Reincarnated To Love You (ON-GOING)

Shadows in the Festive Glow

The days at Zhèngzhí University passed with an unspoken tension hanging in the air. Wangji's heart felt heavier with each passing moment of not talking to Wuxian. It's been two weeks since they last spoke, the last night was where he had great regrets.

''Lan Zhan?"
Wuxian called out as Wangji did not utter a word. He asked Wangji if he can stay the night, but he did not receive a response.

"I'm sorry, Lan Zhan. It seems like I've been stepping a lot of boundaries today. I'll just go and knock on our door until Cheng will be so freaking tired of me leaving him with no choice but to let me in. Thank you for the dinner."

''But---"

"It's okay, you don't have to feel bad for not letting me stay. It's understandable, since I am just  a stranger to you. You shouldn't trust me that easily."

"You're not... I---"

Wuxian picked up his belongings and bowed slowly.

"Thanks for the meal. See you at school."

Wuxian said and left. Wangji left a deep sigh and bit his lower lips in disappointment that it was tinted red with blood.

"How could you be so foolish, Wangji? Why can't you trust yourself more? Why are you still expecting that he will remember you when you're the only one who were under that curse of retaining all the memories of your lifetimes. Wei Ying is here already, why did you miss your chance?"

Wangji cannot help but curse himself even more for being a coward, for making things too complicated for him and for Wuxian.

"I'll make things straight this time.''
He promised himself.

~~~

The University's Foundation Week was in full swing, the campus alive with energy, laughter, and the vibrant hues of celebration. However, amidst the lively chaos, Lan Wangji found himself wandering through the crowd, searching for a familiar face—Wei Wuxian.

As he navigated through the bustling university ground, the festive atmosphere couldn't dispel the subtle worry that creased Wangji's brow. The lack of communication with Wuxian heightened his concern, prompting him to seek information from someone who might know his whereabouts.

Lan Wangji approached one of his classmates, Nie Huaisang, who was sitting on a bench, engrossed in his phone.

"Mr. Huaisang."

Huaisang looked up, a lazy smile on his face.

"Hanguang Jun! What brings you here during the festivities?"

He asked, not believing his eyes that this somber-faced classmate of his talked to him first.

Wangji hesitated before asking, "Have you seen Wei Wuxian? I've been looking for him everywhere."

Huaisang pondered for a moment before a mischievous grin spread across his face.

He glanced around before lowering his voice, "Ah, Wei? He's over there, enjoying the attention."

Following Huaisang's gaze, Wangji's eyes narrowed as he saw Wuxian at the center of a group of girls, laughter and chatter surrounding him. His heart sank at the sight, a mix of emotions swirling within.

"Thanks," Wangji muttered, his gaze fixed on the scene before him.

"You're welcome! You know, you can always talk to me and be friends with me---hey!"

Huaisang called out but Wangji did not even look back at him.

As Wangji approached the direction Huaisang pointed to, the sound of laughter grew louder.

Wuxian, surrounded by a circle of animated girls, was charming them with his infectious energy. Wangji hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar pang of jealousy and disappointment.

"Oh, Lan Zhan! Join us here!" Wuxian finally noticed him and waved him over, the girls giggling in response, adding to Wangji's unease.

Wangji nodded, his usual composed demeanor hiding the subtle quiet within. The girls seemed surprised at seeing the famous Lan Wangji in their booth, but the latter doesn't even give them a wink.

"Wei Ying, we need to talk."
He said after a while of restraining himself.

Wuxian felt his hesitation, so he turned to the girls.

"If you'll excuse us for a moment, I need to do some important matters."

"Go ahead, my boy. We'll wait for you here, kay? You too, Mr. Hanguang Jun."
Winked one of the girls.

My boy??? How could she?

Irritation is plastered at Wangji's face. Wuxian held his hand and walked their way out.

As they stepped aside from the lively group, Wangji couldn't shake the feeling of being overshadowed. "We haven't been in touch, and I was worried," he confessed, his gaze fixed on the ground.

"I mean, you were not able to practice the instruments and I feel responsible for you because you were entrusted to me."
He added.

Wuxian's expression softened, "Lan Zhan, I'm sorry. I got caught up in the festivities, and even the exam last week. I should have informed you."

Wangji nodded, accepting the explanation. However, a subtle tension lingered in the air, leaving him to grapple with the unexpected emotions stirred by the scene he had witnessed.

"Those are my classmates. I'm supposed to be grouped with the other boys, but I'm too lazy to go with them so these girls pulled me here and asked me for an easy task. My task is to just buy all the things needed for their booth and if there are customers who want to take a picture with me, then I'm available."

Wuxian explained himself when Wangji didn't reply.

''You don't have to explain, it's normal that you should help your classmates since this is a collaborative effort of the students."
Wangji said coldly.

"Ehh? I know. I just want you to know what I have been doing, that's it. I want you to know that I'm not just goofing around doing nothing. I am being useful too."

Wuxian winked and showed a big smile. Wangji's lips also stretched into a smile, easing his feelings.

"Wow! That's it, Lan Zhan! You should always smile like that often! That suits you best. You looked handsome!"

Exclaimed Wuxian. Wangji cannot help but feel the intensity rising up to his cheeks so he cleared his throat.

"Anyway, since you're already here, join me in buying this stuff. Since I'm not really familiar with this place, you might as well take me on a tour. Is that alright?"

Wangji nodded, finally letting go of the shadows of regrets last night that's been haunting him.

~~~~

Hello there! 🫶 Thank you for supporting my work. I'm so excited to finally work on this after how many weeks (or months) of hiatus 🥺 Please vote and comment, I would like to hear your thoughts. ❤️

Lovelots,

Yana