Between The Pages {Liu Yuxin x Reader}

20. The Stuff You Hang In Lavatories

"Well, I'll get going," I mumbled and waved the book. "I might miss Lin Fan."

I gave him another small smile and was about to walk past him when he stretched his arm out, blocking my path. My brows furrowed in confusion and I looked at him but he wasn't even looking my way.

"Hey, is something wrong?" I asked out, slowly concerned as he started to act weirdly.

By weird, I meant his hands were in a tight clasp and he stood very still. It was almost like he was frozen in his spot and slowly but surely, his face started to turn bright red in a flush. My brows rose. Is he sick or something?

"I was assigned to go with the other guards for an errand," he said before I could question him further.
"Oh... all right...?" I mumbled, unsure of how to respond.
"I will be gone for a week at most, Aihan," he said again.

"Okay..." I licked my lips as I thought of what he might be getting at. "Is there something you want me to do while you're away? Any tasks you want me to take over?" I guessed but he shook his head.

"No, actually..." he trailed off and began searching through his pockets. "I have been meaning to give this to you."

My brows rose as I looked at the thing. It looks to be a small pouch made of white silk. At a closer look, there were 2 koi fishes embroidered on the front. One was black and the other was white with orange spots. They were enclosed in a royal purple wreath of flowers that matched the tinsel that hung at the bottom of the pouch.

I looked back at him and saw that she was already looking back at me expectantly. Although I basically have no idea what it actually is, I slowly reached out and took it anyway.

"Thanks..." I muttered with a small smile which he returned.

"I look forward to your answer when I return," he said with a small bow before he passed me and left me in the flowing fabric of his hanfu.

"..."

I blinked. What just happened? And what was he talking about? Answer to what? He didn't even ask me anything. I honestly don't think he is still good in the head. I looked down at the pouch that he gave me and as I did, the smell of cinnamon and citrus hit me. It must be a spice pouch. At least it smells really nice. I shrugged and carefully put it inside my pocket.

With the book, I continued my way to the archive. This time, I opted to just focus on walking to avoid bumping into anything or anyone. It wasn't long before I arrived and made my way inside the archive.

Like last time, I saw Chen Jue sitting on her spot. Piles of books filled the space on the desk and one was opened and her head was buried deep in it. I saw Lin Fan arranging scrolls on a nearby shelf and nodded toward Chen Jue's table.

"Hello?" I called out as I knocked on the table to get Chen Jue's attention.

She didn't even look up from what she was reading when she spoke, "Put the book there." Her head then nodded to the side where a file of books was neatly stacked.

A huff left my lips as I placed the book on the table and sat down across her. LinFan had also walked over and sat beside me. The silence lasted for a couple of seconds before Chen Jue finally looked up from her book and narrowed her eyes at us.

"Why are you there?" As usual, her tone was monotonous.

"Oh, my apologies, I was not aware you owned this table," I innocently grinned as I remembered that it's what she said to me last time.

Beside me, I heard Lin Fan snicker and I felt her nudge me on the side, making me nudge her back with a small laugh. I looked back at Chen Jue who did not look one bit amused with us.