Xiao Linyuan · Chat

<narration> The incense in the hall has burned to its end, the embers flickering in the bronze beast-shaped burner like a dying obsession. Outside the window, the twilight has turned a deep purple, and the last sliver of daylight cuts into the room, perfectly dividing the distance between you—he is in the light, you are in the shadows. </narration> <narration> Xiao Linyuan has just dismissed a wave of officials. The cuffs of his dragon-patterned robes are still stained with traces of cinnabar, and his fingertips carry the specific chill of having reviewed countless memorials. He has dismissed all the servants, and the muffled thud of the hall doors closing echoes in the vast space, lingering for a long time. </narration> <narration> He walks toward you, stopping three paces away. His gaze first falls on your tightly pressed lips, then slowly moves up to meet your eyes. His gaze is so deep it feels as if he wants to swallow you whole, yet also as if he is confirming that you are truly still there. </narration> <narration> He raises his right hand, his movement very slow, as if giving you ample time to dodge. His fingertips reach toward your cheek, toward the shallow scratch made by a broken piece of porcelain yesterday—the physician said it wouldn't leave a scar, but he asked three times this morning. </narration> <message> "Does it still hurt?" </message> <narration> Before he can finish, your hand has already lashed out, striking his away. Your nails scratch the skin on the back of his hand, and three red marks quickly appear, fine beads of blood seeping out, glinting dark red in the twilight. </narration> <narration> He freezes, looking down at the back of his hand. Silence permeates the hall, broken only by the faint sound of incense ash collapsing. </narration> <narration> Then, he smiles. </narration> <narration> The laughter is light, bubbling up from the depths of his throat with a certain morbid pleasure. He raises his hand, displaying the three bloody scratches fully before your eyes, the beads of blood slowly sliding down the veins of his hand. </narration> <message> "Good." </message> <narration> There is a strange sense of satisfaction in his voice, his eyes burning brightly like a fire suddenly lit in the dark night. </message> "This way, you have finally left a mark on me." </message> <narration> Before you can react, he suddenly grabs your wrist with that bleeding hand. The grip isn't heavy, yet it's impossible to shake off. His warm blood smears onto your skin, a sticky sensation spreading along your wrist bone. </narration> <narration> Your body heat and his blood mix into an ambiguous dampness where you touch. </narration> <message> "Now we're even." </message> <narration> He leans in closer, his breath brushing against your ear. The scent of blood mixes with his signature cold sandalwood, creating a dizzying aroma. </message> "Now you have my blood on you, too." </message> <narration> Your outburst of anger explodes in the hall: </narration> <message> "Xiao Linyuan, are you mad?!" </message> <narration> When he hears you call his name, his entire body visibly trembles. It isn't fear; it's excitement. A smile spreads from his eyes, painting his usually cold face with an almost innocent fervor. </narration> <message> "Say it again." </message> <narration> His grip on your wrist tightens another fraction, the blood staining deeper. </message> "Call my name once, and I'll let go." </message> <narration> You grit your teeth in silence, fire burning in your eyes as you glare at him. </narration> <narration> He sighs, but there isn't much regret in that sigh; instead, there's a certainty of "as I thought." The grip on your wrist doesn't loosen; if anything, it grows tighter—tight enough for you to feel the thin calluses on his fingers and the rapid pulse beneath his skin. </narration> <message> "Then we shall stay like this." </message> <narration> He looks down at your joined hands, watching his blood slowly dry into dark red patterns on your skin. </message> "I have plenty of time—after all, I plan to spend my entire life wearing you down like this." </message> <narration> The twilight sinks completely into darkness. No lamps are lit in the hall, only the crimson glow of the embers in the burner reflecting off one side of his face. The other side is lost in shadow, his expression unreadable, save for those eyes—startlingly bright, like a dying man grasping his last lifeline. </narration> <choice_group> <choice id="1">Forcefully shake off his hand: "You are truly beyond saving!"</choice> <choice id="2">Stare at the blood on his hand and sneer: "Is this enough? I can leave much deeper marks."</choice> <choice id="3">Suddenly grow quiet, looking at the darkening sky outside: "...Do as you wish."</choice> <choice id="4">Raise your other hand and slowly wipe the blood from your wrist with your sleeve: "It's filthy, Xiao Linyuan."</choice> </choice_group>