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Initially, he had his eyes closed pretending that all he wanted was to go back to Lanling as soon as possible. He had also rebuked Jingyi for forgetting his qiankun pouch at the inn a few minutes back, now he wanted him to take more time. The reason being the sight in front of him. Well, he had chosen this spot for this reason alone.

Across the street Lan Sizhui was helping Zizhen to buy some souvenirs for his siblings back in Baling. For unknown reasons, they were pressing their older brother for these goods. Seriously you could get a lot better items in Lanling, Yunmeng or even in Baling itself. Jin Ling had a notion that this had something to do with Nie Huaisang. He still liked to have his guard up around that man, and no one could blame him for that, but the Ouyangs had a strange obsession with the Nie sect leader.

Knowing Sizhui, he would end up buying something for Wei Qianbei and Hanguang-jun too. If even then Jingyi didn't return, he would also purchase some sweets for the Lan Juniors or whatever he could manage without squandering. Because that's Lan Sizhui for you. There were no words to describe him. Suffice to say that Sizhui was everything Jin Ling didn't deserve in his life. He sighed. 

The weather was pleasant and windless. Jin Ling had always loved this weather around Yunmeng. Scratch that. He loved everything about Yunmeng and things weren't very different in this nearby village. Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng used to visit him regularly in Lanling, but he still missed the only family he had. The former dropped in more often than the latter, only because his jiujiu had many responsibilities. Who could understand it better than him? He sighed again. Perhaps he should visit Lotus Pier later, it's still late afternoon and he had plenty of time before he had to head back to his golden cage.

All in all, he had no qualms as for that moment, because he could watch the swaying of Sizhui's silky hair for hours. A year ago he had started doing his hair like Hanguang-jun, which only added up to Jin Ling's misery. And yes, he was content with his position. It's just impolite to stare at someone's face, even he knew that much. It had nothing to do with the fact that he couldn't muster up the courage to confess his love even after three years of being friends with the Lan disciple. It seemed like it was going to remain this way— watching from behind and sometimes side glances (only on days he would feel a bit bolder).

His eyes followed the movements of Sizhui's forehead ribbon like a cat intrigued by its prey. It was fluttering with every slight movement of its owner. He definitely was not thinking about how it would feel to hold it in his hands. Okay maybe just touch it. Just once. Maybe accidentally, if he was lucky enough. Oh, how he wished he could. 

His thoughts came to an abrupt halt when Sizhui took a sharp turn. He was studying Jin Ling with something akin to curiosity mixed with confusion. Oh no, did he just speak his thoughts aloud? Slowly he pushed himself off the wall. Even if he did, they were a few feet apart from each other. Could it be that Lans could sense it whether anyone is staring at their forehead ribbons with inappropriate intentions? And was that against their rules, too? Would they punish him now? It would be so embarrassing. He was a damn sect leader. 

Sizhui turned to exchange a few words with Zizhen, and as to when Zizhen started staring at him too, he had no idea. Before he could think anymore, Sizhui was taking large strides towards him while he stood at attention. Alright, it's sink or sink. There's no other option as he had been caught red handed. So this was how the story of his confession would be written in history. He closed his eyes to take a few deep breaths. His mouth was completely dry and palms clenched in sweaty fists. 

With full determination Jin Ling opened his eyes but Sizhui was nowhere to be seen. Instead an amused Zizhen was in front of him. When did he move? Was he behind Sizhui all this time? Well, maybe Jin Ling was not as aware of his surroundings as he liked to think, when a certain someone was involved. Gauging the confusion on his face, his friend beckoned him into a nearby alley.

Subconsciously he followed him, and once again he was facing Sizhui's broad back obstructing whatever he was watching so attentively. Sensing their arrival, the Lan gestured to them to be quiet. With nimble steps they were beside him, Jin Ling being in the middle. But he was very disappointed with the scene in front of him. 

"What's new in this?" He rolled his eyes. "Just kids imitating the sunshot campaign. Although there's just three of them…" He had seen children playing such games before in Yunping. It was easy to comprehend just by seeing the wooden swords stuck in their belts. 

Zizhen and Sizhui shared a 'who's gonna tell him?' look with each other. The former of the two cleared his throat, "Did you not really hear?" Gaining his attention he continued, "Someone among them shouted that Sandu ShengShou is their jiujiu." 

"Huh?" He eyed the three kids again, who somehow came nearer, resulting in audible voices. True to his assumptions, two of them had white strips around their forehead and the youngest one of them had something akin to a vermillion mark. This child even had a bell hanging near his sword. Even the robes were more expensive. Time was really advancing, these children were far better equipped. Jin Ling didn't know what to feel about it. His right eye twitched. How dare someone call his jiujiu theirs? That was all he cared for.

"Enough! I'll beat both of you. Are you planning to lure the demonic cultivators?" This kid looked older than the other two, and had a small wooden plank arranged on his back. Oh. This one couldn't be any other than "Lan Sizhui". 

"Oh! I think I remember that night hunt." Zizhen slammed his right fist into his left palm.

"Of course you do. You were a part of it as well," Sizhui was very composed about the whole ordeal. If anything both him and Zizhen were quite enjoying themselves.

Jin Ling also remembered the said night hunt clearly. A year ago they had defeated a very powerful group of demonic cultivators who were causing great havoc. Besides, that place wasn't very far from this village. It was very normal for the villagers to celebrate the quartet as their saviours. The children might have found their own way to honour them. They were just lacking a fourth member. 

However, Zizhen had no complaints, "If you ask me, they are doing great."

Sizhui nodded. 

Jin Ling wanted to disagree. He was better than that. There were times he wasn't bickering with Jingyi. He just couldn't recount any at that moment. And even if they did, Sizhui never threatened to beat them.

"Lan Jingyi" seemed furious, "A-Yuan, won't you say anything? He said sect leader Jiang is better than Hanguang-jun."

Oh, these kids were well aware in spite of being around six or seven years of age.

"I'm just acting my part." said "Jin Ling" in a low voice. 

Jin Ling fumed. He didn't like this kid a bit. Sizhui decided to add to his predicament "And if you ask me, sect leader Jin is very adorable." He wasn't looking at him but Jin Ling knew what he was trying to achieve there. This time Zizhen nodded his approval. 

These two could be a handful if they wanted to. The success in the night hunt seemed to alleviate their mood. He would never admit it, but he really missed Jingyi at that moment. Sure he was a gremlin too but at least, unlike the ones present with him, he would be straightforward. 

"You have to be more arrogant," advised "Jingyi" wisely. A fist landed on his head.

"Watch your tongue. Sect leader Jin is not arrogant!" chided "Sizhui".

"Oh, then why does everyone say so?", "Jingyi" clutched his head but he was in no mood to back off.

"Sizhui" had no answer to that and before he could resort to other measures, Jin Ling interrupted, "Isn't fighting against the Lan rules?"

"Stop acting like you know everything!" screamed the eldest one. He rubbed his temples, messing up the strip of cloth.

"A-Yuan!" The youngest raised his hands to help, which were slapped down by "Jingyi".

"Only our fated ones are allowed to touch the forehead ribbon." He folded his hands, very proud of his knowledge. "Sizhui" just blinked and took two steps back, unsure of what was right. 

Jin Ling felt he was the one getting reprimanded for his desires. It was like this kid unintentionally slapped him with reality. Unconsciously, he sighed and looked down at his feet.

"B-but I have seen ZhenZhen touching yours all the time. I just wanted to help." Reasoned the youngest kid, looking at his clasped hands, hurt evident in his voice. 

Zizhen flushed. Served him right, thought Jin Ling. But wait...

"Oh no where's Zizhen?!" Exclaimed "Sizhui".

"He-he said he will come on his own." Explained "Jingyi". He gulped under the scrutiny of two pairs of accusatory eyes.

He was really lucky because before he could get another beating for his apparent carelessness, someone shouted from the other end of the alley.

"Zizhen! Oh my god, you really need to meet this kid. He claims he can write poems for me." Jingyi came running ignoring everyone else. He held a five or six year old child in front of him like a trophy. Said child had traces of dried tear tracks on his chubby cheeks. He blinked at Zizhen.

Before Zizhen could respond, Jingyi felt something pricking his shin. Looking down, he found a child poking him with a wooden sword. "Put ZhenZhen down now!" He glared up at him. 

Jingyi had other ideas: he secured the child in his arms protectively. "And who is this devil?"

"You are the devil! I'm Lan Jingyi, one of the most able cultivators of our generation." The kid harrumphed.

Jingyi just stared at him. Seeing a ghost would be more real in his case.

"What's the difference between the two? Only a devil can impersonate you so well." Jin Ling was finally having fun. Nothing could bring him more joy. Well, there were few exceptions… he chanced a glance towards Sizhui, who was trying hard to stifle his laugh.

"I said, put him down. Otherwise I'll burn you." As proof, the child took out a small parchment paper from his robes with something scribbled upon it.

"No! A-Yi!" Intervened the boy in Jingyi's arms. Then he placed his head back on his shoulder. "Gege isn't a bad person. He helped me." He was content in his abode. 

On the other hand, Jingyi was still trying to process the situation at hand. It was not just their names but also their actions that were very familiar. Contrary to what Jin Ling had stated earlier, this was all too natural to be just an imitation. Throwing this information to the back of his head, he scooped the brat up in his other arm. 

The kid, assured by his friend's words, didn't put up much of a protest. All the furiousness from before was gone. Contrariwise, both children perked up, regaining each other's company.

Jingyi's gaze finally travelled to the other two children. He took in their appearance for a while. Then, "Don't tell me they are…" He burst into laughter. The boys in his arms giggled with the shakes.

The other two children looked confused and scared. Their companions were taken in. 

"Gege, who are they?" the younger one asked from behind the other, only half of his head visible.

"Shhh… I'll protect you." The elder one promised with left hand securing his friend and right hand placed on the hilt of his wooden sword.

Did they think their supposed whispers couldn't be heard by others? Sizhui was quite impressed by the show. Until now, he didn't find anything in common with his little imitator. But this was something he could completely relate to: protecting Jin Ling, no matter how strong the opposition was. However, he didn't want the children to be scared of them. He knelt down to be on their level and took out a wrapped sweet from his qiankun pouch, extending his hand in a way of offering.

It appeared that they were well aware of the contents inside the parchment, as in no time, the youngest one was running towards Sizhui. But before he could achieve his goal, his friend warned, "A-Ling we can't take things from strangers!" The kid skidded and came to a halt in front of Sizhui, eyeing the sweet with immense greed. 

How could you dress up like someone and call them strangers at the same time? Sizhui shook his head in dismissal. It's very likely that they heard all the anecdotes from their elders and hence could not recognise the real person. 

"I'm Lan Sizhui." He tried to reason. 

It worked wonders as he didn't even blink and had the younger one in his lap, trying to climb up but sliding down every single time. Eventually he gave up, hands placed on Sizhui's knees, he looked up at him with pleading eyes. 

Didn't he just want to eat sweets? Something about this was making Jin Ling uneasy but even he wouldn't deny that the puppy face could melt the coldest of hearts. And Sizhui was the kindest person to ever walk on earth. How could he ignore this? He picked up the child in his left arm. The kid immediately made grabby hands towards the sweet. With a little amusement, Sizhui handed it to him and proceeded to stand up. 

"A-Ling…. What if he is an imposter?" Whispered "Sizhui", trying to win an already lost battle. His little hand was still hovering in the air. 

If it would pry this little manipulator off from Sizhui, Jin Ling wouldn't mind declaring him as an imposter. It might be petty of him being the leader of the richest sect to feel envious of a random brat but he couldn't help it. He wanted to be fed like that too. Unconsciously, he took a step forward and immediately felt a strong gaze pinning him. He stared down at the young source. 

"Are you… are you…?" Stammered "Sizhui".

"Sect leader A-Ling!" Beamed "Jin Ling" from his perch which was enough to earn him a glare. "He's scary." He hid his face in the white robes. 

If only I could scare you off. The sight of a wrapped sweet stopped his line of thought. He glanced up and met Sizhui's gaze. Earning his attention he nodded towards the still starstruck child standing on the ground. Did this kid even blink? Thought Jin Ling. Alright so he had to hand over a sweet. Easy. From the periphery he had noticed Zizhen doing the same. He crouched down and presented the sweet. His palm was sweating and he felt fifteen all over again, residing over his first conference ever. Suddenly he became the centre of attention. Was it just his nervousness or did the children stop gobbling their treats too? 

The kid on the other hand was too occupied in admiring him. He took a moment to notice the offer. And then another looking between him and the sweet. Incredulity written all over his face. At last, he raised both of his hands but instead of reaching out he cupped them in front of himself. Not thinking much of the gesture, Jin Ling handed him the sweet which was weighing tonnes in his hands.

Surprisingly, the child didn't proceed to open it but was still staring. His lips quivered, and in no time, his eyes began to well up. Uh oh, this was not a good sign. And here Jin Ling was thinking he hit the bullseye. Too early a celebration. He closed his eyes in defeat.

The wailing began, "Sect leader Jin Rulan gave me sweets. I'll never eat it."

"Don't worry A-Yuan. You can always give it to me." "Jingyi" tried to console him while licking his fingers.

"Shut up!" He replied but then continued his wailing.

"You can't even handle a child. Useless." Tsked Jingyi, bouncing up the two kids in his hands for clear implications. 

Distress turned into anger. Jin Ling took the bait. "Well, it's because I'm not always fooling around with children less than half my age." He said with gritted teeth. 

"Excuse me, in our sect it's called teaching sword forms and even Master Qiren praised me." 

"Lan… Jingyi?" The kid sniffed. Oh, when did he stop crying? Jingyi had no idea.

The child then turned towards Sizhui. "Do they really argue like that?"

Sizhui sighed dramatically and nodded. Wei Wuxian had rubbed off on him a lot in these past years. Then to further distract the child he added, "At times, I even want to beat them up." But then he realised there was another kid in his arm whom he had to humour. He immediately looked down and met a gaze full of sadness. Disappointment and disbelief dripping from it. All it said was: 'You betrayed me.'

Even the worst things that ever happened to Sizhui couldn't hold a candle in front of how hurt he was at that moment. He couldn't live with this guilt. "I never did though. You should always treat your juniors with love." To his surprise he heard two collective sighs of relief from behind him. Did Jingyi and Jin Ling really think he would beat them? And did Jingyi really forget that he's actually a few months older than him and thus not included in the safety protocol? Apparently, he did achieve his desired goal as "Jin Ling" grinned. 

"Gege, did you hear that? Lan Sizhui loves sect leader Jin. You should love me too." He swinged his legs gleefully and if the heartbeat near his ear increased rapidly it was none of his business. The arms around him tightened and he was more than happy to return the embrace.

Sizhui was too shocked to correct him. But again, what was even there to correct? Afterall, it was the truth, and besides, it was for the better, wasn't it?

The kid who was just addressed, nodded solemnly then began to wipe his eyes with his sleeve, but in the attempt to do so his already messed up 'forehead ribbon' came slipping down. With one hand clutching the sweet, he held the cloth in his free hand and looked at it helplessly. 

The child in Sizhui's arms squirmed to break free. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he ran to help his friend. 

"I told you. You can't touch it." The voice of "Jingyi" came from above them. He was either obsessed with the rule or his sole purpose was to bully his friend.

So the tiny feet halted for the second time that day and the little boy started shaking. With effort he turned towards Sizhui, teary eyes reflecting the last ray of hope. "I-I can't… " Whether he was asking or stating, no one could comprehend. But the emotions contained in the two syllables were felt by everyone present there. 

Jingyi's instincts told him this was going to be worse than before and he couldn't trust Sizhui with this, who seemed to have lost all his senses. Not in the face of the worst of night hunts had he seen his friend to be sweating so profusely. He cleared his throat, "Actually, you can." Unbothered by the incredulous gazes on him he continued, "You already know Sizhui loves Jin Ling. So sect leader Jin is allowed to touch his forehead ribbon as well." 

"Really?" 

It was easy to discover the source of the voice, as by that time the child was at his friend's side. Jin Ling stood there mortified, a hand pressed on his lips, feeling betrayed by his own self. He wasn't planning to say that out loud. Unsure of how to save himself from the embarrassing situation, he stammered, "I think we should leave now. It's getting late." 

"Wait." Sizhui stopped him mid-step.

Why are you making this difficult for me Lan Sizhui? He glared at him more in defence than anger.

Sizhui let go of his arm immediately, "Sorry for my impudence Jin Ling but…" 

He tilted his head towards the kids. 

Having secured the ribbon to it's righteous place, the imp was on cloud nine. He was swinging the hand of his friend, who was completely still, except for that one limb. Then Jin Ling noticed his other hand placed at his chest. The parchment paper was visible from the tiny fist. 

Jin Ling's features softened and he shared a look with Sizhui, who nodded his approval. "The stalls have everything you might need." 

Jin Ling opened his mouth to call the children, but he didn't know their names. Well… two can play a game. "A-Yuan..." He called softly. Two pairs of ears perked up. He swore Sizhui's eyes widened but still he continued innocently, "Baobao, come with me." The addressed child half-walked and was half-dragged by his friend, still in pure daze. Sizhui, on the other hand, turned his face away, ostensibly to hide his flushed face. Heh… Did he think he's the only one smart here? 

Jin Ling turned around with a smirk, the two kids following him.

Behind them was a flustered Sizhui, who was having a hard time trying to compose himself. 

Jingyi had put down the other two children by then. They didn't want to be left behind. "A-Zhen, hold my hand tightly. I don't want you to go missing again." Ordered the elder one and received a solemn nod in response. They proceeded towards their destination together. 

Zizhen followed them with his fond gaze. A hand appeared in his sight. Turning towards the owner, he met with golden brown orbs, sparkling with unadulterated mischief. Knowing well that his partner was up to no good, he raised an eyebrow. 

Jingyi waved his hand again for emphasis, "Come A-Zhen, I don't want to lose you either." He grinned.

A soft smile was already playing on Zizhen's lips. He shook his head, "Young master Lan, I would like you to behave yourself in public."

Jingyi put his index finger under his chin. "Hmm?" After a moment of faux wonder, he stepped a little closer to whisper in his ear. "So does that mean you would like me to misbehave in private?" 

Zizhen could hear the laughter which followed as he ducked away, blushing. "Sizhui-xiong must be waiting." 

"Sizhui-xiong is already too busy to notice our absence. He has five children to look after." Said Jingyi, coming to walk beside him.

Zizhen punched him playfully on the arm, "Don't talk about A-Ling like that." Secretly, he agreed with the comment and that's why they needed to hurry. He said the opposite just to see Jingyi's reaction that he knew he would get.

"Yeah yeah, I know. He's your best friend and I am just a young master Lan." Jingyi rolled his eyes. Zizhen didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his childish behaviour. When they reached there, Sizhui was handling the four- No, all the five children by himself. 

He sighed in relief on their arrival. The juniors at Cloud Recesses are well behaved after all. These children were more chaotic. They were bouncing on their feet since the stall was above their eye level. Jin Ling was trying to figure out how to help but in vain. 

Together, they assisted the roleplayers choosing whatever they wanted to buy. Jin Ling volunteered to pay for all of them as he felt guilty of not being of much help otherwise. 

Sizhui saw himself in their smiles. He was taken back to his own childhood when a stranger clad in pristine whites bought him new toys. He knew the feeling of admiration firsthand.

Jin Ling's soft voice took him out of his reverie, "Keep this toy with you and eat the sweet alright?" He was ruffling the boy's hair who just nodded looking between the two objects with twinkling eyes. It wouldn't be a surprise if he later treated it as his whole world. Because Sizhui had done the same. 

Absent-mindedly, Sizhui looked to the side at the other boy. Gaining his attention, the kid spoke, "You will take care of sect leader A-Ling, right?" It took him a moment or two to process the question. This boy is just too cunning for his age. From the corner of his eyes, he noticed how Jin Ling stopped stroking the other one's hair. 

Three pairs of eyes were on him. Luckily, Jingyi has got another Hanguang-jun enthusiast, keeping others busy. He gulped and scratched his cheek, "Yes… of course, why wouldn't I?" Then, with a bit more composure and a diplomatic smile, "After all, one should always look after their juniors."

That was close. 

Before he could take a breather the next question was shot, "You love him like a lot, right?" 

Sizhui took two steps back. He was baffled. Jin Ling uncrossed his arms, hands hovering in the air to catch him just in case. And why did Jingyi choose that moment to stop chatting? He winked at him. 

Sizhui might be looking too helpless as Zizhen came to his rescue. He put his hands on the little invigilator's shoulders. "We are all friends, and we love each other. Like a lot, alright?" Then with more finality, "It's getting late, you all should return to your homes." 

Jingyi was really amused by the tactfulness. He felt a tug at his robe. "Are you Lan Jingyi?" Oh so now you consider it as an option.

"Hmm and here I thought it was you?" He said with a shocked expression. 

The kid shook his head in negation, "You know a lot about Hanguang-jun", he rationalized, then his gaze moved up to Jingyi's forehead.  

"Oh, the forehead ribbon." Jingyi gestured to him to come closer, "It belongs to a Lan disciple. I'm an imposter." The kid gasped in utter horror.

Jin Ling smirked, "See, I knew it. This is how you teach." No matter how he was feeling he would never lose an opportunity to banter with Jingyi.

"Just wait until my juniors beat the Jin disciples at this year's competitions." 

Sizhui interjected, "I think this is enough proof of your identity." 

The kid nodded, "Only Lan Jingyi can talk back to sect leader Jin like that." 

Both Jingyi and Jin Ling were embarrassed. Seriously, who taught the children these things? They might be right but that's not the point here.

Later at night. 

Since it was already pretty late in the evening, they had decided to dine in another inn. But the real reason was they were just reluctant to part. The servant had cleared their table and now they were having tea. The wine wasn't an option, as they were already drunk with the day's events.

"You know Sizhui, you shouldn't have given in to Jin Ling's whims. Master Qiren doesn't encourage this behaviour." Jingyi laughed hysterically when Jin Ling gave him another death glare. He had been making these puns since they departed.  The Jin sect leader had given in once or twice in the beginning, but now he was just sitting there, hand clenched tightly around the cup. Zizhen feared its fate. 

Across from him, Sizhui wasn't liking the jokes either. As much as Zizhen loved to praise Jingyi's wit in his poetry, something about this was ominous. From all the history lectures he had ever attended, here's the one thing he had learned— nothing good happened to any cultivator who got on the bad side of a Wen. Sizhui was sipping his tea calmly, but from the murderous aura he was emitting, Zizhen was sure it's just the calm before a storm.

He glanced worriedly towards Jingyi in a desperate attempt to convey to him to let it be. But the Lan was too busy to bask in Jin Ling's predicament. 

"Not to mention," Jingyi started again and then began to laugh at whatever he was planning to say. Zizhen saw something vicious in Sizhui's eyes as he placed the empty cup back on the table. The dreaded moment was coming closer and closer.

Zizhen's palm was sweating but he was glad that the child role playing him was a calm and polite one, who just wanted to write poems and was afraid to go missing. It couldn't be used against him or Jingyi in any way. Apart from being a chatterbox, the other kid hadn't said or done anything either, which would put them in a tight spot. 

Jingyi slammed his hand on the table. Throwing his head back up, he composed himself enough to speak, "Jin Ling was so desperate to touch Sizhui's forehead ribbon. I swear he would have cried." 

Jin Ling released the cup in utter shock. An expression of hurt passed through his features. Jingyi really went overboard with this one. Sizhui wouldn't show any mercy. Jin Ling might be oblivious to it, but Zizhen had witnessed on many occasions how protective he gets when it comes to the Lanling Jin sect leader. 

Zizhen opened his mouth to reprimand Jingyi in hopes to save him from the ultimate wrath, but Sizhui beat him to it. "I think sect leader Jin was right," He turned his head towards Jin Ling in a manner of addressing him, who was both sad and unsure.

Jingyi was clutching his sides, still shaking from the aftermath of his laughter. Like the polite person he is, Sizhui gave him enough time to compose himself at least to listen properly. "Hanguang-jun won't be happy to know that Zizhen was allowed to touch Jingyi's forehead ribbon. And not just once." 

Jingyi inhaled sharply. Zizhen was shocked beyond belief. Mouth already too dry, he choked on air. He was unsure whether he imagined it or Sizhui really smirked, since his eyes were already getting blurry. Was it pure coincidence or did Sizhui wait for this very moment? 

Jin Ling couldn't understand why everyone was behaving the way they were, but he was on Zizhen's side, patting his back. He remembered hearing something like that, but what was there to overreact so much?

"Zizhen, you said it yourself, that you wanted it to be a secret. Why did you tell them?" Hurt and betrayal were written all over Jingyi's face.

Zizhen felt how Jin Ling's hand stopped at it's place and how his voice trembled as he asked, "You… you two are together?"

Jingyi didn't need Zizhen's explanation to realise that he had been played, "Lan Sizhui, you-!" 

The other Lan was pouring tea for Zizhen. He turned calmly towards Jingyi, "Do you want more?" 

Zizhen wasn't sure what was being offered. He accepted his cup with trembling hands. Jin Ling helped him drink a few sips while Jingyi faced Sizhui. "Do you think I haven't seen you thirsting over sect lady Jin?"

Zizhen was just glad that he had swallowed everything otherwise it would be spewed all over the Lan across him.

"And?" Sizhui simply raised an eyebrow. "What about it?" He had had enough of it. 

Silence befell over the table. Zizhen had never witnessed a fall out between the two Lans. Tension cackled between them as they stated at each other. Jin Ling was shaking beside him. Zizhen could hear his heart beat. Is this the same guy who's walking impetuously into every disastrous situation? 

It took Jin Ling a few moments to stabilize himself. "Excuse me." All the heads turned towards him. He cleared his throat, "I don't want to interrupt but is this real?" He looked around at all of them. "I'm not dreaming, right?" 

More silence followed. 

Then Jingyi chuckled and clapped a hand on Sizhui's shoulder, who was just staring at Jin Ling with an unreadable expression, "Sizhui, give sect leader Jin your forehead ribbon." Then a bit sheepishly, "Let's confess it to Hanguang-jun together hmm."   

Zizhen just shook his head and heaved a sigh of relief. What an electrifying day! 

The crickets were chirping around the Jingshi in the late summer night.

Lan Wangji sneezed for an upteenth time that day. He was grading the night hunt reports at the table. 

Wei Wuxian rolled to his side on the bed. "Lan Zhan, are you sure you haven't caught a cold?" 

No response. 

It wasn't needed. Wei Wuxian was formulating his own hypothesis. "Lan Zhan, someone's probably missing you." He chuckled. "Wanna bet it's Lan Jingyi again?"

"Gambling is prohibited." Lan Wangji humoured him and was rewarded by a hearty laugh in return.

"I know. I know alright." He put the book he was reading on the bed and walked to the table where he was sitting. Lan Wangji was always ready to hear all the theories of his husband. "Hanguang-jun, do you think Jingyi met that child?"

He didn't need to ask for an explanation. Wei Wuxian settled in front of him at the table. "Do you remember these four kids we met near Yunmeng? The ones whom I told stories about our son and his friends."

"Mn." Lan Wangji had listened to everything he had taught them. Wei Wuxian had gone as far as buying them wooden swords, fake forehead ribbons, and a Yunmeng Jiang bell. He even turned one of them into a fanatic of him and introduced Lan Wangji as just any Lan Cultivator. 

Who was he to complain? His Wei Ying deserved everything, after all. So he simply paid for everything. "So that's why you encouraged them to go on that night hunt?" He asked.

"Aiya! Lan Zhan, you know me so well." He laughed again. Obviously he orchestrated all of it. Since his return he was trying to send them there by one way or another. It wasn't a child's play to get all the four cultivators together. Each one of them had additional responsibilities now. It was good that he had asked Nie Huaisang for help. That man seriously owed him so much. While Nie Huaisang readily agreed, roping Jiang Cheng in was the master stroke. "Don't give me that look now. I did it for our son." 

Lan Wangji knew he was as impassive as before. His husband had the habit of turning his expression into anything that would prove favourable for their conversation. 

"I've been trying for years now. A-Yuan is such a filial child. He deserves so much happiness in his life." Wei Wuxian was looking somewhere far away. Most probably reminiscing about the past again. "Ahh I wish he could just cry to me whenever he needed something like back then." Unbeknownst to him, his voice started shaking.

Lan Wangji knew that Sizhui still came to them whenever he was troubled, but Wei Ying was always like that whenever he missed the years he hadn't been there with them, and like every time, he sat there to listen to whatever he had to say. He halted the brush after marking a mistake. The silence was stretching. 

He raised his hand on time as his partner slapped his palm on the table, chortling, "How can Jin Ling be so oblivious?" 

Wei Ying pressed his side against the table for support. Still laughing, he looked at him. "Alright, alright. I've no say in that. What else could I expect from my nephew? But there's one thing you have to admit, Lan Er-gege. Your sect binded my child with so much restraint." He moved around the table. Lan Wangji tidied the table while holding his gaze. That's why they agreed upon the rule to not be near each other when Lan Wangji had to mark the reports. But when did Wei Ying abide by the rules? So this had become their routine.

"And not everyone is as lucky as you are." Lan Wangji couldn't agree more. His left hand was pushed aside as Wei Ying climbed in his lap, straddling him. "Not everyone gets to kiss their blindfolded crush who would take them for a shy maiden."

Lan Wangji's ears turned pink and Wei Wuxian traced the right one with his index finger, "So you see Hanguang-jun, I had to do it."  

"Wei Ying."

"Hmm? Enough about A-Yuan?"

"Mn."