Walking slowly, on the calm isolated corridors of Cloud Recesses, taking in— the tranquil surrounding, the calming sounds of chirping birds, the sound of the falling waterfall—in silence to blend with the beauty of nature.

Very unlike Wei Wuxian isn't it?

Well, that's exactly what he was doing in the few months, Wei Wuxian realised how much he needed peace, the peace to soothe his taut nerves, the peace of Cloud Recesses.

The only place where he felt caged yet at peace, the place where he had time to think about many things, the place isolated from worldly disturbances.

Suddenly, the peace was broken by the sound of quiet footsteps, which resounded in the ever silent paths of Cloud Recesses.

He turned his head to look at the person, who was approaching him since there weren't many who would willingly do. They were his Lan Zhan, his little radish Sizhui, the un-Lan-Lan his one of favourites Jingyi, the other juniors of the clan he is close to and Zewu-jun and lastly, Lan Zhan's shufu, Lan Qiren.

He omitted the first five options from the list since, Sizhui, Jingyi and the juniors were attending their classes and were unaware of his return, since he came quietly, very unlike him.

But hey! roaming among the commoners for so long has given him more maturity than the one he had to forcefully take, okay? So he knew better than to disturb the juniors at the time to their classes.

So the only people, who would willingly, approach him were Zewu-jun and Lan Qiren, and when he returned to Cloud Recesses today, the only people aside from Lan Wangji who knew about it were Zewu-jun and Lan Qiren.

Since the other people were either too shy, too timid, too quiet, too introverted, too scared or too reserved to approach him.

On reaching Cloud Recesses, Lan Wangji and greeting Zewu-jun who was welcoming them outside his study and living quarters, Hanshi.

But after this short informal meeting, Zewu-jun said that he was told to visit and stay with their, Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen's, Grand Uncle Lan Han Xu* for some time, in which Lan Wangji accompanied him.

Han Xu*(含蓄)= Restrained

Telling Wei Wuxian to go to Jingshi and wash up. Have some rest and then mess around. Lan Zhan then apologized to him saying that today he will be taking classes of the juniors, which caused him to come back late.

Wei Wuxian just grinned pecking Lan Wangji's cheek and said "Aiyo! Lan-er-gege don't apologize, just come back I'll be waiting for you."

So, Wei Wuxian cast aside the possibility of Zewu-jun being the one to approach him, since he knew how true to their words are Lans which means that Zewu-jun for sure was still with their Grand Uncle and Lan Wangji must be taking classes of the juniors.

And the last person was Lan Qiren who would willingly approach him and Lan Qiren would be the last person in this world who would want to approach him.

To his surprise and somewhat expectation, the person approaching him was indeed Lan Qiren.

Wei Wuxian stood straighter than before and on reaching a respectable distance, he cupped his hand and bowed greeting the old man in front of him.

Wei Wuxian spoke, "Greetings, Grandmaster Lan."

Lan Qiren responded with a nod.

Silence ascended between them.

After some time, Lan Qiren broke the silence, "So, you have indeed returned to Cloud Recesses, to stay for some time or..?"

Wei Wuxian answered, "Grandmaster Lan, I intend to stay and accompany Lan Zha-- I mean HanGuang-jun, for the rest of our lives if, Grandmaster Lan permits me to."

Lan Qiren's lips pursed into a thin line, his eyebrow twitched at such blatant declaration of togetherness.

He nodded, "So, you intend to marry Wangji or not?"

Wei Wuxian was surprised at the question but his tone remained respectful, "Grandmaster Lan, about that...if you and the sect elders agree to let me marry HanGuang-jun then I would gladly do so, but if not, then..." we might have no choice but to elope.

The unsaid words hung in silence.

Lan Qiren understood but said nothing to reprimand Wei Wuxian. For he knew Wangji would do that.

Lan Qiren sighed "Wei Wuxian..."

Wei Wuxian, "Yes, Grandmaster Lan?"

Lan Qiren asked, "If the sect elders don't agree?" Then what do you intend to do?

Wei Wuxian knew the question the old man was asking his lips curved into a smile and he answered "Grandmaster Lan, in that case, I'm afraid we won't have a choice because wedlock is an inalienable bond, we cannot ignore it, we don't wish to. It's an important part of the lives of DaoLus* a wedding is a must, you know and understand it more than me. Don't you?"

Lan Qiren replied, "I do."

Then asked, "Since how long have you returned?"

Wei Wuxian, "Answering Grandmaster Lan, by resurrection for more than six months, by time in Cloud Recesses for almost five shi*"

Shi*= Chinese 1 hour.

"Oh."

Lan Qiren didn't say a word and started walking ahead, Wei Wuxian took the hint and followed him.

After some time, Lan Qiren spoke "Wei Wuxian, you know why as a teenager I didn't like you?"

Wei Wuxian's body tensed then he shook his head, "No Grandmaster Lan."

"It was because, in the 15 years old you, I used to see your mother Cangse Saren, not you. You had the eyes, smile and personality of your mother, which meant you were carefree and never adhered to rules, this kind of personality was what I despised the most, and maybe, I subconsciously never tried to hide it." Lan Qiren sigh.

"Maybe, I am like my mother."

"No, not just like your mother but also like Xichen's and Wangji's mother. She was like your mother but more mysterious. She too never followed the rules and maybe that's what captured my brother's heart. In you, I not only saw your mother but, my brother's wife too. Maybe, for this reason, I had was prejudiced against you.

I, as a teacher, should not have done this but my resentment for your and my nephews' mother, took over me, for that, I have broken the rule of our sect "Do not hold grudges. Do not succumb to rage." Yet I remained biased against you." Lan Qiren said.

Wei Wuxian spoke "Grandmaster Lan, I understand, I was quite troublesome back then, I think."

Lan Qiren shook his head, "I wanted to keep Wangji away from you because I was afraid that my younger nephew would turn out to be like his father, but maybe, what fate wanted was different from what I wanted. In the end, Wangji turned out like his father, but at least he is better than my brother. He knows better than to restrain you. But I couldn't save my nephew would still be my biggest regret."

Wei Wuxian's lips twitched and he into a burst of hearty laughter. Finished laughing, he beamed from ear to ear and joked "But alas! Grandmaster Lan, it's too late to lament now."

Lan Qiren inhaled a deep breath to stop himself from Qi deviating.

A vein on his temple twitched violently.

'Excessive show of emotions is forbidden.' he desperately repeated.

"But it took me a while to realise that you were like your father too, bright, intelligent and caring. You were you not the shadow or picture of your parents." Lan Qiren spoke.

Wei Wuxian sombrely nodded "It is perhaps the first praise, I received from you in my three lifetimes."

"Three?" Lan Qiren frowned.

"Uh? Did I say three? No Grandmaster Lan you must be mistaken." Wei Wuxian said panicking internally.

Lan Qiren nodded, saving it for later.

"Wei Wuxian, Wangji is my dear nephew. I have seen him suffer times and again, because of you. I saw him silently suffer, while you were missing for three months during the war approaching times.

I saw him silently suffer, while you left the YunMeng Jiang sect to save the Wen remnants. I saw him suffer at the bloody siege of Nightless city, for you. I saw him take 33 disciple whips while still questioning the rights and wrongs. I have seen him endure silently, for thirteen years, while your soul was nowhere to be found.

I saw him in pain, pining for you while thinking you were gone, I saw him lifeless. I saw him lose respect for our sect's rules, I saw him treat the elders, us with cold detachment.

And I saw the life in his eyes back when you were back. Wangji is just like his father, but better.

I'm not saying that he suffered, while you enjoyed your life. I'm aware that you had your fair share of suffering and pain, I don't know how much you suffered may be more than anyone can ever fathom, but the changes I see in you tell me that you suffered, a lot."

Wei Wuxian stood rooted to the ground, appalled.

"I.. Grandmaster Lan. I don't know what to say." Wei Wuxian said.

"Wei Wuxian, I'm not against you or the marriage, anymore. As long as Wangji is happy. I just want to say that if Wangji is hurt once again because of you. I'm going to give you a nice shovel talk, understood?" Lan Qiren said.

Wei Wuxian gave an amused smile at the old man's unbiased attitude towards him, for the first time and puffed a small laugh.

Wei Wuxian spoke, "No, no, never. I'd rather die than have Lan Zhan suffer because of me."

Lan Qiren sighed.

"I shall take my leave Wei Wuxian," said Lan Qiren.

"As you wish, Grandmaster Lan." Wei Wuxian saluted.

Lan Qiren nodded and started walking, he stopped in his tracks without turning back he said, "You can call me uncle, Wei Wuxian."

Then walked away, leaving an astounded man behind.

"Good night, uncle." Wei Wuxian whispered with a lingering smile.

Looking at the gradual nightfall, Wei Wuxian stroked the balls of fluff, fat rabbits, at Jingshi's backyard and said absent-mindedly,

"We are like two sides of the same coin, one hides everything behind a frosty mask and the other behind a sunny smile. How laughable, one can be read by someone and the other is said to be born with a smile."

Then softly scoffed.

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HELLO, beautiful stars!

Second chapter!!! How was it?! Did you like it?

I feel like I OOCed in Lan Qiren. Please guide me! Hehe.

Did you like that I making the big fuddy-duddy a little tolerable? 👀

Comment your thoughts and Vote if you liked the chapter.

I hope I can make an update soon.

With love ♥

— Seamless Sky

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