In Yutian City.
Inside the room, there were only Qin Huaiqiu and Sikong Ting.
Outside, the rain was pouring down. It was a rare downpour in the drought - prone Protector - General's Office.
The two of them sat in silence. Qin Huaiqiu sat on the bed, quietly curled up. Sikong Ting carried a bowl of steaming noodles. He moved the low table onto the bed, put the bowl down, and then sat beside Qin Huaiqiu. He scooped the latter into his arms with one hand.
Qin Huaiqiu was quiet. The moment Sikong Ting hugged him, he snuggled into his arms.
Sikong Ting sighed silently.
He never expected that their reunion would be under such circumstances. Gengnan City had fallen, Qian Shuyu had been beheaded in public, and Qin Feng had been captured.
The tactics used by Loulan this time were different from before. Everyone felt this strange sense of unease. Although they had suspected it for a long time, they were now almost certain that there was an insider on the enemy's side.
From the catapults at the beginning, to the extreme familiarity with the terrain of Kunlun, and then to the understanding of the personalities of the defenders in Gengnan City.
Although Qin Huaiqiu didn't say a word, Sikong Ting knew that he was suffering inside.
"Qiu'er, have something hot. You haven't eaten for a whole day," Sikong Ting said softly as he ruffled Qin Huaiqiu's hair.
Qin Huaiqiu leaned on Sikong Ting's chest. His long sideburns covered his eyes. He shook his head gently and said in a muffled voice, "I'm not hungry. I can't eat."
Sikong Ting said, "If you don't eat well, how can you save your father?"
Qin Huaiqiu was stunned.
The air was silent for a few seconds. Suddenly, Qin Huaiqiu lifted his head from Sikong Ting's arms. He suddenly wrapped his arms around Sikong Ting's neck, leaned forward, and pressed his cold lips against his.
It was a kiss without any lust.
Sikong Ting was completely stunned. But he just blinked a few times, then put his arm around the back of Qin Huaiqiu's head and let his tongue explore into his mouth, taking over every inch.
It had been so long since they last saw each other.
So long that they almost forgot the feeling of kissing.
The kiss lasted for a long time until they gasped and separated. Qin Huaiqiu knelt in front of Sikong Ting. He lowered his head, but his eyes were cold and inquisitive.
"Sikong Ting, do you know something?" Qin Huaiqiu's words seemed to come out of the blue.
Sikong Ting stared at him. Remembering the letter Qin Huailian had given him, he flatly denied it. "No."
"I don't believe it," Qin Huaiqiu said. His voice was extremely calm. "Then why did you suddenly send Feng Zuo to Gengnan City?"
"..." Sikong Ting looked at him. There was a complex and conflicted look in his eyes.
"Are you not going to tell me?" Qin Huaiqiu seemed to sigh. He paused for a moment and leaned into Sikong Ting's arms again.
Sikong Ting was thinking about whether Qin Huaiqiu would be angry if he didn't tell him about Qin Huailian. But at this moment, Qin Huaiqiu put his arms around his waist and whispered, "Is it related to me?"
Sikong Ting was silent for a while and then said, "Yes."
"Why won't you tell me?"
"... Because I want to protect you," Sikong Ting said firmly.
Qin Huaiqiu stiffened all over. Then he let out a few low bitter laughs and said, "So you came all the way from the capital? Really... When it comes to leading troops in battle, you're no match for me."
"That's because you haven't seen me lead troops," Sikong Ting said as he lovingly ruffled his hair. He hesitated a bit and asked, "Not going to ask anymore?"
Qin Huaiqiu shook his head and said, "If you don't want to say, I won't ask. I trust you."
Sikong Ting's heart skipped a beat. He looked deeply at Qin Huaiqiu and murmured, "Qiu'er..."
"But I have to save my father and my sister," Qin Huaiqiu propped himself up with his hands and looked at Sikong Ting eye - to - eye. "On this point, you have to tell me."
Sikong Ting stroked his face and said softly, "I've sent people to investigate. The canyon from the Kunlun Mountains to Zhucheng has been blown up by them. That road is blocked. We can only go to Zhucheng via the Ji River. Your father and your sister are both in Zhucheng. There is plenty of food and supplies in Zhucheng. I'm afraid they're going to confront us there."
"They won't be able to hold out for long," Qin Huaiqiu covered Sikong Ting's hand with his own and rubbed his face against it. "It's already winter. This rain might turn into snow tomorrow. Once it snows, the Ji River in front of Zhucheng will freeze, and that will be the real time for battle."
"How long will it take for the Ji River to freeze completely so that the cavalry can pass?" Sikong Ting asked.
Qin Huaiqiu thought for a while and said, "It's freezing in the Protector - General's Office. The Ji River has a large water flow. Although it's not drought - prone, it can't withstand the extreme cold here. It will take at least five days and at most ten days."
Sikong Ting hugged him and kissed the corner of his eye. "Don't worry. I'll help you save your father and... your sister."
Qin Huaiqiu was silent and still huddled in Sikong Ting's arms.
"Hu Yelu has also withdrawn his troops," Sikong Ting said.
"Okay."
"They're obviously acting in a planned way. Once the Ji River freezes and the troops can pass, they'll probably make a move," Sikong Ting said.
"Okay." Qin Huaiqiu burrowed deeper into his arms. At this moment, the only thing he could think of to comfort himself was to hold Sikong Ting tightly.
Sikong Ting hugged him lovingly and said, "I came here because I was worried about your safety. If the enemy makes a move, don't rush into battle. You must discuss it with me. Do you understand?"
"Are you afraid I'll act impulsively?" Qin Huaiqiu's voice was still muffled.
"Sigh..." Sikong Ting ruffled his hair. He didn't elaborate but changed the subject. "The noodles will get cold."
"I really don't want to eat," Qin Huaiqiu said.
"Be good," Sikong Ting said as he pulled him into his arms. He put his hands under Qin Huaiqiu's armpits, picked up the bowl with one hand, and stirred the noodles that were starting to stick together with the chopsticks in the other hand. He said softly, "I'll feed you. Come on."
Sikong Ting picked up a chopstick of noodles and brought it to Qin Huaiqiu's mouth. He coaxed, "Open your mouth. Be good."
Qin Huaiqiu leaned in his arms and obediently opened his mouth.
The two of them just sat there, one feeding and the other eating, without saying a word more.
Outside, the torrential rain poured down on the land of the Protector - General's Office, which hadn't been moistened by rain for almost three months, bringing long - awaited moisture to the land.
Qin Huailian looked at the dense curtain of rain outside the window. She reached out and picked up a jar of wine. She broke the seal, lowered her eyes to look at it. It was hard to tell what was on her mind. Then, she hugged the jar of wine and gulped it all down.
"Clang!"
She threw the empty wine jar to one side. There were already five or six empty jars lying haphazardly there. They were all good - quality Nu'erhong wine.
Qin Huailian reeked of alcohol. She belched. Her stomach churned all of a sudden. She let out a soft whimper and covered her stomach with her hand.
"If you drink like this, it's no wonder your stomach doesn't hurt," a voice suddenly came through the downpour.
Qin Huailian was stunned. She looked up towards the door.
Yazebu was standing with his arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe, staring intently at her.