Happiness of eternity

05) 10th year - Please consider leaving seclusion

It was yet another morning at Cloud Recesses and everything looked the same as any other day; divine and serene. There were no loud noises or fast movements to disturb the magical piece of music created by mother nature. It looked so perfect and full of energy from an outsiders view but inside...

There was something huge missing...

Something that ignited the joy inside...

The liveliness...

The warmth that welcomed everyone despite the cold environment...

The enthusiasm of life...

It was missing and Lan Xichen knew the reason why.

As he slowly made his way towards the much secluded residence of his little brother, the deep helpless sigh that left through his lips became yet another plea that would be left unanswered by the gods above.

It had already been ten whole years and yet...nothing seemed to be working. Everything around them seemed to be stuck in time, never moving forward and never changing. Their days had become dull and everything became numb as the years passed by and they weren't able to do anything.

The gods left their side right after that incident and his family...it broke apart when they lost 'him' for yet another time. If it wasn't for his wife's temper and hard work, Lan Xichen himself would've been gone a long time ago... The only reason he held himself up till today, was the little family he created with his beloved soulmate all thanks to 'him'.

Lan Xichen frowned at that reminder. He never got to thank 'him' properly for the gift he left behind for him and his wife Jiang Cheng. Then he shook his head. This wasn't a time to think of that or regret what he didn't have a chance to do. If he needed to thank 'him' properly, he needed to cherish that gift wholeheartedly and him not being there when they needed him, is no way to show his gratitude towards 'him'. And that is why he is here today...to convince his brother to end his seclusion. So he knocked at the door of Jingshi, hoping his brother would grant him a meeting.

"Come in." Lan WangJi's indifferent and cold tone rang from inside, allowing a small smile to bloom on Lan Xichen's lips.

"Wangji" Lan Xichen greeted his brother as the younger man got up from his seat to greet the elder.

"Brother"

"Mn. I hope you are doing okay?" He asked after they both settled down at the table as he took the cup of tea Lan WangJi poured for him.

"Mn" Lan WangJi replied simply as always but then after a short pause he asked, "How's uncle?"

"He... He isn't so young anymore. His health isn't as good as it used to be and this worries...it's not good for him." Xichen replied hesitantly, giving the critical information only. He didn't want to add anything to his little brother's worry. But it still worried his brother. Xichen could clearly tell that by his frown. So he reassured, "You don't need to worry about that. Lady Wen always visits him once a week. She will be able to help him."

"Mn" With that silence befell upon them and Xichen felt like crying in frustration. It had never been this hard to keep up a conversation with his brother!

Now he understands what their uncle must've felt when their father locked himself away because of their mother leaving everything behind for him to deal with all alone. Lan Xichen groaned in his mind, not knowing how to handle the situation but he had to try and he didn't dare to give up yet. This conversation had to be done and he will make sure that it does.

"Wangji..."

"Mn" Another 'mn' again!!

"Why are you doing this?" Lan WangJi raised an eyebrow at the question.

"Why are you so eager to hide yourself here? Is this what he wanted from you?" And that got him a reaction he sought to receive. Lan WangJi glared at him; fiercely. Only if a look can kill...

"I didn't mean to offend you but you have responsibilities as I have mine. I need you to leave your seclusion and step up as the sect leader. I may sound too selfish but I can no longer manage this as I used to. They need me now and I need to be there for them. Please understand, didi." There, he said it. Lan Xichen felt very much relieved after letting that all go and that cold glare of his brother's, it didn't hinder him from basking in his relief.

"I'm sorry." Then that much expected refusal came. Xichen wasn't surprised and he didn't press further. Instead he started speaking completely irrelevant things to the matter at hand.

"The last time Lady Wen paid a visit to uncle, she brought news about your children. She said that A-Yuan ascended a few days ago... and A-Yu is currently going through his trial at mount Tonglu. She said that he is doing great there. So I assume that there will be a new calamity running around here-" Lan Xichen chuckled, remembering a certain someone with a blinding smile turning their peaceful home upside down years ago... His eyes held a nostalgic fondness within them when he decided to continue.

"-She also said that A-jun's personality is exactly the same as his mother and A-Lin is just like you. But apparently, little Huahua is a bit like both of you. I'm sure they would grow up to be fine adults and you would be proud of them if you got to see them right now. What a pity though...you don't want to go out and Tiāndì wouldn't allow them to come down here either."

"Brother!" Lan WangJi called in a warning tone because he knew what his brother was aiming for and he knew that he would fall for it sooner or later if he kept going. Lan Xichen smiled innocently as if he didn't have any hidden agenda.

"What? I thought you would love to hear about them since you are secluded here..." He protested defensively but he too knew what his information does to his stubborn little brother... If he didn't know that it was effective, why would he bother with praying to those stubborn immortals and heavenly officials to get any and every piece of information related to those five young heirs? He knew WangJi would love to hear about them, the most precious gifts he received from his deceased lover...

"Brother..."

"Fine. Fine. I will stop but you have to promise me that you will end your seclusion and come out to see the world. They deserve to at least have their father... and I need you out there... Please...if not for you, then do it for them... for me... for uncle..." Xichen almost pleaded for cooperation and WangJi stared at him emotionlessly before raising an unexpected question, "How is your daughter and son?"

"My- they are doing well but they don't like being separated from me and... A-Cheng is pregnant again. I- I want to be there for them at least now... Please, didi... I-" He failed to talk any further.

Oh, how he missed his beautiful daughter and their mischievous little boy? How does he miss his hot headed wife and his warm body? He didn't want to go through this torture anymore...

"Wangji will step up. Brother need not to worry." Seeing his brother's desperation, WangJi declared firmly.

"..."

"But WangJi does not want to see anything my A-Ying couldn't see. I will come out. Take over as the sect leader but I won't allow myself to see."

"What do you mean by that, Wangji..." To Lan Xichen's question, WangJi took out a thick white silk ribbon and blindfolded himself so he wouldn't be able to see.

"Wangji..." Xichen didn't like the idea.

"Brother should get ready. Sect Leader Jiang would want you there as soon as possible. WangJi will take care of everything here from now on." Lan WangJi didn't allow any refusal. He accepted his brother's plea but he would still continue living in his colorless and lifeless world where his soulmate doesn't exist in this way. No one would be able to tell him otherwise and he wouldn't listen either.

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