Liu Qingge walked into his office and just sunk to the floor, laying down on his back as he looked up at the ceiling. This is just getting ridiculous he thought to himself, Shen Qingqiu had made the decision to leave with his dreadful disciple as if he nothing had ever happened. It came to Shen Qingqiu so easy he thought, that aloofness, that ignorance in the face of reality. Qingge didn't want to think about it anymore, he knew that if he gave it too much thought, he'd just end up with anger with no place to go.
He had finally decided to let Shen Qingqiu go, he could do whatever he wanted, he was an adult and a cultivator, and since without a cure wasn't an issue anymore, he didn't need Liu Qingge watching over him, especially with his own personal guard dog. He's capable of making his decisions, so be it, it wasn't his burden to bear anymore. He'd made his concerns clear and as far as he knows, he's always been pretty straightforward about his opinion of Luo Binghe.
A knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts. "Shizun? Ming fan is asking to see you if you have the time?" Ming fan? Isn't that Shen shixiong's disciple? "Let him in." he said as he straightened up and took a seat at the low table. The door opened to reveal a very anxious Ming fan who was fiddling with his fingers, looking down. He told Ming fan to take a seat and asked for tea to be brought for both of them.
"It's rare to have a Qing Jing disciple to come asking for me. What can I do for you Ming fan?" he asked the boy who sat across from him, looking intently into his teacup. "this disciple needs Liu shishu's help." he said in a low voice. Liu Qingge studied the boy for a second, "Go on." he said as he took a sip of his tea. Ming fan, for the first time since he entered the room, looked up and there were tears in his eyes. "Please, please convince shizun to stay here on CQM. Please ask shizun to stay with us." he whispered, voice cracking.
Liu Qingge was baffled, the vulnerability and sincerity with which Ming Fan asked him of this, deeply moved him. Unfortunately, he had to be the bearer of bad news. Ming Fan continued, "Please shishu, you're the only one who could convince him. He won't listen to me or Ning yingying and Yue shishu won't do anything." Tears had started rolling down his cheeks as he spoke and all Qingge could do was sigh. This sucked. Shen Qingqiu really was the most stubborn guy he'd ever seen and yes that was coming from him. "Ming fan, you know better than anyone that he won't listen to reason. But for what it's worth, I've already tried convincing him, it didn't work." Liu Qingge really did hate this, especially with Ming Fan sniffling. Why does he feel personally responsible for this?
Ming fan just sat there, a little dazed as he tried to figure out how to respond, "There has to be something we can do." he said desperately. Liu Qingge could do nothing but offer him a sad smile, "Listen to me. Your shizun is an adult, he knows what he's doing. All we can do now is support him and be happy for him. Even if we disagree with his leaving. It is just how things are, better to let him go happy than upset." Ming fan looked incredibly dejected as he sniffled once again, more tears spilling over the edge. Qingge reached out and patted his head, "If it makes you feel better, I will always watch over Shen shixiong's safety when he is here on CQM or going anywhere alone. It is his life to spend it as he pleases otherwise." Ming fan zoned out, processing everything. Eventually, having exhausted all their options, he got up to leave. "Thank you shishu. This disciple is sorry for taking up your time with such small matters." Liu Qingge shook his head, "It is good that you tried. I'm sorry I couldn't do more." "It's okay, Liu shishu has given this disciple time and listened to him. That is more than enough." Then he left. Did Liu Qingge mention that this sucked?
The day had come of Shen Qingqiu's inevitable departure and everyone was going to see him off, except Liu Qingge of course. He wanted nothing to do with this, besides, he was a busy man and had matters to attend to that were conveniently around the same time as the big farewell. He didn't intend for it to happen this way, but he wasn't particularly upset about it either. Off he went to start his day.
Liu Qingge finally returned in the evening as he stepped into his office and took a seat at the low table. His eyes were drawn towards the single item resting on it. A folding fan... Shen Qingqiu's folding fan to be precise. He picked it up, tracing it with his fingertips, Shen Qingqiu probably came to see him before he left only to be met with any empty room. Well, he knows what this fan means he thought to himself, a small smile ghosting his lips. He'll just have to return it the next time he sees him.
