"Laoshi, what are you planning for Christmas?" SiZhui walked beside Lan WangJi, carrying heaps of papers.
Lan WangJi, also got his hand full with books, almost paused in his steps. He never had any special plans on Christmas. His family never celebrated days like that. Not birthdays, not even Christmas. He was always alone, spending some time to read or meditate on holidays. Maybe, something tugged in his heart, just maybe he could make a call to that person this holiday. He was about to answer 'nothing' but changed the his mind later.
"I don't know yet."
SiZhui sighed, his beloved teacher was always like that, never needed the presence of another person in his life. "You could visit me and my grandmother. She will love you. I'm both sad and glad that today is the last day of school."
"Thank you for your offer, Sizhui."
The teacher and student continued to make their way through the corridors until they arrived at the teachers' office. It was empty and quiet, most of the teacher had took their holiday leaves earlier. SiZhui sauntered towards a neat and organized desk, it was none other than Lan WangJi's.
As he walked, Lan WangJi could feel a buzz on his pocket. He rushed quickly to his desk and put the heavy books on top of it.
[ Wei Ying ]
| guess where i am |
Received 12.37
[ Wei Ying ]
| This contact has sent you an image. |
Received 12.37
Lan WangJi furrowed his eyebrows. The picture was a bit blurred. But he could make it that it's Wei WuXian's self portrait. Behind him, there was a big writing on a wall.
Gusu... Train station?
His heart trembled a little. Wei WuXian was in Gusu.
| Are you in Gusu? |
Sent 12.38
[ Wei Ying ]
| yess!! |
Received 12.38
| Stay there. |
Sent 12.38
"Laoshi? Where should I put this?" Lan WangJi turned his head towards the voice. Only then he realized that SiZhui was still in the room. "Just put in on my desk, thank you. You can go home for the day."
SiZhui nodded and a smile was plastered on his face. "Thank you laoshi, see you next semester."
As SiZhui made his way out, he too grabbed his coat and rushed to the school's parking lot. He got in in his white SUV. Lan WangJi was excited. He didn't know or he didn't expect that Wei WuXian would come to Gusu so suddenly. Another unexpected warmth spread through his chest.
The road wasn't crowded so he only took 10 minutes drive to the station. As he drove closer to the pick up area, his heart thumped loudly. It was a familiar feeling of excitement. The one he realized only recently, that he had already felt long time ago in high school.
The white SUV came to a halt and Lan WangJi sprang up from the car. He searched through the crowds. Then his eyes landed on one gorgeous man, standing with an all black attire, contrasting with the white shawl he was wearing. The long hair was tied carelessly. Calming down his own heart, Lan WangJi walked to the man.
"Wei Ying."
The long haired man beamed and suddenly, he felt some weight landed on his shoulder. Wei WuXian's arm had already encircled his neck. Lan WangJi was forced to froze in his place. His body was rigid but his heart had jumbled here and there, madly.
"Lan Zhan! You really come to get me, I'm so happy! Thank you!" Wei WuXian chirped in excitement. It was almost like a loud whisper, so close to Lan WangJi's ear. The taller man could feel the hairs on his neck stood up.
Wei WuXian was still not letting go. Instead, he inhaled more the scent of Lan WangJi, the scent that he didn't know why he loved so much as it calmed his heart. He didn't know, hugging Lan WangJi would be this comfortable. It was perfect.
But he didn't know either, that the sudden embrace had made Lan WangJi's brain malfunctioning. Lan WangJi just stood there like a dead log. Both of his hands frozen on his sides. He wanted to return the hug, but he was unable to do so. He was so happy. He never felt that happy.
From the corner of his eyes, Wei WuXian could see some people already threw some interests to both of them. He frowned and glared to the staring people and let go of Lan WangJi reluctantly.
"Hahaha, sorry Lan Zhan! I was just so happy to see you again!"
Lan WangJi forced his brain to work again. The tip of his ear was already red. "Mn."
One of his brow was raised as Wei WuXian pondered. "Are you mad? I'm really sorry, I didn't mean-"
"I'm not mad at all." Lan WangJi looked into Wei WuXian's eyes, he wasn't mad at all. In fact, he had hoped Wei WuXian wouldn't let go.
Beaming, Wei WuXian grabbed Lan WangJi's arm and held on to it. "Okay, now you have to feed me with Gusu's food. The tasty ones!" Then Lan WangJi took Wei WuXian's suitcase and dragged it with his free hand, the one Wei WuXian wasn't latching on.
As they got in Lan WangJi's car, Wei WuXian behaved like an excited puppy. His eyes darted here and there, it was a really long time since he left Gusu that day. Some things had changed, but it was still the peaceful Gusu he remembered. Lan WangJi glanced to Wei WuXian's side. The man in black was looking outside, inhaling the sight. Seeing that he wasn't wearing his seatbelt, Lan WangJi leaned to his side.
A sudden close proximity of Lan WangJi's face to his almost made Wei WuXian jumped from his seat. "Lan Zhan..."
"Seatbelt."
"Ah.... Seatbelt, haha." Wei WuXian could feel his cheeks blushed. What was he thinking? Awkwardly, he tucked a stray hair behind his ear. Damn, Lan Zhan, what are you doing to me?
They drove in awkward silence for a while. Wei WuXian couldn't stand any kind of quietness, so he started blabbering. He pointed to any building he could remember and asked Lan WangJi's confirmation whether it was still the same building or not. Both of them was deep in reminiscing their youthful days.
"Lan Zhan, what do you want to eat?" Wei WuXian blurted suddenly.
Lan WangJi glanced to the rear mirror and turned on the left signal. They were driving aimlessly for a while. He didn't mind, as Wei WuXian was so excited to see the city again.
"You choose."
Wei WuXian scratched his nose, then looked at Lan WangJi from his seat. He wanted to see Lan WangJi's face to try to remember something good about Gusu. But instead, he came to admire the driving man's face. The high bridge of nose, the delicate eyes, the perfectly combed hairs, the pink and plump lips. Lan WangJi was indeed a really beautiful man. He used to tease him about it before, but only now he realized, that the teasing was only a form of him to mask his urge to compliment Lan WangJi's face.
Realizing how long he had stared at Lan WangJi's face, he shook his head. Wei WuXian didn't understand why he started to feel weird around him. Back in highschool he could endlessly tease the pokerfaced man, but after their re encounter and their constant talking through the phone, something different had stirred inside him. It was almost like Lan WangJi was the one who teased him with all of his kindness.
"I don't know, Lan Zhan. Choose it for me." Wei WuXian smiled at Lan WangJi. He still didn't want to tear his gaze from the beauty beside him.
Lan WangJi was indifferent to the immense amount of staring. "How about Gusu's grilled carp?"
"That's great actually. Let's go!"
The mention of fish dish had gotten Wei WuXian's interest. He sat giddily on his seat as he hummed a song. He didn't realize that it made Lan WangJi gripped the steering wheel tighter. Then after thirty minutes drive, they arrive on the outskirts of Gusu.
Stopping on a somewhat humble house-like restaurant, Wei WuXian excitedly hopped off the car. He didn't know that this kind of place exist within Gusu. It looked warm, like the kind of restaurants he could easily find in Yunmeng. The car beeped and Lan WangJi walked past him.
Inside, the place was swarmed with people, but Lan WangJi wasn't fazed even for a bit. Wei WuXian followed behind him, his left hand tugging on Lan WangJi's coat. An old woman appeared from the back of the place and her face beamed as she saw Lan WangJi's face. She marched forward and cupped both of Lan WangJi's cheeks with her plump and wrinkled hands.
"My, my, look who has come to visit here? Young Master Lan, it's been such a long time." She moved Lan WangJi's face up and down, left and right. Lan WangJi gave her a slight smile. "You've grown up really well. Where's your brother? Is it him?"
Wei WuXian stepped forward for a bit, scratching his nose shyly. The old woman scanned him up and down then smiled widely. "Ah, it's not the older brother. Is this Young Master Lan's friend?" She moved towards Wei WuXian's side and grabbed both of his hands. "You're so beautiful. Both of you must be good friends, right? Young Master Lan never came here with anyone except his brother."
Smiling bashfully, Wei WuXian glanced at Lan WangJi who seemed indifferent. The lady then dragged them to a quiet corner of the place. Lan WangJi ordered a Gusu specialty of grilled carps and a spicy seafood soups. The old woman soon left both of them alone.
"So you often come here, Lan Zhan?" Wei WuXian fidgeted with the salt bottle in front of him.
"Mn. My Mother and Father used to bring me here with Brother." Lan WangJi's tone was stoic at the mention of his parents. "But then only me and my brother come here."
There was a curl on the corner of Wei WuXian's lips. Knowing the fact that Lan WangJi considered him as a close friend was enough for him. Someone appreciated and acknowledged his presence. It was enough.
Smiling and looking at Lan WangJi, Wei WuXian asked, "Why have you never take me here on our school holidays?" His smile was brighter than usual and Lan WangJi was trying to keep himself calm and composed.
"Never got the chance." Lan WangJi wasn't looking at him when he said that, his eyes were focused on the scenery outside.
Wei WuXian grinned. "But you wanted to, Lan Zhan?"
It finally got Lan WangJi to look at him. His golden eyes were crystal clear with sincerity. "Mn."
The sincere tone, the unwavering eyes, Wei WuXian's heart stopped. It was weird. Everything was weird. Lan WangJi was weird. Wei WuXian had chased and been chased by girls all his life, but he never thought his heart would left rumbling madly by a simple 'Mn' from another man. Especially not from Lan WangJi. If this new Lan WangJi had learned something, he certainly must had learned the 101 ways of how to flirt with girls.
"Hahaha, Lan Zhan. Just..." Wei WuXian covered half of his lower face with his hand, trying to mask his blushing face with a laugh. "Just how many girls have you got in these past years? I never knew you're such a smooth talker?"
Lan WangJi raised his eyebrows slightly. "I didn't say anything."
That got Wei WuXian caught in embarrassment again. Ah, the one who talked was me and he was merely responding. But then, he didn't deny that... Did he date... That's not your concern, Wei WuXian.
"Why are you in Gusu?" Lan WangJi asked, suddenly.
Propping his head on one hand, Wei WuXian held a playful smile. "Why do you think?"
"I don't know."
"It's because I miss Lan Zhan."
"..."
Lan WangJi gritted his teeth. He knew Wei WuXian was only teasing him, but then, those words still got the best of him. The redness started to crept on his ears again and he could feel his heart was about to jump out of chest. But like always, his face showed nothing.
"Are you angry, Lan Zhan?" Wei WuXian pouted. "I was joking. It's a bit too much, right? Hahaha, but it's true. I wanted to see you anyway. But actually, I've got some work to do here, sucks to work on holiday. My coworkers all forced me to do this. Poor me, right, Lan Zhan? That's why you shouldn't be angry with me."
"I'm not."
Not that long after, a waitress came and his eyes followed as she laid down the dishes to the table. Then, he saw how the waitress blushed as she intentionally glanced to Lan WangJi. She tried to stifle a smile and her face became redder when she realized that Wei WuXian had caught her staring at Lan WangJi. But Wei WuXian only smirked and the waitress ran a little while leaving their table. Indeed, he would have stared too.
When his attention was back to the food, a bowl of soup was already prepared in front of him. Wei WuXian smiled at Lan WangJi who was later pouring his own shared portion of the soup to his bowl. Together, they ate their food quietly as Lan WangJi despise talking while eating.
Though Wei WuXian couldn't help but slip some words here and there and Lan WangJi merely responded to it with a 'Mn'.
They finished their meal quickly and said goodbye to the lovely old lady. As they walked, Wei WuXian hesitated a bit on his steps. He didn't want to part with Lan WangJi yet. He tugged on Lan WangJi's sleeve again and the latter stopped on his way too.
"Lan Zhan, are you busy today?
__________________________________________
That moment in 2007
Jiang Cheng and Wei WuXian had just finished their lunch in the cafeteria. Wei WuXian's eyes darted everywhere looking for someone who usually sat alone on the front table. But there was no hint of his presence at all. Jiang Cheng notice how Wei WuXian kept fidgeting on his seat and furrowed his eyebrows.
"Wei WuXian!"
Wei WuXian almost jumped from his seat. "Jiang Cheng! Why are you yelling at me?" Then his eyes were looking everywhere else again.
Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. "Why are you so jumpy? Are you looking for someone?"
"Yes! Have you seen Lan Zhan?" Wei WuXian was looking at Jiang Cheng with the utmost curiosity.
Crossing both of his arms, Jiang Cheng snorted. "Are you guys really friend? Why do you always try to befriend him? He clearly doesn't like you!"
Wei WuXian, wasn't looking at Jiang Cheng again, answered. "But I like him. He's the only one who can beat me on Math and Physics, he even beat me on PE."
"Shouldn't you be annoyed then? I don't like someone beating me." A frown had formed on Jiang Cheng's face.
"Because almost everyone could beat you easily." Wei WuXian stuck out his tongue, mocking Jiang Cheng then bolted off from his seat. "Bye, I'm off for a quest of finding a beautiful princess!"
"Wei WuXian! You! Just wait until I get my hands on you!"
Jiang Cheng's wrath became more inaudible as he walked further from the cafeteria. Wei WuXian looked to the library but he wasn't there. He wasn't in the class either. Wei WuXian looked here and there and he walked away from the center of the school.
Then he got to the school's backyard and saw the figure he was looking for. Wei WuXian tip toed towards a lone boy sitting under a tree. His attention was fully focused on the book. That day was sunny and a bit hot, so maybe he chose to read under the shade with cool breeze breathing around him. As Wei WuXian made his way closer, he giggled a bit before shouting.
"Lan Zhannnn!"
But Lan WangJi wasn't fazed at all. He didn't even flinch from his seat. Wei WuXian pouted and plopped himself beside Lan WangJi.
Scratching his nose, his eyes peeked on the book Lan WangJi was reading. "You're really no fun! Is that book more interesting than me?"
"Mn."
"Always so mean to me. What are you reading?" Wei WuXian leaned his head closer to the book and Lan WangJi was surprised by the sudden proximity.
"History."
Leaning back to the tree with his hands crossed behind his head, Wei WuXian chirped. "Really, Lan Zhan, you're no fun."
Lan WangJi gave no response and continued to read his book. He didn't show it, but his demeanor had changed as he slightly slumped his almost too straight shoulder. They sat on silence for a while as Wei WuXian closed his eyes, seemingly taking a light nap. But then he muttered something.
"What do you want to be when you grow up, Lan Zhan?"
Turning a page of the book, Lan WangJi answered firmly. "A teacher."
Wei WuXian smirked. Lan WangJi would really be a great teacher.
"You?"
He didn't expect that Lan WangJi would return his curiosity. Wei WuXian got up from his back and sat beside Lan WangJi.
As usual, he scratched his nose when he was hesitant or shy. "Hmm... I haven't think about that actually." Lan WangJi was not looking at his book and instead his eyes tried to find Wei WuXian's.
"Do you have something you like?"
Wei WuXian's mout was pouting. "Drawing? Playing music? Tinkering? I have too many things I like!" Then he dropped himself to the ground again, watching as the clouds swam around the vast blue sky.
"Think about it slowly. You don't need to rush it." His tone was sincere and tender, not like the usual stoic with a glint of anger in it.
His gaze shifted from the clouds to Lan WangJi. This was why he liked hanging around that boring person. He never sugar coated his words nor he never tried to say something nice just for the sake of it. He was always so honest with everything he said and that's even more comforting.
Wei WuXian's eyes were closed again. What he actually wanted? His mind ran through lots of thing. Family. He wanted to have a family. The one who accepted him for who he was. Well maybe then he could live in the apartment next to Lan WangJi's family. That should be fun.
"Not going back?" Lan WangJi's soft voice broke his day dreaming.
Still covering his eyes with one hand, Wei WuXian replied lazily. "You go back first, I'm gonna stay here for a while." Then he heard rustling sound and Lan WangJi's footsteps, that gradually become quieter.
The afternoon breeze was friendly and soothing as Wei WuXian inhaled the fresh air of Gusu. Half an hour had passed in silence, except for the sound of the fluttering leaves. But then his ear caught an almost inaudible yell from afar. His curiosity made him jumped of his nap and rushed towards the source of the voice.
Following the walls of the backyard, the sound got clearer and clearer as he walked. But it sounded muffled, it wasn't inside the school. Wei WuXian turned his head left and right, confirming that no one saw him and climbed the wall. Scrunching his eyes, he could vaguely see Wen Qing and Wen Ning kneeling, circled by 10 people or so around them.
Wen Chao was standing on the center of the circle and his index finger constantly poking and shoving Wen Qings head. Seeing that, Wei WuXian could feel all the blood rushed to his face due to the anger that built up inside him. He couldn't make what Wen Chao was saying, but his eyes could definitely see that he was bullying the siblings. Trying to be as quiet as possible, Wei WuXian climbed the wall and dropped on the other side. Luckily, he had sneaked out from school many times that this task was no stranger to him.
Almost tip toeing, Wei WuXian walked and hid behind a big tree just about five meters from them. No one paid attention to him as they were busy laughing and mocking the Wen Siblings. From there, he could hear clearly what they were saying.
"You, just because you're pretty, you think you could talk back to me?" From where he stood, now Wei WuXian could see how Wen Chao shoved Wen Qing's head with his finger. "You're just children from nobody. I could easily make my father fire your dad from my company and you'll all be beggars on the street."
Wei WuXian could feel his knuckles go numb as he was clenching his fist so hard. He knew Wen Chao was terrible but never knew he was this worse.
Wen Chao smirked and grabbed Wen Qing's hair. "You really dare to disagree with me?"
"I did all you ask. Doing your homeworks. Doing your laundries. Bringing foods to your room. I'm not your maid! Isn't that enough?" Wen Qing looked straight into Wen Chao's eyes. She wasn't showing any signs of fear.
A sound of a slap echoed and Wei WuXian's heart dropped as he saw Wen Qing's head turned right from the impact.
Wen Chao's hand was still hovering in the air as he snapped. "I fucking asked you to be my girlfriend and you dared to say no?! Who gave you the right?!"
Wen Qing spitted and turned her head back to the menacing boy. "I won't let you lay a single hand on me ever again!"
Hearing that, Wen Chao's blood boiled and he pushed himself forward, trying to force a kiss on Wen Qing but then find himself getting shoved to ground. It was Wen Ning. He was afraid of doing anything but seeing her sister got treated like that, he found the strength he never knew he had before. But soon after he realized what he had done, his face fell dark in horror.
"You son of a bitch!" Wen Chao got up and kicked Wen Ning's stomach in full force and Wen Ning fell down in an instant. He was writhing on the ground.
It was the threshold for Wei WuXian. When he slapped Wen Qing, he was in utter shock that Wen Chao would stoop that low so he was frozen still. But seeing that Wen Chao even kicked a younger junior who was so weak and timid, he couldn't just stay silent.
"Wen Chao, Wen Chao, I never thought you're actually this kind of person." Wei WuXian made his way from behind the tree and then all eyes were on him. "I always know you're a jerk, but turns out you're an animal as well? Oh no, it's a pity for animals to be compared to you. You're a trash."
Wen Chao's eyes were bloodshot red hearing that. All the muscles in his face was strained as he heard someone talked lowly to him. "WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!"
Wei WuXian smirked as he walked closer to the crowd. "Me? Never heard of me? Well, now listen carefully. I'm Wei WuXian."
"What's this irrelevant person doing here? Aren't him the son of a servant from Jiang family?" Someone from the gang shouted in the background.
Hearing that, Wei WuXian's smirk disappeared but he still kept himself calm and composed. "So, you go around beating women and weak people, Wen Chao?"
"Not your business!" Vein was bulging on his neck. A son of a servant dared to talk lowly about him? "You won't escape alive today."
Wen Qing's eyes grew wide in terror, she knew what Wen Chao capable of doing. It wasn't an empty threat. "Wei WuXian, this is none of your business. Just go back!"
Instead of turning back like what Wen Qing was telling him to do, Wei WuXian walked even closer. "Sorry, I can't stand dirty things so I come to collect these trashes."
"Son of a bitch! All of you, get him!"
Wei WuXian didn't flinch as he saw ten or so guys marched towards him.
"Bring it on."
__________________________________________
Lan WangJi turned around and scanned Wei WuXian's face. It was weird, he rarely saw Wei WuXian being hesitant. He usually just do whatever he wanted.
"I'm not, why?"
Wei WuXian let go of Lan WangJi's sleeve. His eyes wandered around, avoiding the other man's gaze. His index finger automatically scratched his own nose from the nervousness.
"There's... There's... Umm, there's..." Lan WangJi furrowed his brows as it was unusual for Wei WuXian to stutter. But then he continued, "There's a movie I want to see!" Like usual, Wei WuXian was smiling too bright for him to handle.
But then he relaxed himself as he thought there was something wrong happening to Wei WuXian. "What movie?"
"Well... I don't know yet." Wei WuXian turned to scratch the back of his head. It wasn't itchy but his hand couldn't just stay still.
Lan WangJi looked at Wei WuXian in confusion. "You just said there was a movie you wanted to see."
Only then he realized his mistake and Wei WuXian grinned awkwardly. "A... Ah, yes.... Right... Haha..."
Wei WuXian, are you usually this stupid? He used one hand to smack his own forehead.
"Let's go."
Lan WangJi had already turned with his back facing Wei WuXian as he walked to the car. Puzzled, Wei WuXian trailed behind in hesitation. "Eh, where?"
"You said you wanted to see a movie."
Hearing that, Wei WuXian trotting on his feet as he followed the taller man to the car.
It was Tuesday night but the cinema was packed with people. Maybe it was because Christmas holidays had started so people gathered to places where they could do something with their families or specific others. Wei WuXian insisted for Lan WangJi to just sit and wait as he took care of the tickets and snacks.
Wei WuXian held one big bucket of popcorns and two cups of soda as he tried to find Lan WangJi in the crowd. It wasn't that hard to spot him as Lan WangJi always stood out from other people, but then Wei WuXian stopped on his spot. Lan WangJi wasn't alone. A young girl was sitting beside him and they were conversing. Wei WuXian continued to watch the situation and he felt something weird turned on his stomach as he saw Lan WangJi... Smiled.
"Wow that person is so good looking." Wei WuXian turned his gaze from Lan WangJi to someone behind him. It was a girl and she was whispering to another girl beside her. Yeah, indeed but why does Lan Zhan has to be that good looking for no reason at all? The girl's whisper got louder and it was too loud to be called a whisper as Wei WuXian could decipher it clearly. They continued to giggle and walked past Wei WuXian as they added. "Look at both of them smiling, must be so lucky to be his girlfriend."
Girlfriend? Lan WangJi has a girlfriend? Hahaha, that's the most ridiculous thing I heard today. Who would want to be his girlfriend? Well then... Who would not?
Wei WuXian shook his head and made his way towards the overly friendly girl and Lan WangJi.
"Lan Zhan, who's this beautiful woman? Why you never told me about her?" Wei WuXian gave her a big, a bit too big actually, smile.
The girl raised her eyebrows at the stranger but still gave him a smile. She knew that he wasn't really complimenting her. It was like a tone that a girl would use when she felt intimidated by another girl and were forced to say something nice.
Lan WangJi turned his head to Wei WuXian and the girl. "ZiYi, this is Wei WuXian, my friend. And Wei Ying, this is ZiYi." He then helped to take the sodas from Wei WuXian's hand.
ZiYi reached her hand forward and Wei WuXian grabbed it firmly. Too firmly. "Hi, I'm Lan Zhan's... Friend." He enunciated the word friend clearly.
"Nice to meet you." The girl retracted her hand quickly and turned to Lan WangJi again. "It's really nice seeing you again but my Mother is waiting. Have a good day." Then ZiYi sprinted out quickly leaving both of them alone.
Lan WangJi was confused, why did she walked so fast as if she just saw a ghost? Then he looked at Wei WuXian, but the latter just shrugged and shook his head lightly.
"Never knew you could smile like that, Lan Zhan." Wei WuXian sat down beside Lan WangJi, the place that was occupied by the girl before.
"Ah, she was one of my first students. She said she saw me and wanted to say hi." Lan WangJi stood up and took the bucket from Wei WuXian while still holding both cups of soda.
Wei WuXian walked beside him and interrogated him in the process. "She's so pretty! Do you like her?" Yes, Wei WuXian knew it was a stupid question, but it escaped his mouth just like that.
"No." It didn't take any second for Lan WangJi to answer.
Wei WuXian smirked. "No? Why not? She's really pretty! And she also seemed kind. You should date her, Lan Zhan!"
Lan WangJi stopped. He looked at Wei WuXian's eyes firmly. "Should I date her?"
His tone was cold and demanding. Wei WuXian could feel his heart churned. Did Lan WangJi just get... Angry? Uh, well, he indeed pried too much to his privacy.
Luckily, the announcement said that the door to their theater was opened so Wei WuXian rushed on his steps. "Ah, the movie is starting. Let's go, Lan Zhan."
A while later, a cold sweat ran down on Lan WangJi's back. He did let Wei WuXian paid and took care of everything, but he didn't think Wei WuXian would choose horror instead of holiday movies. Although he tried his best not to show it, Lan WangJi still flinched at the slightest sound whenever the scene got quieter.
It didn't escape Wei WuXian's eyes. He tried so hard to hide his giggle as he saw how Lan WangJi's eyes would twitch whenever the ghost came on screen. And he also almost laughed out loud when Lan WangJi brought one of his hand to cover his eyes but then he was consicous of it and didn't continue to do so. Wei WuXian, never in a million years, would think that Lan WangJi was afraid of ghosts.
As the movie progress, Lan WangJi fidgeted so much on his seat and Wei WuXian didn't find it funny anymore. He should have asked Lan WangJi first when choosing the movie. He saw Lan WangJi's left hand gripped the handrest tightly. Wei WuXian didn't know what got into him but he suddenly had a big, an enormous urge, to hold that trembling hand.
He tried his best to keep his poker face, keeping his eyes to screen, while his hand looked for Lan WangJi's. Then, he felt a sudden electricity ran through him as the skin made contact. He grabbed Lan Wangji's hand firmly, enveloping it with his own. Lan WangJi turned his head to Wei WuXian but the long haired man didn't dare to tear his eyes from the screen.
Instead of fear, Lan WangJi's mind was now numb because Wei WuXian just held his hand. In hesitation, he did something unexpected as he turned his palm upwards and interlaced his fingers with Wei WuXian's then gripped it tighter. Though his ear had burned red, he tried his best to keep his eyes focused on the screen.
On the other hand, Wei WuXian almost jumped out of his seat when Lan WangJi laced their hands together. His heart was thumping loudly and it beat too fast that Wei WuXian was afraid it would suddenly stop. What happened? Yes, he was the one who grabbed Lan WangJi's hand. But why's he the one who's blushing? Trying to calm his nervousness, Wei WuXian kept munching the popcorns on his lap. Lan WangJi didn't even take a bite and clenched his jaw.
Two hours passed just like that and neither both of them could recall what the movie was about as only their bodies were there but their minds weren't. The popcorns in the huge bucket was all gone and Wei WuXian even tried to slurp on his now empty cup of soda. When the lights turned back on, Wei WuXian could see clearly how their hands were tangled with each other and he pulled his hand like it was burned by a boiling water.
Damn, now Lan Zhan must think that I'm a creep. But didn't he grabbed my hand too? Well, of course, it was because the movie was too scary. What are you thinking, Wei WuXian?
They walked to the car in silence and the awkwardness still hadn't melt when they got in the car. Lan WangJi just asked where Wei WuXian stayed and Wei WuXian gave him the address. The drive was quiet and soon they arrived at a small hotel on the heart of Gusu.
Wei WuXian said thanks too many times and bowed awkwardly. Lan WangJi didn't say anything and only said 'see you later' before he drove away, leaving him alone. Composing himself, Wei WuXian walked to the lobby, dragging his black suitcase.
It was a small but neat hotel. Someone was talking to the receptionist in higher voice, almost seemed like she was yelling. He tried to ignore it as he walked to the other receptionist on the table.
"Goodnight, Sir. We're sorry, but our rooms are currently fully booked and unavailable." The receptionist face was full of anxiety and worry but she tried her best to put on a smile.
Wei WuXian smiled and took out his phone. "I had made the reservation three days ago under the name Wei WuXian."
The receptionist smiled and asked him to wait a bit as she checked and fiddled with the computer screen in front of her. While waiting, Wei WuXian couldn't help but listen to the woman yelling beside him. The receptionist who handled her looked like she almost cried on the spot.
"But I have booked it since a week ago! My families are waiting and you say the rooms are full? It's not my concern! It was miscalculation on your side! How do you expect me to look for another hotel instantly? Christmas is near, you expect me to easily find a room?" A lady in her mid 50s was flaring, her veins popped from her neck and forehead.
"We... We're really sorry. The one who took in your booking was an intern. He must had forgot to input it in our-" Her voice was trembling as she tried her best to calm the raging lady.
Wei WuXian turned his head as the other receptionist called his name and handed him the key to his room. He looked at the key long and hard as his mind ran around processing things. Then he took turn to look at the almost crying front girl and the angry lady. Sighing, he coughed hard, gaining both of their attentions.
"Seemed like there's a trouble? Sorry for suddenly intruding, I didn't mean to eavesdrop but my friend just called me and he said I could stay in his place. Here, I haven't paid anything so you could just use my room."
Wei WuXian smiled to the lady and gave a wink to the receptionist. The lady raised her brows, surprised, but still gave him a thanks. The front girl continued to thank him and apologize for the troubles. It took some time for Wei WuXian to calm her and when she finally done apologizing to him, Wei WuXian walked out of the lobby and sighed.
Wei WuXian, Wei WuXian, always got yourself in people's business, aren't you?
He took out his phone from his pocket and called a number. It was answered immediately. A nervous smile was seen on Wei WuXian's face.
"Lan Zhan, I'm sorry to trouble you again but... Can I stay in your place?"