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Rong Xi stood there, slightly stunned, his gaze meeting Qin Ke's.

The youth's wet hair draped over his shoulders, making his jade-pale face all the more striking. Beneath the lamplight, his long lashes cast shadows over the soft curves beneath his eyes. His expression was gentle and timeless, bringing an inexplicable peace to the heart.

"Brother Sizhi?" Rong Xi asked.

Qin Ke also felt that his words just now had been rather rash. Yet spilled water could not be gathered again.

He braced himself and explained, "Previously, the guards carelessly fell into the bandits' trap and allowed you to fall into danger. It was truly a dereliction of duty. My guilt has left me unable to rest easy, so I wished to do something for Eldest Brother to express my apology."

Rong Xi's face suddenly blossomed into a smile. Fresh from his bath, his eyes shone like stars; his lips were red and his teeth white, lighting up the room.

"Brother Sizhi, you give me too much credit." Sitting on the bed, he wiped his hair with a towel. "Had I not been careless before, I would not have stirred the wolves' greed."

Qin Ke insistently took the towel from his hand, his gaze firm.

"It was not your fault. I failed to protect you."

Helpless, Rong Xi could only turn his back to Qin Ke and say with a smile, "Neither of us needs to blame ourselves any longer. The true culprit was the bandits."

"Mm."

The man's movements were light and gentle as he carefully dried the water from his hair.

The youth's black hair spilled like a waterfall across his shoulders and back, making him appear even more young and green.

"Did it frighten you?" Qin Ke asked softly. "The letter only stated that bandits caused trouble