Into Your Heart

Chapter 10 - Secrets

- "Wei Ying, what did I do last night?"

Wei Wuxian woke up to a concerned Lan Wangji the next morning, a visible furrow on his forehead showing his confusions about the last night.

- "Nothing Lan Zhan. I have never seen anyone behave in such a proper manner in their drunk state. Hahaha"

- "I never drank before. Did I do anything inappropriate?"

- "Lan Zhan, stop worrying. You did nothing. Except ... you know...giving me that hairpin." He pointed at the polished accessory.

- "I,I ...."

- "Don't tell me that you want it back. You told me last night that you bought it for me. And I also promised to keep it safe. Did you not buy it for me Lan Zhan?"

- "I did."

- "Then why did you hide it?"

- " "

- "Don't tell me you were shy. Hahaha...." Wei Wuxian teased, not knowing that he was actually right.

- " Then... can I keep it with me? I promise to keep it safe."

- " Mnn."

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The koi tower :

Jin Guangshan, "I promise to select you as the personal assistant of the most powerful position, if you help me with what I want."

Wen Chao, "That's what you told the last time too, but failed. I am not going to waste my time and risk myself on someone who can't carry out a simple plan." The boy snapped.

Jin Guangshan, "What about having a few women always at your service? And by service, I mean any kind of service you want...from getting fed to... having messages to .... " He emphasized and dragged the last words with a sly smirk before turning around to continue, "You can change them anytime you get bored."

Wen Chao, "And how shall I know that you won't go back on your words? I rather not trust someone who plans on presenting his own son as a cripple. "

Jin Guangshan, "Ask for what you want."

Wen Chao, "Sign a paper with me that declares that I will have the same authority as the chief cultivator. Any decision that I take shall not be questioned by anyone and shall be forwarded to others by the chief cultivator himself."

Jin Guangshan, "And what shall I get for offering you all these?"

Wen Chao, "Anything you want till we succeed."

Jin Guangshan, "This shall be a secret. "

Wen Chao, "Till you don't think of betraying me." He had an evil spark in his eyes and a cunning smirk that matched with the other's emotion too.

.

Yanli was reading a letter that Wei Wuxian had managed to send her with the help of Lan Wangji. He had refused at first to let him send a personal letter without his uncle knowing, but changed his decision when he saw a genuine concern in his eyes.

Yanli, though was elated to hear from his brother after a long time, was brooding over the fact what to reply him. In no way was she going to tell the truth as Zixuan had already requested her not to. His unknown disease was still a secret to everyone, except the few people who had attended the conference. So, that left her with only one option - to lie about the workload of his husband, the potential sect heir and his fake busy schedule.

Jin Zixuan was gradually getting weaker. He slept more than what he used to and lacked the energy to practise or study. It was only his wife's and his mother's nutritious foods and care that kept him going. Reducing his time for sword practise and horse riding, he started to meditate for long hours in a secluded place that no one knew of, channelising his energies and focusing to strengthen his golden core.

As much as he wanted to attend the classes at the Lan sect, he knew he couldn't go against his father's orders. His days of trying to persuade his father went in vain, after a few days of which he fell mysteriously ill. So, he had carefully snuck out a few books out of the library that described the ways to increase his cultivation. It was difficult to understand everything by himself, some methods also specifically mentioned the presence of a senior for proper guidance. So, he did as much as he could while dealing with his sick body.

There was also other reason to why he chose the damp and shady mountain top, a reason that he had successfully kept hidden from everyone, even his wife. A part of him wanted to share it to lessen the heavy feeling that weighed upon his chest, but waiting for the right time was what he decided upon.

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A month passed by quickly without much significance. Apparently, that was what everyone thought, except the visible difference in the relationship between the two exactly opposite boys.

Lan Wangji appeared less intimidating around Wei Wuxian, allowing the boy to joke around him when he occasionally visited the library with the sole purpose to have a conversation with the former(though he always pretended like he came to study, but never touched any books), or to pull him towards the back forest where he regularly visited with Jiang Cheng and Huaisang after the classes to play in the stream and relax under the cool shades of trees until dusk.

Weekly night hunts were now added to their routine, where they guided the juniors and taught them techniques to hunt different creatures. Wei Wuxian was always overly excited on these nights, and insisted on going to the deeper parts of the forest but was denied everytime. It was only during the special night hunts for the advanced classes, twice a month, when they were allowed to pry deeper in the presence of Lan Xichen or the old master himself.

Students lined up near the entrance as Lan Xichen divided them into two groups and declared their respective heads. Wei Wuxian was deliberately placed in the same group as Lan Wangji as the old teacher thought that it was safer to have his nephew watch over him, in case he plays one of his many tricks he had in his sleeves and manages to escape into the deeper forest, creating trouble for others.

Little did he know that danger was awaiting them!