WangXian Forever 5

Chapter 26 Retrieval

On the fifth day, after the Cave incident, Wei Ying was finally much better. Li XiWang had rushed in at breakfast time, planted herself in Wei Ying's lap and cried.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she kept repeating.

Wei Ying had patted her back trying to comfort her, with no idea what she meant. He caught Lan Zhan's eye over the top of her head, eyebrows raised in question, but the Jade just lifted a shoulder in a shrug.

"Little rabbit, why are you so upset?" He asked her kindly.

"Because...because you were hurt, because of me!" Her bottom lip quivered, big burgandy eyes full of fat tears.

"No, that's not true, at least not exactly." He sighed, wondering how to explain it. "The thing is, we already knew it was going to be dangerous, we just didn't know how bad. But little rabbit, no one knew. Nobody. And I'm only fine because you came back and did something to me, but it made me feel so much better. I should be the one thanking you." Wei Ying kissed her forehead. "Have you been worrying about this since that day?"

She nodded, squeezing her eyes with the heel of her palms. Lan Zhan handed her an impeccable white handkerchief, which she used instead.

"That reminds me, did anyone pick up the items from the Cave? It completely escaped my mind after everything that happened."

"No. Uncle Qiren has declared the Cave to be off limits to everyone for now. It is unstable, and stalactites are still falling." SiZhui, who had entered with his sister, said. "Welcome back, father. We missed you."

Wei Ying pulled him close too and kissed his forehead.

"Father, now that you're back, may I ask for permission to visit Jin Ling. I haven't seen him for so long..."

"Of course you can." Wei Ying told him. "As long as you bring him back with you, or at least ask him if he remembers this old uncle of his."

SiZhui stared at him, his light hearted words masking a hurt. His sharp eyes noticed the slightly sagging shoulders, and the disappointment hiding beneath the silvery glow.

"I will tell him. May I go now?" He asked, too much hope colouring his speech.

Wei Ying laughed, a musical note.

"Why don't you eat breakfast with us, first, huh? Then I'll let you go. You've lost weight, and I've missed you, so we can kill two birds with one stone."

"They were worried about you."

Wei Ying looked up into the familiar golden pools. And he heard what was not said, but meant. I was worried about you. If the children had not been present, Wei Ying would have gone to him then and there.

"Father?" Li XiWang brought his attention back.

"Mn?" Wei Ying forced his attention away from Lan Zhan. "What is it?"

"I...I want to know....can you please tell me what happened? What did I do? How did I cure you?" Li XiWang sounded uncertain.

"You don't remember, do you?"

"No."

He could tell she was worried about these episodes. When she became somebody else and did things that she had no idea how to do while consciously being Li XiWang.

"Li XiWang, listen to me. There is no point worrying about something we cannot control. Remember? We said one thing at a time." He kissed the top of her head. "You came and pressed on pressure points that I had no idea were blocked, and suddenly, I felt so much better. You even pushed Lan Zhan away from me to do it!"

"No! Really?" She turned to Lan Zhan and half bowed whilst still sitting. "I'm sorry, Father Zhan."

"No need. I did not know what to do, but you did." Lan Zhan smiled at her.

They were interrupted by a loud rumbling noise, and three people looked at Wei Ying, who laughed awkwardly.

"Breakfast time!"

SiZhui left as soon as he had finished. Wei Ying hugged him properly, taking longer than necessary before letting him go. Both were teary eyed and silent.

Wei Ying drank from the cup pushed at him by Lan Zhan, smiling gratefully. Once he had composed himself enough, he thought of his friend.

Hui Gai appeared, his worry over his friend enough to brave being in the same room as the sword wielding Jade, whom he ignored completely.

"Pengyou!" He held his arms open for Wei Ying.

Whilst hugging him, he accidentally made eye contact with Lan Zhan, who just happened to be scowling really threateningly at him. He gulped and closed his eyes, staying until Wei Ying let him go.

"I have a favour to ask." Wei Ying said bashfully.

"Anything."

Bichen clattered noisily onto the table.

Hui Gai stepped away, not looking.

"Um, please could you go and get the contents from the pouch we left in the Cave? But, please be careful. It's dangerous."

Hui Gai scoffed and vanished, returning not even a second later, dripping on the floor and holding out Li XiWang's pouch. He had already put everything inside it.

Lan Zhan threw a towel at him none too gently, just before he vanished again.

"You should be nicer to him. He's our friend." Wei Ying scolded.

"Mn." It sounded insincere.

Wei Ying tried to ignore that. He cleared a space on the table and tipped out the three items. Li XiWang edged away.

"Don't be scared, little rabbit. I've touched these before. Nothing happens to me." Wei Ying smiled at her.

Li XiWang stood up and made her way to Lan Zhan. She pointed to his lap and he opened his arms easily. Wei Ying smiled at the picture they made.

Lan Zhan was the quiet, deep strength they all needed. And Li XiWang was the child who made them remember innocence.

He turned back to the table.

"Now, let's see what these really are."