Back in Jin Yang Gong

There was an embarrassed silence as XYZ closed the door behind her. Qing-er broke the silence: "I…umm..I'd better go back to LFY."

Her hand was on the door when XJ's voice stopped her: "Qing-er, wait."

She turned around and said quietly: "Yes?"

XJ: "I…I'm sorry for this. I didn't know XYZ would…"

Qing-er: "Oh, um, that's ok."

XJ: "No, it's not. She shouldn't have done this. I don't know why …"

Qing-er sounded a little hurt: "You don't?"

XJ finally met her eyes: "Well, I do, but…"

Qing-er: "But?"

XJ: "Qing-er, I'll be frank with you. I know we haven't known each other for that long, but I feel like I know you already. You're so kind, so brave, so intelligent. When ZW told me there was someone like you, I didn't believe it was possible. Bu then…that night under the stars… (he struggled with his words)."

Qing-er continued for him: "That night, I realized that you do exist. That you're just as wonderful as ZW and XYZ said."

XJ was surprised that she had read his mind: "Is that really how you feel?"

Qing-er blushed but nodded, then smiled tentatively at him.

XJ: "Then I am the happiest man on Earth!" In a rush of emotion, he went to her and hugged her tight.

Qing-er's smile widened as she looked up at him: "I guess we both owe XYZ one now."

XJ chuckled and let go of her: "Yes, we do. But there's something else."

Qing-er: "What?"

XJ: "I…you…we…I don't know how this is going to work. You are a Ge Ge, LFY's favorite. And me…I'm just…"

Qing-er shook her head: "You are just the one I want."

XJ: "Are you sure? I have nothing other than my sword and xiao to offer you."

Qing-er: "You have a heart too, and that's all I need."

XJ: "But…"

Qing-er: "We'll see, won't we? You're XYZ's brother, aren't you? Besides, ZW has EK, XYZ has YQ, their dreams came true, why can't ours?"

XJ: "Qing-er, are you certain? What if LFY doesn't agree?"

Qing-er: "LFY wants me to be happy. As for this, we have just started our path. And if she doesn't agree, I'll just do what the rest of them did. I'll give up my life here and come with you."

XJ was touched by her words: "You'll give up your home?"

Qing-er: "Would you have me give up on love? Now that I've finally found it?"

XJ hugged her again: "Alright, let's walk this road and see where it takes us. ZW was right. She said that on the surface you're prim and proper, but inside, you are full of spirit."

Qing-er: "Oh? ZW said that?"

XJ nodded.

Qing-er: "I should thank them for waking that spirit. I feel like I've been asleep my whole life until I met them."

XJ: "Me too. I once said that if anyone spends too much time with them, he will forget his own name!"

Qing-er: "That's just how I feel. I once told LFY that ZW and XYZ were my shadows, or rather, I was their shadow. They have done things I have never dared. My life seems so peaceful compared with theirs."

XJ protested: "You are nobody's shadow."

So saying, he placed his xiao to his lips. The song that came out was full of hope, of love, of happiness.

The couple was transported to a wholly different world, one where there were only them.

Qing-er smiled shyly XJ as she felt his love for her in his song. Happiness was hers. 'So this is how XYZ and ZW feels," she though, "no wonder they're willing to risk everything for love.'

XJ continued to pour his heart and soul into the music. 'So this is love,' he thought, 'now I know why EK and YQ are willing to give up everything."