WangXian: Reunited ✔

Chapter 24: You Must Depart Quickly

He sobered. "You must depart quickly. Wanyin and I will follow shortly." 

~WEI YING'S POV~

"What happened?" Lan Zhan asked him as soon as they were out of sight. He wanted to know what the argument with Jiang Cheng was about, and why both brothers were so upset. 

Wei Ying sighed. 'It's Lan Zhan. He can keep a secret, so i can tell him right?' he thought, opening his mouth to explain before thinking better of it.'But Jiang Cheng would never want anyone else to know. He's so prideful, even crying in front of Lan Zhan took so much out of him. If he knew that I told Lan Zhan about the cores, he would never be able to live it down. And besides, Lan Zhan already hates him. I don't want to give him more reasons to scorn him. No. Best if I don't talk about it.' 

"Nothing," Wei Ying muttered, ignoring Lan Zhan's pressing gaze. 

"Wei Ying..." 

"I don't want to talk about it. It's not Jiang Cheng's fault. We both sacrificed a lot," Wei Ying clipped. 

"You were crying," Lan Zhan pointed out. 

"I know. But it's all in the past now." 

"Are you sure you're alright?" 

"Yes. Let's drop it." 

"Wei Ying..." 

"Please?" 

"But-" 

"LAN ZHAN! Just drop it!" Wei Ying snapped, patience wavering. 

Lan Zhan was silent, the hurt clear on his face. Wei Ying saw that, and the irritation that surged through him softened. Lan Zhan was just trying to help, and Wei Ying had pushed him away. Guilt rose inside him, it was all his fault. "I'm sorry," he whispered, laying a gentle hand on Lan Zhan's shoulder. "I didn't mean to yell at you." 

Lan Zhan didn't say anything, but reached up to cover Wei Ying's hand with his own. It was a silent sign that he was forgiven. 

Wei Ying let out a breath of relief, "Lan Zhan! Let's stop for a while by the river! I'm thirsty!" he exclaimed, pointing at the stream before them. His cheerful mood had returned, and the bright smile was back on his face. 

Lan Zhan gave him a complicated look, but nodded his head in agreement. 

Wei Ying pretended he didn't see the judging look in Lan Zhan's eyes, and bounded away towards the babbling brook. 

Lan Zhan joined him, only to get drenched with a wave of water. 

Beside him, his companion was doubling over in a fit of giggles, muttering between breaths, "Ha! Lan Zhan... the great Han-Guang Jun. How undignified! Imagine if your uncle saw! HA! The look on his face would be priceless! He would no doubt spit blood! Imagine the scandal! Han-Guang Jun caused his own uncle to go into qi deviation!"

Wei Ying snorted, his stomach hurting from all the laughter. 

Lan Zhan's brows twitched, as a smirk played across his face. That was all the warning Wei Ying got before a giant wave of water towered over him, effectively drenching him from head to toe. There was a smug expression on Lan Zhan's face, and Wei Ying felt a surge of indignation. "Lan Zhan!" he screeched, splashing water at his lover. "How dare you!" 

"Wei Yi-" Lan Zhan started, but was cut off by a shrill shriek. 

"You youngsters! All of you are so naughty!" an old woman reprimanded, nearing the banks of the river. "Splashing water all over the place huh? How are we supposed to wash our clothes then?" she narrowed her eyes at them. "How childish."