"Why must we wait by the carriage while Bai Huiqi has—what is it that you call?—parting good-byes with the Heavenly Demon?"
Hu Lijing raised an eyebrow, judgement dripping in every word he spoke, arms crossed on his chest, leaning lazily against the carriage wheel.
"There are some things that should be allowed, Lijing. Let Huiqi have that at the very least." Li Xinyuan exhaled forcefully through his nose, head tilted back and eyes closed. "They will be apart for a time after this."
As if he was giving a prayer to the heavens for patience. Which—fair enough, the surgeon did need more patience with Hu Lijing around.
After he spoke those words, a profound silence fell between them. Contemplative and slightly bitter.
This was to be expected, neither of them were bound—by conventional definition—with anyone, much less a lover. That is, if the surgeon's betrothal was not put in consideration.
