A Song For A Summer’s Night - Chapter 109

Two Months Later: Early Summer

Su Xiang went to the market, picking up some fresh vegetables and fish for dinner that night.

She carried a basket around her arm, approaching a stand that sold onions. She purchased them, thanking the seller before walking around the market. She then heard someone telling a story out loud, and some people were getting annoyed by the old man.

Su Xiang paused, straining her eyes to hear what he was saying, but most of what he was saying didn’t make sense, or they were pieces of a story, not telling it as a whole.

He was frying some food in a pot over a small fire as he spoke:

“When the sleeping dragon awakens from its timeless slumber, the creature shall squint its narrow eyes against the waiting sun, listening to the sound of widowed beauty, humming a sad, sorrowful tune of a mourning song…

The phoenix of vermilion feathers, bright as orange flames, will rise against the dark—soaring, thriving, descending generations from its first matriarch…

When the sleeping dragons wakes, and the phoenix rises, then shall a battle commence, together warding off evil with their flock as one, standing at the foot of their fortress with two fronts as their final defence…”

The man kept repeating himself, and everything was in fragments. Su Xiang found herself stepping towards him, drawn. The man stopped his mumbling, locking eyes with her. His eyes were deep and fathomless; she could see a tattoo sneaking up from the back of his neck, but she couldn’t make out which creature it was.

She stepped closer, when a woman grasped her suddenly, whirling her around. Su Xiang’s eyes widened, startled. “Don’t go near that crazy man,” the woman warned.

Su Xiang looked towards the older man again, his eyes fixated on hers. She then wiggled out of the woman’s firm grasp, nodding. She glanced at him once more before leaving the market.

…

Xun Zichen knelt, ducking as the Cloak swung his wooden sword, skidding over his head. He deflected the next move by holding his sword above his head, meeting the Cloak’s brutal strike. Xun Zichen then circled the Cloak’s sword, twirling it until it clanged on the ground, forcing him to yield.

Xun Zichen heard someone walk behind him with his cane. He then stood up, turning around, bowing in front of Long Yuntian.

“Try out the real swords,” Long Yuntian told them.

Xun Zichen nodded. He had been training for weeks, learning the weight and balance of the sword, running with it, learning to wield it without hurting himself.

Xun Zichen took one of the long, brass-steel swords, as did the Cloak. They both took one, positioning themselves.

He first practised without fighting the Cloak. He struck, whirling it against the air, moving his body fluidly.

Afterwards, he felt ready enough to practice with him.

They positioned themselves in front of each other with their steel swords outward. Xun Zichen was breathing hard. His now shoulder-length hair fell over his face, trying to watch the Cloak, anticipating his first move as they circled each other.

The Cloak moved forward, striking, their metal rods sang as they clashed. Xun Zichen grunted, pushing the Cloak back with his sword and strength. The Cloak came at him again, raining down; his sword hissed. Xun Zichen moved his body like waves; dodging left and right, his opponent didn’t leave a scratch. It seemed to have annoyed the Cloak.

The Cloak swung at his feet, Xun Zichen quickly jumped, the soles of his feet barely touching the cold steel of his opponent’s blade.

Xun Zichen struck the Cloak, but he kicked him before he could, causing him to skid his feet on the floor; his abdomen hurt.

Xun Zichen held onto his stomach, taking a deep breath. The Cloak waited, and Xun Zichen struck again; this time, their swords kept clashing, fighting with ease and grace. The Cloak staggered back the harder Xun Zichen moved.

Finally, Xun Zichen annoyed the Cloak long enough that he lifted his sword to come down, but Xun Zichen already had the tip of his blade centred at his chest. The Cloak then dropped his sword, surrendering, and Xun Zichen sheathed his.

He put away the sword carefully, heading to the washroom to shower and change. He then found Su Xiang outside the bathroom, carrying a basket of food. She wore a subtle smile, waiting for him.

Xun Zichen stepped forward, planting a kiss on her lips. Her smile widened against his mouth.

He knew that Su Xiang always felt uneasy about his training; it meant that his confrontation with his uncle was inevitable. He felt nervous, too, but she supported him.

He locked arms with Su Xiang, heading to his apartment. They made dinner together, eating away.

Xun Zichen glanced at Su Xiang, knowing something was on her mind.

“Are you worried about tomorrow?” he asked her.

Su Xiang nodded. “This trial determines the future of my career, but I know Zhen will take care of everything, hopefully.” She took another bite of her meal. “The patient had been recovering for weeks since he woke, but he doesn’t remember anything about the incident.”

Xun Zichen grasped her hand from across the table. “We will present as much evidence as we can. There’s no legitimate reason to hurt that patient, but since it’s under malpractice, it seems like you were just reckless.”

“I don’t want to seem reckless even if the family drops the charges. I want to clear my name,” Su Xiang responded.

“I know,” replied Xun Zichen. “We’ll do everything we can.”

Su Xiang nodded, feeling assured.

“No matter what happens, I will be with you, always.”

Su Xiang smiled, running a thumb over his hand. “This is why I love you.”

Xun Zichen flushed.

“Can you trim my hair?” He asked. Su Xiang nodded, guiding him to the bathroom to wash his hair thoroughly. She then trimmed the ends of his hair. It was her idea to let it grow, so he hadn’t seen a professional hairdresser in months.