He is reading, sinking deep in a discussion about the various uses of spiritual energy when dread settles in his stomach. His rabbit ears perk up at once and he leaves his book behind, his white robes fluttering as he hurries to the door leading to the shrine. He finds Zishu in a terrible state and wraps the man in his arms.

"A-Shu!" Xingchen can feel the emptiness, the numb void, and his breath catches. A-Xing has left them.

But no matter. He must care for the man in his arms. Turning away from Zishu, he tugs the other man onto his back. If Zishu agrees to be carried, he will be taken straight to a guest bedroom.