Yin Chao looked into Bai Xu's hollow eyes. He was like a rag doll with its soul drained away.
His true self had died long ago, the moment he witnessed his parents' murder.
Yin Chao crouched down, bringing his eyes level with Bai Xu's.
From Bai Xu's perspective, Yin Chao's delicate features seemed unreal before gradually coming into focus.
Bai Xu blinked in shock.
Until Yin Chao appeared clearly before his eyes.
"Am... am I dreaming?"
He murmured.
Yin Chao pinched his gaunt cheek. The warmth of his touch left Bai Xu frozen for a long time.
"This isn't a dream. I'm a real person."
Tears welled in Bai Xu's eyes. He struggled to hold them back and choked out his words.
"But I went back to that village in the end, and everyone said there was no such person. I... I'd already convinced Mom. She said... she said she wanted to see what kind of person you were..."
At that, Bai Xu finally broke down crying.
Clear tears ran down his dusty cheeks, leaving two distinct tracks.
Yin Chao spoke gently, as though coaxing a child to eat, and softly wiped the dust from his face.
"Don't cry. Your face is getting all streaky, like a little tabby cat."
"My mom and dad... they're both dead..."
Bai Xu rambled on, and Yin Chao could almost see him again, reporting every last detail of his life through the scroll.
When had Bai Xu's reports started becoming less frequent?
Oh, it seemed to have been after Bai Tan died.
"Those soldiers... they kept saying things I couldn't understand... every time the sun goes down, I close my eyes, and it all comes back... I'm a coward. All I could do was watch them torture Mom and Dad to death..."
Bai Xu