"Are you okay Sizhui?" Sizhui snapped when Wei Wuxian tapped his shoulder, "you can go to the infirmary and rest for a bit..."
Sizhui smiled and gently shook his head, "thank you Sir Wei but I'm fine..."
"No, you're not..." Wei Wuxian answered, "you're feeling down... Did your girlfriend dump you? Or did young mistress Jin dump you?"
"Hey!" Jin Ling shouted, "who are you calling Young mistress Jin?"
"Who else if it's not you?!" Jingyi retorted, "your temper's worse than a girl with a period."
The class laughed. Sizhui heartily smiled, "now you smiled..." Wei Wuxian said, "if you're not feeling well, we can have young mistress Jin take care of you... Look how cute he is in a maid outfit.."
"I swear I'm going to kill you if you utter another shameless word..." Jin Ling huffed.
"Why?" Wei Wuxian innocently, "Sizhui is also thinking you're cute... Right Sizhui?"
"Mm." Sizhui playfully smiled, "if he's a girl.. no wonder.. he'll be the cutest wife..."
"Kyaaaaaaaahhhh!" The whole class roared and laughed, while Jin Ling continuously scoffed at his classmates.
Lan Jingyi places a hand on his shoulder, "Young Mistress Jin... It's the perfect student council vice president Lan Sizhui who said it... And there was no instance that he ever lied... If he says you're cute then you're cute... Right?!" Jingyi winked at his classmates which made everyone laugh when Jin Ling kicked him, literally.
Jin Ling, "try another word... Idiot Jingyi..."
Sizhui burst out laughing. Wei Wuxian was also on his stomach trying to suppress his laughter.
"It's okay A-Ling... I'll take care of you..." Sizhui joked. It made Jin Ling hold his breath, cheeks turning red when Sizhui took his hand and intertwined their fingers, "I'll be a good husband... I'll take care of you..."
"WHO'D WANT TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY YOU!!! FUCK OFF!!" Jin Ling screamed in horror. He immediately runs away from the classroom.
"WAIT JIN LING!! THE SKETCH!!" Wei Wuxian shouted.
"SHUT UP!" Jin Ling answered while running away.
The boys laugh, while the girls giggled. They even laughed hard at Jingyi's statement, "Sizhui! You rock up the rank of shamelessness with Sir Wei! "
---------------------------------------------
Lan Wangji had an early afternoon. He went to the market to do some groceries. He was picking some fruit when he noticed a lotus scent coming from behind.
"Good afternoon Mr. Lan... Fancy meeting you here." Wei Wuxian said.
Wangji turn to him and gave him a slight nod. His eyes were fixed on the bottles inside the other person's cart. His brows twitch with assorted alcoholic beverages, "your groceries?"
"Yes..." Wei Wuxian answered, "It's been so long since I drank one..." His eyes met the gaze of another person.
"Mr. Wei... Did I not tell you to refrain from drinking while teaching in my school?" Meng Yao said as he approached them.
"Mr. Meng... Mhmm... It's not mine... It belongs to Mr. Lan..."
"No, it's not.." He coolly replied. Wei Wuxian jerked and glanced at him hoping for some assistance.
He pinched Wangji's arm, "Lan Zhan... It's aged wine... If I share a bottle with you, can you pretend and help me for a while?..."
Suddenly, a memory flashed before Lan Wangji.
「It's Emperor's Smile! If I share a jar with you, can you pretend that you never saw me?"」
Lan Wangji was dazed for a moment and got back immediately, "no... Not drinking..." Why would he dream like that in the middle of the day? Although the memory was so clear, he couldn't make any visual of the person standing before him in that memory. All he could see was the red ribbon flowing along with the raven locks on the wind and those bright mercurial eyes.
He looked at Wei Wuxian who had his mouth hung open at the thought, 'Who in his year never drank alcohol?'
"It's okay Mr. Wei.." Meng Yao said, "you don't have to drag...Ummm. Mr. Lan... Just don't drink much... Don't want to find you in the hospital again..." Then Meng Yao gave them a soft smile and walked away.
Wei Wuxian release a sigh of relief, and looked at him, "really Mr. Lan? You've never drunk alcohol in your life? Such a boring life you have..."
He glared at Wei Wuxian and started to walk after he picked loquats. "Hey!'"
Wei Wuxian grabbed his shoulder and an even more dangerous death glare was thrown at him by Lan Wangji, "don't touch me..." although the touch somewhat electrocuted him, he was able to remain as passive and cold as ever.
Wei Wuxian gulped and slowly withdrew his hand away from him, "Then let's become friends, Mr. Lan!"
"Not close..." He answered.
"Arghhh! Mr. Lan! That's the purpose of being friends! To become close..." Wei Wuxian childishly pouted. Wangji looked at him as if he had gone insane. He knew the meaning of friends. However, a being like him cannot be too close to a mortal. So it's better to draw the distance even before it's crossed. He promised himself that the only person he'll be close with will be his son and no one else. "I'm avoiding people..."
It was Wei Wuxian's turn to raise his brow. He just remains as quiet and stern as he has always been. "Who in the world would avoid people Lan Zhan? It's the dumbest reason I've ever heard in my life..."
"Why?" he asked not looking at Wei Wuxian. He did not even realize he was called by his name.
"Who in the world would want to be alone?"
"I'm not alone... There's Sizhui..." Wei Wuxian looked at him intently but the Lan Wangji refused to meet his gaze. The tension seemed to fill them.
"Mr. Lan can we continue this conversation somewhere... It's about Sizhui..." Wei Wuxian prompted.
Lan Wangji did not expect this kind of news. He was taken aback by this suddenness. He knew that Sizhui has always been excellent in everything he does. He couldn't ignore this kind of thing especially when it comes to home. His fatherly tendency naturally kicks in whenever it concerns his son. He can't help but nod and proceed to pay for his groceries.
They went to a nearby cafe and ordered some treats. He can't seem to meet Wei Wuxian's eyes. Just staying with this man at the same pace made his heart pound so hard. He felt like choking and only answered with a simple nod.
He's hurt... But at the same time, it's fulfilling... He felt so safe with just his presence... But he also felt like crying with the sorrow he was feeling.
It's as if the three thousand years of emptiness and oblivion were just a distant memory with this person's presence.
"Sizhui... Was feeling down for almost a week..." Wei Wuxian started, "he was not cheerful these past days... When I was trying to call him he passed by me looking so distant and distracted... He almost fails one of his summative tests..."
Hearing this, he directly looked at Wei Wuxian. His son's nature is one that refused any distractions. Sizhui was a diligent boy. His son would do his best and can put all his worries in place while performing flawlessly.
But then again, this is another life of Sizhui. There was one time he met a very rebellious Sizhui. He had also seen a cowardly Sizhui, a cold-hearted Sizhui, a clumsy Sizhui, and most of all that distant Sizhui. He had met countless Sizhui and not once had he ever been with one pestered with distractions. It reminds me of the Sizhui he had after the siege of the Burial Mounds.
"I know... It's not my place to say anything..." Wei Wuxian said. He can't set this matter aside. Lan Wangji thought he needed to be home right now and talk things out. he refused to have any misunderstanding once again. He can't help but look at Wei Wuxian with a soft gaze. It was an almost too comical scene he was one who never asked any advice from someone except his brother. He had no choice but to listen to what Wei Wuxian would say. "but... is there a problem between you and Sizhui, Mr. Lan?"
Wangji pondered for a while. There's only one thing that crossed his mind – that night. He looked at Wei Ying and asked, "It's not his fault..." truly. It was not Sizhui's fault. It was his. His depression. His hesitance.
Wei Wuxian answered him, "so there's something wrong..."
"Did he tell you?" Wangji asked. The thin line between him and Sizhui grows at every second he waits for Wei Wuxian's words.
"No... He never told me anything... Even Jingyi never said anything..." Wei Wuxian tapped his cup, "I tried asking him but he was careful not to spill the bean... He's avoiding every question and answered me with a smile or nod... That child is the kind of person who will never complain nor be open to his feelings and doubt... Mr. Lan... I know this might sound absurd... But... As his father... Can you ease his doubts?... He's a bright child... And I can see that when it comes to you. He seemed like a scared child. That child becomes so well-mannered as if he does not want to cause you trouble..." Wei Wuxian said.
Lan Wangji knew that. In those three thousand years, in each of Sizhui's lives, there was never been one that complained to him. As if he was trying to avoid causing him problems as much as possible. They were so close yet it's as if they were far away.
Wangji thought being intimate and close to his son would gradually close their distance. But never in those years, did that child bother to tell him his worries... He never told him his feelings... Except for that night, when he watched the helplessly crying Sizhui clinging to his arm or leg. He would silently hold his hand and beg without any reason.
Lan Wangji did not like it. That child would always smile at him without complaining. He would only smile as payment for the kindness of raising him. He would promise him to be together – be his son throughout his life. It's always been that promise that they will meet again and again.
In truth, this is not what Lan Wangji wanted. He took Sizhui as his real son. He took him in to love him, to shelter him, to care for him, and to be with him. Everything he had ever done to him paled in comparison to his. Sizhui held his heart, protect it and heal it. That child would stand by his side and complete his day. If not for this child – he would've lost himself in insanity for all these torturous years.
He breathed deeply. There was sadness visible in his golden eye. "he's always been like that." Wei Wuxian had fallen silent with his words.
A moment later, a group of students entered the cafe. They saw students bickering and joking around when Ouyang Zizhen suddenly, "Sir Wei!"
The group was startled except for Jin Ling who scoffed as if trying to kill the teacher.
"Dad/Uncle" Sizhui and Jingyi called.
Lan Wangji glanced at them and nodded. Sizhui then looked at Wei Wuxian who was smiling at him. He tapped his side, and Sizhui obliged to sit beside him. The group also sat at the table just beside Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji's table. The children ordered but were surprised when Lan Wangji paid for everything including those with Wei Wuxian. The children happily ate their snacks. The Youngsters would laugh at Jin Ling who was forced to sit down beside Sizhui calling them lovers.
They were joking around with their teacher. Until Sizhui's met his eyes that are looking at him. His eyes speak of fondness and tender love. Sizhui smiled at him and continued joking with his group.
"Sizhui you should ask young mistress Jin for a date.." Ouyang Zizhen said.
"Damn you Zizhen!" Jin Ling cursed, "who'd want to date him?"
"Why young Mistress Jin? Sizhui already proposed to you in class right?" Another kid said.
Sizhui's face turns pale. Wei Wuxian was amused by his looks and mischievously said, "it was a rather good proposal?" Taking one of the student's hands shamelessly said, "I'll be a good husband... I'll take care of you..."
Sizhui stood up and wanted to speak but his attention was caught by Lan Wangji who remained unfazed by all this ridiculousness.
"you proposed?" Wangji looked at his son.
Sizhui panicked at his question. Lan Wangji knew that his son's brilliant mind constructed thousands of excuses only to be destroyed by one moment, "yes... Mr. Lan... Sizhui proposed to me this morning... But now he is denying everything... My poor heart is breaking..."
Lan Wangji hummed in response. He even saw the smug look from the young Jin who had the initiative to bully his precious son. His surrounding was filled with muffled squeals all while trying to suppress the building's epic romantic scene. He was amused by Jingyi's thumbs up and tapped the table while Sizhui remained speechless.
Wei Wuxian brightly laugh and tapped Jin Ling's shoulder, "nice one..."
Sizhui gulped down as he felt embarrassment all through his body. He helplessly looked at him who in turn said, "if that's the case.. you should not treat your lover poorly.."
This made the whole group roar with excitement! It's just a few words and he knew how close Sizhui and Jin Ling were firsthand. There is this kind of special connection between them. He suspected them to be in 'that' way so he was not surprised by all this.
The great perfect and unmovable Lan Sizhui was left speechless by a proposal, "you have good eyes Uncle!" Jingyi beamed at him.
"If Sizhui's happy then I have no problem." Wangji solemnly said. Although, he couldn't deny his smug expression right now.
"Jin Ling... You have the blessing..." Wei Wuxian openly burst out laughing.
"No it-! Sir Wei, please... It's not serious alright!!!" Sizhui cried, "dad, please... Do-"
"Why? Don't you like him?" Wangji asked. He remembered, in every lifetime, Sizhui would always fall for Jin Ling but they were not given the chance to be together. Partly, that was his fault.
Sizhui was shocked and silent, even the whole group was stunned when the stoic father smiled tenderly at his son, approving of his feelings.
It was Wei Wuxian that recovered first and said mused, "invite me to your marriage..."
"I'd better tell dad and mom about the dowry.." Jin Ling smirked.
"And to whom you're going to give dowry, you brat?" Jin Ling suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
"Uncle Cheng?" Jin Ling slowly turned around.
This is the first time Lan Wangji came across Jiang Wanyin. Lan Xichen told him once that he met Jiang Wanyin's reincarnation by chance. It was the time when he and Lan Xichen decided to roam around separately. When they met, Lan Xichen told him the recounts of his encounter and his heartbreak. The Jiang Wanyin his brother met had memories of his past life. Of course, for his brother, there was nothing more painful than his betrayal. In their first life, Lan Xichen couldn't love Jiang Wanyin. His brother realized his feelings the moment he lost Jiang Wanyin permanently.
"Brat... Now get your ass here or I'm going to break your leg..."
The whole gang laughed. They heard the same hot-tempered Jin Ling bickering with his uncle then pushed his uncle back saying he'll be back. They finished with all the messing around and that jaw-locking laughter, and they finally decided to go home.
Wei Wuxian watched Lan Sizhui and Lan Wangji walked their separate way. He heard Jin Ling say, "Sizhui looks sad... And.. they look so distant..."
"No wonder... Their barriers are high... Sizhui's adopted by Uncle Ji." The boys gasped and looked at Jingyi, "no surprise he never told you... and he will never will... Uncle hates it when he's pointing out he's merely an adopted son... the elders of our family extremely opposed Uncle's decisions to adopt him but either way no one can stop him..."
"Did he know his parents?" Zizhen asked.
"No... He was at the orphanage..." Jingyi said, "nevertheless, blood or not... He's still my family... Him, my uncles, and grandpa..."
"Jingyi!" Sizhui called.
"Yeah! Coming." Then Jingyi looked at Wei Wuxian, " thank you sir for talking to both of them... I hoped they'll fix issues tonight.."
Wei Wuxian smiled at Jingyi and patted his head, "if you did not tell me that they have problems... I'll never be able to talk to them... Go... Take care on the road."
The students also went on their way home leaving Wei Wuxian alone.
Wei Wuxian sadly watched the three figures disappear in his sight.
"Quite a wonderful sight right? It'll be perfect if you are also there..." A female voice said.
Wei Wuxian just smiled and turned at her, "even if I wanted to... I've hurt them so much. I can only make amends by making them close and support each other..."
He sighed, "with this curse... I want the two of them to be happy... Until... I... Finished this punishment..."
"... Wen Qing..."
...to be continued...