Time Through Time We Remain Untamed.

CHAPTER 23: RELATIONSHIPS

         Three weeks passed before Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian officially returned to school. The school administration had given them time off to recover and rest but kept them up to par with the rest through virtual learning in all their subjects. Once the three weeks were up, the two boys were more than ready to resume their normal routine. Their return didn't go unnoticed as on the same day was when the National Youth Martial Arts Committee came as well to award the two victors and school for the participation and the excellent win they had achieved. The school had arranged an afternoon ceremony just for the event. The whole student faculty would attend as well to see the two popular boys receive accolades of the highest accord.

      Wuxian was bouncing on his feet as the auditorium filled with the noisy, disorganised students of all years. Most were happy for this unexpected break to relax and catch up with their friends or sleep or do anything troublesome. Many didn't care for the actual purpose of the event, they didn't care about the two boys or even wanted to know about their victory either. It was more for the school admin to show off themselves and take credit for the boys' hard work.

      Wuxian stood by himself at the side, watching students come and go and the school officials running back and forth making sure everything was where it was supposed to be. He watched on then felt a warm presence come up behind him. He inhaled deeply at once and was rewarded by the woody scent that calmed him down.

  "Wei Ying," he heard the soothing, calm voice call out and a smile came onto his face. He still wasn't used to having Lan Zhan call him that and since they hadn't spoken face to face for three weeks, it made him melt inside.

     "Lan Zhan, I feel so nervous for some reason. Having the whole school here plus the Martial Arts committee is unsettling even if I like my source of attention. Not to mention that our families will be here today as well...... I hope they don't ask us to speak. I didn't prepare a speech before hand." Wuxian said, rubbing his hands together not bothering to even look at Lan Zhan.

      Lan Zhan laughed internally as he too looked around the auditorium. He was cool as a cucumber since he had already gone through such for the past 3 years, so he knew how to deal with occasions like this but it was a first for Wuxian.

"Calm down Wei Ying. Everything will be fine. The most you will do is just smile and receive the gifts given. In case of a speech, I will gladly speak on our behalf if you want. We do not need you rambling nonsense before the whole school," Lan Zhan said jokingly which earned him a scowl from Wuxian.

" As for the people here, do not pay mind to them too much. Half of them don't even want to be here and do not care so just relax ok?" he offered softly as he gave Wuxian a reassuring pat on his shoulder. Wuxian nodded his head as his body released itself from it's tense state. There was no need to be on tetherhooks. He was Wei Wuxian after all and Wei Wuxian didn't falter at the presence of people. The two stood behind the curtains and waited on the whole thing to come to life before it eventually started.

     "Alright, alright! Order everyone! Everyone please take your seats so that we can officially start this awarding ceremony. Quiet down as well students and let's stop wasting time. Thank you." the vice principal said as she did the finishing touches while the principal went out to meet the Martial Arts Committee as planned. Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian were seated at this point at the front row and had been separated by the presence of their families. Wuxian noticed how rigid Lan Zhan sat next to his father who was busy on his phone and constantly checked his watch. It was clear that he wasn't much interested in being there. The father and son had not even said a word of greeting upon meeting so it made sense of how they were acting around each other.

       Wuxian felt a little sad at the sight but knew that was just how things were between them plus he wasn't far off from Lan Zhan's situation. He could feel the poison dropping of his aunt's viper eyes beside him. She had explicitly said that she didn't want to come to such a ridiculous school event and would rather be somewhere close to hell than here but had come regardless since his uncle had forced her to and because she had to keep up public appearances as she tried to paint the picture of a happy family to the people around.