The White Phoenix

Chapter 26 - Evaluation

Lan Wangji and Wei Ying were in a more secluded place in the library today. Wangji was having Wei Ying take an exam to see what he knows so far. As he was taking him in as a student of his own, he wanted to know just exactly where he was education wise. Not that he did not trust that his uncle would not have done a good job, but Wei Ying had a tendency to slack off or not pay attention at times because he gets too bored of long lectures. Though it seems as if Wei Ying did not know much, he actually did quite well. The exam was more of an evaluation than anything. To see that Wei Ying was actually doing well was good, in fact, he was a bit more ahead of the other disciples of his age.

As Wei Ying had just finished up, he felt a chill crawling up the back of his neck. He turned around to look out the window, only to see a large bird flying overhead. The bird was emitting dark energy, and it screeched loudly as it flew.

"A'Zhan, that bird looks scary," Wei Ying pointed. Lan Wangji stood up to check only to see it was a dire owl from the Wen Clan. Wangji was furious that the Wen Clan was spying on the Lan Clan.

"Stay here, I will be right back," Wangji demanded.

"Don't leave me alone! I am afraid," Wei Ying said.

"It will be alright, you are safe in this room. I am only going to go take care of that scary bird. I will not let anything happen to you, I promise," Wangji told him.

"Okay, please come back soon," Wei Ying said.

"You have my word," Wangji then stepped out of the library. Lan Qiren and Lan Xichen were there almost immediately, "Wei Ying is frightened of the owl. We need to get rid of it."

"You two take care of it, I will sit with him," Lan Qiren said.

"He is taking an exam, just make sure he is trying to stay focused and that I will be back as soon as I can," Wangji told him.

Lan Qiren nodded and went inside the library. He went to the secluded room that Wei Ying was in and saw that he was doing his written exam. Lan Qiren was impressed, despite him being afraid, he was trying his bed to focus and continue his test.

"Grandmaster Lan," Wei Ying greeted.

"Hello, Wei Ying, I will be here until Wangji comes back, he should not be long," Lan Qiren said.

"Okay," Wei Ying said.

"I also want to apologize to you for my negligence about the student who was bullying you. They have been dealt with accordingly," Lan Qiren said.

"It is okay," Wei Ying said, "I also did bad. I should have tried to get someone instead of acting out of impulse. So I am sorry."

"You were defending yourself," Lan Qiren stated, "but I am glad you are willing to try to make an effort. Now, continue with your test."

"I am almost done," Wei Ying said.

"What is Wangji testing you on anyway?" Lan Qiren asked.

"He said he wanted to evaluate how much I know from your lectures so he knows where to start his teachings for me," Wei Ying answered.

Lan Qiren gave him a nod and allowed him to get back to his exam. As he sat there he glanced over at Wei Ying's exam to see how he was doing. Everything he has written so far, was correct. Even though Wei Ying seemed to not have paid much attention in Lan Qiren's lectures, the results of his exam prove otherwise. Lan Qiren began to wonder if Wei Ying just had a hard time sitting still for long periods of time.

Lan Qiren questioned why he was so harsh on the boy not long ago in the first place. He was no longer that teenager that was raised in Yunmeng. He was reborn and growing up here in Gusu, under the care of both of his nephews. Lan Wangji in particular. Lan Wangji was smart and prominent. If anyone was able to make a well balanced disciple of discipline and love and care, it would be Lan Wangji. It hardly ever seemed as such because Wangji always has this cold exterior, but on the inside, Lan Wangji was a very kind person. He was responsible and is now old enough to make his own decisions.

Lan Qiren was actually quite proud of how much care Wangji had already given Wei Ying. Wei Ying was to grow up and become a god again someday. Wangji was his soulmate and because of that, Wangji will one day become a god as well. With that said, Wangji and Wei Ying will make an alliance like no other. Connecting the cultivation world and the celestial world. It just goes to show just how far the Gusu Lan Sect has come.

Lan Qiren was soon taken out of his train of thought when Lan Wangji returned. Lan Qiren stood and went over to him, "You are doing a fine job raising him," Lan Qiren told Wangji.

"Thank you, Uncle," Wangji said bowing his head.

"Keep up the good work," Lan Qiren said, giving Wangji small smile before leaving him and Wei Ying. Lan Wangji was quite taken by surprise when he saw his uncle smile. It was a rare sight to see. Lan Wangji began to wonder just what happened while he was gone.

"A'Ying, what happened while you were with Grandmaster Lan?" Wangji asked.

"He just asked me what I was doing," Wei Ying answered, "I saw him glancing over at my exam...which I am done with now."

Lan Wangji nodded as Wei Ying handed it to him, "that was all?" Wangji asked.

"Mnn," Wei Ying replied with a nod, "did you take care of that scary bird?"

"I did, it will not come back," Wangji replied, "are you still feeling scared?"

"I don't feel afraid when you are around," Wei Ying answered, "when I am all by myself, I feel afraid. I am afraid that I will never see anyone again if I am left alone...I don't like that feeling. I do not like being left alone."

Lan Wangji knelt down in front of Wei Ying, "I will always be there for you. You never have to worry about being alone. I will not let you be alone. Especially if you are afraid of being alone. I love you, A'Ying, and I promise you, I will never leave you alone."

Wei Ying wrapped his arms around Wangji's neck and pulled him into a hug, "I love A'Zhan too."

Lan Wangji wrapped his arms firmly around Wei Ying. He did not know that Wei Ying had such a fear, but he was determined to make sure that he never had to deal with that fear.