Blessings (A YiZhan Short Story)

Chapter 8: Searching for the Elusive Lan WangJi

Xiao Zhan POV

A week had passed since I saw the book, and I still couldn't let it go. It was too much of a coincidence. The look-a-likes, the familiar writing, the sex scenes too for that matter. They all have Wang YiBo's signature written all over it.

But searching for the elusive Lan WangJi didn't amount to anything; there just wasn't any information I could use. No picture, no actual bios. Nothing. It was as if he didn't exist... Just like Wang Xiao. That meant Lan WangJi was another pseudonym, and quite possibly my fiancé. And even though this knowledge made me happy, I was beginning to despair.

Obtaining information from the publishing house was like pulling teeth. Of course, I understood completely. I wouldn't divulge client information to strangers either. However, that didn't stop me from calling again. And again. To the point they recognized my voice. So, I made Leo call.

"As if that'll work," he had snarked under his breath before tending to his task.

"Rude, much!" I called out in response. If it weren't for the fact that he was a super-efficient assistant, I'd have fired him for his sass.

Sadly, they weren't swayed by Leo's voice either.

Weeks flew by, then another, and before long, the colorless world began turning into a rainbow of colors. The resurgence of new life, of new beginnings, should have brought me happiness being that it was my favorite season, but it didn't. I felt stuck in winter, cold and stagnant, and devoid of any joy.

A desperation fluttered through me, this not knowing who Lan WangJi was, was eating away at my core and possibly why I thought of this harebrained idea. But once it stuck, I couldn't let it go.

"Leo!" I called through the open door of my office to his desk. "Get your ass in here!"

He sauntered in with one eyebrow raised. "You rang, master?"

"Yes! Your master needs reservations for a trip."

"Oh? And where are we going?" He rummaged through his phone for a few seconds. "You don't have anything on your schedule that requires reservations. A few meetings but that's it. Did you set up something and forgot to tell me?"

I may have been mistaken, but I could have sworn he said the word "again" under his breath.

"Not we, Leo."

"Huh?" He looked up from his phone, mouth slightly parted and thumbs at the ready to tap out instructions.

"We are not going. It'll just be me," I said to him. "This... This is a personal trip." And I hope something good comes from it. If not...

"So..." Leo drawled sarcastically and took a seat in front of me. "My Lord and Master is finally going to take a vacation? No more burning candles late at night?"

"Well, I won't be lounging around on the beach somewhere, if that's what you're asking. Will I be near a beach? Yes, but it's spring. I doubt I'll be skinny dipping any time soon as I planned for it to be a working vacation."

"Then..." Leo's head tilted slightly, looking really confused now. "What are you going to be doing?"

"Making a visit to HuaLian Publishing."

Leo sobered, his brows furrowing with concern. "Is that wise?" He asked softly. "You know they won't tell you anything, right?"

"I know. But..." I scowled my frustration, "I still have to try. I figure I might get more information if I was physically there versus being just a faceless psychopath. Or at least that's probably what they're thinking. I just..."