Chapter 147 Goodbyes

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As soon as Wei Ying said those words, jubilation broke out over the eleven people sitting around the overturned bowl serving as a table.

The noise level was enough to attract Dunshi's attention and he asked what was going on.

Xiao Zei went over to him to explain while Wei Ying and Lan Zhan watched the happy faces around them. Li XiWang was excitedly using her hands to animate what she intended to do first, when they reached back home. Rumi was watching her with a faint smile on his face and when she finished, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

"WingAnLaZhan?"

Wei Ying kissed the top of his head fondly and nodded.

"Yes, we're going home."

"When can we go? How long will it take?" Li XiWang asked, unable to contain her enthusiasm.

"Well...I suppose we can go whenever we want to. Even today...if you like." Wei Ying spoke as fast as he thought.

Li XiWang squealed gleefully and jumped on her parents, the force of which might have toppled them over were it not for the strength and solidity of the one holding them up.

Colourful bubbles rose up all around them, pinks, lilacs and blues, interspersed with reds, yellows and greens.

"You're that happy, huh?" Wei Ying hugged her back, smiling. "If you wanted to go back home that much, why didn't you say anything?"

She beamed at him, simple childish joy lighting up her youthful features.

"I didn't exactly want to, before? Or maybe I did, but I wasn't letting myself think about it...mostly because going somewhere new is so exciting. I dunno!" She shrugged, her smile fixed in place. "But now?? Yeah, I can't wait to give SiZhui-Ge his present!!"

Hongse was saying something, and Li XiWang turned, listening to their conversation.

"Is Wei Ying happy to return home?"

Lan Zhan’s deep voice cut through his thoughts, causing a shiver to creep up his spine.

Wei Ying turned his face so he could see into those precious golden eyes. He knew Lan Zhan always worried about Wei Ying returning to Gusu...their past having long sunk its claws into his psyche. So many misunderstandings had stood in their way to sunder what could have been realised so much earlier.

Wei Ying reached for one of the hands fastened around his middle and lifted it up to his lips, nodding.

"I am, my love." He whispered. "I feel as if it truly has become our home, my home, and not just because of it, but because of our family there. They accept me...I am welcomed there...I've never had that before." Wei Ying admitted.

To be wanted, not for what he could do, or the services he could provide, but because he was actually liked and loved...it made something settle within his heart. Up until this realisation became real in his mind, he felt as if he had been walking around on tip toes all of his life, never actually allowing himself to walk on the full soles of his feet.

But now, and ever since his marriage, the Lan Clan had opened their hearts and minds to him, albeit cautiously. Even Uncle Qiren, keeper of his precious cabbages...had started to love the pig...

He smiled at the mental image.

"Wei Ying is always welcome in Cloud Recesses. It is his home as much as mine. Anywhere Wei Ying is not welcome, has spurned the Lan Clan as well." His lips rested on Wei Ying's forehead. "Wei Ying should know that now."

The fact that they were together did not need to be mentioned; it was a given.

I go where Wei Ying goes. Lan Zhan added through their mental connection.

"Me too, my love...me too."

"I do not want you to go!" Dunshi shouted.

Silence descended upon them as that sound echoed all around them.

Rhouzhe threw them an apologetic look and went to her son.

"My boy..." she hugged his shoulders. "It's okay to feel like this, after all, you have spent many months together. But think back to when you were lost...did you like being so far away from home?"

Dunshi had tears in his eyes, and his golden curls trembled as he shook his head. He pouted and she smiled affectionately at him.

"In the same way, your friends have people waiting for them to return too, and they also miss their homes. It would be unfair to keep them here when they want to go back...right?" She continued, trying to make him understand.

"We can come and visit you any time, Dunshi!" Wei Ying shouted, so the giant could hear him.

"Actually...I was wondering...I've been thinking about staying here." Xiao Zei suddenly said.

Dunshi stopped looking so sad and grabbed him, swinging him around like a toddler with a paper kite.

Poor Xiao Zei still wasn't used to it and collapsed in a heap when Dunshi finally put him down.

"That's better!" Dunshi declared. "Then I won't be alone."

Xiao Zei was still trying to recover from his impromptu flight, nevertheless, he was smiling.

"It's not as if I have something pressing waiting for me out there." He gestured vaguely with his hand, eyes still closed.

Wei Ying decided to do him a favour, especially if he was going to stay.

"Dunshi, we talked about this, remember? What do we say, instead of picking people up and kissing them?" He told the giant, who was anxiously prodding Xiao Zei.

Dunshi stood up straight and cleared his throat.

"I am very happy." He replied in a monotone. Then he added in his normal voice, "Nope, I still don't get it."

They all laughed, glad that he wasn't so sad anymore.

"What a good boy!" Rhouzhe told him, kissing his forehead. "You have grown up, Dunshi. But you still have a lot to learn. I will help you." She promised.

"So will I!" Xiao Zei shouted, sitting up.

"See, Dunshi? You're going to be just fine!" Wei Ying shouted up at him.

Dunshi bowed and smiled at him.

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