Lean on Me

Ch. 20

Wangji and Xiao Ying were back to their normal routine when they returned to Cloud Recesses. They focused on Xiao Ying's education, his archery, his sword skills, and music. Xiao Ying, although loves learning the Guqin, found that he liked using his flute more. Wangji did not mind and he felt it was a good opportunity for Xichen and Xiao Ying to bond as brothers as Xiao Ying would marry Wangji in the future.

At the moment, Wangji was out teaching a class while Xiao Ying was in the Hanshi with Xichen learning more about his flute. Xiao Ying's flute was made of black bamboo and was a gift from Xichen. He named the flute Chenqing. Xiao Ying said he didn't know how he thought of the name but he liked it.

"Alright, the flute is a wind instrument and it is important to remember your breathing and breaths," Xichen explained. Xiao Ying knew this but nodded as he understood and continued to listen, "your breathing, tongue, and fingers come into account when playing. It helps with accenting notes, and changing keys."

"If it is okay, can I ask you a question?" Xiao Ying asked.

"Of course? I know this basic information is something you already know, it's just a basic review," Xichen said.

"I know," Xiao Ying said, "so the Lan sect is known for their music techniques. How do you make it so that the music does as you want it to?"

"As cultivators, we use our spiritual energy and mix it with our spiritual tools. It then can work as a weapon," Xichen explained.

"And I can do this?" Xiao Ying asked.

"Yes, different songs have different effects depending on what you play. Some can be helpful with healing and some can be helpful with defensive techniques, and some can be useful in battles and fights," Xichen relied.

"Isn't your sect against killing?" Xiao Ying asked.

"Yes, but there are circumstances where we ignore that rule is it means that we remove someone evil from the world. It will be harmful if we leave a bad person alive, wouldn't it?" Xichen asked.

"I suppose so," Xiao Ying said, "did Zhan-Ge tell you I was uncomfortable with Wen Ruohan and Jin Guangshan?"

"He did, and you do not have to worry. If you aren't with him you are beside me. No one will harm you," Xichen told him.

Xiao Ying nodded, "there was another person there that I didn't want to be around...I didn't say anything because I was scared...especially since I saw he had one of my father's tails hanging from his robes," Xiao Ying said. Tears were slowly trying to escape from his eyes.

"You do not have to be scared," Xichen said moving beside Xiao Ying, "did you remember what he looked like or what his name was?"

"I think I heard Jin Guyao," he said, "but I don't think that's right."

"Guyao? You mean Jin Guangyao?" Xichen asked slightly shocked.

"That is it, that was his name," Xiao Ying said, "his smile is creepy and he kept eyeing me like he wanted me. I then saw the tail and felt threatened. I saw it was my father's and my heart started hurting."

Lan Xichen was so shocked. He has known Jin Guangyao for a few years. He helped out with a couple projects and was even considered a sworn brother of his. He couldn't ignore what Xiao Ying said though. Xiao Ying was never one to lie and to see how frightened he was just to talk about it scared him.

"I will look into it, okay?" Xichen said.

"When is Zhan-ge done?" Xiao Ying asked.

"Soon," Xichen replied. He knew that Xiao Ying wasn't going to cooperate with his lessons anymore today, so he let it go, "let me walk you back to the Jingshi."

Xiao Ying nodded. After being back in the Jingshi, Xiao Ying was left alone. He was so upset and hurt that he had little energy to maintain his human form, so he ended up being back in his fox form. Xiao Ying walked over to his little bed and dragged it under Wangji's bed. He then curled up into it under the bed. He missed his parents.

It had been several months since they passed but since he saw some of what happened, he was tortured a lot by nightmares of seeing his parents getting ripped apart by wolves. In his little fox form, he was under the bed and even as a little animal, he was crying.

Lan Wangji had just finished his lessons for the day when he brother came in, "Ge, I was just going to meet with you to get Xiao Ying. Where is he?"

"He is in the Jingshi," Xichen said, "he told me something that I'm still trying to understand. I believe him one hundred percent, but I am just...surprised, shocked even."

"What happened?" Wangji asked.

"He told me that he was afraid to say anything but he told me because I managed to pry it out of him. He said that he felt uncomfortable with Wen Ruohan and Jin Guangshan...he then proceeded to tell me that he felt very uncomfortable with Jin Guangyao...even said he saw his father's tail hanging off of Jin Guangyao robes...so as you can imagine, he is a bit upset...but I am a bit upset as well. I will be okay though. You should get to Xiao Ying," Xichen explained.

"I will get to him, but are you sure you're okay?" Wangji asked, "if it really is true...which Xiao Ying wouldn't just make these things up...he is your sworn brother, what are you going to do?"

"I will just stand by knowing that he might have been apart of murdering Xiao Ying's parents. I will get justice for him. It will just take time to gather more evidence," Xichen said, "you should go to him. He might need you right now," Wangji looked at him with concern, "I will be okay. I will see you in a little bit and bring dinner for you and Xiao Ying."

Wangji nodded and left. When he entered the Jingshi, he saw part of Xiao Ying's bed under his bed. Wangji sighed and went over to him. He gently pulled the little bed out and took Xiao Ying in his arms.

"I am here," Wangji said.

Sorry I am a fox again. I am so down that I do not have the energy to maintain my human appearance.

"You do not have to apologize to me," Wangji said and sat down on his bed, "I am not upset. I am here to comfort my little fox."

Xiao Ying snuggled up further into Wangji's arms and just let Wangji soothe him. It was the only thing Xiao Ying wanted at the moment, was to be in Wangji's arms.