The last thing you do

The man's name was Yao Yan, and he was a wandering cultivator, just as Fu Shulin had guessed. Although, in his own words, "I prefer the term 'rogue cultivator' because I'm such a handsome rogue."

He bowed to An Mu and took her hand in a lascivious gesture that had her pulling away from him with a delighted cry of, "Frivolous! You and him are like two peas in a pod. He can't stop calling me jiejie and now you show up!" She sighed in exaggerated dismay. "Can't an old woman find peace even in her twilight years?"

"Lady An only needs to say the word and I'll leave at once," Yao Yan said, one hand raised to his heart in an outpouring of sincerity.

An Mu whacked him with the edge of her apron. "Stop being silly and teach the kid. You'll be doing plenty."

Fu Shulin was suddenly self-conscious. "I have twelve bits of silver, I can pay you..."

Yao Yan patted his back. "Don't worry about that kid, I figure this here inn is a good place as any to rest for a few months. I'm not in a hurry to leave, and I have some spare change. You can pay for my meals and wine, what do you say?"

Fu Shulin nodded eagerly. That was the most reasonable offer he had heard. "Sure, sure, I'll do whatever Shifu wants."

"Shifu, uh?" Yao Yan rubbed his scraggly chin. "I suppose we should make it official. Lady An, bring the tea so my disciple can serve me."

An Mu walked to the little wooden table and picked up the discarded teapot. "Here, this tea is still warm. Don't expect me to brew a fresh spot so the two of you can have fun."

---

Xie Bian had no memory of falling asleep. The last thing he remembered was Yao Yan's gleeful pageantry about becoming Fu Shulin's shifu, and then nothing.

Now awareness came to him in bits and pieces. Xie Bian could tell he was being lifted from the floor and carried in someone's arms. He felt a warm chest under his cheek, breathing evenly. His eyes flickered open; he saw the underside of Fan Wujiu's sharp chin. .

Fan Wujiu was carrying him to his bedroll again. He'd fallen asleep reading at the low table.

Once again, Xie Bian was faced with the choice of letting Fan Wujiu know he was awake or continuing to feign sleep.

Indecision made him remain still in Fan Wujiu's arms. He was overly aware of his proximity and the intoxicating heat of Fan Wujiu body. He put off heat like a furnace. Xie Bian was sure he didn't run nearly half as hot.

Fan Wujiu held him in his arms like precious cargo. Xie Bian had no memory of ever seeing him be so careful with anything. It made him uneasy. Why was Fan Wujiu hiding this side of himself from him? Wouldn't it be better if they got along? Was it competition that prevented him from being nice to Xie Bian?

Suddenly, he couldn't remain quiet anymore. When Fan Wujiu was about to lower him into the bedroll Xie Bian opened his eyes, looking right up at him.

"What are you doing?"

Fan Wujiu didn't startle, he helped Xie Bian down into the mattress and then took a step back. "I'm putting you to bed. You fell asleep at the table."

"I got back and you weren't here."

"I went out."

Xie Bian glared at him. Of course he went out! The question was where he had gone to. But his face was once again a perfect mask of ice, Xie Bian wouldn't bother asking questions that would get him nowhere.

Instead he told Fan Wujiu about seeing Tao Yuanming talking with the innkeeper, and the questions he asked. He omitted the fact the innkeeper had told Tao Yaunming he thought they were lovers because that was just idle gossip. The fact it made Xie Bian embarrassed had nothing to do with it.

To his surprise, Fan Wujiu's expression darkened. "We need to leave."

"He's gone now," Xie Bian said. "I saw him leave."

He doubted Tao Yuanming had turned back and was now hiding in the bushes under their bedroom window.

Fan Wujiu didn't listen to him, he was already on the other side of the room collecting all his belongings and shoving them into the infinity pouch at random. It would be a trial to find anything in there later.

"Where are we even going?" Xie Bian asked from his place on the bed.

"To another inn. We were already going to leave in the morning, this just speeds things up. I have an in with the Wei family. We're going to have to shed these identities. Never take the green pills again. Hopefully that will get Tao Yuanming off our scent."

"Why wouldn't it? Is he a dog that can follow us by smell alone?" Xie Bian was really confused by Fan Wujiu's rush.

This development also complicated his plan to ask Tao Yuanming about Fu Shulin. Although, seeing him lurking around asking questions made him wonder just what his goal was. Shouldn't a sect leader have better things to do than inquire about the personal lives of the dancers at a wedding?

Once he was done packing everything, Fan Wujiu turned to Xie Bian, eyes shadowed by some distant recollection.

"Don't underestimate Tao Yuanming. It will be the last thing you do."