The Fox Hunter's Unexpected Love Story.

The temperatures began dropping celsius by celsius with every passing days and the days became duller indicating the region was shifting into a colder season; precisely the coldest season of the them all - winter. For a place like Gloomhaven it was bound to experience a mild winter as usual.

Residents ran into shops purchasing more fur coats to curb the cold. Zhao Shenbao had foreseen this and stocked the warmest and coziest fur coats. The business was in its prime with orders and sales increasing significantly and he and his workers hardly took any breaks.

On the hand Zhao Shenbao was still busy cultivating himself. Having extracted more fur from foxes he also extracted their golden cores digesting their spiritual power. With the surging power in his body,he practiced hard to be able to control it otherwise he would run amok. But still he had time to pet his little fox Hu Lan. Hu Lan was becoming healthier with each passing day and maybe soon he would regain his human form.

At the back of his mind Zhao Shenbao was conflicted about using him for his own benefits. He knew he shouldn't spare him because after all Hu Lan even as a fox was too hard to please- cold and raw food was a taboo for the little creature. What was even more surprising was that Zhao Shenbao had bite marks from Hu Lan's attacks. Ever since Hu Lan found out in full details what Zhao Shenbao's business entailed he was enraged that his own kind was being misused and exploited almost to a point of becoming extinct. And given that the Hu clan elders had tried their best to increase the fertility rate by organizing things like the mating festival,his anger was even fuelled more by that and he grew more violent.

"Young Master why don't you just shear off that grumpy fox and get it over with?"Zhao Ruoxuan proposed enraged by seeing the bite marks on Zhao Shenbao's arms.

"Just let it be,"Zhao Shenbao replied in a dismissive tone.

"I don't understand why you are sparing that fox even after what it has done to you..."Zhao Ruoxuan continued unknowingly raising his voice a bit.

"I have my own plans," Zhao Shenbao replied cutting him off."Let's go. We have a delivery to make,"Zhao Shenbao finally added walking away.

Zhao Shenbao went back to his room and picked up one of the fur cloaks from the hanger. He took a furtive glance at his neatly made bed and felt something was amiss. Lately he had been sleeping alone and he had been battling insomnia. Since Hu Lan started his aggressive attacks against him ,he couldn't be in the same proximity as him. He remembered how he forgot to strengthen the weakened barrier in his room and Hu Lan snuck out and witnessed how foxes were brutally raided off their precious fur.

*****

Meanwhile after being tended to by Hu Wei and others for a while,Hu Jian and Li Na regained their human form although they weren't as strong as before.

"They have regained their human form,"Su Rong's soft voice brought Hu Wei back to reality who had fallen into a trance with millions of thoughts flooding his mind. Regret and hopelessness had swept over him and getting over his brother's disappearance was getting harder with each passing day.

"They did?"Hu Wei turned around surprised by her words.

Su Rong didn't respond, she let her eyes scan his face as of searching for something.

"That's great,"Hu Wei added chuckling awkwardly.

"Do you want to see them?"Su Rong asked softly.

"Of course. Why wouldn't I want to?"Hu Wei questioned back simulating excitement but his empty eyes betrayed him. He wasn't ready to see them. He felt guilty - it was his ignorance that led them into such a state. He felt he was unworthy to stand before them.

"I'm sure they do not blame you,"Su Rong said with an even softer voice consoling him

Hu Wei swallowed hard,dusted his robes to regain his composure and walked. away with Su Rong walking behind him.

*****

Hu Jian and Li Na had stayed in the same room but on different beds while being nursed for all the time they were still in their true forms. They spent time together in the same room like two kittens or puppies. When Hu Wei entered the room,he had his head slightly bowed with his eyes casted downwards- he was no longer the proud chief of the Hu Clan who held his head high wherever he went.

"Wei Da-ge,"Hu Jian called him out excitedly,his eyes sparkling brightly with delight.

"Jian didi,how are you guys feeling?"Hu Wei asked in a low voice casting quick glances at each of them.

"We're fine,"the two answered in unison.

"Wei Da-ge why do you look sad ? Are you not happy to see me? Where is Lan?"Hu Jian asked excitedly but the smile on his face immediately disappeared after studying Hu Wei's facial expression and he had already guessed what triggered that.

"What happened to him?"Hu Jian questioned impatiently.

"He disappeared and we haven't been able to track him ever since,"Hu Wei replied in a low melancholic voice.

"What do you mean?"Hu Jian paused to contemplate.

"A fox whose scent can't be tracked is either miles away or ..."Li Na finally ininterrupted.

"They are dead and their golden core has been crushed,"Hu Jian jumped in but regretted saying the words out loudly because of how they affected him.

He couldn't believe that heartbreaking conversation was about his best friend.

*****

Over years Gloomhaven had changed quite a bit - gambling houses, restaurants and tea houses had been set up. Whenever Zhao Shenbao and Zhao Ruoxuan went out together they would pass by one of the mentioned places. Like now they had just delivered their clients' orders and were on their way back. As the cold chilly winds slapped their faces they slipped inside a teahouse for a hot cup of tea to warm themselves up.

As usual,they booked the VIP room which was on the located upstairs. The room was strategically placed for a great view of the market through the window.

Zhao Shenbao and Zhao Ruoxuan stood beside each other gazing outside through the window while they waited to be served tea. Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they watched the snowflakes of the first snowfall fall from the sky and kiss the ground gently upon landing.

"Gentlemen your tea is here,"the waiter said catching their attention and they both glanced back at him and walked back settling down in their seats.

Zhao Ruoxuan gladly served the hot tea. He began wafting the steam towards his nose and moaned in approval as the fragrant steam crept into his nostrils.

"So fragrant,"Zhao Ruoxuan remarked.

Zhao Shenbao was busy munching on a piece of cake while watching the young man in front of him worship the tea like it was some god.

After their tea and snack session they left the room intending to go back home. The two stood outside the teahouse for a while watching the passers-by,dressed in different kinds of attire favourable for the cold season.

Suddenly an approaching girl dressed in a light dress attracted their attention. The girl had her hands folded across her chest and body was slightly bent to shield herself from cold.

'Does she not know how to obey the weather?'Zhao Shenbao smirked disdainfully and withdrew his gaze from her.

Zhao Ruoxuan on the other hand was still stuck staring at her- something about the girl intrigued him and he couldn't stop watching her. When the girl reached directly across from them on the road,she looked sideways and noticed their gaze. Her thin slightly chapped lips curved into a smile. Zhao Ruoxuan was moved by her actions - even in such a state she still managed to smile. Without hesitation,Zhao Ruoxuan rushed towards the stranger and stopped in front of her.

"Miss why are you not wearing a coat with this kind of weather?" Zhao Ruoxuan asked in a concerned voice.

"I was on my way to purchase one,"the girl replied smiling gently.

"Here take this you can come to our store tomorrow to purchase one . I assure you we make the best coats,"Zhao Ruoxuan said proudly taking off his cloak in the process.

"And where is your shop located?"

"Zhao's Emporium. Everyone knows it,"Zhao Ruoxuan replied with a smug expression painted on his face.

"I think I've heard about it. Anyway thanks for the coat I guess I will return it tomorrow then,"she said with a thankful smile,bid him goodbye and parted ways but Zhao Ruoxuan was left his feet glued to the ground,his gaze never leaving the lean frame of her body as she walked away.

"What were you talking about to the stranger in need?"Zhao Shenbao asked in emphasis.

"Nothing much. I just proposed to her to come to our shop to buy a coat,"Zhao Ruoxuan replied proudly."She said she'll return my coat by the way ,"he added.

"How sure are you she'll return it? I can tell she's a rogue disguising as a damsel in distress,"Zhao Shenbao said.

"She's not. You're just distrustful towards other people."

'Was he really distrustful or looking out for future trouble ?Or maybe he had been overwhelmed by his own insecurities that it clouded his judgement on people?' Zhao Shenbao wondered and he began walking away without saying anything. He couldn't shake off the feeling there was much more to the girl than it seemed but he had no proof at the moment.