach grumbled in anticipation. As soon as the steaming bowl of rice porridge arrived, Zhan Sheng dug in with gusto, shoveling bit after bit into his mouth.

Lei Bo watched with a mixture of amusement and concern as Zhan Sheng ate like a pig, barely pausing to breathe between bites. "Eat one thing at a time, recognize when to return the head." Lei Bo shook his head. "Sit properly. Don't make a mess."

Lei Bo is a real puzzle. One moment he's saving my life, the next he's staring at me like I'm a roast duck. Is he a friend or an enemy? Maybe he's just confused too.

Zhan Sheng's back straightened like a bamboo reed, he ate slowly and chewed his food, watching Lei Bo closely for praise. Lei Bo rubbed his head. "Good boy," he said softly. "Sleep now. We will continue our journey soon."

Lei Bo tucked him back into the covers, but Zhan Sheng didn't want to sleep. He wanted Lei Bo to get in bed with him so that he wouldn't feel cold and alone. "You come too."

Lei Bo's brow ticked, but he got inside the covers and held Zhan Sheng close. "Lei Bo," Zhan Sheng said, trying the name for the first time. "Are you my ge? Should I call you Lei-ge?"

"If you'd like."

Zhan Sheng's chubby cheeks spread in a nice. "Do you know my father?"

"I do."

"Is he at the Burning Fire sect?"

"He is."

Zhan Sheng had so many questions he didn't know where to start, but the medicine was making him sleepy and he felt could drown in Lei Bo's tantalizing scent. "I-I'll meet him soon?"

"Very soon. He's been waiting a long time for you."

"Me too," Zhan Sheng slurred, his eyes drooping, soon he was falling asleep and by then had no idea who he was talking about. His father or Lei Bo.

●

ZHAN SHENG SHIVERED as he clung tightly to Lei Bo's fur coat, the icy wind whipping past them as they rode through the snow-covered forest. They had been traveling for days, and Zhan Sheng's small body was stiff with fatigue and cold.

They emerged from the trees and Zhan Sheng caught a first glimpse of the Burning Fire sect. Zhan Sheng felt a surge of excitement and awe. The sect was even more magnificent than he had imagined, with its towering walls and glittering rooftops gleaming in the winter sun.

They rode through the main gate, and Zhan Sheng looked around in wonder at the bustling courtyard, filled with monks and disciples going about their daily routines. The air was filled with the scent of incense, and the snow crunched beneath the horses' hooves.

Lei Bo led him through the courtyard, pointing out the various landmarks as they went. Zhan Sheng saw the training grounds, where students were practicing their martial arts, and the gardens, where the winter flowers bloomed in a riot of color.

Lei Bo brought Zhan Sheng through the winding hallways of the Burning Fire sect; his small hand clasped tightly in the larger one. Zhan Sheng's eyes darted back and forth, taking in the intricate designs of the walls and the flickering lanterns that illuminated their path.

As they approached the throne room, Zhan Sheng felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. He could sense the presence of someone important, someone, powerful. And when they entered the room, he saw why.

The man standing next to the dragon throne was tall and imposing, with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce right through Zhan Sheng's skin. His clothes were grand and regal, befitting his status as the sect leader. His robes were embroidered with royal blue and phoenixes that seemed to writhe and twist in the flickering light of the torches. His hair was half tied back in a tight knot, the rest flowing freely down his back and his mustache was twisted into sharp points like the claws of a bird of prey.

Zhan Sheng couldn't help but feel awestruck by the man's presence. He was like a mountain, unmovable and unyielding, and Zhan Sheng knew that he was someone to be respected and feared. As the sect leader turned his gaze to Zhan Sheng, he felt a chill run down his spine.

I can feel my heart pounding like a drum. I hope I don't embarrass myself and wet my pants!

Lei Bo bowed and did a fist-hand salute. "Please excuse my tardiness, Zhangmen. We were hit by a storm coming here and delayed a few days."

The man didn't speak, his eyes were barreling into Zhan Sheng's as if he were trying to memorize his face. Zhan Sheng shifted closer to Lei Bo, he kept his head low knowing this man was probably the sect leader. Then the man moved, he droop to his knees in front of Zhan Sheng and took him into his arms, his body trembling. "Shengzi?" he shook. "Is it really you?"

Zhan Wei's alpha scent has a rich, earthy quality with a subtle spice undertone that lingers on the air like the scent of freshly ground cinnamon. Zhan Sheng's eyes filled with tears as they reminded him of his mother's scent, calm and earthy and so loving that he felt his heart might burst. This man was his father. Zhan Sheng burst into tears, he felt so lost and confused and everything was happening at once.

"Wuuu! Wuuuuu!" Zhan Sheng cried at the top of his lungs. "Wuahhhhh! Wuahhhh!"

Zhan Wei chuckled deeply and all he did was hold Zhan Sheng tighter. "Me too, son. Me too."