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Mo Ran stared at the door. He knew there was no point in waiting, but he couldn’t help himself. Chu Wanning had of course told him that he might run late and not make it back on his birthday. He had been called away to aid Xue Meng in fixing rifts in the barrier that had recently torn open ever so slightly. Mo Ran was aware that this took priority and would possibly take some time, yet he couldn’t suppress the foolish flutterings of hope in his chest.
He had spent most of the day in the kitchen, cooking an extensive meal—though now it would probably only serve one—and keeping Goutou from getting an early taste of said dinner.
For a moment, Mo Ran turned his face away from the door to look at the rising steam of the pots, and considered what to do with it, now that there was no use for it anymore.
But just then a knock came from the door.
Mo Ran jumped where he sat by the dinner table, and as he rose to get to the door, Goutou sped ahead, barking at the door.
He felt his heart rate pick up—hope once more prepared to take flight—but what greeted him when he opened the door was not the sight of white robes. Instead, there was a handsome face with a pair of familiar bright eyes looking up at him with the hint of an awkward smile. Inky black hair was tied back and held in place by a jade crown, and the dark clothes were still very much on the practical side of things.
“Ye-guniang!” Mo Ran greeted his friend, his tone carrying a note of surprise.
“It’s good to see you, Mo-xiong. May I come in?” Ye Wangxi’s smile softened, making the brief sting of disappointment soon dissipate, and Mo Ran stepped aside to let her in.
“Please, join me for tea.”
They both headed for the dining area, and as Mo Ran went to the stove, he tentatively started the conversation, “I trust you’re doing alright, Ye-guniang?”
“There really is no need for these formalities, but I am doing just fine. You seem well, too, Mo-xiong.”
“Mn, that I am.” A brief pause. And then Mo Ran added with a smug grin, “Jiejie.”
On Ye Wangxi’s cheeks appeared the faintest blush, but she didn’t correct him on it either.
While his intentions were of a playful nature, Mo Ran still felt a wave of affection rise in him.
Eventually, Ye Wangxi asked somewhat hesitatingly, “Is Chu-zongshi not in today?”
Mo Ran looked to where Ye Wangxi was standing near the dining table, taking in her surroundings. While she retained some of that upright zeal to her posture, with every shift of her weight, with every turn of her body, Mo Ran could perceive the burden she carried everywhere she went. He saw it because he knew it well. Guilt and grief still lay heavy on her soul.
At the mention of Chu Wanning, Mo Ran’s own shoulders slumped slightly, “Ah, no. He’s been called away to help out at Sisheng Peak.”
“I see.”
With that awkward silence began to spread between them once more as Mo Ran busied himself to get some cups.
“Actually, Mo Ran, I came here because I have a favour to ask of you.”
Mo Ran stopped in his movements, and turned to Ye Wangxi with an expectant look on his face.
“Oh? What is it I can help you with?”
Still not making any move towards sitting down, Ye Wangxi shifted in her stance, as though she was anxious about the request, “I just need you to come with me for a bit. It is a rather delicate matter—best you see it for yourself.”
Mo Ran’s browns drew into a frown, “This sounds ominous. Why not just tell me about it?”
“You need to see for yourself, I promise it’s nothing bad. Please?”
Staring at her with both confusion and intrigue, Mo Ran pondered over her request. She looked forthright enough to be believable, and Mo Ran had no reason to suspect Ye Wangxi of wanting to harm him in any way either. After all, she was one of the few people who stood by him, who protected him when he couldn’t protect himself.
Giving her the benefit of the doubt and letting curiosity take over, Mo Ran agreed, “Fine. I don’t really have anything else lined up now anyway. I’ll go with you.”
With a stern look on his face Mo Ran ordered Goutou not to touch the food in his absence and headed towards Ye Wangxi.
Relief crossed Ye Wangxi’s face briefly, and with a smile she walked out the door again. Mo Ran followed, and with a motion of his hand he told her to lead the way.
“Would you mind traversing the area with an old friend who’s excited to see you?”
Before Mo Ran could guess at who she was talking about—a flash of white fur was his only warning. Mo Ran instantly found himself pinned to the ground, and a wet tongue licked over his face in excitement.
Once he realised what had just happened, Mo Ran reached up a hand to pet the white, fluffy fur of Naobaijin. The faewolf stood in his full glory above him, excitedly howling and yipping at his attention.
“Sure. It’s been awhile, so why not. Lead the way, jiejie~”
This time, Ye Wangxi’s lips curled into a smile ever so slightly before she climbed on top of the snow-white wolf, extended a hand to Mo Ran to haul him up behind her, and together they galloped off towards the forest surrounding the hut.
***
As Naobaijin headed deeper into the forest, birds fluttered up from the trees as they raced past, and the last of the sun’s light flitted through the branches, causing shadows and rays to alternatingly dance across their moving forms.
Mo Ran tried to get his bearings, but they were heading to a part of the surrounding forest that he was sure he had never been to.
Eventually the trees parted and a clearing opened up in front of them.
The sounds of a little brook not too far off carried on the light evening breeze. There were already a couple of flowers that had started to bloom, only they were in the process of closing their petals in preparation for their slumber.
One could have called this scene peaceful and serene, if not for the familiar gawking sounds that reached Mo Ran’s ears before anything else.
“If you keep messing around like that, it will break, Hanxue!”
Light-toned laughter erupted in response, and only when a calmer, lower voice said something indistinguishable did it subside again.
Mo Ran furrowed his brows in confusion, but he also couldn’t help feeling curious as to what caused all of this commotion.
Ye Wangxi hopped off of Naobaijin followed by Mo Ran, and then turned to him with a smile,
“Here we are.”
After giving Naobaijin some headpats of gratitude, Mo Ran stepped around so he could take in the scenery that unfolded in front of him.
Standing around what looked like a blanket covered in all kinds of steaming bowls and pastries on the side were the Mei twins with Xue Meng, who seemed busy making sure everything was in place, not even noticing their arrival.
And there, a little off to the side stood a tall, handsome figure clad in white robes.
Even after all these years Mo Ran’s heart quickened at the sight.
When Mo Ran’s gaze found Chu Wanning’s half averted eyes, the colder evening air didn’t have any effect on him, as warmth spread from his chest, coursing through his entire body. He smiled brightly as he approached Chu Wanning.
“Did you come up with this? Was that why I haven’t seen you around today?”
“Were you thinking of me as negligent?”
Chu Wanning’s face seemingly took on a stern look, and his words had that familiar harshness to them when he replied—and for a moment Mo Ran was worried that he had accidentally said the wrong thing. But then he caught sight of the slightest quirk to Chu Wanning’s eyebrows, which let Mo Ran know that he was not really in trouble.
He flashed a toothy grin in response, and when he heard Xue Meng clearing his throat a couple of times, Mo Ran turned to the others.
They all wished him a happy birthday, and together they sat down on the blanket in order to start on the lovely smelling buffet.
Having tried his way through a couple of dishes, Mo Ran caught Chu Wanning’s hand, and gave it a light squeeze. For a brief second Mo Ran wondered if he would pull his hand away, but not only did he remain in place, Chu Wanning even returned the squeeze.
“Thank you.”
This time Mo Ran’s smile was full of sincerity causing Chu Wanning’s ears to be dusted in pink.
“It wasn’t all me. The others helped,” Chu Wanning replied in an effort to cover up feeling flustered at Mo Ran’s overwhelming affection.
Xue Meng’s cough once again drew Mo Ran’s attention, and with the raise of an eyebrow he looked at him expectantly.
“That’s right we did! Well, mainly I did. These two useless bastards barely helped at all. If anything they were more trouble than help,” he rudely pointed at the twins. The older looked unimpressed at Xue Meng’s accusation whereas the other merely kept gleefully smiling.
“And Ye-guniang was so kind as to offer to bring you here.”
Mo Ran nodded in appreciation to her, and she gave him a small smile in return.
Watching them all, as he kept holding Chu Wanning’s hand, Mo Ran was suddenly seized by a strong emotion that had subconsciously welled up inside of him. He felt that he could scarcely even begin to believe his luck. At times like these it was still hard for him to accept that he was allowed to be here. That he was allowed to have these wonderful people in his life that cared for him.
Fingertips touched the skin on his face, and to Mo Ran’s surprise he found tears had begun to prick the corners of his eyes.
“It’s okay,” Chu Wanning quietly assured him as he wiped the droplets away, “You’re okay.”
Mo Ran caught Chu Wanning’s fingers with his own hand, and placed a gentle kiss on the tips, as though they might break otherwise.
“I’m okay,” Mo Ran repeated in a whisper against the skin.
And maybe one day this truth will come easier to him.
For now Mo Ran was content just knowing that he was not alone, not anymore.
He truly had found his light and his home.