Dark Knight | WangXian Novel

24: Letting Go

With a yawn and an arm-stretch that beat the sun's expanding of its rays, Wei Wuxian heaved himself up and sat on the bed. He rubbed his eyes, yawned louder, and looked around.

"Hmm? Lan Zhan?"

Mumbling "Lan Zhan..." to himself, he sat up on the bed and looked around.

The instant his feet touched the ground, he shrieked and jumped up onto the bed. What on earth was that sudden dampness? Cold? Wet....

Mud? Where... How...

"Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian jumped down, ignored the mud dampening his calloused feet and ran around the Jingshi. Mud smeared all over the place... Water puddles, most long dried up... Footprints... leading to...

"Oh. You're in the bath?" He knocked on the screen.

"Mn. Good morning."

"Morning! Looks like I woke up early."

"Very. Still three."

"EH? Two hours of sleep... Never mind."

"What were you doing up till one?"

"I... erm..."

"Wei Ying?"

"..."

"Answer me."

"... Nothing, really."

Splash!

"Oi! Get a robe on!"

"Not bothered," Lan Wangji marched out of the screen with a towel wrapped around his waist, strode towards him, and pinned him to the screen. "Answer me."

"I... I stayed up... cou– couldn't go to sleep..." Wei Wuxian gulped, turning his head away from Lan Wangji's golden eyes boring into his soul.

"Don't pout. Tell me what happened." Lan Zhan bit his cheek, wondering why Wei Ying would stay up. He clearly remembered putting his husband to sleep before leaving at ten last night... "Nightmare?"

"No..."

"Then tell me. Did someone come in here?"

"No..."

"Wei Ying."

"Aish, really! I... I-was-just-worried-about-you!"

"..." Lan Zhan's mouth dropped open slightly. "Worried?"

"I... I mean you did go to Nevernight to tackle Wen Ruohan... The Dark Knight usually only meets with commoners and disciples, not straightaway Sect Leaders! What if you got caught? What if they suspected you? What if Sect Leader Wen recognised you? What if Wen Chao or Wen Xu or maybe unaware little Wen Ning saw you? Even worse if Wen Qing saw you, she'll definitely recognise you! Maybe not... I mean I didn't recognise you myself, but! But-but-but! It was too dangerous, Lan Zhan, you shouldn't just go meet with big people like that! Lan Zhan? Lan Zhan! Are you listening to me! .............. What the hell are you smiling for?"

Lan Zhan simply could not hold his smile back. Bright as the moon outside, glowing with affection, eyes sparkling with wonder and love like the brilliant stars dotting the half-lit sky...

"Wei Ying was worried for me."

"What about it?"

"I'm happy."

Wei Ying gasped softly, staring up at the twinkling orbs of gold. "Lan Zhan..."

"It's fine. I got back safe. It was raining, sorry about the mud," Lan Zhan smiled gently, ran his fingers through Wuxian's hair and pulled his bangs back. "Thank you for worrying for me. Wei Ying's like the sky outside. I love you too." He tenderly planted a peck on his forehead and stepped back behind the screen.