Rosa: A Wangxian Reincarnation Story

A Promise From a Wife. Advice and a Meal.

Lan XiChen rose and stood over the prostrated body of his former sworn brother. His hands trembled and his voice was raw as he struggled to maintain himself.

"Limit yourself to your room, your bath and this room for your meals. I wish to see as little of you as possible. Grant me that grace, at least. If you are caught elsewhere, your body will end up on Xue Yang's doorstep." He turned to the others. "I will be in meditation for an hour. We will gather to plan our action to bring Mingjue to safety when I return."He left quietly and the strain used to keep his posture Lan-erect and shoulders from slumping was obvious. to all

One by one, the others left Meng Yao crumpled on the floor and his silent weeping became more audible in the solitude. The emotions that emanated from Lan XiChen, who had done nothing in the long ago past but take him under his wing, protect him and show him kindness, had ripped his heart open.

"It is hard to watch, isn't it?"

General Ming rose from the shadows and walked towards him. Her raptor eyes glittered with angry tears. "You cannot imagine what it was like back then, you directing it all from behind the scenes at Koi Tower. Do you know the extent of damage  you started when you ordered your dog, Xue Yang , to kidnap him the first time? You brought him to Xue's attention and began that obsession. The one that led to his destruction at his hands."

"I never wanted that. "

"Of course not. But your actions placed my husband in danger. Do you know what condition he was in after three days at that monster's mercy?"

"Don't. Please."

"Why not? We lived it. You cannot bear to hear it? He raped him repeatedly, endlessly. He was close to submitting his soul to him until he was finally able to sever his meridians. Do you know what kind of desperation made him do such a thing? Can you imagine it? He shut us all out. It took months to get him back to a shadow of his old self. He still carries the scars. within. I nearly lost him. "

She looked down at the man on the floor and whispered lightly above him. "He will not kill you if you prove false. I will never allow him to shoulder that. I will do it and feel nothing but happiness. Do not betray him again, Meng Yao. A thousand cuts from my blade is beyond  temptation  to me. It will become reality!"

**********

This day was worse than any day he had spent in hell. The scorn, the words of pain and recrimination tore at Meng Yao's soul. And he could only accept it as they finally received release when they spat them out. Every word ,true and accurate, pierced him. That was what these first lifetimes after punishment ended ,had been arranged for, the chance for his former victims to have their say, to make their feelings known. He was scalded by shame , sorrow and regret. No amount of penance would be enough to cleanse him.  He vomited the lunch he had eaten, and crouched in a corner, of his room refusing to use the bed he had been given, rhythmically knocking the wall with the back of his head. He did not want to sleep. Sleep temporarily brought peace and he could not imagine one minute not spent on repentance. Hours passed and he refused dinner, staying in his room. He could hear muffled conversation as the others began planning. and as shadows grew longer, he heard each person retire until the living room had cleared. And he sat. His head was hurting yet still he would slam it back as he recalled each denunciation and absorbed it without complaint. He was startled by a muffled curse in the bedroom next door. He heard footsteps and his door flew open. Standing there in a shorts and a Cartman tee shirt was Nie Huaisang, hands on his slim hips, glaring at him. He flipped the light-switch on.

"You moron. I had a very rough day today and that goddamn banging of yours has gotten on my last nerve. Knock it the fuck off. You have never had any common sense and that shit is not going to help you get any, you Drama Queen."

Meng Yao blinked owlishly under the merciless light of the overhead fixture. 

"Jesus, you are a mess." Huaisang sighed in disgust. "Is that puke on your shirt?" 

He strode to the dresser and grabbed a tee shirt  and jeans. "Go shower and dress. Brush your teeth, they are completely nasty, Meng Yao! Meet me in the living room." Then Huaisang slammed the door.

Meng Yao obeyed, turning the water to hot and feeling the needles beat against his skin. When he could not take it anymore, he brushed his teeth, then dressed When he opened the door, the aroma of bacon, eggs and toast smacked him in the face and he actually heard his stomach rumble.

Huaisang was silent as he cooked. He plated the meal and slapped it down in front of the man.

"Eat."

Meng Yao took a forkful  and quickly chewed and swallowed. "It's good. When did you learn to cook? "

"My first reincarnation. Oh, I did my own stint in hell too, you know.  I had done a tremndous amount of damage to Lan Zhan and Wei Ying myself, trying to expose you.  As soon as my lifetimes allowed  again,I began working  behind the scenes to make sure they had some semblance of security, I started with menial jobs, cook, gardener, butler.  Then security jobs. Then slowly gained business acumen , developing trusts to sustain their fortunes from lifetime after lifetime. They finally got tired of me,  guess. Promoted me from employee to sworn brother recently." Huaisang laughed contentedly. 

Meng Yao ate the rest of the food as Huaisang continued. It reminded him of the bond they had once shared and he wanted this conversation to go on for a little while. He found a small bit of solace, listening to Huaisang's voice again. Huaisang saw him watching him in astonishment.

"What? I was always fond of Wei Ying. I grew to appreciate and love Lan Zhan as well. And they began to trust me again. But my damage, as bad as it had been is small compared to yours. You got a long way to go, dude, and quite a few more people to convince than I did. Including me."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because people do better when there is a glimmer of hope. And I want my older brother with me. I have missed him dreadfully. We often did not see eye to eye, but I never doubted his love. I want that back and you can provide me with that. 

Look, I am telling you not to give up. These are good people. They are intensely angry with you. You took them by surprise today and you cannot expect them to make a decision like this without careful consideration. Be filial to them and they may respond eventually. If not, your life is not worth two cents. They learned hard lessons at your hands ,and you owe them."

"Truly, Huaisang, I am sincere." 

"Then prove it. Are you full?"

MengYao nodded and wiped his lips on a paper napkin.

"Then get the hell out of my sight. There are pajamas in the top drawer. Hit the sack and don't crawl into that corner again. One more head bang and I am coming over and stomping the crap out of you. Got it? Now go before I am tempted to do it anyway." 

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