'Yuan-ge.'

Fang Tian wandered through the east courtyard, his steps slowing as the familiar sight of the plum blossom trees came into view.

Their petals drifted gently in the breeze, and beneath them, exactly where he expected, sat Fang Mei.

She was perched on the stone bench, brushing ink across a scroll with practiced ease but her eyes were distant, her strokes slower than usual.

Fang Tian smiled softly. He took a breath.

"Mei'er."

She stopped writing.

Her brush froze mid-air. Her shoulders stiffened.

Slowly, she turned to look at him.

Fang Mei stood. Her gaze locked with his.

Then, without a word she stormed toward him.

Fang Tian opened his arms instinctively.

She didn't hug him.

She punched him in the chest. Not hard but hard enough to make a point.

"You were gone for a week, Tian," she said, voice trembling.