OUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER (A WANGXIAN STORY)
Chapter 24
"Young Master, get this red thread bracelet for your beloved and she'll forever be yours.", the women said to Jin Ling hoping to sell more goods. Zizhen chuckled at the smile that appeared on his friend's face when he heard the words 'forever be yours.'. "I think you need help.", he said after they left the stall. "It's just a gift, no need to mock me." Jin Ling said.
They were already in Caiyi town and on their way to the Cloud Recesses when they saw the Lan boys. "Wow, the heavens must be on your side, look.", Zizhen pointed at two cultivators in white robes with a thin ribbon on their forehead. The plan was to get then Lan boys to go on a night hunt so that Jin Rulan may have the chance to bond with Jingyi. Sizhui and Jingyi were surprised to see them as well.
"Good thing we run into you two...I wanted to personally invite you to my sect for a night hunt.", Zizhen went straight to the point after they exchanged greetings.
"Did you have to take that one along with you?", Jingyi smirked at them. "Jingyi, be nice... Zizhen, Jin Ling, we would love to night hunt with you but it would have to be after a few weeks... Hanguanjun needs my assistance with Sect Leader Lan's wedding. We can meet afterwards.", Sizhui was polite as always.
Jin Ling was happy to see Jingyi but had to put up a frown after his remarks. Finding out the hunt will not happen anytime soon made him sulk within. "Where are you two headed.", he asked.
Sizhui was about to give a reply when Jingyi cut him off, "We're here to run some errands for Hanguanjun."
"Really, seemed like you two are just loitering about... Why don't we assist you so we can have dinner afterwards. Would be a shame not to have a drink after the long journey here.", Jin Ling folded his arms.
Jingyi, "That's not our problem...We're already done and need to get back home so go back where you came from."
Zizhen and Sizhui exchanged glances, baffled by how easily these two were always at each other's throat. Fearing things might get out of hand soon, they separated them and each went their way with their partner. Jingyi thought Sizhui would scold him for lying but he didn't. He only changed the topic and took him to different places. "How about we watch a puppet show?", Sizhui suggested and Jingyi welcome the idea with excitement.
Meanwhile Jin Ling was still burning with anger on how they parted ways. "I swear I want to punch that fuckin face so bad!!", he cussed. His companion was quietly enjoying the show and did not slow him down. "Zizhen...Let's follow them. I want to know if he's really running an errand."
Zizhen, "Jin Ling, you don't need to do that. If it were a lie, Sizhui would have denied it."
Jin Ling, "I don't trust those two...Just do as I say and lets follow them." Being Jin Rulan's confidant was stressful. Zizhen knew that all too well.
Sizhui enjoyed Jingyi's silly comments concerning some things they encountered and how the day went. "It's almost dark, lets get back.", he said. On their way home Sizhui had wanted to tell Jingyi something but was afraid of the reply. 'No...I have to man up.', he said to himself.
"Jingyi, wait.", they stopped along the lonely path. Lan Jingyi looked around, wondering if something was amiss.
Sizhui, "I want to give you something... Close your eyes and stretch out your left hand."
Jingyi smiled, Sizhui was really spoiling him than usual. Not that he had any complains. He did as told and waited for the gift. Soon he felt something wrap around his wrist. Then there was the touch of a hand on his face...and then, a pair of lips against his.
Lan Jingyi flinched but kept his eyes shut. Everything had happened so fast he did not know how to react. Sizhui deepened the kiss when he felt a slight reaction from Jingyi and he drew closer... "Jingyi...will you be mine?", he spoke after letting go of his lips.
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Jiang Cheng had just woken up when Xichen stepped in with breakfast. Hearing Him admit he was the one that prepared it, A'Cheng was really afraid to try it. "What happened to the cook? Should I check if she survived the explosion.", he teased . "Don't worry I had help this time.", Xichen said in his defence. Taking quite sometime to prep himself, Jiang Cheng picked up the spoon and tasted the rice. Xichen looked at him eagerly waiting for a comment.
"Mmmn, not bad at all...Okay, what should I try next...", he picked some stir fried vegetables and ate it. "Wow, huge improvement.", he munched further. Xichen watched him take small bites out of everything except the soup.
Xichen, "Wanyin, wont you try the soup."
"Oh...Umm...I see...Ok, let's see how that will taste.", it was so obvious he was avoiding that. Recounting past experiences, Xichen's soup was either too sour or completely tasteless. Worst part was that it didn't sit well with his stomach. Seeing his man's puppy eyes Jiang Cheng was ready to take another fall. 'Whooo..', he sighed heavily when he scooped some soup.
Xicheng, "Careful, it's hot."
Jiang Cheng nodded and took the spoon closer to his mouth. After taking another glance at Xichen, saying his prayers, he took it in. "Mph!", he quickly held onto his lips, trying not to spill out the contents.
"What's wrong...Is it not good?", Xichen's smile went down. Jiang Cheng swallowed and wanted to cuss so bad but the look on Xichen's face made him tone it down.
"It is...if you're trying to kill my taste buds... Dear, next time try and make it more of a soup than medicine.", he quickly opted for some water.
Xichen, "But I only picked the heathy stuff."
"Yet I couldn't digest it... It doesn't matter. I enjoyed everything else so much.", he bribed Xichen with a kiss on the cheek and the person turned the other cheek for him. "You're so needy!", Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes before pecking him again.
Two weeks had passed, with two more weeks left for Xichen to get married. Everyday Jiang Cheng felt warmer and Xichen loved him more. They would go to the places that held most of their time together to recreate more memories. Wanyin resorted to pampering Xichen and even dived into the lake with him whenever he wanted but no matter how much Xichen tried to get him to complain about the wedding, Jiang Cheng just brushed it off.
Three more days went by and nothing was said but Sect Leader Jiang suddenly decided he wanted to take Xichen on one last hunt before he left for Gusu.
"I have a few things to sort out today, but I'll be back in the afternoon so we leave for the hunt in the evening.", Jiang Cheng got dressed and gave him a hug. "Be sure to eat lunch." were his last words before disappearing from the place. Upon reaching the Lotus Pier, he was intercepted by his right hand man, Li Qiang. "Sandu ShengShao, you're back so soon?"
"I'll return today so lets hurry up...Anything new?", Jiang Cheng continued walking.
Li Qiang, "No...But, there's still the issue of the wedding invitation. You've still not looked at it."
Jiang Cheng halted and turned to him with a smile, "It doesn't matter, I wont be attending."
Li Qiang, "But as Sect Leader, you must show your respects... If I may speak, my Lord, is it because of your relationship with Sect Leader Lan?"
Jiang Cheng's mood changed, "Li Qiang, just make up an excuse when the day comes...My relationship has nothing to do with it."
It was clear to Li Qiang that his sect leader held deep feelings for the Sect leader Lan. Although many of his trusted disciples already knew this, it was never a simple thing to talk about. "Yes, my Lord...", he bowed. For the rest of the period, Jiang Wanyin could not sit still. He had ignored the invitation since the day it arrived and he still didn't want to open it.
Spontaneously, he wrapped up his work and went back to the lake house. "Are you ready?", he asked Xichen.
Xichen, "Wont we have supper before we leave?"
"No...We can eat outside... I got you something... Here, try them on.", Jiang Cheng handed him a large box. "Wanyin, you shouldn't have.", Xichen smiled at the brightly coloured robe and foot wear.
"I had it made just for you...I've always wanted to see how you'd look in purple.", Jiang Cheng hugged him from behind. Lan Xichen blushed. Taking Wanyin's hand off, he turned to hug him properly. "Thank you my love.", he planted a soft kiss on his forehead.
"Mn...Now hurry, it's already dark.", Jiang Cheng pushed him toward the inner chamber and waited. Five minutes later, Xichen appeared, neatly dressed in purple robes. His masculine features hugged the dress properly, leaving a breath taking sight.
Jiang Cheng, "You look very handsome, Sect Leader Lan."
Xichen smiled.
"I got this for you as well.", he handed a smaller package to him and said, "You can open it when you return to Gusu...Now lets leave already!"
Everything else that happened before their hunt ended was close to magical. They had dinner at the Pier and then topped it with a successful night hunt. They were like fire and ice, complimenting each other with their movements and skill. Xichen did his best not to overshadow the other and let him lead in almost everything.
However, on their way back something unexpected happen. Xichen got upset when Jiang Cheng kept reminding him about his return home. To him it felt as if his love already wanted him to leave. He could not hold it in any longer and vented out, "Jiang Cheng, will you really watch me go ahead with it without a single word?"
Wanyin pretended not to have heard anything and tried changing the subject. Lan Huan did not allow it this time, holding onto him, "Do you really hate us that much...Cant you..."
Jiang Cheng, "...We invite you, Sect Leader Jiang to the holy union of Sect Leader Lan Xichen and Lan JingFei...Is that what you want me to talk about? What were you expecting, Xichen... Did you think I'd ask you to turn your back on your clan or call off the wedding just because of mere feelings... Feelings that will eventually die!...Stop overreacting!"
Jiang Cheng's eyes were cold and scary. His words, sharper than a knife cut Xichen to pieces. "Mere feelings?...You don't mean it...Tell me you don't mean what you just said Wanyin!!", Lan Xichen raised his voice in frustration; gripping his shoulders so hard, Jiang Cheng felt the pain in his bones. But no one knew how to be ruthless with words like Sect Leader Jiang; his mother thought him well. "Lan Xichen, you asked for time and I gave it to you...Don't ask for more."
"You never loved me did you?", Xichen said softly, peering at this person. Realizing his own lucid dream had turned into a nightmare, Xichen finally understood. Jiang Cheng cared more about his status than his own heart. And he would always be something he could easily toss aside. Slowly, he eased his grip and let go of Wanyin.
Early that dawn Lan Xichen changed into his white robes immediately they got to the lake house and left without saying another word.
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Thanks for reading... Sorry for any typos. Please don't forget to comment and vote if you liked the chapter. I'll continue to update more this week and I hope you look forward to it, dear WangXian Babies :)
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