WangXian Forever Book 8

Chapter 116 Lips

Wei Ying stared apologetically at Lan Zhan.

"Um...I'm really so-"

But this time, it was Lan Zhan who put his fingers against Wei Ying’s mouth.

"No apologies. We agreed. What must Wei Ying say instead?"

"I love you."

Lan Zhan captured his sweet lips once more, knowing that there wasn't anything better than this, being able to kiss his husband as much as he liked. It was a powerful feeling, being married to this wonderful man.

He made Lan Zhan’s heart soar with pride, breaking God knew how many rules if Lan Zhan allowed himself to dwell on that. But it wasn’t just pride: there was so much love here, he felt like a hippopotamus wallowing in muddy water. It was a lovely feeling, kissing Wei Ying like this...a drugging sense of bliss that instinctively made him want to change forms and fly to the heavens.

Wei Ying was in a dreamy state, floating in ecstasy. Kissing Lan Zhan was a privilege,  one he wasn't sure why he had tried to resist..and then it seemed like there was more of Lan Zhan’s lips to kiss.

Definitely his bottom lip seemed fuller and Wei Ying bit down on it, experimentally seeking a reaction.

Lan Zhan threw him down, growling with impatient need, and they both watched in wonder as his fingers changed into talons to rip Wei Ying’s robes straight down the middle, and then changing back immediately.

Lan Zhan was too engrossed in showing Wei Ying how much he was loved to pay any more attention to that tiny change, but Wei Ying was making notes in his head.

Not for very long either because Lan Zhan made him forget everything.

Afterwards, an apologetic Lan Zhan found new robes for a satisfied puddle of a husband later.

***********

When they finally made their way out of the Jingshi, with Lan Zhan making Wei Ying count out every one of the twenty-five kisses again, for the bite, they parted on one more.

"That makes twenty-six." Wei Ying pointed out, his finger tracing his own lips.

He looked closely at Lan Zhan’s face and noticed that his bottom lip was fuller still...and maybe, hopefully no one would notice. He wanted to bite it again, because it was an aphrodisiac all by itself...but they really had places to be, separately. Wei Ying secretly hoped that the effects of his talisman lasted until that night.

"Husbands should not be stingy. Especially with kisses!" Lan Zhan told him.

"Is that a rule?" Wei Ying teased, giggling.

"Good idea." Lan Zhan withdrew Bichen and strode towards the wall of discipline.

Wei Ying knew there was no point in trying to stop him when he had made his mind up already.

Plus, it was a good rule. And besides, at least they'd find out if anyone actually read that wall in the first place.

He sauntered off whistling Lan Zhan’s tune merrily, towards the stables.

Zhitiao loved the horses and they loved her back. She had single-handedly increased their pack numbers due to her careful diligence in breeding, something that no one had expected.

Sure enough, Zhitiao was mucking out a stall when he entered. Wei Ying grabbed a broom and began helping her out. She smiled at him in greeting and they continued to work in silence.

Soon, the entire stables were clean with freshly scattered straw in all the stalls, new feed replacing the old and water refilled in containers.

"Thank you Shidi." Zhitiao said, when they took a break.

They were seated on a bale of hay, with Wei Ying wiping his face with one of Lan Zhan’s white handkerchiefs.

"So...I'm guessing, since you never come here, that you want something from me." She grinned at him.

"What? I come here all the time to visit Lil Apple." He defended.

"He's getting old." Zhitiao remarked.

"Crankier." Wei Ying laughed as Lil Apple brayed a protest at him. "It's your fault, Lil Apple. I'm not allowed to let you roam free because you go straight to the bunnies and chase them. Lan Zhan doesn't like that."

There was an affronted noise from Lil Apple's stall.

"He breaks free, you know. He's very clever and resourceful like that. Like his master." She added.

Wei Ying beamed back her, accepting the compliment for what it was.

He stared at Zhitiao, noting the confidence in her pose, the way she had always been unafraid. But now there was something else adding to her warrior side, a calmness that hadn't been there before.

Living at Cloud Recesses was good for her. And she was obviously enjoying it.

"You're right. I do want something." Wei Ying confessed, rubbing the back of his neck.

He was in a spectacularly great mood and he was pretty sure Lan Zhan had a lot to do with it.

"Plus you owe me for helping you out with the sweeping." He grinned at her.

"I never asked you to help." She retorted, grinning back. She had missed him, she realised, and this...this carefree banter. It was fun.

"That is a minor point. I did the work, and now you owe me. Simple."

"There were at least ten things wrong with the way you did all of that...but okay, I'll bite. What do you want?"

Wei Ying was about to answer when JingYi came in. His smile increased in wattage as soon as he saw Wei Ying.

"Father!" And launched himself at the older man.

Wei Ying hugged him back tighter, laughing to himself.

JingYi was someone who hid how he truly felt through jokes and laughing, but because Wei Ying had used the same disguise himself, he knew that this kid had missed being loved.

"I'm glad you're here." Wei Ying told him sincerely. "I wanted to talk to you about your wedding."

"What about it?" JingYi got off him, but instead of sitting next to Zhitiao, he squeezed in next to Wei Ying.

"It's a special day...and besides, I'm great at organising! Will you let me do it for you?" Wei Ying aimed for not looking as eager as he felt inside.

JingYi shrugged and looked at his fiance. She shrugged back and then they both nodded.

"That's great!" Wei Ying crowed, getting up.

"Wait! Where are you going?" JingYi asked him, realising that he was about to disappear.

"I'm going to grab my husband and then we're going to go and spend his money, a lot of it!" Wei Ying laughed out loud, overjoyed at being able to finally let it out.

He teleported right into Lan Zhan’s lap, kissing him enthusiastically before hearing the surprised gasps from the unsuspecting attendees...