Chapter 56 - Fifty Six - Spring Can Begin In December (2/2)
”This is more useful for you,” Ren Zexian replied. ”Nathan's cultivation... Nathan requires more guidance at this time.” Well, it was true that he hadn't been able to come up with an appropriate cultivation method given Nathan's triple root system, however it just so happened that Nathan had yet to circulate his spirit using the basic method once by himself yet. In fact, after lunch, it was Nathan's habit to drag him back to their room in order that they could cultivate together, he as active guide and Nathan as passive student. He seemed to look forward to it even.
Others did not take Ren Zexian's words at more than face value; they did not really know better. The Ren they knew never lied nor whitewashed things, why would they assume to read between the lines? However, Chang Min was different.
Once they had finished eating, Nathan thought to cultivate with Ren Zexian now rather than wait and mentioned it to the older man, who did not disagree. But before they could journey upstairs to the bedroom, Chang Min caught his master's sleeve and expressed; ”Master, could I speak to you a moment?”
Ren Zexian turned to glance at Nathan first and said softly; ”Go on up, I'll join you in a few moments.”
”I can wait for you here,” Nathan replied. His heart felt sore when he looked at the two oriental men standing side by side. Both had exotic features, long hair of midnight and skin like white rose petals, eyes like peach blossoms. Chang Min was a tiny bit shorter, but his physical appearance no less refined and his face was circular like the sun and his smile just as bright. When they were together, they made an amazing view. Nathan felt as if he were the weed in their garden. He did not want to be a weed. His calloused hands with skin still bearing a little colour from the sun were captured in Ren Zexian's elegant ones. The pain eased a little and he finally agreed to go to their room first, but he still glanced over his shoulder at the pair as he reached the last steps.
Chang Min watched the forlorn youth disappear upstairs before voicing his mind; ”Master, do you like him?” He asked. ”Do you like Nathan?” It was not that he had not had some small suspicions before, but Chang Min had not really had many chances to view the interactions of people in intimate relationsh.i.p.s during his time in the old world. The people of this world, he found were very forward, hence as his Master and Nathan were too subtle in their affections, he had dismissed own his thoughts. Just assumed they were a bit closer than the Master was with his other new students. That Ren Zexian was fond of Nathan. However, no Master would indulge their student with personal guidance for a long period of time or how would the student ever be able to cope alone?
Ren Zexian did not falter in his response. ”Yes.”
A smile bloomed upon Chang Min's thin lips as he said; ”I have only had the honour of calling you Master for a hundred years or so, but I have heard from the others how aloof you held yourself from them. I am glad you have found the one that you can stand beside.”
”Thank you, Chang Min.”
”Only, Master,” his apprentice could not help but add, ”Why is there a distance remaining between you both? You have not...” With his strength, he would have an inkling if their spiritual energies had mingled, making it more obvious to him their closeness, but...
”No,” Ren Zexian admitted. ”I fear pushing him too fast. He does not see the world in the way that we do.”
”He does not,” Chang Min agreed. ”But then, who does in this world? We awoke in a world that had adapted to being fit for our ways, but I understand that it was not always that way. We would not have been so readily accepted in their previous world. Cole explained Nathan's condition as being one that was also not fit for their world in which they lived, so he created a small world for himself. One where he did not have to adapt to others, where he could express his intelligence and caring nature without being judged. And yet, albeit slowly, I can see that he has adapted to you, Master.”
His words caused a fluctuation in the speed in which Ren Zexian's heart beat. ”What are you suggesting?”
”Well, I'm not suggesting it be so direct as to make him your Dao Companion, though I believe that will be the inevitable road, but perhaps make clear your feelings for him?” Chang Min noticed the shadow still lingering upon the landing and pushed Ren Zexian in the right direction. ”I believe he is waiting for you to make the first move, Master.”