Su Kang's Crush

The shop lady's flowery words made Bai Yunxi's cheeks warm.

Jewellery was pretty, but Su Kang buying it… that surprised her. Then the lady called him her husband. She didn't know what to say.

Before she could, Su Kang laughed, a quick sound. "Thank you," he told the lady, "but we have to go now."

He took her wrist gently and started to walk away. "Sorry," he murmured to Bai Yunxi, "easier than explaining." He looked a little awkward, she noticed. "Let's get back to the boat," he said.

Bai Yunxi looked at his face, saw his awkwardness, and let it go. No need to make a fuss.

Soon, they were back in the sky, the city lights shrinking below. Inside the boat, Bai Yunxi thought about the festival.

People laughing, enjoying simple things. It was… nice to see. A little sad too. She wished her life was that simple once.

She thought of her childhood, happy days in Qin City. Then Li Xiao. Her parents thought marriage was best for her future.

They couldn't help her cultivate much themselves. Marriage to a cultivator… it seemed smart then. Fate had other ideas. Life after marriage… it had been hard.

Bai Yunxi drifted to sleep, memories swirling around her. Outside, Su Kang watched over her, a silent guardian.

Hours later, he stood in her room, looking down at her sleeping face. Beautiful, he thought, a simple word.

Then he began the illusion technique.

His hand glowed pink above her forehead, a soft light like gas flowing into her mind. He was going to send her a dream, a memory of long ago.

The dream began, a journey from years past. Li Fang was new to Qingyun Sect, about to try for inner disciple.He is going to become fifteen years old soon.

Bai Yunxi had travelled twenty days to celebrate his birthday. She gave him his father's robe, a gift heavy with unspoken things. He'd been proud but told her not to come again. It's dangerous like that.

Now, in the dream, she was going home to Qin City, stopping for a night in a small city along the way. Tired, she'd asked her maids to draw a bath.

The hot water eased her travel-weary muscles. Then, screams. Loud crashes outside her room. Before she could react, the room exploded inwards.

A red fire lizard, a second-level beast, filled the doorway. It lunged, jaws open, fiery breath glowing in its throat. Too fast. Too late. Bai Yunxi closed her eyes.

Suddenly, she was lifted, pulled away from the heat and flames. A strong arm around her waist. She opened her eyes. A young man held her in the air, a halberd in his other hand. The lizard lay headless on the floor.

"Strange," he murmured, his voice low. "Why attack the city now?"

Bai Yunxi realised how little she was wearing, just a belly band. His hand was on her bare back, her chest pressed against him. Shame flooded her.

Quickly, the young man used a burst of energy, and the remaining beasts vanished. He lowered her gently to the ruined floor, still holding her close for a moment. Bai Yunxi's face burnt.

"Ah… sorry," he said, letting her go. His cheeks were a little pink too, she noticed.

Her maids were huddled nearby, scared, but mostly just scratched.

He started to float upwards, ready to leave.

"Wait!" Bai Yunxi called out without thinking.

He stopped, smiled down at her. "You're not going to ask me to take responsibility for… this, are you?" He teased, gesturing to her near nakedness.

"Though… maybe I could be convinced."

Bai Yunxi was stunned, words failing her. His teasing… it made her face hotter.

"You… you… what are you saying?" she stammered, trying to cover herself with her hands.

"Nothing! Just… go!"

"Are you sure?" he asked, smiling wider now.

"Yes! Just… leave!" She insisted, her voice louder now, but still shaky.

With a chuckle, he disappeared. Bai Yunxi turned away, grabbing the first robe she could find, her heart racing.

She helped her maids, calming their fears, before they all left the ruined inn with the rescue guards.

…

The next morning, Bai Yunxi woke, the dream sharp in her mind. Then it hit her. Su Kang. The young man who saved her, years ago. That's why he felt familiar.

His awkwardness, his teasing… it all clicked. Heat rose in her face. Embarrassment warred with a strange… flutter in her chest.

She should be angry, maybe even punish him for being so forward.

But to do that, she'd have to admit she remembered, that she knew he'd seen her almost naked.

Just thinking about it made her stomach tighten. Act normal. Be calm, she told herself firmly.

Bai Yunxi stayed in her room all day, even skipping meals. When Su Kang asked if she was alright, she just said she was cultivating.

Su Kang, though, was feeling bad. Too soon, he thought, pacing his own cabin. I shouldn't have done that yet.

Maybe she was angry, disgusted.

A few days went by like that, in strained silence. Bai Yunxi stayed hidden away. Every day, Su Kang left food outside her door, a silent offering.

He knew she was avoiding him, acting strange. He stopped talking much too, focusing on his own cultivation, trying to master new powers.

Bai Yunxi felt bad. He left food each day outside her door. She knew she was being obvious, acting strangely. Enough was enough.

Today, she'd go out. She opened her door and went to Su Kang's cabin, carrying the untouched breakfast tray.

She found him by the window, looking out at the sky. "Let's eat together," she said, her voice soft but clear.

She noticed then—no food for him. Guilt pricked at her. He was only cooking for her. He didn't even need to eat.

"You can eat," Su Kang said, turning, his face carefully blank. "I'll eat later. If you want to stop in a city, just tell me."

A wave of shame washed over Bai Yunxi. She sat down to eat, her appetite returning now that the

tension between them eased.

"Maybe… maybe we could stop in a city," she said hesitantly.

"I'll keep that in mind," Su Kang replied, a small smile finally touching his lips. Maybe, he thought, things weren't so bad after all.

"Okay," she said, and started to eat. As they ate, they talked about simple things, polite and easy. Later, they planned to stop at the next city they came across.

Su Kang and Bai Yunxi walked through the city, side by side. It was lively, a hundred thousand people bustling about.

Lots to see, good food to smell. They spent hours there, wandering the streets, tasting local snacks. Su Kang bought more jewellery, again. Bai Yunxi didn't say anything about it.

Then they went back to the boat, leaving the city behind.

Bai Yunxi found she liked these little trips, seeing new places.

For two weeks, they travelled like this, stopping at towns and cities whenever they could.

Su Kang kept buying jewellery. Bai Yunxi still didn't ask why.

They'd reach Liyun City in two days. Su Kang was cooking dinner, as usual. Bai Yunxi watched him, thinking.

Once the food was ready, he served her, then sat down opposite.

"Su Kang," Bai Yunxi began, her voice quiet.

"Do you have a fiancée? Or… someone you like?"

Su Kang paused, looking surprised. "No," he answered, a little awkward now.

"No, I don't have someone like that."

Bai Yunxi frowned just a little.

"Then… the jewellery," she said, her gaze questioning. "Who is it for?"

Su Kang hesitated, then leaned forward slightly.

"You have to promise," he said, his voice low, "keep it a secret."

Bai Yunxi nodded, curious now. "I promise. Tell me."

He took a breath, looked her in the eye, a hint of shyness there.

"Actually," he confessed, his cheeks turning a faint pink, "there's… someone I like. I'm buying these things… thinking of her."

Bai Yunxi's face softened, a warm smile spreading across her lips.

"Then why not tell her?" she asked, encouragingly. "Someone like you, so talented… she'd be lucky."

Su Kang's smile faded, replaced by a sad look. "It's… complicated," he admitted, his voice quiet.

"She's a widow. She has a son. Her whole world… it's him. She doesn't really live for herself." He looked away, lost in thought.

"I… I don't know if she'd ever have room for me. So… I just try to help her son sometimes. Maybe… bring her a little happiness that way." He stopped talking, his face unreadable.