Accidentally Reincarnated in Cultivation World-Chapter 87: The Letter [2]

Dear Ya Qin,

Perhaps the time we spent together was brief, just a fleeting moment in the grand river of our lives. Or perhaps, it was longer than eternity itself. After all, time is not measured in days or seasons, but in the weight of memories left behind. And to me, those memories with you are the most precious I have ever known.

I still remember the first day we met, the light in your eyes, the effortless grace with which you moved, and that dazzling smile that seemed to brighten the world around you. The way you spoke, the soft glimmer of your stripes in the morning sun, it all lives within me. Each time I see you, I relive that moment, again and again, as if my heart refuses to let it fade.

To my dearest Ya Qin, whose smile has never left my heart...

There are times when I speak with you and find myself at a loss for words. Not because I have nothing to say but because everything I feel seems too vast, too overwhelming, to express.

Around you, I forget how to be composed. I stumble. I falter. Perhaps I seem strange, or distant. But please, believe me when I say, that is my fault, not yours. You are not the cause of my silence, you are my voice.

I remember your kindness. The way you would care for every small detail in that household dusting shelves, tending the garden, placing fresh tea just where I liked it, without ever being asked. I remember the warmth of your laughter, the softness of your tears, the fierce light in your eyes when you spoke of your grandparents. I remember the way you quietly tucked away that little thank-you note I once left you, as if it were some priceless treasure.

You have remembered me with such quiet care... Let me now remember you with words.

There came a time when your smile began to fade, and with it, a part of me shattered. Never in my life have I known pain like the ache of seeing joy disappear from your face. I wished it were a dream. But reality, as it often is, was far less kind. If I could steal even a sliver of your sorrow and make it mine, I would. All I want is to see that smile again, not just in memory, but here... now.

Let us not bury those golden days in the soil of duty and silence. Let us not pretend we were only ever prince and maid.

Let us begin again.

A whisper through time, I still hear your name,

A spark in the cold, in a world gone tame.

I’d trade every breath for one last embrace,

Just to see light return to your gentle face.

If fate grants me only one vow in this life, then let it be this:

I wish to stand beside you, not as your master,

But as the man who loves you.

~ Your Ban.

***

Wiping his nose discreetly, Yu Xuan re-read the letter one more time. Yes it was good. Emotional, sincere, and beautifully written.

He glanced over at Ban, who was still staring at the letter with a dazed expression.

It’s not that Ban lacks confidence, Yu Xuan thought, ’He just doesn’t have the words to express what’s in his heart. Well... maybe he does lack some confidence, too.’

If Ban had written this letter alone, Yu Xuan could only imagine the result, probably five rigid lines, delivered in a tone closer to a order than a confession.

"Now, Senior Ban," Yu Xuan said, breaking the silence, "you just need to find the right moment and give this to her. Timing is everything."

"Ah... yes," Ban murmured, still gazing at the letter as though it contained the secrets of the universe.

After a moment, he looked up. "How about you stay for dinner tonight?"

Yu Xuan was about to respond when a knock came at the door.

Ban froze. His eyes widened slightly, and he quickly set the letter down before tiptoeing to the door. He cracked it open just a little.

"Master, I’ve brought snacks for you and the guest. May I come in?" came Ya Qin’s voice from outside. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Ban tensed up immediately. "T-that’s fine! I’ll take it here," he stammered, and gently took the tray from her hands without fully opening the door.

Ya Qin blinked, confused. "Alright then..." she said softly, turning to leave.

Ban shut the door with great care and let out a deep sigh.

Then, without a word, he handed the entire tray to Yu Xuan.

On it were freshly baked choco-chip cookies, still warm and aromatic.

Yu Xuan took one, bit into it, and blinked. They were sweet. He didn’t have the energy to think where the choco-chip cookies came from, in the Cultivation world.

’Will I get dental problems from these?’ he wondered while munching, but made no move to stop.

Meanwhile, Ban sat beside him again, staring at the letter with the focus of someone preparing for battle.

And so it went — Ban watching the letter, Yu Xuan slowly consuming the cookies.

After a while, Yu Xuan stood up and stretched. "Senior Ban, I’ll take my leave now."

Ban looked up. "Would you like to wait for dinner?"

"I appreciate the offer," Yu Xuan said with a polite smile, "but I have other missions to complete. Also... the cookies were excellent."

"I see," Ban replied, then suddenly added, "Wait — before you go, let me add you as a brother. Show me your medallion."

Yu Xuan blinked, confused. "There’s such a function?"

Without answering, Ban tapped their medallions together, six times in quick succession.

’So it is three for friends and six for brothers’ he thought.

A soft chime echoed from both tokens.

When Yu Xuan accessed his medallion again, he noticed something new. Above the usual "Friends" tab, a hidden section had appeared: Sworn Brothers.

There was only one entry.

Yu Xuan was quiet impressed.

He looked up at Ban, who now had a rare, relaxed smile on his face.

"Take care, Brother Yu."

"You too... Brother Ban."

And with that, Yu Xuan turned and left the mansion, the lingering sweetness of the cookies still on his tongue, and the weight of a new bond settled gently on his shoulders.

[A/N: Maybe try those lines in real life and give the OG feedback.]

***

(Author’s Request)

[A/R: If possible purchase privilege Chapters, we are nearing the Tier 1 for WIN-WIN MISSION, though I don’t know if we can complete it by the end of the month. So to all my readers, support this work, it means a lot.]