You saved me and it seems I need to thank you! But I apologise, never before had anyone saved me and thus am unaware as to how best I could thank you. Words had never been my forte. What happened today in Biling Lake, your judgement and quick thinking is much appreciated by me, Wei Ying.
I won't lie, I panicked when you asked me to to hold your hand whilst saving you and others. Not that this soul didn't want to hold your hand, but I was scared. Scared that my heart would get too attached to you.
Sorry, Wei Ying.
Did you know Wei Ying, never had anyone offered me any gift before and when you offered the Loquat to me, I wanted to cherish it, but, how could I? I can never take anything from you, it would be forbidden. I wish I could cherish being beside you.
You make me feel alive.
Giving it back to you was probably one of the most painful part for me that I would never let you know.
Sorry, We Ying.
Leaving them far behind I enter Cloud Recess to meditate at peace when an urgent voice seeks my attention. "Second Master Lan," a disciple bows "Elder Lan is back from his quest." The moment I am informed about Uncle's return, the first thought that came to my mind immediately is to wonder what's Wei Ying upto? If he is concocting some mischief I need to warn him instantly. Making my way to Yunmeng residence, I hear chorus of laughters and immediately look around.
No. No. No. They all sound drunk!
Please you must keep your voices down, Uncle should not find out about this. Hurrying to warn them, I barge into their room only for my feet to halt and pure rage consumes me at the sight of their shenanigans before my eyes.
Outrageous!!!
What are they all upto?
"Wei Ying" I yell and all their eyes find mine.
Preposterous!!!
Catching Wei Ying, Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang red handed with jars of wine in their hands, they sputter some nonsense when they don't like what they see in my eyes.
Wei Ying, how many times do I have to warn you?
As I enter others scamper away and only one in the room is Wei Ying. I turn to warn him about Uncle's presence in Gusu, when he casts a spell which immobilizes me.
What are you doing Wei Ying?
Placing the cup of wine in front of me, he commands me to drink and I am left with no choice but to consume it. The last I remember his is face and my concious is pulled into oblivion.
Hangover.
Please never let this be revealed, that Lan Wangji had wine in Gusu and moreover got a hangover!
Bleak lights sting my eyes as I open them with a heavy head trying to find my bearings only to see Wei Ying grinning.
"Lan Zhan, your forehead band is crooked." He states and I am immediately reminded of my brother's warning 'Wangji, never let uncle find your forehead band crooked'.
Letting out a gasp I instantly try to straighten my forehead band. A symbol of Gusu Lan Sect members.
With an indulgent smiles Wei Ying tries to help me out, "Here let me help you Lan Zhan. You're so drunk that you are unable to even hold your head up high properly." As his fingers lightly caresses my skin, I shiver inwardly to involuntarily swat his hand away and command, "Gusu Lan Sect member’s forehead bands are sacred and only parents, children and lovers are allowed to touch them."
"What? Lovers? Seriously?" Wei Ying continues to laugh as my gaze lands on his smiling form. You have a very beautiful smile Wei Ying, please be happy. Always.
My liquor muddled self turns to look at him and then wonders why is he laughing at the concept of lovers? Yes. Lovers. Why does that sound so funny to you? You can't touch my band Wei Ying... You're not my...
My thoughts halt when he takes a seat by my side with a sigh and whispers softly, "Tell me something about you Lan Zhan?"
Hearing him enquire about me, makes me lose my resolution to be strong and in front of Wei Ying, probably this would be the first time I ever reveal to another soul about my mother. Why am I sharing the most painful part of me with you? I have never even shared this with to brother, so why you?
Why?
"Lan Zhan, did you know I was found on streets of Yunmeng by Uncle Jiang Fengmian?" his eyes meets mine and the sadness in them makes my heart falter. "It's said that he found me as a street urchin and that my parents were his friends."
My fingers itch to comfort you. I want to reveal the truth, yell at the top of my lungs and declare that yes, I know! I have always known what kind of life you led. But... You don't remember me. You never have.
Haven't I meant anything to you, Wei Ying?
Haven't you even thought about me even once?
Haven't you ever inquired about me?
Why does it pain so much?
Before he could see my tears that I have tried so hard to cover, my hangover is back with a bang and I fall unconscious into oblivion.
Here my heart is safe.
The next morning I am woken up by a frantic Wei Ying who looks over at the door and I too follow his gaze only to find few students letting us know that Uncle has summoned us.
We're in trouble.
Quickly straightening my clothes I walk over to the intersection and immediately kneel in front of him to receive any punishment that he is ready to serve upon me. To protect Wei Ying, I am ready to be flogged, but seeing me kneeling, he too joins me.
No. Please leave. I can withstand this. Not you. Please leave. Please.
But none of my words could be heard and the punishment is worded out and the flogging begins. Every time I hear him wince my body becomes numb. My emotion quotent is nil but with him around, I remember the pain I felt last night.
I shut everything out. Wangji, this world can never understand your heart. You're meant to never have any emotions then why, why does my heart feel so burdened?
"Leave" he commands and I bow and leave them all. Not looking back at the boy who meant everything to me, I leave.
If only I could leave forever.
"Wangji" brother stops me, but today, I don't even look at him. I can't. I am unable to.
"Please inform Wei Ying about the Gusu's Cold Pool, it will help him heal his back" with that I walk away.
Little did I know, we were heading to a whole new adventure together.