Chapter 1

180 4 0
                                    

**Wei Wuxian's Point of View**

"Come... live in Gusu with me." I turned to face Lan Zhan, his gaze steady and full of unspoken hope. My heart ached at the plea in his eyes. I forced a smile, though it faltered. "Lan Zhan, that's not my clan. And besides, your uncle would be furious if I stayed in Gusu! HAHA!" I laughed, the sound echoing a little too loudly in the quiet space, trying to mask the tremor in my voice. Yet he remained silent, his expression unwavering as he continued to look at me, waiting patiently.

"And besides," I added, attempting to maintain my playful demeanor, "I'm okay being alone. I still have my little apple," I joked, giving Little Apple a gentle pat. Just as I started to move forward, Lan Zhan suddenly broke the silence.

"I can't imagine my life without you by my side, Wei Ying," he said, his voice low and earnest, his grip tightening around the hilt of his sword. I paused, my heart racing as I processed his words and the weight they carried.

In that moment, a flash of realization struck me. He had sacrificed so much for me—his safety, his standing, the scars on his back were reminders of the battles he fought to protect me. I thought Jiang Cheng was always the one looking out for me, but all along, it had been Lan Zhan standing steadfast by my side. The simple, earnest desire he had was for me to join him in his world, a request so straightforward yet so profound. Why had I hesitated?

Suddenly aware of the tears slipping down my cheeks, I turned to Lan Zhan, who was watching me with a gentle smile even through my sorrow.

"I, Wei Wuxian, also known as the Yiling Patriarch, will be living with Lan Wangji," I declared with newfound pride, my voice breaking slightly as more tears flowed. In that instant, I saw Lan Wangji's arms opening wide, an invitation to embrace him. Without a moment's hesitation, I dashed into his arms, reveling in the warmth radiating from him. His heart beat in rhythm with my own, a reassuring sound that filled me with comfort as I hugged him tightly, allowing my emotions to spill over.

"Lan Zhan, I am so lucky to have you as my soulmate," I whispered through my tears. "I can't imagine my life without you. Thank you for every sacrifice and every ounce of love you've given me. I won't leave you, Lan Zhan—not now, not ever."

"Wei Ying! Wei Ying!" My heart jolted as my eyes blinked open. Was I dreaming? I turned to my left, only to find Lan Zhan, a tray of food in his hands, his expression a mixture of concern and affection.

"Lan Zhan, how long have I been asleep?" I asked, yawning and stretching my arms, a hint of confusion still lingering in my mind. Then it hit me—where was my robe? My hair hung loose, a stark contrast to the usual neatness. The shock coursed through me as I quickly realized what must have happened. After fifteen long years, Lan Zhan had changed, and I suspected he had been the one to undress me and leave my hair flowing freely.

"Two hours," he replied, placing the tray on the table with a soft clatter. "You were exhausted from crying, so I teleported us to Gusu as swiftly as I could." The delicious aroma of spicy food wafted toward me, but I found myself too drained to reach for it.

I pouted playfully, biting my lip. "Lan Zhan, please feed me? I'm too tired to move," I whimpered, opening my mouth like a child asking for a treat. He sighed softly, a hint of amusement in his eyes, before picking up the chopsticks and feeding me some spicy chicken. I savored each bite, a warm comfort in my stomach that made me feel revitalized.

Once the meal was finished, I decided it was time to reclaim my dignity. I slipped away to put on my robe and tie my hair back into place while Lan Zhan was still focused on his meal, blissfully unaware of my little transformation.

Once we had both finished eating, we ventured outside to join the others. As we approached the library, we noticed several Juniors darting anxiously back and forth, their voices a mix of frantic whispers and nervous chatter. Intrigued, Lan Zhan and I exchanged glances and decided to hide for a moment, curious about the source of their unease.

"Young Master Wei, where could he be going!? My father!" Lan Sizhui exclaimed, his pace quickening as his fingers nervously chewed on his nails. I couldn't help but stifle a laugh; he seemed to think I would leave them behind to resume my travels. But how could I even think of leaving when Lan Zhan yearned for me to stay by his side forever? HAHA.

Jingyi shot Sizhui a sly look, trying to calm him down. "Do you think Master Wei will leave Hanguang Jun? That lunatic is so obsessed with Hanguang Jun!" he reassured, his words unintentionally revealing my presence. My heart sank slightly; it seemed I had been outed. I glanced at Lan Zhan and then stepped out of our hiding place.

"You just exposed me! Lan Zhan, he exposed me in front of the other Juniors!" I exclaimed, adopting an innocent tone as I pointed accusingly at Jingyi, feeling much like a child who had just caught someone teasing them. Jingyi let out a chuckle, struggling to suppress his laughter, while Sizhui's eyes widened in shock at the sight of me.

"Master Wei? You're here!" he said gleefully, bowing deeply. I sighed, no matter how many times I tried to tell him he didn't need to be so formal. I shot Lan Zhan a glance, pleading silently for him to intervene. Understanding, Lan Zhan instructed Sizhui to stand up, and thankfully, he complied, his face still bright with joy.

"Young Master Wei, you're not going to leave, are you?" Jingyi asked, a hint of anxiety in his voice. I crossed my arms, a teasing smile on my lips as I tried to gauge their reactions.

"Why? Would you be sad if I left?" I quipped, enjoying the playful banter. Jingyi rolled his eyes, clearly agitated by my teasing.

"I just asked!" he retorted, crossing his arms as well. I laughed lightly, reaching out to ruffle their hair affectionately. "No, I won't leave again. Besides, I'm here to help Hanguang Jun find a lovely woman to marry!" I teased, casting a glance at Lan Zhan to see his reaction.

His expression was priceless, a mixture of surprise and a hint of color creeping into his cheeks. I couldn't help but think it was time for us to retreat; his blush was too endearing to resist teasing further.

The Untamed (Season 2)Where stories live. Discover now