THE GAME

Chapter 31

"What?", Lan Wangji bolted out of meditation to look at his brother, praying he heard wrong. "Wei Ying is innocent of whatever those people accuse him of.", he was up in the next second, picking up Bichen.

"Wangji, where are you going?", Xichen was not ready to hear that answer but needed to be sure he was not being delusional.
"I'm getting him out of there.", Wangji replied without looking back.

"Dont be rash, let the adults deal with this...Mother and Father are going to see Wen Ruohan with the Jiangs. Let it rest until then." Xichen said, holding on to his calm countenance. Sidelined by his younger brother, he rushed towards Wangji, pulling him back.
The anger seeping through the second jade's broken heart was uncanny. Even after everything that's happened, Lan Wangji was still at his omega's mercy.

"Brother, out of my way."

"Wangji, there is nothing you can do to help him now. If he's innocent, they'll release him..."

"You dont believe he is innocent?", Wangji glared at his brother. Xichen flinched; he may have insinuated something else by his actions.

"Lan Zhan!"

"Do you have any idea what those Wens do to their prisoners? The rumors of barbaric experimentation performed on convicts? How can you tell me to stand by and watch my soulmate get tortured for such a ridiculous accusation.", Wangji's clenched jaw denoted how serious he was.

"Soulmate...h...how do you know?", Xichen missed a breath. Those words were too heavy to be said so easily. Yet Lan Wangji's eyes peaked with emotions his face could not process. Just one look and Xichen knew it was no joke. Wangji had found his 'one'. But what do you do when the person who's meant for only you keeps slipping away? Chaos. At least nothing short of it.

"Wangji, listen to me...You'll make things worse for everyone if you march to QishanWen demanding his release.", Lan Xichen fumbles.

The ice jade let out a strained breath; gripping his sword tightly, like his poor heart being squeezed over and over again. He knew his brother had a point. But how does he tame this restlessness...

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Being dragged away like a criminal for an unknown crime was not the painful part. It was staining the Jiang family name that had him in the dumps. Even if he was freed he could never face them again.

After many transits and transfers, the omega was hauled into the place he would lie for the next few days. The clanking sound of a pace stick hitting against the bars, constant murmuring and withdrawal as an officer leads the way, two more behind him rushing his steps when he was too slow. The restriction spell pressed against his back made him feel numb. Wei Ying walked in obediently then sat on the small bed while the cuffs on his wrist were removed. His eyes brushed over the dirty sink and a small toilet on the left end. 

"Get ready for supper.", the guard's tone was authoritative. The omega remained sober, quiet, staring at the dark grey walls sullied with tiny cracks. It was clear that these gloomy walls nursed the depressed and angry, the fearful and meek, the guilty....and the innocent.

The murmuring continues. Some even turn into shouts and complaints; probably some prisoners arguing, the omega thought.
He blinked twice and his eyes poured out in the silence. It burned. Wei Ying ebbed into the crevice of the shakey bunk bed, holding on to his knees.
What's the use of worrying about supper when it was not food prepared by his sister...

Jiang YanLi's first step after her brother was taken away was to call the love of her life. Jiang Cheng remained by her side, listening in on their conversation. "A'Qing, I need you to help A'Xian. Your Uncle may listen to you.", said YanLi.