"Hey Jiang Cheng, Nie-Xiong. "
"Wei WuXian where were you yesterday? And don't bother lying. You were not in cloud Recesses. "
Jiang Cheng shoved Wei WuXian away as soon as he came towards him and Nie Huisang. He rolled his eyes when Wei WuXian rubbed his nose and gave him a sheepish smile. Wei WuXian shrugged his shoulders, he laughed awkwardly and said.
"Haha. I was just wandering around... Hey how does the situation look? Are Old man Lan and Lan Zhan in the classroom? "
"Haha. Wei-Xiong, you really struck it lucky! Last night, the old man went to Qinghe for my sect's discussion conference, so we don't have classes for the next few days. "
Nie Huisang replied cheerfully waving his fan in the air. Wei WuXian's smile widdend listening to him. Jiang Cheng scowled watching both of them giggled. Jiang Cheng looked at Wei WuXian's appearance and thought 'Doesn't seem injured. He's alright I guess.'
"A lucky strike indeed, almost as if Heaven is blessing me with its clouds. Thank you muah, if you are listening." ' Did A-Diē gave me some of his luck? It feels like something he would do. Hehe.'
"What nonsense? Never mind. When he comes back, you still won't be able to escape your punishment. Now tell me where were you yesterday. "
Wei WuXian patted Jiang Cheng on his shoulders and then started walking forward. Pointing Suibian forward Wei WuXian smiled at said.
"Come on Jiang Cheng. Let's just go hunt some pheasants."
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes but he followed behind his brothe. He was still angry because Wei WuXian left at night and refuse to tell him anything. 'Patting my shoulder means you can't say where you went, right?' Nie Huisang also walked with them smiling and talking. Wei WuXian stopped in his track and stared at two figures standing little far away.
"Hey guys, look over there. How are there two fuddy duddies?
"Where? "
Jiang Cheng asked annoyed, stepping forward to look. Nie Huisang also followed Wei WuXian's gaze to meet two figures in Gusu Lan robes. Wei WuXian pointed towards their direction.
"There."
"Ah. That one is Lan Zhan's gege, ZeWu-Jun, Lan Xichen. Even though they look similar,he is a lot easier to talk to than Lan Zhan."
"I see. The Twin Jades of Lan Sect. Let's go meet them. "
Wei WuXian said and he ran towards Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen. Wei WuXian could feel Jiang Cheng's eye roll for running in front of the Twin Jades. Jiang Cheng shook his head and Nie Huisang laughed as they walked towards the Twin Jades.
"Lan Zhan! I am here."
Wei WuXian called as soon as he was near Lan Wangji. Jiang Cheng and Nie Huisang winced, hearing Wei WuXian call the Lan-Er-Gongzi so informally. Jiang Cheng grabbed Wei WuXian's elbow stopping him from going near to Lan Wangji.
"Hey, you actually dare... "
Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen turned around to see Wei WuXian, Jiang Cheng and Nie Huisang standing in front of them. 'Wei Ying? You are still here? ' Lan Xichen smiled while Lan Wangji eyed Wei WuXian.
"Ah, you two are... "
"Jiang WanYin of Yunmeng. "
Jiang Cheng bowed to Lan Xichen then he nudged Wei WuXian to do the same. Wei WuXian clasped his hands in front and did a perfect bow just like his Baba taught him.
"Wei WuXian"
"Lan Xichen of Gusu. Greetings to you two. Wei-Gongzi ,I have heard about you from Wangji."
Wei WuXian fake gasped and covered his mouth with his free hand. He shook his head, looked at Lan Wangji and asked.
"All good things, right Lan Zhan?"
Lan Xichen laughed looking between Wei WuXian and Lan Wangji while Lan Wangji looked away avoiding Wei WuXian's eyes. Jiang Cheng nudged his brother to keep quiet. Wei WuXian smiled at Lan Xichen and asked.
"ZeWu-Jun, what are you two planning to do? "
"To exterminate water ghoul. We were short of hands, so I came back to find Wangji. "
"Xiongzhang, we do not need to engage in small talk. This matter permits no delay. It's time for us to depart. "
Lan Wangji tunred towards his brother and said. Wei WuXian stepped forward, smiled and ZeWu-Jun and said.
"Wait, wait, wait. We know how to catch water ghouls! ZeWu-Jun, why don't you take us along? "
Wei WuXian tapped Suibian on his own chest and then on Jiang Cheng's. Jiang Cheng nodded. Nie Huisang was hiding behind Wei WuXian, too scared face Lan Wangji's glare.' Don't touch Wei Ying.'
"Against the rules."
"How is it against the rules? We used to catch water ghouls all the time in Yunneng. Besides we don't have classes these days anyways."
Wei WuXian asked Lan Wangji stepping closer, Lan Wangji took a step back. Lan Xichen smiled seeing his brother's flustered state which was not visible to anyone else. Jiang Cheng spoke, making Lan Xichen look at him.
"That's right. ZeWu-Jun, we would definitely be able to help. "
ZeWu-Jun nodded his head, he turned to look at his brother to see him desperately trying to hide his flustered face. ' Oh didi. Don't try too hard. ' Lan Wangji raised his voice a little higher and said.
"No need. The Gusu Lan sect also-"
Lan Xichen shook his head and interrupted his brother before he could finish his sentence. 'interrupting someone is prohibited.but the situation calls for it. ' He smiled at Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng and said.
"Sure then. Many thanks for your help. Do some preparations and we can depart together. "
The three of them ran back to thier cottages. Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji was walking towards the main gate of Cloud Recesses. Lan Wangji asked, his voice full of seriousness.
"Xiongzhang, why did you decide to bring them? Exterminating water ghouls is not a matter suited for joking around."
Lan Xichen smiled at his brother and replied.
"Jiang Cheng is from Yunmeng Sect and Wei Ying is their guest disciple. It is likely that they know more than joking around. "
"Hmph. Is that so"
Lan Xichen's smile grew as he watched his brother's face. He huffed a laugh and said with a teasing smile.
"In addition, didn't you want him to go?"
"Ah?"
Lan Wangji quickly turned around to face his brother, then suddenly looked down after seeing his knowing smile. He stuttered his voice merely a whisper.
"I- I was just curious bec... It's nothing."
"I saw you looked somewhat as if you wanted Wei WuXian to come.
That's why I agreed. "
Lan Xichen said innocently. Lan Wangji was flustered again making Lan Xichen smile again. Lan Wangji stuttered again and then took a deep breath and finished his sentence with clear annoyance.
"I-.... There was no such thing. "
Lan Xichen laughed openly and patted his brother's shoulder and teased.
"Wangji, I see that you have many secrets now? "
Lan Wangji was saved from replying by the sound of nearing footsteps. Wei WuXian and Jiang Cheng came into thier view. Wei WuXian's cheerful voice rang out.
"We've come! "
Both Jiang Cheng and Wei WuXian bowed to the Jades and they returned the gesture. Wei WuXian informed ZeWu-Jun that Nie Huisang would not come. The four of them started descending the stairs along with few other Lan disciples. Jiang Cheng asked.
"ZeWu-Jun, may I aks where the water ghouls are causing trouble? "
"Caiyi Town"
They walked through the bustling market of Caiyi Town. Wei WuXian bought some rice wine and he tossed one bottle to Jiang Cheng.
"Jiang Cheng here is some rice wine for you. Catch!"
"Hmph"
Wei WuXian hearing the familiar sound of annoyance, he turned to see Lan Wangji glaring at him and then trying to walk away from his side. He scooted closer to Lan Wangji and teased him about the rice wine.
Lan Wangji studied Wei WuXian's face as Wei WuXian sipped the rice wine in his hands. He sighed and asked the smiling Wei WuXian.
"Why did you come with us to Caiyi Town? "
"I... I came here to properly apologize. Yesterday was my fault. I was wrong. I really am here to help."
Lan Wangji sighed again. 'You are apologizing. You are not angry with me. That's good. I should act like I know nothing?' That was not the question Lan Wangji wanted to ask and since Wei WuXian is still answering him and not not avoiding him, he asked again.
"Yesterday night-... "
"A-Xian"
Lan Wangji was left hanging as they heard someones call from a little far away. Wei WuXian quickly turned around and his face was surprised for few seconds, then it turned into a wide smile. Lan Wangji frowned seeing him smile at a man in cultivation robes and a sword strapped to his back. Wei WuXian ran in the man's direction screaming:
"GE..."
_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
(~In Gusu Dialect~)
"~Fresh loquats, how about a bite. ~"
A Gusu woman was sitting with baskets full of loquats on the market side. Wei WuXian turned towards her and asked.
"Jiejie, how much for half a kilogram of loquats? "
"~Young beau', you needn't pay. How 'bout I can give you one for free? ~"
"This jiejie......what is she saying? "
Wei WuXian's mouth hung open in confusion. He scratched his head and looked around for some help. The Lan sect disciples all laughed and one among them said to Wei WuXian.
"No matter where, Wei-Xiong is always likable and charming.
She's calling you a '~young beau~' and wants to give you free loquats."
Understanding the meaning Wei WuXian smiled at the loquat lady and yelled back.
"Ohhh... If Jiejie is giving it to me, naturally I want it!"
The lady threw a loquat in Wei WuXian's direction. He caught the loquat and thanked her.
"~Aw you needn't be so polite. It's because you are such a looker. ~"
The loquat lady spoke again and Wei WuXian turned towards the Lan disciple for translations. They laughed and giggled among themselves seeing Wei WuXian's antics.
"Hey, she says you're handsome! "
"Ah? Haha Jiejie looks even prettier! "
' Pei-Xiong I am getting free stuff again.' Wei WuXian flirted with the lady and she gigglee. Lan Wangji who was watching all this stared at Wei WuXian's smiling face, listening to his flirting for sometime. He turned away from him with a 'hmph'.
"What's wrong Lan Zhan? Jealous, are you? "
Hearing Wei WuXian's comment Lan Wangji pursed his lips together and refused to speak. Wei WuXian giggled seeing Lan Wangji's red ear tips.
"Jiejie do you think he's a ~looker~too? "
Wei WuXian asked the loquat lady trying to imitate the Gusu dialect. The Lan sect disciples looked at Lan Wangji while Wei WuXian talked with the lady. The ladies all giggled and one of them replied:
"~Hahaha, even more of a looker~"
"Then why not give him one too? If you only give me and not him, he's going to be unhappy! "
The lady agreed and threw another loquat for Wei WuXian to catch.
"Jiejie, you're both pretty and nice. The next time I come here, I'm gonna buy a whole basket! "
The loquat lady pointed at Lan Wangji and said in Gusu dialect.
"~Get him to come too. You can buy some together.~ "
Wei WuXian looked at the Lan disciple who was giving him translations expectantly. The disciple took glances at Lan Wangji then replied:
"She wants you and Lan-Er-Gongzi to come together. "
"Alright"
Wei WuXian clapped his hands and bumped his shoulders with Lan Wangji.
"Lan Zhan did you hear that just now? The girl wanted us to come buy loquats together."
Lan Wangji repressed a sigh and kept looking forward. Wei WuXian leaned closer and kept on calling.
"Lan-Er-Gongzi? ~Young beau?~"
Lan Wangji exhaled, giving up on ignoring Wei WuXian. He turned to Wei WuXian and said.
"Not coming. "