Soul bonds

An unusual request

Lan Xichen sat at his table reading his scrolls and making notes. There were so many of them and he knew it would be impossible to finish them all. It was just another gloomy and dreary day in Gusu. Autumns here were known for the heavy rains and chilly winds. This year was no exception. It also brought with it a heaviness as most of them had to remain confined unless there was an urgent matter to attend.

Although there were fewer outings outside Cloud Recesses, none of the students complained. Everyone was busy with the preparation for the examinations and the assignments. The Library Pavilion suddenly became the favourite place of the students as well as the elders; the dining hall at dinner time was also very lively, allowing students, seniors and elders to mix freely, discuss and sometimes hold interesting debates. It was also a place where gossips thrived. And the latest gossip concerned the unusual and unexpected long absence of Lan QiRen.

Lan Xichen chuckled when he thought about all the things the young ones were speculating. Some of them were funny but some were downright mean. He put down the scroll he was holding and looked at Nie Huaisang who was diligently memorising lines for his assignment on the history of the great Sects of the cultivation world.

He had promised Nie MingJue that he would help Nie Huaisang and would make sure that he graduated with good marks. He was surprised by the progress Nie Huaisang had made. The boy was slowing coming out of his shell. There was no doubt that he was exceptionally bright. He had a softness that reminded him of Nie MeiLi; which was why he was as protective of the younger one as Nie MingJue.

"A-Sang, if you wish, you may take a break and join me for tea..."

Nie Huaisang immediately dropped his booked and took a seat next to Lan Xichen.

"Xichen Ge, I want to ask you something..." he asked, holding the gaze of the elder one.

"What is it A-Sang?"

"Tell me about JieJie..." he murmured after a moment of hesitation.

Lan Xichen put down his cup. He had sensed a strange unrest coming from Nie Huaisang since their return from Lotus Pier. Suddenly, Nie Huaisang became curious about his sister. Nie MingJue had always refused to talk about Nie MeiLi.

"I miss JieJie... I don't understand why she left!" he said and started sobbing silently, hiding his tear-flooded face in his palms.

Lan Xichen breathed in deeply and let out his breath slowly.

"What do you want to know A-Sang?"

"Tell me everything there is to know about her..."

"A-Sang, there are certain things I cannot tell you without discussing with DaGe... This is a very delicate matter..."

"Don't tell DaGe! He will scold me... He does not like to talk about JieJie..."

"A-Sang! DaGe was very close to JieJie. After so many years, he still is not over the fact that she is gone. He is hurting! Please be patient. We will tell you everything in due time... You have no idea how much JieJie adored you when you were little. She was so protective about you... She would have been very happy to see your progress A-Sang. So, now focus on your studies... Work hard! Do it to make your JieJie proud!"

"Xichen Ge! When will she come back?"

"I don't know..." Lan Xichen replied. How do I explain to him that she is gone and will never come back?

"I know she will come back... I need her to come back. I dreamt about her and she said she would come back..."

"A-Sang... Jie is gone... I don't think she will come back!" Lan Xichen whispered firmly. I'm sorry kid! I know you miss Jie. But she is gone! Forever! Dead!