So Close, Yet Worlds Apart

Ye Min—this name, in recent years, had become a legend among the covert guards, passed from mouth to mouth. After joining their ranks, it took him only a few months to rise to the top, relying on both the quantity and quality of missions of the highest degree. He became the leader of the entire covert force.

As a leader, Ye Min could not be faulted. He handled all matters with the simplest and most efficient methods, greatly increasing the safety of their dangerous profession. Thanks to him, even those shadowy figures were granted rest days. Everyone in the covert force respected Ye Min to the utmost; they took it upon themselves to resolve even the smallest issues, lest Ye Min be troubled and robbed of precious moments of respite.

Whenever Ye Min took his rest, he would vanish without a trace—until, one day, a guard on a mission happened to cross paths with him. Only then did they discover that their chief, during his so-called breaks, would secretly go to visit Young Master Xiao—Xiao Jiu.

To call it "secretly" was something of an understatement. In truth, Ye Min had always acted as Xiao Jiu’s shadow, following him from the moment he awoke until he fell asleep at night. Ye Min accompanied him quietly, day after day, whenever he had time to rest.

Ever since that incident, Xiao Jiu was plagued by frequent nightmares. Ye Min would hold Xiao Jiu’s hand, soothing the furrow in his brow over and over, a satisfied smile at his lips as he kept vigil till dawn. Each morning, Xiao Jiu would awaken, puzzled to find the pig-faced mask clutched tightly in his arms.

As always, Ye Min watched quietly from a corner as Xiao Jiu practiced his swordsmanship. Xiao Jiu was diligent, always the last to leave the training ground, his eyes focused and his effort tireless. In the shadowy world Ye Min inhabited, Xiao Jiu was like a candle flame—small, yet steadfastly bright, illuminating a corner of Ye Min’s darkness. That corner was warm, something Ye Min had always longed for and cherished.

During his time with Xiao Jiu, Ye Min noticed some of his habits hadn’t changed since childhood. He still did things that were both laughable and exasperating—such as sneaking into the kitchen to steal wine when no one was around.

"Brother Ye, it’s time," someone at Ye Min’s side reminded him. Ye Min forbade them from calling him "boss" or "chief," saying it made them sound like bandits. Thus, they could only address him this way.

Ye Min nodded, casting one last look at Xiao Jiu slipping into the kitchen before leaving with his companion.

Xiao Jiu had finally found a moment when the kitchen was empty. He crept in quietly, heading straight for the wine. Uncorking a jug, he took a whiff and sighed with satisfaction.

There was a reason for his sneaking about. Xiao Jiu hadn’t always been so furtive—he simply had no other choice. For years, he had been haunted by a recurring dream, though the details were hazy; all that lingered was a blood-soaked chaos.

Night after night, the nightmares tormented him. Even sleeping incense brought little relief. In desperation, Xiao Jiu tried wine, and found that after drinking, he could sleep soundly until dawn, his spirits restored.

But his parents, believing him too young, forbade him from drinking. Thus, he could only sneak about. The kitchen staff rotated quickly, so he snatched a drink, then poured the wine into the small jar he had brought.

The wine was truly fragrant! Xiao Jiu praised it silently, filling his jar with a mischievous grin. Just then, Xiao Muran’s stern face appeared, watching his wayward son. He asked quietly, "Is the wine good?"

Basking in the aroma, Xiao Jiu replied without hesitation, "Delicious! Of course it’s good! Tomorrow the cook should buy several more vats!"

Xiao Muran was both exasperated and amused. "All right! Tomorrow, the cook will buy more, and some meat as well to go with it—how does that sound?"

Xiao Jiu took a sip and said, "That would be perfect." But wait—something was off… Wasn’t the kitchen supposed to be empty?

He turned, spotted his father, and leapt up, scratching his head in embarrassment, "Father, my good father, what are you doing here? Have you finished the household affairs?"

Xiao Muran raised his hand for a slap, but Xiao Jiu dodged. Furiously, Xiao Muran shouted, "You unfilial rascal! Grown bold now, haven’t you? Sneaking about, stealing even from your own home!"

Seizing his chance, Xiao Jiu dashed out of the kitchen, calling, "Father, let me explain!"

Xiao Muran grabbed a broom and chased after him. "You little brat! Run, will you? Just try stopping and see what happens!"

Xiao Jiu didn’t look back. "Father, do you think I’m a fool? If I stop, you’ll beat me half to death!"

Xiao Muran felt a surge of anger rise from his core, his face flushing red. How outrageous! Brandishing the broom, he hurled it, "Stop right there!"

Xiao Jiu leapt aside and tumbled into another courtyard, with Xiao Muran in pursuit. He refused to believe he couldn’t catch this brat!

As he landed, ready to shout, he found Xiao Jiu hiding behind Madam Xiao. Instantly, Xiao Muran composed himself, smiling politely, "My dear, where are you headed?"

Xiao Jiu peeked out from behind his mother, sticking out his tongue. The veins on Xiao Muran’s temple throbbed painfully. Madam Xiao gave him a cold glance, then sighed, "Xiao Muran, you’re the head of the family now! As the master of the Xiao household, you should be handling affairs, not bickering with your own son in public. Where is your dignity? Look around you."

Xiao Muran looked up to see the servants whispering among themselves. He had no choice but to say, "My dear, this boy is just too mischievous."

She snorted. "The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!"

Xiao Muran could only glare at Xiao Jiu before storming off.

With his father gone, Xiao Jiu hurried to massage his mother’s shoulders and back. "Mother, you’re wonderful!"

She smacked his hand away. "Enough, you little rascal! Do you take me for your foolish father?"

Xiao Jiu protested, "How could I? Father isn’t half as clever as you, Mother!"

She frowned, laughing helplessly, then pressed a hand to his forehead. "That’ll do. Are the nightmares still as bad at night?"

Xiao Jiu proudly raised his little jar. "With this, they won’t come tonight—rest easy, Mother! I’ll take my leave now!" And off he ran.

Madam Xiao shook her head, half laughing, half crying. Ever since that day, Xiao Jiu’s nightmares had not ceased. But if Xiao Jiu suffered, someone else must suffer even more. This couldn’t go on—too much wine would harm the boy.

Lost in thought, she returned to her room.

Xiao Jiu, triumphant with his wine, was drenched in sweat after being chased by his father. Feeling cheerful, he decided to bathe first. He ordered a servant to prepare hot water, stripped off his clothes, and soaked in the bath.

By the time Ye Min returned from his mission, night had fallen. Almost instinctively, he headed toward Xiao Jiu’s courtyard.

There was still light in Xiao Jiu’s room, but no sign of him inside. Changing direction, Ye Min glimpsed a bare back through the misty steam—pale and indistinct. He hadn’t expected to find Xiao Jiu bathing at this hour and was momentarily stunned.

Xiao Jiu, relaxed in the bath, turned over and began to scrub himself. Ye Min found he could not look away. As a martial artist, his eyesight was keen; distance meant little to him.

The youth, already growing into his features, was striking—rosy lips, white teeth, exquisite looks. He wiped himself with a wet cloth, water streaming down from his collarbones, passing over the little red buds on his chest, then trickling lower…

Ye Min stared, throat tightening. His heart pounded louder and faster, his breath growing shallow, his face flushing. A heat gathered within him, pooling in a place he dared not mention.

He could feel his body responding, despite his usual self-restraint. He was no longer a boy—he knew well enough what was happening. Grimacing, Ye Min turned and fled.

Ye Min rarely slept much, but tonight, lying down so early, he felt even more restless. The image of Xiao Jiu bathing was vivid as if it were right before his eyes. Sighing, Ye Min rose, went outside, and dumped a vat of cold water over himself. Only then did the fire inside him abate; satisfied, he changed clothes and went out again.

The guards on night duty stared in astonishment. What could have rattled their leader so?

Ye Min returned to Xiao Jiu’s courtyard. The lights were out. Silently, Ye Min entered the room, spotting the now-empty wine jar on the table.

On the bed, Xiao Jiu slept soundly, his brow smooth for once. Ye Min understood. Usually, he would stand quietly by, but tonight, he sat down on the bed, letting his emotions show in his eyes.

Murmuring in his dreams, Xiao Jiu suddenly laughed and seized Ye Min’s hand, hugging it tightly to his chest. The storm in Ye Min’s gaze faded, turning as calm and deep as still water.

He leaned down, placing a reverent, cherished kiss—not on Xiao Jiu’s forehead as before, but gently on his lips, unable to resist nibbling lightly. In his sleep, Xiao Jiu, thinking it was something delicious, parted his lips to bite, but Ye Min’s lips were already gone.

Some things, whether he admitted them or not, had long since lost their meaning. He liked this small youth before him—he liked Xiao Jiu. But precisely because he cared, he knew nothing could ever come of it. He understood clearly that the boy he liked would have a brilliant future.

He would inherit the Xiao family, and with his effort, make it stronger. He would marry a gentle, lovely woman, raise a family, and spend his life in happiness.

Without Ye Min, Xiao Jiu would be just fine.

As for Ye Min, he was destined to remain in the shadows, alone in a blood-soaked world, gazing from afar at the cherished candlelight that could never again belong to him.