Chapter Text
It was an ordinary day for Lan Wangji, he woke at 5AM, went for a quick jog, made himself his white congee, practiced his guqin and then drove to the university for work.
The drive was short, the radio humming a tune in the background, he was so fast at the university the radio guy didn't even have time to tell the news. Not like Lan Wangji didn't already know what had happened in the news. He constantly was up to date, it was one of the few requirements he had set for himself once he achieved immortality. It had proven itself useful, especially with that whole internet thing and phones. His phone was ten years old, it sometimes made himself feel even older than he actually was. Lan Wangji wished that somebody would help him out sometimes, just like A-yuan had back then when the light bulbs were invented.
A-yuan, he sighed quietly to himself.
In this lifetime he had not been blessed with A-yuan. Grabbing the stirring wheel hard, he just cried one small tear. Lan Wangji had not always been with Lan Yuan in each lifetime, sometimes fate decided to be even crueler, sadness crawled itself up to Lan Wangji's throat.
The thought of not being with his son made Lan Wangji feel great distress, however he knew destiny and rebirth all too well. He was greatful for all the years they had been allowed to stay together, as if someone had been feeling pity towards him. For Lan Wangji to be able to see Lan Yuan grow up, sometimes even meet the Wen's, even though he was somehow placed with Lan Wangji instead of his rightful family. Lan Wangji had been glad to have his son with him, but he was greedy. He hated those years he could only see Lan Yuan from a distance, not being able to kiss his forehead, not being able to scold him like s father would, not seeing his first steps, not him crying about a red ribbon.
Even walking him down the aisle was an honour, he had walked him countless of times, each time with someone else. Once, even when Lan Yuan was not placed with Lan Wangji in a lifetime, somehow he was still invited to Lan Yuan's wedding. The tear that had fallen gracefully down his cheek, was the only actual prove that he even attended.
Lan Wangji exhaled, he had arrived at the university, dwelling on Lan Yuan wouldn't change anything anyway. Going out of his car, he locked his car and went into the 'Gusu-Lan' University.
Working as a professor has been somewhat fulfilling, given the circumstances of being immortal. Lan Wangji's profession always had been a teacher in one way or another, either he was a kindergarden-teachr, a swimming instructor or like in this life a University Professor. Teaching music gave him meaning somehow, each compositions of his being a reminder of his previous lifetimes.
Specifically his first.
Lan Wangji's first lifetime has been unforgettable, each memory deep engraved within his mind. Although suppressing those memories had been quite successful, after quite some time his brother had sat down next to him and told him to cherish his memories with him.
Anyways, Lan Wangji arrived at his office. Being the only Professor with an office, had always been a privilege. He loved having one, peace and calmness flowed through the room. No other colleagues coming in, cursing because they hated their students, or correcting exams in a loud manner, making his ear drums bleed. Even though he teaches music, he hated loud noises.
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Class begins sharp at 8:10 for Lan Wangji. Today he was going to make his students write a guqin composition. After taking attendance (it's not actually required to take this class, but everyone is rather intimidated by him, so not one student was missing today), he began to list his requirements for the task.
"... Please begin, once this lesson is finished I will look at your process."
The students nodded obediently and began writing. The hall started to fill itself with all kinds of various tones. Some being divine and some rather disturbing to listen to. Lan Wangji however, was not bothered by it in the least. His mind was somewhere else.
In his years of experience and cultivation progress, he was always able to tell when something odd was about to happen, either to him or somebody he might be associated with.
On this very day, he felt that something was about to happen. His gut was twisting and turning, it was as if he was about to puke. Holding his breath, Lan Wangji sat down on his chair and began to wait.
He didn't know what he was waiting for, but something was wrong, or different. As if someone was disturbing the sacred time line.
"Professor Lan, could you please take a look at what I have composed?", one of his students began to ask, it was visible how nervous he was to talk to his teacher. However this usually so very intimidating teacher was not present in his mind, the little question in his ear shook him awake.
"Mn"
Quickly composing himself, Lan Wangji took the music sheet and scanned over it. He saw in the corners of his eyes how the student was trembling. "It is fine, Jin Hui. Look at verse four again, you made mistakes." He said, giving the sheet back. He heard the way Jin Hui let out a sigh of relief.
Once the lesson was finished, Lan Wangji began collecting the compositions, ready to grade them.
"Thank you Professor Lan" all of the students said in unison, for some reason it had established itself that after every lesson his students thanked him, some even have him an apple or a chocolate. Although the latter was an attempt at sucking-up to him, which never worked. But he still kept collecting. It was useful at times, when students came in during or after office hours, they just came in to cry and complain about their love life. Thus having something sweet around was quite useful.
The next lessons went on quite peacefully, no disturbance or anything unusual. Nevertheless, Lan Wangji's odd gut feeling was still strongly present. He could not get over it, he knew that something was wrong.
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TO BE CONTINUED