Chapter Four: A Meeting Under the Moon

Inside the Mustard Seed Space, the cycle of sunrise and sunset mirrors the outside world, yet time itself stands still. As midnight descended, Su Raochen tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Rather than forcing himself, he threw back the covers, rose, and ventured out, eager to explore the space—a rare opportunity, for few masters would so casually reveal their own domains, especially since such places could be a lifeline in times of crisis.

He reached the doorway and was struck by the sight before him.

Under a mysterious night sky, beneath the gray-black horizon, a towering ancient tree rose from the earth. Its once emerald foliage now appeared shadowy beneath the moon’s gentle shroud. On a slanting branch, a youth dressed in black lounged lazily—it was Mo Shen, whom Su Raochen had met just that morning. Fireflies danced about him, transforming into luminous glimmers that melted into the moonlight, spilling onto the leaves and casting a faint green glow.

The boy’s face, softened by the flickering firelight, appeared tranquil and elegant as mist. One hand rested on the branch, the other draped languidly over his upright knee, eyes distant and unfathomable, lost in thought.

The two remained—one seated, one standing—in serene silence, as a few playful green leaves glided through the air, the scene as quiet and beautiful as a painting.

Sensing someone’s gaze, the youth looked down at Su Raochen, and in his silent eyes, a spark of light flickered, as if he’d discovered something amusing. Mo Shen pressed his hands to the branch and leapt down, approaching Su Raochen slowly with intense eyes.

Suddenly, Su Raochen found himself unable to meet Mo Shen’s gaze; he braced himself, enduring the scrutiny as it drew nearer. The distinct rhythm of his heartbeat—thump, thump, thump—echoed between them. Just as the pressure became unbearable, Mo Shen suddenly spoke:

“Your ears…”

The awkward atmosphere began to ease, but Mo Shen’s question followed swiftly. Ears? What about his ears? Instinctively, Su Raochen reached up, but his hand found nothing; in a flash of realization, he turned to retreat into the house. Yet his hand was caught.

“Don’t go…”

The youth’s voice, tinged with reluctance and sorrow, drifted from behind, cool as the night breeze, slipping quietly into Su Raochen’s heart. Though he refused to admit it, he felt his resolve soften, and so he stood perfectly still.

Mo Shen couldn’t help but chuckle, leading Su Raochen toward the creek. “I really don’t know what you’re afraid of. Actually, you’re quite adorable like this.”

A jolt ran through Su Raochen’s heart; he knew himself well. Since childhood, his transformation had remained incomplete, and those pure, snowy fox ears—once exposed—had turned people’s expressions into his constant nightmare. Mo Shen… how could he possibly find them cute?

A faint, cool scent of wine drifted on the breeze, reaching Su Raochen’s nose. He’s been drinking? If that’s the case, it explains everything…

“You’ve been drinking?” Su Raochen asked, wanting to confirm.

“Shh, don’t tell that old rascal, or he’ll start making trouble again. I only drank a little, really.” Mo Shen, now like a child caught in mischief, showed none of the morning’s composure. To prove his innocence, he leaned in, offering his face for inspection.

Faced with Mo Shen’s sudden gesture, Su Raochen had no defense. He turned his head away and replied, “I believe you. Just stand still.” Yet even he couldn’t explain the faint sense of loss swirling in his heart.

Those fox ears—pure as snow, without a trace of impurity—were now clearly visible thanks to Mo Shen’s close approach, and, tense from Su Raochen’s nervousness, they quivered slightly, fluffy and inviting to touch. Mo Shen, tempted, reached out and gave in to the urge.

The moment Mo Shen’s fingers brushed the fox ears, Su Raochen felt as if struck by lightning. An indescribable tingling climbed from his tailbone to his heart, then spread across his skin, raising goosebumps. He tried to raise a hand to stop Mo Shen, but before he could, Mo Shen gently ruffled the ears once more.

“Mm…” Su Raochen struggled to suppress the sound, but a faint tremor escaped him. All his strength drained away, and he collapsed helplessly against the ancient tree behind him. Mo Shen, suddenly deprived of support, fell toward Su Raochen, bringing them into close contact.

The moonlight, cold and clear, filtered through the branches and settled on the two figures. For the first time, Mo Shen memorized every detail of the youth in his arms.

Moonbeams floated over Su Raochen’s face; the fox ears, still quivering from the earlier touch, were flawless and pure. Their owner fared no better—his lovely features were now flushed crimson, as if peach blossoms had bloomed across his cheeks, quivering with each rapid breath. His lips, vibrant and alluring, seemed ready to drip with dew.

Mo Shen braced himself with one hand on the tree, the other still resting lightly on that pale, lustrous skin. He gazed, transfixed, into the eyes of the boy in his arms—those peach blossom eyes, tinged with faint red, swirling with misty moisture both in their depths and in Mo Shen’s heart.

“You… you should get up first.” Su Raochen recovered himself, only to find Mo Shen staring back, his gaze deep and endless, as though intent on swallowing him whole. An unnamed fear prompted Su Raochen’s request.

His words startled Mo Shen. Returning to his senses, Mo Shen’s face flushed scarlet, clouds billowing across his cheeks. He dared not look at Su Raochen again, reluctantly withdrawing his hand from the boy’s chest, and fled in silence.

The night breeze brushed softly into the youth’s heart, as did the memory of those fox ears, that blush, and the words “I believe you”—all etched into Mo Shen’s soul, a secret only he could glimpse.

After Mo Shen left, Su Raochen stood rooted for a long time, replaying the recent events in his mind. Even his human ears, restored once more, grew crimson, as if they might drip blood—making one want to touch them, to see what expression their owner might wear.

A gust of cold wind sent a shiver through Su Raochen. He rubbed his arms and returned directly to his room.

Beneath the moonlight, shadows flickered.

“Ah, youth is such a blessing. Well, well, time to go inside and sleep.”