Tear droplets from the sky run down to touch the ground. In the paths, komorebi lands on you. In the shade, darkness greets you. In the forest, surprises meet you.
Madam Lan and Wei Ying sat on the porch of the Gentian house. A week after the sneaking out incident, they slipped pass trouble and was never punished. For now, Wei Ying was practicing writing.
"A-Ying, put your back straight up. No slouching."
"But Madam Lan, I'm so tired. This is so boring and I've already done this before."
"This is part of your training A-Ying. A mind with eunioa will contribute to a good spiritual core."
"Yes yes..."
Wei Ying slumped on the desk whilst Madam Lan lets out a chuckle.
"I really hate writing scriptures over and over too, you know. One of the reasons why I killed that old man back then. Such a waste."
"Madam Lan is so cool... But why did you kill him?"
"I had reasons a little child won't get. For now, focus on writing okay?"
"Fine..."
Wei Ying continues to write as the wind gushes through. Not long after, rain drops started pouring from the sky.
"Ah, it's raining"
"It is?"
"Mhm, hahh... It will get colder from now on."
"I really like the rain, even if it's much more noisier than the snow. It's fun to play and jump around the water!"
"Hahaha, I enjoy jumping on the water too when I was a free rame woman. The good old days."
"Did you have a defiance when you came here in Cloud Recesses to learn?"
"Oh yes, they took away my freedom. Of course I had to break some rules for fun."
Madam Lan laughs as she wipes her sword Bichen.
"Your talismans are very great, A-Ying. You're so noetic and devoted to make them more pleasant."
"Talismans are really fun, Madam Lan. Lan Zhan really liked the butterfly bursting ones. He has a really pretty smile!"
"You sure are hopelessly devoted to Lan Zhan aren't you? Such faithfulness to him, hahh... You sure are true."
"Well... Lan Zhan is my savior after all. He's my uh.. Ik- Ika?"
"Ikigai"
"Yes, he's my Ikigai... My Galad"
"Dear Me, did Lan Qiren teach you such words? I think he's taking our talk seriously"
Madam Lan was amused but Wei Ying was in fèath.
"I'll forever be greatful for Lan Zhan. Even if Lan Zhan gets tired of A-Ying, I'll forever still be thankful to him."
Wei Ying was clearly feeling desolate. Thinking this life he has now is a whilend. Everything went to a whist, just the rain hitting the surface making noises.
"A-Ying... You're Lan Zhans' gunnen. He'll never push you away."
"What does gunnen mean, Madam Lan?"
"You're my gunnen. You're A-Huans' gunnen. You're Lan Qirens' gunnen. You are very special A-Ying"
"Haha... A-Ying is not. I'm just A-Ying"
[Believe me, you are.]
"We both are Agathocacological. That may be confusing for you now but you'll understand once you grow up to be a fine young man. A man who is stronger than you are now."
"Will I be as cool as Madam Lan?"
"Even more so. You'll be someone your A-niáng will be proud of."
Wei Ying stares at the caelum.
"I hope A-niáng and A-diē are happy... A-niáng, don't worry about A-Ying. Madam Lan is taking really good care of me and so is Lan Qiren. A-diē, I have Lan Zhan and Huan-gege taking care of me. I won't be alone so rest in peace. I love you both so much."
Madam Lan stared at Wei Ying with such love in her eyes. Pulling A-Ying close to her and giving the young master a tight hug. Nothing more cherished than him.
A day after yesterday is called present. And now Wei Ying is walking through the Cloud Recesses without being noticed, holding a red umbrella as he trudges through the bamboo trees he never knew was here. He continued to walk and walk until he reached the end of the bamboo forest. Being greeted by a secluded house in front of him.
"Does someone live here?"
Wei Ying made his way to the front of the house. It was a Hanshi, a house part of the Cloud Recesses. Curiosity filled him, he then walked and got up to the porch. As he was about to knock, the door slid open and he was faced with a sword.
"Ah!"
The man looked at the surroundings and saw no one, until he glanced down.
"A child...?"
"H-hello! This young master greets you. I am Wei Ying."
"Wei Ying? Which sect are you from, young lad?"
"Lan Qiren of Gusu Lan Clan adopted me. I am still not a member but I am considered a disciple of the Lan Clan"
"Dìdì adopted a son...?"
"Are you brothers with Shufu, Mister?"
The man chuckled and leaned down.
"Call me Qingheng-Jun"
"Alright Qingheng-Jun!"
Wei Ying smiles brightly at Qingheng-Jun, making the man soften up to him.
"Why don't you come inside? It's cold out in the rain?"
"Am I allowed to?"
"You may enter."
Qingheng-Jun entered first, followed by Wei Ying. Wei Ying was instructed to sit down, so he did respectfully. Waiting as the man made some tea. The Hanshi smelled like fresh Jasminum Sambac making Wei Ying giggle at the scent. Qingheng-Jun came back and sat across the young master and poured tea in his cup and in his own.
"Wei-gōngzi-"
"Please just call me A-Ying, Qingheng-Jun."
The man let out a soft smile on his face as he continued.
"Don't cut off others when they are speaking, that's a rule."
"I'm very sorry"
"It's alright A-Ying"
Wei Ying smiled at the nickname being said, making Qingheng-Jun crack his mask.
"How did you get adopted by my dìdì?"
"Oh, when I was in the streets of Yiling, the second young master, Lan Zhan saw me. He then called Shufu and they took care of me ever since. Madam Lan is my teacher and so is Lan Qiren. I play with Huan-gege and Lan Zhan every month too with Madam Lan."
Wei Ying says happily.
"Madam Lan...?"
"Mhm! Madam Lan is the coolest teacher I've ever met! She' marvelous!"
"I guess Lan Qiren thought you those words"
"Mhm! Madam Lan is also really cool. She says that her husband is not-thinking right and selfish. He's also really bad in the head."
Qingheng-Jun was offended by the words Wei Ying said but not seriously. He cracked and drank from his tea.
"Did Madam Lan tell anything else about her husband?"
"She says that her husband was really pushy and really good at cultivation. I wanna learn from him one day but too bad his in dearn isolation."
"Then that's a let down"
"Mn. But I still think he's really cool wether Madam Lan or Lan Qiren says all the bad things about him. Without him, I would've never met Lan Zhan hehe"
"You're too young for that"
"Madam Lan never said so"
"That woman is turning you into someone like her, tell me. Who are your parents?"
"My parents are Cangse Sanren and Wei Changze! I love them so much but Madam Lan said that they died in a night hunt... I'm really sad about it but now other people treat me like I'm their family. I know A-niáng and A-diē are happy."
[This child is wise and understanding. Much like his father. He also gets along with my wife... Much like his mother."
"A-Ying, are you planning on being a cultivator?"
"Yes yes yes! I wanna be like my parents and Madam Lan and Shufu and Huan-gege and Lan Zhan!"
Wei Ying jumped on his seat and laughed.
"A-Ying must learn how to use swords then. Is Madam Lan teaching you how to use swords?"
"Mhm! It's really really hard but I will learn!"
"You have a determined mind."
"I wanna learn faster so I can catch up with Lan Zhan and we will be together forever!"
Qingheng-Jun laughed at what the young master said.
"Why do you like Lan Zhan that much, A-Ying?"
"Because Lan Zhan saved this poor young master in the streets. I'll forever be thankful for such a kind deed."
"You're very adoring and nice. I've never met a person that young like you"
"A-Ying is not special. A-Ying is just A-Ying"
Wei Ying said with a toothy grin.
"Drink your tea before it gets cold."
Wei Ying jumped in his seat as he quickly drank the provided beverage before him.
"Do you want to be a Lan disciple, A-Ying?"
"I don't know... The older people with beards really hate A-Ying... I don't want to be thrown out..."
"Older People with beards?"
"Yes, they have the sane ribbon as you"
"The elders. I should've known..."
"What do you mean, Qingheng-Jun?"
He smiled at Wei Ying, patting his head.
"It is nothing. Needn't to worry about it."
"Okay!"
"So, are there any other questions you have for me?"
"Yes yes Qingheng-Jun. Before I went on a walk, I heard Madam Lan and Shufu talking about me being a... Uh I don't really know the word but I heard bethrot?"
"Bethrothed?!"
"Mhm! They said A-Ying is bethrothed but I don't know what it means..."
Qingheng-Jun just gave out a smile, placing his hand on Wei Yings' head.
"You're too young to know."
"Awwe okay!"
"You should get going, the night is coming. You wouldn't want to be caught on curfew."
"Hehe, A-Ying never gets cought."
"Like Teacher, Like student it is."
They both stood up, Qingheng-Jun saw Wei Ying out. Wei Ying opened his vermillion umbrella and walked out in the rain. Turning back and giving a smile at Qingheng-Jun.
"I'll come back Qingheng-Jun! I really want to talk again."
"Alright A-Ying. Be careful on your way back."
"Mn!"
Wei Ying then walked his way back to the Gentian house. Qingheng-Jun seating back in his Hanshi. Being stuck on the words Wei Ying said.
"I've been here for so long. It's great to have some company from time to time."
Qingheng-Jun sipped from the tea he had and looked at the rain.