Silence Meets Fire

Chapter 7: A Quiet Invitation

Lan Yuze quietly returned to his room after leaving Shen Lie's chamber.

As he walked through the corridor, he could still feel the weight of Shen Lie's gaze following him.

Yuze lowered his eyes and continued walking.

Behind him, Shen Lie stood at his doorway.

He watched Yuze disappear around the corner.

A faint smile remained on his face.

There was something about that quiet young man that Shen Lie could not understand.

And somehow, the less he understood, the more curious he became.

---

When Lan Yuze reached his room, Lan Yichen was waiting for him.

The moment he saw his younger brother, he asked,

"Where did you go?"

Yuze stopped.

"I went to Shen Lie's room."

Yichen's expression immediately became serious.

"Why?"

Yuze calmly answered,

"I went to bandage his wound."

Yichen looked at him for a moment.

"You shouldn't become too close to him."

Yuze looked slightly confused.

"Why?"

"You know what people say about Shen Lie. He's not someone you should trust so easily."

Yuze shook his head.

"He hasn't done anything to hurt me."

Yichen sighed.

"Yuze, you're too innocent. You don't understand people as well as you think you do."

Yuze remained quiet.

Yichen softened his voice.

"I'm only saying this because you're my younger brother. Be careful around him."

Yuze nodded.

"Yes, Brother."

Yichen looked toward the celebration hall.

"Come on. Everyone is waiting for you."

Yuze followed him.

"You are the winner, after all."

---

The celebration was still lively.

The Crown Prince had arranged a large feast to celebrate Lan Yuze's victory.

Several kings and important guests were present.

Yuze sat quietly with his family.

He spoke politely whenever someone addressed him.

His gentle manners immediately caught the attention of many guests.

Several princes, however, were far from pleased.

They sat together and watched him.

"How did he manage to win again?"

"He's always so quiet."

"That's exactly what makes him irritating."

Another prince whispered,

"Everyone seems to like him."

Yuze heard some of the whispers but didn't respond.

He simply continued eating quietly.

The kings and elders, however, were impressed by his behavior.

"He is very well-mannered."

"Lan Qingshan raised his sons well."

"He's young, but his answers during the intelligence competition were excellent."

Lan Qingshan smiled proudly.

Mei Lian looked at Yuze with affection.

Yuze simply lowered his head politely.

Across the hall, Shen Lie entered with his mother.

His mother walked beside him.

"Everyone is waiting for you."

Shen Lie nodded.

"Yes, Mother."

But the moment he entered the hall, his eyes moved across the room.

They stopped on Lan Yuze.

Yuze was sitting quietly beside his family.

Shen Lie's expression softened.

His mother noticed that he had stopped walking.

"What are you looking at?"

"Nothing."

She followed his gaze.

But Shen Lie had already looked away.

"Come," she said. "Sit down."

Shen Lie took his place.

Yet his attention kept returning to Yuze.

Lan Yichen noticed.

He watched Shen Lie carefully.

He's looking at Yuze again.

A small concern appeared in his eyes.

---

Later, Shen Lie picked up a cup and walked toward Yuze.

He stopped beside him.

"You don't drink?"

Yuze looked up.

"No."

"Never?"

Yuze shook his head.

"No. It's against our family's principles."

Shen Lie smiled.

"I've heard that your family is very strict."

Yuze nodded.

"Our family follows many rules."

Shen Lie looked toward Lan Qingshan.

"Honestly, I like your family."

Yuze looked surprised.

"Why?"

"I've heard many things about your kingdom and your family."

Shen Lie paused.

"Of all the kingdoms I've heard about, yours interests me the most."

Yuze looked at him curiously.

"Have you ever visited?"

"No."

Shen Lie smiled.

"But I've heard about its mountains, rivers, and beautiful scenery."

Then he looked at Yuze.

"Perhaps I'll visit one day."

Yuze smiled politely.

"You should. You're welcome."

Shen Lie raised an eyebrow.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll remember your invitation."

Yuze nodded.

"You should come."

From a short distance away, Lan Yichen was watching them.

He noticed the way Shen Lie spoke to Yuze.

Something about it made him uneasy.

After a moment, he walked over.

"Do you need something from my brother?"

Shen Lie looked at him.

"Yes."

Yichen waited.

Shen Lie smiled slightly.

"But not tonight."

Then he turned away.

Yichen frowned.

What did he mean by that?

Yuze looked at his brother.

"What happened?"

"What did Shen Lie say to you?"

"He said he likes our kingdom and wants to visit someday."

Yichen looked suspicious.

"That's all?"

Yuze nodded.

"Yes."

Yichen sighed.

"Just don't talk to him too much."

Yuze quietly answered,

"Yes, Brother."

---

The celebration continued for a while.

Eventually, Shen Lie's mother came looking for him.

"What are you doing here?"

Shen Lie was standing near the garden.

"Nothing."

"Everyone is waiting for you."

"I'll come."

She looked at him carefully.

"You've been distracted all evening."

Shen Lie smiled.

"Have I?"

"Yes."

She shook her head.

"Come with me."

Shen Lie followed her back toward the hall.

But once again, his eyes found Lan Yuze.

And once again, Lan Yichen noticed.

---

The celebration finally ended late at night.

One by one, the guests returned to their rooms.

Lan Yuze also returned to his chamber.

He washed and changed into his night clothes.

Usually, before sleeping, he would stand by his window and look at the moon.

But tonight, he felt tired.

He lay down and soon fell asleep.

Across the palace, Shen Lie sat inside his room.

He waited.

He glanced toward his window.

Nothing.

He waited a little longer.

Still nothing.

Shen Lie frowned.

He stood and looked outside.

Lan Yuze's window was dark.

Why hasn't he come to the window tonight?

He sat down again.

A few minutes passed.

He looked again.

Still nothing.

A strange concern appeared in his heart.

Is he ill?

He tried to ignore the thought.

But he couldn't.

Eventually, Shen Lie stood.

He left his room and walked through the quiet corridor.

The palace was almost completely silent.

He stopped outside Lan Yuze's door.

For a moment, he simply stood there.

Then he raised his hand.

Knock. Knock.

Inside, Yuze slowly woke.

He sat up, confused.

Who could be knocking at this hour?

He walked toward the door and opened it.

The moment he saw Shen Lie standing outside, surprise appeared on his face.

"Shen Lie?"

Shen Lie looked at him.

"You weren't at your window tonight."

Yuze blinked.

"What?"

Shen Lie realized what he had just said.

He cleared his throat.

"I mean... I passed by and noticed your room was dark."

Yuze looked at him quietly.

"I was tired."

Shen Lie nodded.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes."

"You're not sick?"

"No."

Shen Lie finally relaxed.

"Good."

Yuze looked at him.

"But why did you come here?"

Shen Lie was silent for a moment.

He didn't have a proper answer.

He had simply wanted to know whether Yuze was alright.

Finally, he said,

"I wanted to see if you were okay."

Yuze's expression softened slightly.

"I'm fine."

Shen Lie nodded.

Then his eyes moved toward the room.

"Won't you invite me inside?"

Yuze looked surprised.

He remembered that Shen Lie had invited him into his room earlier that evening.

Now Shen Lie was standing outside his.

Yuze hesitated.

Then he stepped aside.

"Come in."

Shen Lie entered.

Yuze quietly closed the door.

For a moment, neither spoke.

The room was peaceful, lit only by a small lamp.

Shen Lie looked around.

"You really are different."

Yuze looked at him.

"How?"

"You spend your nights looking at the moon, you don't drink, you barely speak, and you defeated everyone in the competitions."

Yuze lowered his eyes.

"I don't think I'm that special."

Shen Lie smiled.

"That's another thing."

"What?"

"You don't even realize how capable you are."

Yuze didn't answer.

Shen Lie looked toward him.

"And tomorrow?"

Yuze asked,

"Tomorrow?"

"What will you do tomorrow?"

Yuze thought for a moment.

"Probably study."

Shen Lie laughed softly.

"Of course."

Yuze looked at him.

"You should rest too. Your arm is injured."

Shen Lie glanced at the bandage.

Then he smiled.

"You still care about my wound."

Yuze answered honestly,

"Of course. I caused it."

"You didn't."

"But you were hurt."

Shen Lie shook his head.

"It doesn't matter."

Yuze looked at him seriously.

"It matters to me."

Those simple words made Shen Lie quiet.

He looked at Yuze for a long moment.

Then a small smile appeared.

"Alright."

He stepped toward the door.

"I'll take better care of it."

Yuze nodded.

"Good."

Shen Lie opened the door.

Before leaving, he turned back.

"Yuze."

"Yes?"

"Tomorrow, don't disappear."

Yuze looked slightly puzzled.

"Why?"

Shen Lie smiled.

"Because I still have something to say to you."

Then he left.

Yuze stood at the doorway, watching him disappear down the corridor.

He didn't know what Shen Lie wanted to say.

But for some reason, his words stayed in Yuze's thoughts long after the door had closed.

And somewhere down the corridor, Shen Lie walked back toward his room with a quiet smile.

For the first time, he realized that seeing Lan Yuze had slowly become part of his day.

And he wasn't sure he wanted that feeling to disappear.