WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 97 Cooking

Lan Zhan had a definite spring in his step as he walked back to the Jingshi, anticipation a solid weight in his gut. These past few weeks were warmer and green shoots of new growth decorated the ancient stone pathways of Cloud Recesses.

Their return from the Nether World was a distant memory now but the worry about Rumi's heritage remained at the back of their minds.

Every night before falling asleep, Wei Ying would ask him, "what shall we do about Rumi?", and every night without fail, Lan Zhan would reply, "let's think about it tomorrow.".

But they had needed this time together as a couple and as a family.

They gradually settled into a routine amongst themselves and their niche within the Lan Clan: Lan Zhan returned to lessons and papers, giving a much needed break to his brother, and Wei Ying returned to...chaos.

His impromptu and unplanned lessons were causing a much welcomed turmoil within the strict discipline of Cloud Recesses and he kept everyone guessing with whatever he was going to come up with next.

For Lan Zhan, he simply didn't care.

Or rather, it would be better to say he was indulgently adhering to whatever Wei Ying wanted.

Days were spent laughing and enjoying their family, playing with their children and having fun...something that was once frowned upon by their elders. This was the part that ceased to affect Lan Zhan the most.

And every night, they spent together in each other's arms, a tender embrace.

This was a magical time and Lan Zhan thought both of them, Wei Ying included, were thriving.

So there was no surprise on his face when he saw the small crowd of people gathered around a steadily bubbling cauldron in the courtyard of the Jingshi. His eyes immediately searched out the dark robes of his husband...who curiously wasn't there...

So Lan Zhan smiled at his waving children and nodded to the others and entered his home. He was met with Wei Ying on his way out and they nearly collided. Lan Zhan steadied him, his eyes drinking in Wei Ying's appearance.

Radiant with excitement, a few loose strands of ebony hairs fluttered about his face as Wei Ying smiled back at him, glowing as bright as the sun.

For a few seconds, Lan Zhan forgot everything, even his own name.

Wei Ying sidled up to him, a magnet for his attention as always. He put the papers in his hands down and waved a hand at the door of the Jingshi before capturing Lan Zhan’s lips with his own.

This fiery need was like his every breath, a joy which could only be found right here, in Lan Zhan’s arms. Captivating and alluring, Lan Zhan kissed him back with a raw desire.

Wei Ying shivered in his arms and held tighter as his prey became the hunter instead. Lan Zhan slammed him up against the wall, one hand holding his mischievous hands by the wrists, high above his head, his right hand at the small of Wei Ying’s back, pulling him flush against his own body while his lips took control.

The heady combination of sandalwood and lotus flowers swirled between them, the tinder to the flames of their desires, hot blood rushing through their veins as they gave in to the always dormant need rampant in their systems.

Wei Ying moaned as sharp teeth nipped and bit down on his plump lips, everything forgotten in this haze of love. That same heated mouth went on a journey of bites and bruising kisses all down his neck as Wei Ying writhed against him, seeking friction.

Only when Lan Zhan was fully satisfied, did he step back, smiling at the answering needy whine.

"How could you leave your desperate husband in this state?" Wei Ying complained, straightening his robes.

Lan Zhan smirked, wondering why he bothered at all with his clothes, because somehow or other, they always fell open much to Lan Zhan’s chagrin and delight. Chagrin because others could also see what he saw...and delight after the fact.

Wei Ying was simply a conundrum.

Lan Zhan picked up the abandoned papers.

"Mn?"

"Oh...those are the recipes Zago got for us to try." Wei Ying bounced up to him and read them over his shoulder, his arms wrapping around Lan Zhan’s waist in a side hug.

"But hasn't Wei Ying already started?" Lan Zhan asked him with a smile, his golden eyes drifting to the closed door.

"Oh...damn...I forgot!" Wei Ying rushed out to find Li XiWang hastily stirring whatever was in there.

"Thanks, Little Rabbit...um...got carried away." Wei Ying sat down next to her, pulling an amused Lan Zhan down next to him.

That was the most wonderful thing about the past few weeks. They had let the tension of the previous days bleed away and allow a different kind of relaxation to take root.

Smiles were readily offered and the taps of love were open.

"So...what is in there?" Lan Zhan asked.

All around them were curious and smiling faces: SiZhui and Jin Ling, JingYi and Zhitiao, Li XiWang and Rumi.

"Sugar syrup. We had to try a few combinations to get the consistency correct." He glanced behind him at the discarded pieces of sugar. Some were sticky and tough, some harder than glass. "I'm trying to remember the kind of crunch Zago enjoys."

"What about the flavour?" Lan Zhan asked him.

"Well, my love, I'm glad you asked! I was going to go for the usual fruit ones...but they're seasonal and meh...so I thought of doing different ones." Wei Ying looked far too enthusiastic suddenly.

"Different ones?" He echoed. Lan Zhan calmed the flash of fear that danced across his skin.

Maybe they would need a guinea pig....

"Yes, absolutely. Just got to add a bit of this." Wei Ying reached into his sleeve and took out a bottle, adding a generous few drops. He threw the bottle somewhere behind him and carried on stirring, the colour of the previously clear liquid now a distinct purple.

Then he sniffed it with an appreciative smile and poured the mixture into molds.

"The batches before...they took too long to set, so we spent all this time making improvements to the texture and actual manufacturing." He explained quickly, loosening one of the purple lollipops.

Wei Ying was just about to pop it into his mouth for a taste when it was snatched out of his hands by an eager brother.

"What's this?" Jiang Cheng studied it before sticking it in his mouth.

"It's a commission! Zago needs them, I have great cooking skills, what could go wrong, right?" Wei Ying beamed at him. "What does it taste like?" He asked, excitedly.

"Um...it's got a...lingering taste..." Jiang Cheng said, thinking about it. "And-"

There was a flash of purple smoke before SniZiDian shot out of the density and instead of Jiang Cheng...there was an ape.

Wei Ying was shocked...looking at him first before reaching for the discarded bottle.

"Here," he said to Lan Zhan, "doesn't that say 'grape'?"

"The g and the r are missing." Lan Zhan told him, mildly.

They both turned to stare as the ape began screeching in an alarming manner.

Wei Ying stood up as it advanced.

"Honestly, Jiang Cheng, you have nothing to worry about! Honestly,  there's no difference!" He yelled, running away as fast as his legs could carry him.

Jiang Cheng...or what used to be him, flew after him in a murderous rage.

Meanwhile, the snake found her way to XiChen and both of them were gazing lovingly at each other...