Journey to the Beautiful Ending

C12 - Winter herbs

The wind was still howling in the Shitou mountain. The heavy fall of snow still continued through the night. Inside the cave, the juniors slept in the warmth of the bonfire. Wen Ning made sure that the fire won't die as he roam the cave from time to time to secure everyone's safety.

"Young Master Wei, you should sleep too." Wen Ning told Wei Wuxian who was looking at the kids sleeping soundly particularly to Sizhui and Jin Ling. "I didn't know that A-Yuan likes  Young master Jin that way." He commented.

"Wen Ning, these kids are growing up. Soon, they'll begin to realized their own dreams and walk their own path."

"Now that my nephew was part of Lan Clan main family. Won't it be hard for the two of them to be together if A-Yuan will soon become a sect leader?"

"They will find their own ways. They don't look worried so we must not be worried too." Wei Wuxian sighed. He said those words to only ease Wen Ning's mind but he's a little worried too. Not because of the concerns these two kids will soon encounter but because of something he cannot understand. He's been having this weird feeling since last year's summer. He's always been worried of Sizhui and that worry suddenly became heavier every single time.

Jin Ling shifted and turned to Sizhui's side and tugged the other's arm. Sizhui felt his movement and the hand holding his arm so he turned and pulled Jin Ling to his arms and hugged him while he patted his back.

Wen Ning averted his gazed and busied himself with the herbs. Wei Wuxian stiffled a laugh. He was happy that these two doesn't intend to hide it from them.

"Say Wen Ning, who do you think is the submissive one?"

If Wen Ning could blush, he already did. His face might have been so red. "Young Master Wei, should you really ask me that?"

"A-Yuan was more like Lan Zhan so I think it was Jin Ling."

"I think so too. But these two haven't...uh...done it yet."

"How sure are you?"

"They were not in good terms a while ago but after being stranded in the cliff, they just suddenly look fine. I think they just confessed to each other."

Wei Wuxian suppressed his laugh, to not wake the juniors up from their slumber. Wen Ning's observations are really on point. He thought of Lan Qiren's reaction, he sure will have another heart attack once he founds that their new childe was like his father, Lan Wangji.

Morning came and the snow storm already stopped. Everything was covered in snow. Some trees was already down. The juniors from Lan Clan already woke up. Felt their movement, the two from Jin Clan also got up while Jin Ling was force to wake up and leaned himself to Sizhui's shoulder.

"You can still sleep. It looks like we can't leave immediately."

"Yeah." Wen Yang agreed. "It was not safe to leave this place yet. There's a heavy snowstorm last night so it was surely have low visibility today."

When the sun rose so high, stomach has been filled, Wen Ning went to check the outside.

"Are we still going to look for that goddess?"

Wei Wuxian spoke, "No. I think the story was all made up. Hearing from Wen Yang, winter herbs are very rare to the point that all herbs collectors are putting their life at risk just to find it. Someone might have spread the rumor so they could have all the winter herbs for themselves."

"Right." Wen Yang agreed. "We have been here for three days but we found nothing but these herbs. I'm pretty sure that after the snowstorm last night, there will be people climbing up the mountain to find these herbs." He told them. "One more thing, I have been coming here every year to collect this herbs and didn't encounter such thing aside from corpses."

Jin Ling spoke, "Why do they have to create such story for those herbs? Is it the only herbs that can heal fever and pain?"

Other followed. "Yeah, right. Why is that?"

"No. There are other herbs that can do the work but winter herbs can even heal even the most complicated disease and really a big help if there's an epidemic. Plus, it started to sprout in the first month of winter and ready to be picked during this month. With its rarity, this can be sold at a high price." Wen Yang explained to them.

"Since we are here, why don't we help A-Yang collect the herbs."

"Yeah, why not?"

"But you can't go far. There are still corpses roaming and some cliff that are covered in snow. It would be dangerous if you fell from any of it." Wei Wuxian warned them.

"Yes, Senior Wei." All Junior disciples agreed in unison.

Wen Ning came back with positive report and gave them a nod about their plan. Wen Yang gave each of them a small basket that he got from the other side of the cave. Wen Yang's adoptive father was a doctor. When he was still alive, he always bring him to collect some herbs. Before they leave the place, they left all the bowls, pots and baskets they brought so they have something to use when they get back. They digged their own secret tunnel and hid their tools inside. Fortunately, it has never been found.

Wen Yang lead the way to the herbs. Others followed. Jin Ling was about to follow when Sizhui stopped him. Before he could asked, Sizhui gave him a quick kiss and followed the group. Jin Ling can only smile on his naughtiness.

"Yi-gege, that's not how you pluck it." Wen Yang walked towards Jingyi when he saw him cutting the herbs in its stem.

Jingyi stepped back. "Stop calling me that way. Its creepy!"

"Creepy as the ghost?" Wen Yang asked teasingly.

"They are more creepy!"

"Then I still call you, Yi-gege." Jingyi glared at him. Wen Yang ignore the glare and pulled Jingyi and taught him how to carefully pluck the herb. "Easy peasy, right?"

Jingyi, with a boring look, he answered, "Yeah. You can leave now."

Wen Yang pouted. "But I want to stay beside you."

Jingyi rolled his eyes and about to shout at Wen Yang when he saw his pouting lips. 'How can this child look so adorable with just pouting his lips? So unfair!' He complained in his mind. Jingyi avoided his face and continued to collect herbs.

"Yi-gege, Now that I met you again, I'll go and visit you sometime in your clan, okay?"

"No." Jingyi immediately rejected.
"And when did we met? We never met." He added. He really doesn't remember this man. Even if he met him, it might be just one glance.

Wen Yang, "We did. You just don't remember it but that's okay. We can still be familiar without remembering it." Wen Yang smiled sweetly at him.

Jingyi gulped. 'This man was so full of himself. Why does he keep on messing with me?' He pursed his lips in annoyance and stood. "Stay there and don't follow me." He said and walked away. 'I hate his guts!'

Jingyi didn't know that with his reactions, Wen Yang just got more amused of him.

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We'll have more Zhuiling moments in the next 3-4 chapters. I hope, you don't get bored 😊.