Wishes of the Thousand Yearnings

HELPLESSNESS

All through the Lan Family journey. Lan Xichen remained silent while the grandpa and grandsons are having their moment of educational earnings. He would sometimes glance at his brother who, on the other hand, was concentrated on the road. He pondered. Three thousand years ago, his brother would yearn for that person, look for his memory, or dug anything related to him. But now... He sighs...

"Mortal affairs sure are painful..." He muttered under his breath. He noticed that his uncle looked at him. He merely smiled and nodded at his uncle. Knowing Lan Qiren, he already knew what's there beneath the cask.

"Why didn't the two of you notified us?... It's about your career!" Lan Qiren asked, "a good thing that Wangji was there... It was fortunate enough since you two are cousins... They allowed Wangji to attend as your guardian... He even took half day off..."

"Sorry, grandpa..."

Lan Qiren huffed.

"I'm sorry grandpa... My fault.." Sizhui said.

"Sizhui..." Wangji called, "next time remember these affairs..."

Wrong words, Lan Xichen thought to himself. Silence engulfed the car, Sizhui looked down. There is real-time when Wangji couldn't mince his words.

"I'm a sorry dad... You even took half day for us..."

"I'm sorry too Uncle Ji..." Jingyi said, "and thank you."

"Mm," Wangji replied.

"I got careless Dad... I even caused you trouble..." Sizhui continued to look down.
He and Lan Wangji both looked at the rear mirror. His heart sank seeing both his nephew and brother so guilty. He heaved a sigh and said, "not your fault... You've been very busy... Should have asked you... it's alright, Wangji doesn't mind it... there are really times like this. It's understandable since you were busy since last semester."

Until then, the car remained silent until they got home. The two boys proceeded to their punishment but instead of copying their family music score, they were asked to do their homework while doing a handstand. Lan Xichen couldn't help but reminisce the time when he and Wangji were subjected to this kind of punishment before they rose to fame as twin jades of Gusu. They are not perfect beings before they got that name, they were still naïve and clumsy youth before.

"Sizhui... Don't let it mind you..." Jingyi said. It's a good thing that Sizhui remained silent and continued doing his work. After he finished, Sizhui left Jingyi and proceeded to the dining room.

Lan Xichen couldn't help but be amused by the fact this duo made the best father-son tandem back those years. Sizhui is a very filial and good child and Wangji is a good father who oversees and protects his son from afar. He watches Wangji place two plates and prepares dinner for both of them.

"eat." Sizhui sat down and slowly eat. Lan Wangji softly said, "my words... I'm sorry.... don't take it to heart."

Lan Sizhui, "I caused you nothing but trouble since I came here." He answers.

Lan Wangji, "No trouble.."

"But I---"

"You are my son.." definitely something that never allowed him to answer. As expected, his brother never leaves room for answers. The warm gaze, the gentle touch, Wangji never changes. He treasures this child no matter how childish, how ruthless, or how repulsive this child was to him in each lifetime. He never tried pushing him away despite many rejections. Wangji truly loves Sizhui from the bottom of his heart even when he's not his child by blood.

Those thirteen mournful years were the living testament to why Lan Wangji survived that brokenness. It was all because this child was with him, sitting by his side, holding his hand, and faithfully believes in him. He watched how Sizhui looked at Wangji with all respect as he stood up and hugged Wangji, "I wish you really are my dad... I just wonder, what did I do in my previous life for you to continuously take me in?"