The day started out like any other day. Wei Ying woke up late as usual. Now, with the day half gone, the pair, along with the rest of the disciples, left Cloud Recesses. The others had gone already, including the Jiang siblings. Wei Ying complained of still being tired and not wanting to go, but Lan Zhan convinced him otherwise. The boy agreed. However, Lan Zhan had to carry him to the dock before he would even move from the bed. Lan Zhan helped him bathe and dress, because Wei Ying was too tired still to move (or so he said). The Lan didn't care and only did what his Wei Ying wanted. When it came time for them to leave, Lan Zhan carried him on his back all the way to the dock. After boarding the boat, the two went to their respective cabins. It would take approximately three to four days to reach Lotus Cove.
Wei Ying laid down on his bed with his feet dangling. His heart was pounding in his chest. He really hated the thought of returning to that place, but it needed to be done. He needed to see his adoptive father one more time - even if it was only for a day. Out of everything he feared, Zidian - Madam Yu's whip - was what he feared most. Zidian was a special whip. It held the shape of a ring. When passing spiritual energy through it, it took its original form - a whip with purple lightening passing over it. It truly was a powerful one as its strength was based off the wielder's own spiritual power and emotional control. If one were whipped by Zidian, it would leave unimaginable scars on the skin which would never heal, even when the wounds were gone. He shuddered at the thought.
There was a knock at the door. Wei Ying sat upright wondering who it could be. He answered the door, opening it slightly, so he could see who it was. Through the crack, he saw white. "Wei Ying." It was Lan Zhan, but why would he be there?
Wei Ying: "Hey there, Lan Zhan. What brings you here?" he asked opening the door all the way. Lan Zhan held a tray of food in his hands. "Eh...what's that for?" He pointed at the tray.
Lan Zhan: "For Wei Ying. Eat," he commanded, handing the tray to him. Wei Ying took the tray and smiled.
Wei Ying: "Thanks." Lan Zhan nodded. He stared at Wei Ying for a while. "Uhm...you can go now, please? I'd like to be alone now." Lan Zhan nodded again, only he did not move. Wei Ying felt a bit irritated. "Is there anything else?" he asked, trying to keep the emotion from his voice.
Lan Zhan: "Mn. Will be reaching Yunmeng soon. Wei Ying should get ready." With that, he left Wei Ying alone again.
The boy sighed. He placed the tray on the table, but didn't touch it. Instead, he flopped onto the bed again. He was super nervous about going home. His heart seemed to beat harder with every passing second and the closer they came to Lotus Cove. He was so tired from worrying, he fell asleep.
The next thing he knew, he was waking up in a bed - only it wasn't on the boat. Instead, he was at an inn. When had they reached Yunmeng? He'd dozed off and never even woke up once. He looked out the window. It was dark outside. Moonlight filled the room with white. He didn't see Lan Zhan, and panicked, wondering if he was the one who brought him here or if it was someone else. He - for whatever reason - really hoped it was the former. Yet he didn't see him at all in the room. Maybe it was as Jiang Cheng had said, and Lan Zhan truly hated him and was only waiting for the opportune moment to dump him. Wei Ying curled in on himself, hiding his face in his arms.
He heard a soft knock on the door. He didn't move. The door opened quietly. He didn't look up. Soft footfalls approached the bed. He didn't even glance to see who it was. A gentle hand rested on his shoulder. He didn't bother moving. "Wei Ying," a soft vice called out to him. That caught his attention. He looked up to see Lan Zhan standing above him with a concerned look on his face. The candle had been lit. "Wei Ying, what's wrong?" The boy only shook his head. "Tell me," Lan Zhan coaxed. Wei Ying shook his head again. Lan Zhan sat on the bed and pulled him into a hug. "You can tell me anything," he spoke softly, gently rubbing the boy's back.
Wei Ying didn't want to, but he couldn't help it. He started to cry. "Stay," was the only thing he could say. Lan Zhan hummed in response. He continued rubbing the boy's back and holding him close. He didn't know why he was so worried about Lan Zhan leaving him. He didn't know why he was scared about going home. He just was.
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The next morning was better. The sun was out and the skies were clear, save for a few clouds. The temperature was warm even though it was winter. A slight breeze blew from off the water cooling it down somewhat. Wei Ying stretched out fully and turned to Lan Zhan who was walking beside him.
Wei Ying: "I hope you like Yunmeng as much as I do," he said with a bright smile.
Lan Zhan: "Let us go."
Wei Ying: "Ah...okay."
Yunmeng was a bustling town with stalls that lined the streets as far as the eye could see. There were many vendors shouting out their wares and prices, trying to catch the people's ears with grand, hot deals. Wei Ying stopped at just about every one, looking at the different items on sale. They passed one stall selling his favorite sweets. "Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan!" he said like an eager child. "Look! They have tanghulu! Buy me some?" Lan Zhan didn't have time to answer as Wei Ying was already pulling him toward the stall. "Mister, I want two!"
Stall owner: "Such a nice young man. How about I give you five for the price of one? Eh?"
Wei Ying agreed to it. He was handed five sticks, immediately biting into one. Lan Zhan paid for them and followed the boy who was happily eating away at it. "Lan Zhan, have you ever had tanghulu before? It's really sweet with a kind of sourness to it. It's really good! Try some!" Wei Ying held the stick he was eating from in Lan Zhan's face. Many seeing this action would think it was rude, but not Lan Zhan. He held the stick steady, placing his hand over the boy's and took a bite from one of the candies. Having the Lan's hand over his made Wei Ying blush slightly. "Do You like it?" he asked after a moment.
Lan Zhan: "Mn. Very sweet like Wei Ying."
The boy's blush deepened. "W-well...since you like it so much, here's a whole one just for you!" He kept the smile up, trying to hide his embarrassment. He handed Lan Zhan a stick of the candies. Lan Zhan accepted it without hesitation.
The two strolled on until they hit the gate for Lotus Pier. Yanli and Jiang Cheng were waiting for Wei Ying's arrival. When he saw them from a distance, he ran right up to them. "Shijie! I missed you~" he teased. He pulled out a basket, set it on the ground, and removed the cover. "These are for you!" It almost seemed as if he's forgotten about poor Lan Zhan, who stood quietly behind him.
Yanli: "I see you've brought a friend as well. Greetings Hanguang-Jun," she greeted respectfully. "Thank you for taking care of A-Xian."
Lan Zhan nodded slightly. "Shijie, don't say things like that..." Wei Ying tried hiding his embarrassment. Yanli laugh and looked fondly at her adopted little brother. She knew as all good sisters know, how something was up between the two.
Lan Zhan didn't care for all the noise. After all, he was raised in a quiet and secluded place. He endured it for Wei Ying. This Wei Ying may have been different, but he was still Wei Ying as the Lan knew him to be. He wanted to stay here forever, even after Wei Wuxian's game was over.
Lan Zhan followed the siblings inside. The main hall was decorated with purple banners all displaying the nine-petaled lotus. It was truly magnificent. Jiang Fengmian was seated in his chair at the head of the hall.
Fengmian: "Welcome, Young Master Lan Wangji, to my humble abode. May it treat you well in your stay here."
Lan Zhan: "Thank you, Sect Leader Jiang." He bowed in greeting to Fengmian.
The doors burst open and in waltzed Madam Yu Ziyuan. "I hope the young master's presence here is a good thing. Pray tell. Did Wei Wuxian behave himself this time?"
Lan Zhan could see Wei Ying was shaking slightly. He could already hear the crackle of Zidian as she moved closer. The Lan boy moved instinctively in front of Wei Ying, protecting him.
Lan Zhan: "Wei Wuxian behaved very well."
Madam Yu stopped in her tracks. "I see," she spoke slowly. She glared at the boy behind Lan Zhan. "Very well," she said after some time had passed. She strolled out of the hall, her two servants not far behind.
Fengmian sighed. "That woman will be the death of me." He spoke it softly, but everyone in the hall heard it. The doors burst open again. The leader glared in frustration at the one slamming the doors. Jiang Cheng entered, his demeanor like his mother's.
He strolled up to Wei Ying. He placed an arm around him and said rather loudly, "It's about time you got here! I was about to go search for you myself if you didn't show."
Wei Ying: "Yeah right! Like you care that much." He elbowed Jiang Cheng in the side playfully. This interaction between the two was making Lan Zhan jealous, so Lan Zhan did something he'd never done before.
He grabbed Wei Ying by the wrist, and dragged him out of the hall. "Nice meeting you, Young Master Lan," he heard behind him. He nodded in acknowledgement.