Times Have Changed [MDZS]

Chapter 21: Please, do watch over me

⸞۞⸟

Chapter Twenty One

A deadly silence had prevailed after Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji left the foot of the mountain. Many of them could still not believed what they had just witnessed.

Hanguang-Jun had grabbed someone by the waist and brought her to soar with his Bichen.

“How… how overbearing!” a disciple couldn’t stop himself from uttering. The crowd glared at him in disbelief. Brother, why are you focusing on such things? Shouldn’t we first question this two people’s relationship?!

Jiang Cheng stared at the two departing backs speechless. He glanced at the thunderstruck cultivators with him. What nonsense were you talking about earlier? See? These two were obviously in a relationship! Argh!  He didn’t know but this made him somewhat irritated.

Jiang Cheng didn’t expect that Lan Wangji had that romantic side in him. That unwavering stare was even quite disgusting. Even though Zhengye Xiangu was indeed beautiful, he was still surprised that someone as Lan Wangji would be bewitched by her. Remembering the woman’s appearance, Jiang Cheng suddenly froze. The lower half of her face was covered with a silk veil. However, her pair of eyes was visible and for a moment, a crazy idea popped inside Jiang Cheng’s head. They were in different shape and size, but its color akin to a pool of moonlit river reminded Jiang Cheng of Wei Wuxian.

Jiang Cheng shook his head as he watched the fading figures. How could that be? Wei Wuxian had clearly been a bright, high spirited boy. The tips of his eyes and eyebrows had always retained a hint of a grin. Yet, that person, though cheerful had a shadow behind her smiles, cold and lonely.

He shouldn’t be entertaining these thoughts in the first place. The person was too thin and short. She’s clearly a woman, not Wei Wuxian in disguise! Not to mention that the woman was carrying a dog and Jiang Cheng was well aware how Wei Wuxian feared dogs even more than death.

Jiang Cheng leaped on his own sword and decided to go back to their base. He should rest a little to stop his crazy thoughts from running rampant. Wei Wuxian should quickly come back and clear his thoughts.

“Stop day dreaming and take care of this puppets. Tsk, only knew how to flirt but not clean up their mess,” Jiang Cheng grumbled before following the said flirts.

At this moment, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji had already reached the Chongyang base. Wei Wuxian pulled a long face as he found his efforts in escaping from Lan Wangji’s strong grip futile. How could he accept the title of the strongest evil incarnate when even a teenage Lan Wangji can manhandle him like this?! How could he convince Lan Wangji to not imprison him to this garrison?

“Hey Lan Zhan say, aren’t you afraid to be caught in a scandal with me, a demonic cultivator?” Wei Wuxian asked as their feet landed on the top of the base’s watch tower, pointing his mouth to the curious gazes of the people in the camp.

Lan Wangji stilled, his grip on Wei Wuxian’s waist suddenly loosened. But Wei Wuxian had not noticed this as well. Somehow, his words brought about a heavy feeling for the both of them. A pregnant silence engulfed the two, turning the previous playful atmosphere cumbersome.

Realizing his wrong, Wei Wuxian smiled awkwardly as he foolishly caressed the black silky fur of the menace in his arms, a habit that he had developed during these past months.

Suddenly, Wei Wuxian felt that the grip on his waist had once again tightened, bringing him back to his senses.

“…Wei Ying isn’t evil,” Lan Wangji said in a quiet voice, enough for Wei Wuxian to hear but not for the people curiously watching them.

“Hmmn?” Wei Wuxian thought that he was hearing things.

He didn’t expect Lan Wangji to suddenly bent down and whispered to his ear. His voice was gentle, “Wei Ying isn’t evil.”

Wei Wuxian felt a shiver ran down his spine as Lan Wangji’s warm breath hit his ear. With the scent of sandalwood enveloping them, accompanied by Lan Wangji’s heartfelt words, the scene had successfully tugged Wei Wuxian’s heartstrings. His heart pounded inside his chest, worrying him if Lan Wangji could hear it, and reminding him of how close their bodies were.

Lan Wangji met his gaze resolutely, “The path is uncommon, but the deeds are righteous. For sentiment or for reason, Wei Ying deserves respect.”

“…Lan Zhan you,” Wei Wuxian wanted to say many things but all he managed to do was call for Lan Wangji’s name.

He was already aware of Lan Wangji’s heart after his rebirth. He knew that Lan Wangji never hated his cultivation. He thought before that Lan Wangji’s unexplained words were words of denouncement, but he was wrong. It was all the man’s worries. However, it was the first time that he heard him talking about his path with acceptance. Gradually, he felt that a burden was being lifted from his heart.

Wei Wuxian carefully studied the other's determined eyes as different emotions flashed in his own pools of moonlit river. Surprise, disbelief, and finally happiness and relief, as though he had been waiting to hear those words for a long time.

Wei Wuxian thought that keeping Lan Wangji away from his troubles was the best thing to do. Maybe this was correct, maybe it wasn’t. But sometimes deciding for others is also a form of selfishness. How would the person react when they found out that you don’t trust them enough to share your burdens? Would they really be happy that you selflessly protected them?

Perhaps Elder Heiying was right when he said that one should entrust himself to others at their worst times. And Wei Wuxian finally understood that he had been underestimating Lan Wangji all this time.

This change, if it was the butterfly effect of their time travel, then he would really want to thank the menace lying comfortably in his arms.

“You’re welcome.”

Wei Wuxian scoffed inside his head but didn’t try to differ. A bright smile bloomed on his face.

Wei Wuxian, “Lan Zhan, please do watch over me.”

“Very well,” Lan Wangji nodded in agreement.

But words that were said during the times of happiness or sadness would sometimes give one regrets. Like when Wei Wuxian asked Lan Wangji to watch over him, the man would really do so to his full capacity and Wei Wuxian would really regret ever asking for it.

Months later...

“It’s the twelfth time, isn’t it? To no avail I still couldn’t escape!”

Elder Heiying sneered, “Good for you.”

⸞۞⸟