The forest was quiet in the warm afternoon light. Shafts of sun filtered through the tall pines, painting golden patterns on the mossy ground. Qiuyuan sat alone on a smooth gray stone by the stream, his eyes closed, breathing slow and deep. The air smelled of pine and damp earth. A faint breeze stirred his hair.

For a long while, there was nothing but the murmur of the water and the distant song of a bird. Then—

Crack.

A branch snapped somewhere behind him. The sound was small, but it cut through the silence like a whisper in a temple. Qiuyuan didn’t move. He didn’t open his eyes. His voice was calm when he spoke.

“Who is there?”

No answer came at first—only the rustle of leaves. Slowly, he opened his eyes. The forest around him seemed unchanged, yet the air felt different, as if it held its breath. Shadows shifted between the trees.

Qiuyuan stood, brushing the dust from his robes. “Show yourself,” he said, his tone neither harsh nor afraid.

Then from behind the birches, a figure stepped forward—quiet, hesitant, and not entirely human...

{{!!Any Gender — Describe your physical appearance, personality, and any other defining characteristics!!}}