Time Through Time We Remain Untamed.

CHAPTER 50: THE STORY OF XIAO LING.

     A lot happened after that. Lan Zhan and Wei Wuxian spent their days catching up, relearning what they had forgotten and getting back into their groove. For most parts, it wasn't difficult as they had always known each other and they were soulmates after all but there were other parts that weren't so easy. Parts that were difficult to share and reveal. Parts that had harrowing lasting effects on them. Parts that some of it weren't even told since they were too hard to hear and they didn't want to burden the other. Most of those parts had been Wuxian's time in prison and things he had done to survive while for Lan Zhan it was during the time of his isolation and what he had become to make it each day. Those dark, terrifying parts they kept them to themselves as part of the past that didn't require a look back. Much laughter and tears were experienced but they fully accepted it. They wouldn't trade it for the world as they were now walking in the same path,  together.

    Among the topics of discussion however, Wuxian did bring up Lan Zhan's mother. From Xichen's explanation, it seemed that their mother was someone very important to him even to date. He had always wanted to know about her and how her life and death had affected Lan Zhan but he hadn't delved into that when they had been together. But this time it was different. Much of Lan Zhan's personality was due to her influence and he was interested to know, to be a part of it. Lan Zhan withheld all those years ago since he was still growing but this time, he decided to let him in. He wanted to share it with him and he didn't want to have any secrets between them anymore. He was past the point of relying on himself now, Wuxian was his partner and love. There was nothing to hide.

     It was the fall of 1994 when Lan Qiren and Xiao Ling first met. Both had been admitted to the International State University in the capital city, a grand feat at that time. Lan Qiren was studying Business Economics and IT while Xiao Ling was an Arts student major. Back then, she had been called Xiao Mei Xing due to her outstanding presence and aura that drew people in. She was outgoing, absolutely brilliant, intelligent, a people's person and beautiful. An all rounded girl. The two were never really close friends per say but they had common and mutual friends including Wei Wuxian's parents at some point. Their large circle of acquaintances would meet every month to tour the city together and indulge in their newfound youth and freedom. It was a time of discovery and exploration.

     For Lan Qiren, it had been an opening experience as the dashing young and innovative man that he had been. He was the only male descendant of the Lan family so he had grown up with much pressure and burdens on his shoulders. If you thought that he was controlling, you should have seen his parents. His family had dominated every single aspect of his life from his education, his interests, his friends, his personality and even his future. Whatever they wanted him to do, he did it without question. However they wanted him to act, he did it. Whoever they wanted him to he, he became exactly that. They stripped him of himself and he was their vessel and instrument of hopes, dreams and ambitions they held. He had no say so in anything as they moulded him into their own piece. He was a Lan and a Lan did whatever was required of and was to be the absolute best. It was his duty.

    It goes without say then that Lan Qiren discovered a new sense of independence when he went to college. He was suddenly free from the iron clasp of his family and his duties. He was now able to channel undiscovered parts of himself as his own person that he had never been able to. It felt fucking incredible to have that chance and power and essentially be a new person all together. He was soaring and that's where Xiao Ling came into the picture.

    The combination of a recluse person like Qiren and a bright and open girl like Xiao Ling had definitely been odd to say the least. They were completely different, some even saying alien yet they somehow gravitated to each other. Qiren found life in Xiao Ling; a life much more colourful, free and wonderous compared to his own and it pulled him in like a siren. He wanted to live in her world for all eternity. Escape for life while Xiao Ling was attracted to Lan Qiren's docile and mature nature. It was difficult to find a forward thinking and behaving man like him at that time not to mention he was very handsome, all at the age of 21. He was the ideal type. They developed a casual relationship, nothing too serious since Lan Qiren was aware of the arranged marriage his parents had waiting for him back home after he graduated and he couldn't back out of it. He wasn't going to refuse it but at least he could have his fun before that time came. It was convinient and consensual as Xiao Ling had her own plans as well. They just wanted a few good memories for a while and that's how it started.