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A full year had passed, a full year and a half, and Jin Guangyao still hadn't confessed.
He was normally so adept with words, well-versed and eloquent. It shouldn't have proven difficult at all, but somehow it was the scariest matter he'd ever dealt with. He dreaded the possibility of mistaking Zewu-Jun's kind gestures as advances. He was afraid of ruining the friendship they'd built over the years because of some silly conjecture. But most of all, he feared losing the one important person in his life, the person he truly cared for above anyone and anything else. So in the end, he just chose to avoid it, to suppress his sentiments.
A frustrated sigh escaped him as he placed his face in his hands. He still hadn't gotten ready for the day even though he'd long sat up in bed, reminiscing on a few occasions when he could have admitted his feelings. Jin Guangyao soon shook his head, berating himself. What good did it do to remember, to live in regret over something that could have happened but didn't? It's not like he could travel back in time and alter the past.
Letting his hands slip away to his sides, Jin Guangyao decided it was time to face the day. Just as he was getting out of bed, a knock sounded at his door.
"Young Master Jin?"
It was one of the servants who was typically timid in nature, based on the nervousness and hesitancy in their question.
"Yes?" Jin Guangyao replied, calm as ever, as if he hadn't nearly suffered a mental breakdown mere moments before.
"You have a visitor, my lord."
"A visitor?" He replied perplexed before giving his orders. "Please accompany them for a moment. Oh, and make sure to offer them food and tea."
"Of course, my lord."
With the situation briefly taken care of, Jin Guangyao moved with agile purpose to get ready. He did not wish to keep his guest waiting too long; it could be someone important or at least someone bearing significant news.
He began by stripping off his nightwear, folding it up and laying it on his bed. Next, he washed up quickly at the basin, drying off with an adequately-sized cloth. He then made his way to his armoire, throwing on a fresh pair of undergarments before picking out a hanfu to wear. Taking the pants off the wooden hanger first, he pulled them up his legs and tied the knot on the waistband. He then wrapped himself up in the robes, nimble fingers tying the various knots with ease. Reaching into a bottom drawer, he drew out a pair of socks and slipped them over his feet. Lastly, he grabbed up his signature hat, placing it over his hair which would surely need a good brushing later.
Taking a glance at himself in the mirror, Jin Guangyao found his appearance to be quite acceptable. Delicate fingers deftly ran through the ends of his hair as a make do comb. And with that he was ready to meet with his guest.
Jin Guangyao slipped into his shoes near the entrance of his room before he stepped out. From the looks of it, he didn't have to go very far. Standing there just a few feet away from his door was the visitor, and not just any visitor. It was…
"Zewu-Jun?" Deep brown eyes widened at the sight of him, startled that the man invading his thoughts suddenly turned up here. Remembering his manners, Jin Guangyao quickly encircled his arms and revered the sect leader with a bow. "I mean, welcome Er-Ge. I'm sorry if I kept you waiting long."
Lan Xichen shook his head, both at the polite words and the other man's insistence on bowing to him. Like usual, he simply couldn't resist touching A-Yao's arms. It didn't halt the revering of course, but it provided an excuse to make contact with the man who held his affection. Eventually he let his arms slip back to his sides, not wanting to prolong the touch by much.
"You seem surprised, A-Yao. Don't tell me you forgot about our night-hunt this evening?" The sect leader teased, a smug little look on his face.
"Of course not!" He countered, eyebrows scrunched in disappointment at the offending implication. There was no way he'd ever forget plans he made with his crush. It was unfathomable!
The sight of an upset A-Yao was quite endearing, so endearing in fact that the Lan sect leader couldn't resist the small smile gracing his face. "I was just teasing you," he reassured, resting a hand on the slim shoulder. Another excuse to touch his A-Yao, if only for a brief moment. "Well, are we ready to head out?"
Jin Guangyao quirked up a brow at that. "So early?"
Though the simple question wounded him a little, Lan Xichen couldn't help but admire the array of cute expressions this man had.
"It's a town we haven't been to before," he explained. "So I figured we could sightsee and make the most of it. That is, if you'd like to…"
The Lan Sect leader knew he'd given him a choice. Knew there was a possibility that A-Yao could say no, whether it be because of duties he had to take care of here in Jinlin Tai or because he simply didn't want to. If in fact he said no, Lan Xichen hoped it would be for the former reason. But obviously, he wanted nothing more than for his A-Yao to accept.
Jin Guangyao was drowning in his thoughts once again, thinking that if he decided to take initiative, if he decided to profess how he felt, that maybe he could do it while they explored this new town together. Or perhaps he could wait until after the night-hunt, once they've successfully suppressed the haunting spirits like they had countless times in the past. They really made such an excellent team, such an excellent duo. And if Zewu-Jun happened to return his amorous feelings, then he was certain they would make an excellent couple. Which in turn could eventually lead them to become Cultivation Partners. Just the thought of it was enough to put a bright smile on his face.
As he came back to reality, he gazed up at his Er-Ge who patiently awaited his answer. Jin Guangyao still wasn't sure what he wanted to do, wasn't sure if he would have it in him to confess tonight, but there was one thing he knew for certain. As long as he had Lan Xichen by his side, that was all that mattered.
"Yes," he finally replied, unconsciously lifting the weight off Zewu-Jun's shoulders. "I'd love to."