Chapter Text
Madam Lan worried about her second son; he was far too serious and solitary. She fretted that his only connections were his brother, herself, his uncle, his father and her... Her little A-Zhan had such a kind heart, it was a shame people focused only on his shyness. Well she was certain he would find his soulmate, after all, her little boy deserved to be loved by everyone, with that round, serious little face of his.
Smiling tenderly at the thought of her sweet A-Zhan, she walked through Cloud Recesses to meet her husband and share her idea for helping A-Zhan make friends. She knew that her husband and her brother-in-law, Lan Qiren, would side with her they were soft when it came to A-Zhan, so, if it was something to help a-zhan, they would definitely agree to it. Entering the place where her husband and her brother-in-law usually worked with a cheerful smile and offering a friendly greeting, she went straight into her husband's arms and planted a loud kiss on his cheek, all while Lan Qiren watched them with exasperation.
—Please save the kisses for when I am not present.— Lan Qiren said, turning his gaze back to the papers on the table.
—Come on, Qiren, don't be such a prude; it's just a kiss on the cheek!— Laughing heartily, Madam Lan leaned further against her husband, watching his cheeks flush a delicate pink that made him look all the more endearing in her eyes, unable to help herself she planted a soft kiss on his flushed cheek, refocusing on her idea, she tapped the table gently to get the two men's attention.
—I’ve had an idea, buut I need your help! You know a-zhan is very serious and finds it hard to make friends.— She waited for both of them to nod before continuing to explain her idea.
—So I thought: if he can't make friends within this sect, let other children from other sects come over ,so A-Zhan can make friends with them! Plus, if he makes good friends with kids from other sects, we could have connections! It's a win-win.— Ending her speech with a big smile, she waited enthusiastically for the two men's response.
Lan Qiren and Qingheng-Jun exchanged thoughtful glances; it was a good idea. The Lan Sect had always engaged in student exchanges, but usually during adolescence, why not do it while they were still young? Nodding at the same time, Lan Qiren spoke while stroking his beard.
—That sounds like a good idea to me; plus, it would be great if A-Zhan made some friends.—
Upon hearing what Qiren said, Qingheng-Jun nodded. Him rose to speak with the elders; there was much to be done to prepare for the children's arrival, and since they could not be left alone, people would have to be assigned to look after them...
Madam Lan watched as her husband rose, focused on the new task; smiling, she stood up as well, she had to tell A-Huan and A-Zhan. Although she knew A-Zhan wouldn't be excited, quite the opposite, he would likely pout, but it was necessary for her plan to help A-Zhan make friends. She was sure that if she told A-Huan, he would help too; her eldest son wanted his little brother to make friends and not be alone. It broke they heart every time they dropped A-Zhan off at the daycare area and all the other children moved away from him, she felt like taking him away from there and having him spend his mornings with her and the bunnies...Walking toward where she knew those two kids would be, she skipped out to the courtyard and found A-Huan kneeling while A-Zhan fed the bunnies, his big golden eyes shining with happiness, his face might have seemed expressionless, but his eyes shone as if they held all the constellations within them.
Gently, trying not to scare the rabbits away, she approached her children, her love for them evident in her smile and shining eyes.
—My babies! The bunnies will get chubby if you keep feeding them.— Laughing, she gave A-Huan a hug, watching as her eldest son gave her one of his springtime smiles, Stifling their laughter when A-Zhan looked at them, his chubby cheeks puffed out in a slight pout
—Mother, Brother, don't make noise; the bunnies get scared.—
After saying that, A-Zhan returned to the task of feeding the bunnies, unaware that his brother and mother were quietly laughing at how adorable he was. Clearing her throat, Madam Lan stopped laughing to tell her children what she had come to tell them.
—My little ones, I have to tell you something: this summer, some children around A-Zhan's age will be coming here to study and to see Cloud Recesses. You’re going to have a great time! A-Huan, your friends will be coming too, and A-Zhan, you’ll be able to make friends your own age!—
Smiling, Madam Lan took hold of A-Zhan, who had just finished feeding the bunnies and sat him on her lap, while A-Huan sat beside her. Seeing the pout A-Zhan had started to form at the prospect of making friends, she gave his soft cheeks a playful pinch. —A-zhaaan It’ll be fun! you’ll meet the little brother of your brother’s best friend, and you’ll meet lots of kids who will be happy to be your friends!— Lowering his gaze, A-Zhan wasn't sure he would make any friends; all the other children avoided him or called him weird and scary. Snuggling into his mother's lap, he gave a small nod, her mother seemed excited, and so did her brother, so he would try to make friends when the other children arrived. For now, he would enjoy the company of his mother, his brother, and the bunnies. While Qingheng-Jun and Lan Qiren were meeting with the elders to discuss the plan for young disciples from other sects to come to Cloud Recesses, almost none of the elders objected, as it was a very good idea (they hadn't mentioned that this was actually intended for their little A-Zhan to make friends). Once the meeting with the elders concluded, Qingheng-Jun and Lan Qiren began writing letters to the sect leaders, inviting them to send their youngest disciples to the Cloud Recesses. They explained that the children would not be alone and would be well cared for (and even pampered), noted that the young ones could be accompanied by their siblings or a caregiver of their choice so they wouldn't feel lonely. Hoping the cult leaders would agree, they sent the letters as quickly as possible.