Author's POV
Gentle sounds as the sun sets to cast long shadows upon the ground, the warmth given by the slanting rays of the setting sun gilding the sky in colors of orange, pink, and gold with cool air, light breeze blows. The sky seemed to have been set aflame with the fire of setting sun, and something seemed to be happening that was almost otherworldly. It was something to relish, a moment of peace that would very long after the day had faded into night be present within one's heart. When the last streaks of daylight had slipped off, city lights flared to brighten the night sky, casting a twinkling glow to match the stars above. Four men walked in the direction of this urban light source, their footsteps soft against the cool pavement.
"Senior Wei, do you think that this has something to do with the ghosts?" asked Lan Jingyi curiously, his voice full of both interest and fear as he walked ahead, the fading light casting playful shadows on his face.
"Why do you ask?" Wei Wuxian asked.
"Seriously, do you really think there are things like ghosts exist?" Lan Jingyi pushed on, his heart racing at the mere mention of the supernatural. He felt an electric shiver run down his spine as he wished silently to the 33 Gods that he wouldn't encounter any ghosts, and he was scared enough that even the thought of it would give him a chance to pass out cold.
"Yes, they do!" Wei Wuxian responded back, his eyes cast at his husband leading quietly ahead of them with features as unyielding as ice.
"Mn!" Lan Zhan nodded curtly, nothing in his tone changed, but his mere presence was reassuring enough for the whole group.
"Baba is always right, so ghosts do exist," said Lan Sizhui, grinning at his mother while throwing a glance at Jingyi, who felt a shiver run down his spine at the undertone of his friend's words.
"Aww, my little radish, you're getting way too similar to your a-die," Wei Wuxian laughed dramatically, his voice echoing with warmth and affection, causing his son to flush a deep shade of crimson.
Lan Zhan couldn't help but smile fondly at his family, his heart swelling with pride, while Jingyi continued to pray for his safety, half-expecting an eerie apparition to appear at any moment.
· · ────── ꒰ঌ·✦·໒꒱ ────── · ·
"Gege, Let's go!" said Hua Cheng with excitement in his voice as they had to head towards Nightless City, as the sun dipped below the horizon and stars began to sparkle above. He transformed into his San Lang form.
"San Lang, there are also some others coming!" Xie Lian broke in, an awkward smile on his lips as he sensed the approaching arrival of their friends.
"Who?" Hua Cheng asked, his curiosity mounted as he hastened his pace.
"Here's brother-in-law!" Shi Qingxuan declared with cheerful applause, and she appeared from nowhere in her female form, so vibrant and full of life.
"You're here?" Hua Cheng glanced at his 'sister-in-law' with a mix of annoyance and resigned acceptance crossing his features.
"How could you plan a trip without us?" Shi Qingxuan asked, her big pout making it impossible for anyone to resist her charm.
"Us? Is there someone else?" Hua Cheng snorted, his irritation bubbling just beneath the surface.
"Well, I am also here!" echoed both Mu Qing and Feng Xin in perfect unison, their comical air lightening the mood.
"San Lang, they came to see us. I spoke of the incident, and now they want to come with us," Xie Lian hastened to say, trying to clear a way for the still seething husband to fend off any more questions.
"Can't I?" Shi Qingxuan asked with a face as miserable as the soil of the land on a cold winter's night.
"Why not, of course, IN-LAWS," Hua Cheng sulked inside his brain, thinking about his ruined plans for a romantic honeymoon.
"Alright, then, let's goooo!" Shi Qingxuan shrieked out with energetic words as all of them disappeared into the air and suddenly materialized at the entrance of Nightless City.
As a center for residence by the Qishan Wen sect, up to a certain point, Nightless City served as a bustle hub of activity. Such a name resulted from beliefs, indeed, that there was no nightfall within its borders-a place that made the sun linger longer than it would anywhere else. Sometimes it was called the Capital of Immortals, a title hinted at by its rich history and the impressive legends surrounding it.
Hualian was quickly ensnared by the energetic ambiance of the place as she gazed widely at her surroundings while Mu Qing and Feng Xin continued their banter that reaches the ears. Shi Qingxuan was delighting herself with this moment; her heart was light with cheer since it had been too long for her to visit someplace new.
"Let's try this!" Shi Qingxuan suddenly blurted out, shooting off into the street food stalls that line the bustling streets, her infectious excitement making both pairs of males eagerly follow her.
"That one and that one too!" she giggled as she made them taste everything of this lively market.
"Mmm, the food here is so good," she announced between mouthfuls of cífàntuán (thick rice balls), as the flavors danced upon her palate.
"No need to be excited, sister-in-law, no one is going to steal it," Hua Cheng said jokingly, without being able to suppress his amusement at her antics.
"It's also delicious! Try this." Xie Lian said, holding a stick of tánghúlú (candied fruit on sticks) towards the others as he beamed with a wide grin.
"That's it for the day! Let's take a rest now!" Shi Qingxuan exclaimed, stretching her arms up high in the air as a yawn escaped from her lips.
"But we haven't done anything!" Mu Qing protested to make the most of their trip.
"It's already almost nighttime, let's take a rest, okay?" Shi Qingxuan exclaimed the same way she would if she was dramatically exhausted with everything that's been happening around her.
"We should probably take a day off today." Feng Xin chimed in in agreement with a little melodramatic flair, echoing the sentiment of a damsel in distress.
It took them a good twenty minutes of searching, but they did finally find a guesthouse that looked as though it was exactly what they were looking for. It was a really quaint sort of place, the restaurant kind of merging with the atmosphere of the guest-house; the first floor was full of the hum of diners, the upper floors promised quiet solitude to the weary traveler.
"We need four rooms!" Hua Cheng speak to the man standing behind the reception.
"Young master, it seems like you are new here," the man replied with a nod of politeness, accompanied by handing over the keys to their rooms.
"Yes, we are here on a trip!" Shi Qingxuan chimed in from behind Hua Cheng, her voice light and cheerful.
"Oh! You can rest; we will send you dinner in your rooms if you wish?" the man asked with a smooth, open smile.
"Yes, just send it!" Hua Cheng said, leading his Gege up the stairs to settle down with him for some much-needed alone time together, escaping the noisy lobby with his in-laws.
"Well, mine too!" Feng Xin declared, hot on his boots as he trailed after them to join the others.
"No way! Let's have dinner here!" Shi Qingxuan insisted, pulling Mu Qing along playfully, as her enthusiasm ran amok to the dining place, dreaming of the sumptuous feasts in store for them.
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𝐇𝐮𝐚 𝐘𝐢𝐧𝐠 | 𝐘𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 ✔
Fanfiction: In the process of rewriting : "Lan Zhan, look how beautiful! Aren't they?" Wei Wuxian pointed towards the silver butterflies flying gracefully around him, their wings beating gently in the night like tiny pieces of a starry sky. "Mn!" replied Lan...
