After fleeing the room, Quan Mo Ran barged into an empty room and shut the door. His back leaned against the door as he tried to calm his beating heart. Calm down! Quan Mo Ran! What's wrong with you? He told himself. He caught his breath and his heart beat slowed down. Finally gaining his composure, he thought. The first thing I need to do is to find Xie Fei.

He opened the door and walked out confidently. Continuing on his way, he slowly made his way out of the hallway and into the main lobby. Upon entering the main lobby, he was immediately swarmed by a group of women as each tried to get his attention. Quan Mo Ran merely pushed the women away and strode into another hallway.

He peeked into each room only to find drunk men and dancing women. From up ahead he heard a loud voice laugh, "That's enough! That's really enough!" It was Xie Fei's voice.

Quan Mo Ran quickly strode to the room and pushed the door open. There sat Xie Fei, surrounded by women as they served him. His arms were on the table and his head rested on the table by his left arm. In his hand he held a cup of wine.

"Xie Fei, it's time to go," Quan Mo Ran said.

When Xie Fei heard him, he glanced up. Upon seeing that it was Yang Hao Ran, Xie Fei smiled stupidly and struggled to get up. "Li...Qing..." he slurred his words. "You're...here." He tried to walk but stumbled. Two women caught his arms and helped support his weight as he walked toward Yang Hao Ran. They brought Xie Fei to Yang Hao Ran who slung Xie Fei's right arm over his neck and provided support for Xie Fei.

"L-look, Li Qing," he pointed to the ceiling. "T-there i-is a butterfly. B-butterflies are p-pretty."

Quan Mo Ran helped Xie Fei out of the pleasure house. Once outside, he shoved Xie Fei and said sternly, "Are you done acting?"

Xie Fei immediately stood up straight and said, "You, Li Qing! How dare you shove a drunk person who is vulnerable."

"Childish," Yang Hao Ran said after glancing at Xie Fei. He strode away.

"Wait! Li Qing!" Xie Fei struggled to catch up to Yang Hao Ran. "Where are we going next?" He asked.

Yang Hao Ran didn't reply, instead, he crossed the street to the building across from Lian Hua Lou. He walked up to the counter. A man was standing behind the counter and was using a suàn pán to make calculations. He didn't notice Yang Hao Ran.

"A-hem," Yang Hao Ran said.

The man immediately glanced up, and upon seeing Yang Hao Ran he smiled apologetically, "Forgive me for not noticing you earlier. How many rooms would you like?"

"One," Yang Hao Ran said as he plopped a golden boat on the counter.

The man's eyes lit up. "Right you are sir! I'll give you the best room and—"

"I want the room facing Lian Hua Lou."

"I'm afraid that won't do. That room is already booked..."

Quan Mo Ran plopped another golden boat on the counter.

The man immediately changed his tune. "Alright, you got it! Here's your room key." He handed Quan Mo Ran a wooden card with the number 29. Quan Mo Ran turned away and headed toward his room.

As Yang Hao Ran turned away, Xie Fei stood to block his way. "Where am I going to stay?"

"I don't know," Yang Hao Ran said as he tried to move past Xie Fei but without success.

"What do you mean?! Didn't you get two rooms?!"

"No."

"Yang Hao Ran, you're being ridiculous! You're the one who wanted me to go on this adventure with you! You should at least pay for my food and my sleeping needs!"

"I didn't want you to come," Yang Hao Ran said bluntly.

"Stop lying! If you didn't want me to come, you wouldn't have sent me a message!"

"You're right."

"Huh?"

"I didn't send the message. Rui Ming did."

"What?! You're lying! You just don't want to pay for me."

"Whatever," Yang Hao Ran said as he once again tried to move past Xie Fei.

Suddenly, Xie Fei squatted down and held Yang Hao Ran's big leg as he begged very loudly, "Please, Li Qing! Don't do this to me! I have served you faithfully! Why are you throwing me out?!" A small crowd was beginning to form as they watched the drama unfold.

Quan Mo Ran began to feel embarrassed. "Let go," he said as he tried to walk. Xie Fei held his leg tightly.

"You're so heartless! I thought we were sworn brothers! Why are you throwing me out like dirt?"

By now the crowd was murmuring among themselves.

"This man is so heartless! He's letting his sworn brother live on the streets!" One man said.

"I know right? This man doesn't deserve a good friend like him!" Another replied.

A third man stepped out from the crowd and bent down. He offered his right hand toward Xie Fei. "Hey, this man clearly doesn't deserve you. Here, stand up."

Xie Fei was about to reach for the hand when Yang Hao Ran used his body to step in between the man and Xie Fei. "A-hem, this is our own business. No one has the right to become involved," Yang Hao Ran glared at the intruder.

The third man stood up and turned the corner of his lip upward. "Now you want your sworn brother back? When other people want to help, you block him from getting the help he needs. You are making him rely on you! You are so cruel and evil!"

He tried to look over Yang Hao Ran but he was too short. He called, "Xiong Di! If you want to come with me, just say so and I can help you deal with this nuisance!"

Without saying a word, Yang Hao Ran pulled out his dagger and drove it toward the man. The man caught the blade between his two fingers and used his other hand to knock the blade back. Yang Hao Ran's left hand swung at the man as his right hand was fell backwards. The man dodged with ease. By now, Xie Fei had released Yang Hao Ran's legs. Yang Hao Ran spun in a circle and faced the man again. "I said, stay out of our business!"

"A gentleman never sits back when he sees unjustness!" the other man pulled out his sword as well and they charged at each other. Their blades had contact. They glared at each other as they held eye contact for three seconds. Quan Mo Ran brought the swords in a downward direction and quickly spun so that he appeared at the back of his opponent. However, the other man must have anticipated his move because he spun around as well and plunged the sword at Quan Mo Ran's face. Quan Mo Ran's body leaned back, arms stretched out and spun around his opponent as his body formed a thirty degree angle from the ground. His toes were barely touching the ground. Dodging the blow, he appeared behind his opponent who quickly whirled around to face him. Standing on his feet again, Quan Mo Ran took a couple steps back and glared at his opponent.

"Stop fighting! Stop fighting!" Quan Mo Ran heard Xie Fei dimly shouting. I can't let this man win.

They faced each other and charged again. Metal clanged against metal as blow after blow was delivered. Both were trying to wound the other. Quan Mo Ran was being forced to retreat because of how fierce the other man was delivering his blows. Spotting a table, he quickly turned and stepped over the table. After he spun around, he kicked the table in the man's direction. The man jumped over the table. Quan Mo Ran sent a chair flying into the air. The man used his sword to split the chair apart.

Xie Fei quickly grabbed Yang Hao Ran's arm and begged, "Stop fighting!"

Yang Hao Ran shook off Xie Fei and charged once more at his opponent. This time, both opponents charged with their hands stretched out. Once their hands met, they were thrown in opposite directions. Yang Hao Ran was knocked off balance and fell to the ground. He coughed up blood and slowly rose to his knees. Then with difficulty, he got to his feet. The man was standing as if he wasn't harmed one bit. The man sheathed his sword.

"Let's stop fighting," he said.

Yang Hao Ran shook his head and charged. Suddenly, Xie Fei ran between Yang Hao Ran and the man. He opened his arms as if to block the knife. The dagger plunged into his stomach.

"Uhhhgg," he said as blood spurted out of his mouth and ran down his chin.

Yang Hao Ran's eyes flew open. Stunned, he let go of the dagger handle.

"Why?!" Yang Hao Ran cried in desperation.

Xie Fei just smiled.

Yang Hao Ran rushed to his side and caught him as he started to collapse. He gently laid him on the ground. "Call the doctors quickly!"

He turned to Xie Fei, "Why did you run in front of him?! Why?!"

"I...I k-knew that...y-you w-wouldn't g-give up unless...t-there w-was a w-winner."

"Why are you so stupid?" Tears ran down Quan Mo Ran's face.

"I-If I d-don't make it...t-tell Rui Ming...I-I l-love her," he closed his eyes.

"No, you won't die. You can't die! I wasn't able to pay you back yet. You're going to be alright. You're going to be alright," He held Xie Fei in his arms.

Soon, a doctor arrived. Assessing the situation, he said, "Bring the patient to a room and lay him on the bed."

Quan Mo Ran was about to lift him but instead, the other man said, "Give him to me."

"Why?"

"He's in this condition because of you. What makes you think you deserve to meet him?"

He has a point. What right do I have to even face him when I caused this to happen to him? Reluctantly, he handed Xie Fei over to the man who carried him to a room. Quan Mo Ran followed behind. As he waited outside the door, he paced. If I can only make sure he will be alright, then I will leave.

As soon as the doctor stepped out a couple hours later, Quan Mo Ran eagerly approached him. "How is he?"

The doctor sighed. "His wound was deep but fortunately, none of his vital organs were touched. It will take him a while to heal. But for the most part, he will be alright."

Quan Mo Ran sighed in relief. As long as he is alright.

Quan Mo Ran walked toward the door but was intercepted by the man he had just fought.

"You can't go in," he told Quan Mo Ran.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not going to allow you to hurt him," he said adamantly.

"Get out of my way."

"No."

"Just let me glance at him. Please. I just need to make sure he will be alright. Then I'll leave. I promise, " Quan Mo Ran begged, changing up his tactic.

The man sighed, "Because he did consider you his sworn brother, I will allow you to see him one last time. But after today, you should leave him alone."

Quan Mo Ran nodded.

Stepping past the man, he walked into the room. Xie Fei's face was pale, his hair was messy, and there was sweat all over him. He walked over to his side and sat down. " I'm sorry, Xie Fei. I didn't mean to hurt you...I'm sorry." He sat there for a while, just watching over him.

Xie Fei coughed suddenly and Quan Mo Ran immediately got up and started to walk away. He had almost made it to the doorway when he heard a voice say, "Yang Hao Ran." Quan Mo Ran stopped but refused to turn around, afraid to meet Xie Fei.

"Why are you leaving?"

"I only came to check if you were alright. I don't want to owe you anything. The money I owe you is on the table." Quan Mo Ran took a step forward.

"Zhàn zhù!" Xie Fei ordered.

Quan Mo Ran stopped.

"Do you really think I care about the money? Because I don't. Do you know why I follow you everywhere?"

Quan Mo Ran didn't reply.

"It's because I consider you my brother. You've always been a brother to me. You will always be a brother to me no matter what happens."

Tears rolled down Quan Mo Ran's cheeks and fell to the floor. " You're better off without me." Then turning around, he threw a jade pendant to Xie Fei. "Remember this jade pendant? You gave it to me when we first met that night. You know what you told me that night? You said this jade pendant represented our friendship because even though we aren't perfect, we come together in times of trouble and hold on to our friendship no matter what. Now I am returning this to you. I hope you can live happily."

Quan Mo Ran turned away and was about to leave.

"QUAN MO RAN! STOP!"

Quan Mo Ran stopped suddenly. It had been years since he was called that by someone other than Rui Ming.

"You are always making decisions for everyone else. Have you ever asked what they wanted? Have you asked me what I wanted? You're leaving because you want to protect me from yourself. Did I ever ask for your protection?"

"You're better off without me, Xie Fei. Every mission we have, you're going to be in danger. Besides, I don't want you to drag me down, especially with your wounds."

"Oh, I get it. In your mind, I've always been a burden to you. You think all I've ever wanted was to get in the way of your goals? Our friendship meant nothing then? If it meant nothing, why did you take the jade pendant?"

"It just looked nice, and anyway, I could always exchange it for money if I was desperate."

"Ohhh? So our friendship is that cheap? It can be exchanged with some money?"

"That's right."

"And I thought you really cared about our friendship! I thought we were friends!"

There was an intense silence.

"Why don't you leave," Xie Fei said.

Yang Hao Ran hesitated.

"I SAID LEAVE!"

Quan Mo Ran felt something break at his feet. He turned just enough to see what it was. It was the jade pendant. His soul shattered into a million pieces. He wanted so desperately to pick up the jade pieces but he restrained himself. It's for the best. He stepped out of the room, heart heavy.

He walked to Lian Hua Lou and told the waiter, "Get me the best wine in the house! Bù zuì bù guī!"

The waiter brought a big clay jar that had a cloth wrapped over the opening. Quan Mo Ran took off the cloth and poured some wine into the bowl. He stared at the wine. He usually didn't make it a habit to drink wine. Without hesitating further, he tipped the whole bowl of wine into his lips and drank. Setting it down, he refilled it. He drank bowl after bowl until he became very drunk. His head lay on the table as his left arm was stretched out. " More wine...more wine..." he said as he smiled stupidly, his cheeks flushed pink.

Ru Xiang approached him. Turning to the waiter who was wiping a table she asked, "How long has he been drinking?"

"The whole afternoon," he replied, not looking at her.

She sighed. Grabbing his arm, and draping his arm over her, she half carried half dragged him up the stairs and into her room. Placing him in her bed, she put a blanket over him and went downstairs to make him soup that would help with his hangover.

When she came back, he was just muttering, "Xie Fei, Xie Fei! Don't die! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

He started to thrash around. Ru Xiang quickly grabbed his hand and said, "I' m here! I'm here. I'm alright. You don't need to be sad. I'm right here with you."

He calmed down and settled back into bed.

He's gone through so much. She sighed.

*************************************************

When Quan Mo Ran woke up, he found himself in a strange bed. He tried moving his arm but something heavy was on it. He glanced to his left and saw Ru Xiang's head on his arm. She was fast asleep. He admired her long eyelashes. There was a slight smile on her red lips. Her black long hair was put down and it tickled his hand. She was even prettier in her sleep.

Then she woke up and their eyes met. She glanced down and once she realized she was resting on his arm, she quickly sat up. "Sorry, didn't mean to sleep on your arm."

"Wú fáng," he said.

"Here, I made you some soup to help you with the overhang," she said as she picked up a bowl of soup and handed it to him.

Quan Mo Ran tried to receive the bowl but was unable to. For some reason, his hands started shaking badly.

Ru Xiang, upon seeing his trouble said, "Here let me feed you."

She picked up the spoon and blew on it. Then she lifted it to his lips. "Open your mouth."

Quan Mo Ran obeyed. She gently fed him the soup.

As Quan Mo Ran watched her gentle figure, his love for her grew. In the peaceful silence, he mustered up his courage. "Actually, I always wanted to tell you..." He paused.

He had her full attention. She was waiting expectantly.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Suàn pán(算盘）: abacus, a tool used to calculate

Zhàn zhù( 站住）:wait up or stop walking

Bù zuì bù guī (不醉不归）:it's an idiom that means one won't go home if they're not drunk

Wú fáng(无妨）: it's no need to bother