The Voyage In The Blizzard - Chapter 35
After Longwei showed his skills on the ice, his name became known everywhere. Like Lei’s name, his name was in every talk.
Even if several days passed after that fight with the famous student of the Third clan, everyone continued to talk about it. And each time their stories about Longwei became more colorful. And even those who did not see his fight told as if they saw everything, adding more colors. Calling him a real magician.
In all three clans, everything else ceased to exist. There was only Longwei.
And such fame did not please Longwei at all. He didn’t like to keep hearing about himself. And in particular, he didn’t like what Xing Fu said..
“I think you will become a great warrior. And even if you leave in a year, I think your soul has already understood its purpose.”
Thinking of his words as a prediction of the future Longwei rather wanted this year to pass and taking the letter left by his father just go back to his seclusion.
“Don’t you like the idea of becoming a warrior? With that talent of yours, you could change everything. Perhaps you would be the reason for all the changes on these mountains.” patting on the back said Xing Fu.
Longwei hated the idea of staying here, becoming part of an entire clan, he did not like the idea of constantly fighting monsters. But deep down he knew that this was his duty. And the reason for his hatred for this place was the feeling that stuck in his heart. Feeling for Lei. And he knew perfectly well that if he stayed here, then only Lei would be the reason.
Driving away such thoughts, he read all night long and in the morning with red eyes he went into the forest and meditated.
Literally eating books, one day he had nothing to read. Looking at not a small stacks of books that surrounded his bed, he remembered that they all belonged to Lei and he should have returned them to him. Not wanting to go to his house, but on the one hand, wanting it with all his heart, he thereby created a dilemma for himself. But the unwillingness to go won out.
Pushing Baofeng-Xue on the leg, Longwei sat on the edge of the bed and said, “Brother Xue, can you help me with something?”
Turning to him, after a long run, Baofeng-Xue did not feel his legs. Burying his face in the pillow, he incomprehensibly said, “How can I help? If this is to go for hot water, then I will not go outside. Go yourself this time.”
“No, no. Brother Xue, tomorrow, could you return all these books to the teacher?”
Baofeng-Xue opened his sleepy eyes and looking at the stacks of books shook his head and said, “Oh no. My muscles are already aching, I can’t carry all these books. You took them and you should return them. What have I got to do with it?”
“Please. In return, I’ll wash your clothes and give you a massage.”
“You know how to do massage?”
“Yes. And very good.”
Baofeng-Xue lay silently and then getting up brushed the hair from his face and said with a tired look, “I don’t want to carry these books. And besides, I’m afraid to be alone with the teacher.”
Someone in the room laughed.
Leaping into his bed, Longwei made a pleading look, grabbing his hand, he said, “Brother Xue.”
Withdrawing his hand, he turned away and covered himself with a blanket and said, “Your charming appearance will not force me. Go yourself.”
Kicking him lightly, Longwei threw his pillow at him and whispered nervously, “What are you.”
Looking at the wall clock, Longwei glanced at the window.
Today, returning home early, finishing the workout much earlier than usual, everyone took advantage of this time and someone was sleeping, someone was just sitting, and someone was eating. The room became warm from a burning fire in the corner, and the smell of apples, buns, books, filled everything with a kind of comfort.
Approaching the table, Longwei looked out the window again. From the side where Lei’s house stood was thin smoke.
“He must be awake.” thought Longwei, and gathering all his will, he put on his waistcoat.
Having collected all the books, he tied them with a rope so that they would not fall on the way.
Before leaving, he caught Baofeng-Xue’s gaze but did not say anything to him.
Not feeling the weight of books, walking to the house that was standing a little far away, he felt how his heart was beating, it felt as if it stopped beating.
Breathing quickly and quickening his pace, he himself was already in front of the house without noticing it.
Evening silence and dark tones surrounded from all directions.
From the house came a sweet scent.
Without hesitation, Longwei went to the door and wanted to open it, but it was locked from the inside.
Turning his back to the door, he was about to leave, but something made him knock.
After a few knocks, Lei opened the door.
He was wearing a warm dark red robe and his hair was loose. He had a calm expression on his face, but at the sight of Longwei on the threshold, his eyes sparkled mysteriously.
“I want to return your books back.” Longwei said uncertainly, handing him a tall stack.
Lei took them easily with one hand. His gaze was fixed somewhere down.
“I’ll go. Good night teacher.” Longwei said, and after taking a few steps away from the house he heard Lei’s quiet but resonant voice.
“Would you like to borrow more books?” he asked, opening the door wider.
“Can I?”
Leaving the door open, Lei entered the house and silently went upstairs.
Trying to climb the stairs as quietly as possible, Longwei, having lost all his vigilance, stumbled several times. But Lei ignored it.
Passing the rooms locked with wooden doors, Longwei noticed that one of them was still open and as he understood it was Lei’s bedroom.
Reaching the library, Longwei smelled the sweet scent even more. But he did not ask what that fragrance was.
Returning to the chair by the lamp, Lei picked up a book and began to read, completely ignoring Longwei.
Feeling like he was here for the first time Longwei stood on the doorstep until Lei said, “What are you standing there for?”
As if by order Longwei quickly glancing over the books pulled out any of them from the shelves, and when he wanted to reach the top shelf for a small green book, he felt Lei’s presence behind.
“The book you want to take is a collection of poems.” said Lei. His voice sounded so close that Longwei shuddered.
“And what kind of poetry is there?”
“Love Poems.” Lei replied quietly and leaning his head closer to Longwei’s shoulder whispered, “You will like them.”
Longwei, feeling weakness in his legs, dropped one hand and, losing self-control, slowly turned around, expecting to see Lei, he suddenly noticed that he had already left and was sitting on his chair again.
Tensely clutching a book with poems, Longwei silently walked to the door but Lei stopped him saying, “Would you like to taste my almond milk cookies?”
“Cookies?” Longwei asked in surprise.
“Yes.” Lei replied and pointing to a chair across from him said, “After the dragon danger, we deserve something sweet.”
“Something sweet, right …” whispered Longwei and looking pointedly at him walked to a chair and unbuttoned his waistcoat and sat down.
Lei, taking the kettle from the fire, poured boiling water into both clay mugs and threw in some leaves with dried berries. “This is a herbal tea that warms the body.” he said, handing him the mug.
“Thanks.”
Moving in his direction a large plate full of round cookies, Lei silently looked at Longwei.
An incomprehensible and promising silence hung between them, leaving room only for the sound of crispy cookies.
“And this is pretty delicious. Where did you learn to bake cookies?” Longwei asked as he ate his third cookie.
“When I was a child, I was often sick, and my father always brought me these cookies. The sweet taste, like magic cured me and I forgot about everything. Only hot herbal tea and cookies could warm my soul in such moments. When I grew up I learned from my father how to make cookies. And since then, when I don’t feel good, I cook it. ” Watching Longwei eat one round cookie after another, Lei continued, “This sweet taste can take away feelings of sadness and pain.”
While drinking tea, Longwei said, “Who would have known that a tough warrior like you can make cookies. You are full of surprises.”
The faint crackling of fire made everything around him even more comfortable and the presence of many books and the soft carpet under his feet reminded Longwei of his happy days of the past.
Looking around the room, he took a sip of tea and involuntarily said, “So you also grew up with your father.”
Lei said nothing.
A long, strange, silence this time hung for ten whole minutes after which Longwei got up and said, “I have to go back.”
And at that very moment the windows opened with terrible force and a strong wind, together with snow, rushed inside, brushing several books to the floor.
Lei quickly closed the shutters and locked the window.
“What a blizzard. I have never seen such a strong blizzard.” said Longwei while buckling his belt.
Lei, looking out through the crack, said, “Wouldn’t it be better for you to stay until the blizzard subsides.” This was far from a question, but rather an order.
But Longwei shook his head and replied, “A snowstorm is not a rare guest in this world. I will be fine.”
Going down to the first floor, Longwei slightly opened the door but it immediately slammed shut as if the wind prevented him from leaving. After trying again but unable to open the door, Longwei went to the window and noticed a large tree flying by. And also thousands of branches and heavy logs created the whirlwind. The roofs of the houses were flying upwards, making even more chaos.
The wind was so strong that the iron door was hardly holding it. The sharp and piercing howl of the wind sounded unpleasant in ears.
“If you leave now, you will immediately fly away and get severe injuries.” Lei said seriously.
“And what could have caused such a violent storm?!” Longwei asked himself without leaving the door.
“Better to wait. You might crash against a tree.”
A small tree uprooted hit the door and flew high into the sky. The upper layers of the roofs, hitting each other, dissapeared in the blizzard. Wooden doors slammed with a bang, trying to keep the wind out.
The idea of staying overnight at Lei’s house seemed strange and crazy, but considering it to be just a night, Longwei agreed.
Sitting on the cold chair that stood at the door, Longwei began to shiver. His arms were no longer felt, and his legs slowly began to freeze.
Expecting the wind to subside, he was drawn to sleep, but deciding that it would be better to wait out the bad weather with a clear head seemed to him the best decision.
“Go upstairs. It is cold here.” Lei said.
“I’m fine.”
Unable to endure the urge to fall asleep any longer, Longwei propped his head on his hand and fell asleep.