Who First Saw the Moon by the Lotus Pond: A Sequel to Mian Feng

Through the haze, an oil-paper umbrella with eight ribs and twelve panels shielded most of the rain. As Qi Shaoshang opened his eyes, he saw a figure in a green robe, its hem trailing on the ground. The person holding the umbrella was crouched halfway down, a few loose, slightly curled strands of hair swaying in the wind and rain. One hand rested on his knee as he watched Qi Shaoshang with keen interest. “Qi Shaoshang, why aren’t you dead yet?” His eyes were bright, and his voice was low and lilting, with a clear, penetrating quality. Qi Shaoshang choked on a breath, holding it in his chest. After a long moment, he said, “Gu Xichao, you’re not insane. What are you doing here?” Gu Xichao laughed happily. He swept up his robe and slowly crouched down, graceful and unhurried, as if admiring flowers in a courtyard. He extended one finger and poked Qi Shaoshang’s mud-covered face. The corners of his eyes and brows lifted as he drawled, “Naturally, I’m here to kill you.”