Into Your Heart

Chapter 7 - Nomination and Invitation

Lan Qiren and his eldest nephew was discussing about the clan matters when the younger jade entered in his uncle's room. The clan leader had sent for him to inform about the conference for selection of the chief cultivator.

The chief cultivator was selected every five year by the honorable elders of the five great clans who judge on the basis of strength, knowledge, decision making capability, dedication, skill and cultivation power. The chief cultivator being the official head ensures healthy relationship among clans, decides on annual conferences, looks over the problems of the common people if its urgent and serious and holds the right to declare punishments against the clan leaders or any renowned cultivator if atleast three of the major clans and eight of the twelve minor clans request him to do so.

Given the conditions, the old master and Lan Xichen came to a conclusion that no one can be a better representative from their clan than Lan Wangji. So, he was called to inform about the decision and also to ask his opinion on the matter.

Lan Wangji was never someone who bragged about his excellency or craved for power. He was more composed than any other Lan disciples of his age. So, inspite of having this offer, he was not excited. Rather he turned to his brother with a questioning look. Lan Xichen seemed to understand the younger's concern as he smiled a little before answering his doubts, "Wangji, I do not wish to participate in this selection event for the second time. Five years was enough to gain a lot of experience, and now I want to help uncle manage the clan. Uncle wishes for you to represent our clan this year. But don't worry too much. Even though I know that you are worthy enough of the position, we won't mind if you don't get selected. "

Now that his brother wanted to shoulder the responsibilities of the clan, Wangji nodded a yes to his elders' wishes. He has been helping his uncle in the clan's issues for the past few years and has already gained some experience in this matter. Though the responsibility as a head was going to be much more, everyone had faith in him. He was afterall what everyone knew to be the 'perfect example of a disciple".

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- "Wei Wuxian!" This was the third time Lan Qiren called his name, yet got no response.

- "Wei Ying ... " Lan Wangji finally intruded in to break the other from the trance. His voice was low, firm and ... gentle?
And to everyone's surprise, it worked.

Wei Wuxian stirred up with an 'huh' and before turning his head towards the source of the sound, his eyes met with Qiren's. By the mere gaze, he could understand that something was wrong, or to be accurate, that he had done something wrong. Not knowing what was happening around, he stood up slowly letting out a nervous laugh.

"After the class gets over, stay back to practise meditation and hand me ten copies of written notes of today's lesson by tomorrow morning. Any kind of misconduct will not be accepted hereafter." The old master fumed.

Wei Wuxian tried to focus his discomposed mind on the lecture of the 'Unique Creatures and their Hunting Techniques'. However, his preoccupied mind pondered over some 'well-thought reasons' every now and then. The person sitting beside was making things worse.

After that incident at the library, that left both the teenagers with racing hearts, none of them had interacted with the other for a week, not even in the classes. Their daily schedule included sitting together, taking down notes, practicing meditation and quietly stealing glances in the dining hall. Both of them waited for the other to break the silence, that has now become somewhat awkward and also felt a bit unreasonable.

Wasn't it just a boy wiping the nose of another boy stained with ink, and nothing else!

But now that Lan Wangji has called him in the class in front of his uncle, that too in his birth name, Wei Wuxian didn't think much before approaching him in the library again.

- " Umm...Lan Zhan, I want to ask you for something. "

Lan Wangji, who seemed to be deeply concentrated in the big fat textbooks, but has actually noticed Wei Wuxian coming inside through his side eyes, raised his head to meet the other's gaze.

Wei Wuxian sat down swiftly in a posture that was not very Lan-like as he spoke again-

- "Lan Zhan, I wish you to accompany me to a dinner in Caiyi town the day after tomorrow. Or maybe we could set out a bit early and roam around. I haven't visited the markets there. You can help me find the inn that has the best food and sells the best 'Emperor's smile'. We don't have classes anyway. Your uncle is going for a meeting. Jiang Cheng and his friend Nie Huaisang will join us later."

- "No."

- "Lan Zhan! I have already planned everything." Wei Wuxian pouted.

- "Don't have permission. "

- "Ahh! About that, I'll ask Zewu Jun. He is in authority in absence of your uncle. Right? So, don't worry about that."

- " But-"

- " Now that we have permission, I mean now that we are going to have permission, I'll take that as a yes. Meet me after lunch tomorrow near the entrance."

Wei Wuxian didn't allow Lan Wangji to come up with another reason to refuse him and left the library immediately with a satisfied smile.

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