Chapter 19 Unsettled

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Lan Zhan and Wei Ying were returning from one last visit to the bunnies before they would set out to travel the next day. The trip itself and everything relating to it was already quite stressful, because no one knew anything about why the Jins were being so insistent on Wei Ying's attendance, nor why specifically him, although everyone had their own guesses.

Wei Ying had already caught more than a few strange looks in his direction, and now he just wanted to get it over done with, and life to return to normal.

However, there was a surprise waiting for them when they got back to the Jingshi.

Jin Ling and SiZhui were both waiting for them, and both looked apprehensive about it, which was odd.

Wei Ying as always, couldn't contain his happiness at seeing both of his children, and ran straight towards them, hugging both by slinging an arm around each.

"I missed you both so much!" He declared enthusiastically, beaming at their faces.

"It's only been a few days since we parted." Jin Ling replied gruffly, but secretly happy for this spontaneous show of affection.

"I dare you to show me a parent who does not feel that way after even an hour without their kid!" Wei Ying replied, his eyes misting. Even Jin Ling's answer had reminded him of his connection to Jiang Cheng...

"I have not spent time with father for a while." SiZhui said, looking at Lan Zhan.

Wei Ying could tell Lan Zhan was so pleased at this; the prospect of sitting and chatting with his son, without interruption, at least the sitting part, was something he missed dearly. Their sixteen years together without Wei Ying had created a bond deeper than that of parent and child, for they had learned to depend upon each other in their time of need, both had been the reason to live on for each other.

Silently, Lan Zhan opened the door and SiZhui followed him in. When Wei Ying went to follow them in, Jin Ling stopped him with a hand on his arm.

"Actually, Uncle Wei, could I speak with you for a moment?"

*********

SiZhui dutifully poured tea for both of them.

"How have you been, father?" He asked, in that quiet manner of his.

No longer living in Cloud Recesses, SiZhui missed being able to see for himself how his parents were doing, especially this one, who was so reticent in exposing his feelings, that in the past and now, SiZhui had to rely upon what he saw and observed to let him understand.

Lan Zhan, so quiet externally, made up for it on his insides, often feeling more and deeply than anyone else SiZhui knew, save Wei Ying, his other father. This coming conversation would be healing for both of them.

"I am well." Lan Zhan replied, in his deep baritone.

The sound of his voice always, always made SiZhui feel better. There was something about the tone, and the familiarity of it, the way it made him feel safe that touched his heart, and SiZhui knew he would do anything for this man, who had come to mean so much more to him than just a father.

The way he only conveyed enough information in what was asked of him, was perhaps a habit formed early on, maybe out of necessity upon the realisation that all around him were not like-minded. Or was it simply the way he felt most comfortable? SiZhui knew well enough not to ask, so he merely smiled.

Lan Zhan felt something settle inside, something that had been missing, and such was the mystery surrounding it because he had not felt a lack of anything until he was sat here with his son.

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