innocent lotus flower

Let go on a date

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The month had slipped away in a gentle, almost imperceptible rhythm. True to the promise Lan Wangji had made before leaving, the moment his urgent work was complete, he wasted no time booking a flight back to the city where Wei Ying lived. He arrived at his newly acquired apartment, a place that still smelled faintly of fresh paint and new beginnings. Taking a moment to freshen up, he smoothed his clothes and looked at his reflection, the eager anticipation evident in the steady calm of his eyes. Every step he took now was fueled by the hope of reuniting—not just with Wei Ying, but with the fragile possibility of rebuilding the bond they once shared.

Lan Wangji’s keys jingled softly in his pocket as he left his apartment, a hopeful smile tugging at his lips. He walked with quiet purpose toward the neighborhood that had become familiar and precious to him—not only because Wei Ying lived there but because it held the echoes of their complicated past and the promise of their future.

His destination was Wei Ying’s café—the place where fate had brought them back together, where so many memories lingered in the scent of coffee and the worn wooden tables. As he approached, a mixture of nervousness and excitement fluttered in his chest. Would Wei Ying welcome him after everything? Would the space between them, once filled with hurt and misunderstanding, begin to close?

With a soft push, Lan Wangji opened the café door. A gentle chime echoed, and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee wrapped around him like a familiar embrace. His gaze swept the room, instinctively searching for the person who had never left his mind.

And there he was—Wei Ying—seated behind the counter, absorbed in some paperwork. The late afternoon light filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow on his focused expression. When Wei Ying finally looked up and met Lan Wangji’s eyes, surprise flickered across his face, quickly replaced by relief, joy, and the faintest trace of nervousness.

Lan Wangji allowed himself a small smile, a quiet testament to the deep emotion stirring inside. Wei Ying still held the same captivating presence that had drawn him in from the very beginning. Step by step, Lan Wangji approached the counter, their eyes locked in a gaze that seemed to freeze time. The room felt charged, as if every breath between them carried the weight of unspoken words and emotions long buried.

“Hey,” Lan Wangji said softly, his voice warm and steady, carrying with it the sincerity and hope that had grown over the past month.

Wei Ying returned the greeting, a small, genuine smile touching his lips. For a moment, the noisy world outside ceased to exist. The months of reflection and longing lingered in the silence between them, fragile but filled with possibility.

Just as they began to settle into this delicate reunion, a sudden burst of energy interrupted the moment. Yuan—small, vibrant, and endlessly curious—rounded the counter with unsteady steps. His eyes lit up the instant he saw Lan Wangji.

“Wangji! Wangji!” Yuan babbled excitedly, crawling as fast as his little limbs could carry him. His face beamed with joy, his tiny hands reaching out eagerly.

Lan Wangji’s heart melted. He knelt down and scooped Yuan into his arms, lifting him gently to meet his gaze. The child’s eyes widened with fascination as he studied the face he had only known through glowing screens and distant voices. Without hesitation, Yuan’s small hands pressed against Lan Wangji’s cheeks in a delighted “pah,” his curious touch confirming the reality of this reunion.

Wei Ying laughed softly, watching the tender scene unfold. It was the second time Yuan had shown such innocent curiosity, and the warmth it brought to the room was undeniable.

Yuan, undeterred, continued his exploration. The tactile sensation of touching Lan Wangji—of feeling the warmth and presence of the man he had only glimpsed through digital windows—filled him with delight. Not only could he reach out to Lan Wangji, but Lan Wangji could also lift and hold him. The joy made Yuan giggle, and he happily resumed his playful slaps on Lan Wangji’s face, as if to prove again and again that this moment was real.

Taking a brief pause, Yuan glanced toward Wei Ying, his eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint—as if considering whether to extend his playful experiment to his other parent. Yet the distance was too great, so instead, he turned to himself, patting his own cheeks gently in mimicry before unleashing another cheerful “pah” on Lan Wangji’s face.

Lan Wangji looked at Yuan with a tenderness that was almost reverent, savoring the precious interaction. In this small child’s innocent play was the unspoken promise of a family slowly mending itself.

Wei Ying, moved by the scene, quietly pulled out his phone and captured the moment. The way Lan Wangji’s eyes softened when looking at Yuan was a silent testament to their growing bond—not just as co-parents, but as partners in a shared life still waiting to be rebuilt.

When Yuan finally finished his explorations and toddled off to chase after a colorful toy, Lan Wangji took a step closer to Wei Ying. The playful energy had given way to a more serious undercurrent—a yearning for connection beyond the innocent laughter.

“So,” Lan Wangji began, breaking the silence, “how have you been?”

Wei Ying looked up, meeting his gaze. “I’ve been good. And you?”

“Me too,” Lan Wangji replied. And then a gentle pause fell between them, filled with all the things neither dared say outright—the regrets, the hopes, the quiet longing.

Summoning his courage, Lan Wangji took a deep breath. “Would you… want to go on a date with me this Friday? You can pick the place, or anything you want to do.”

Wei Ying’s lips curved into a genuine, hopeful smile. “I’ll go on a date with you. Since I get to choose, I’ll think about it and let you know.”

Lan Wangji exhaled softly, a weight lifting from his chest. This simple agreement felt like a bridge, a stepping stone toward healing and perhaps something new.

Before they could say more, a small tug at Lan Wangji’s trouser leg drew his attention. Looking down, he found Yuan holding out a brightly colored block, eyes wide with expectation.

“Pway,” Yuan said simply.

Lan Wangji smiled and lifted him up effortlessly, the boy’s delighted giggles filling the room. In that moment—their laughter mingling, the gentle hum of the café, the hopeful promise hanging in the air—Lan Wangji quietly spoke, his voice low but sincere.

“Thank you, Wei Ying… for giving me this chance. I promise I will do my best not to let you down.”

And with that, after a brief moment spent playing with their son, Lan Wangji reluctantly said goodbye, stepping out into the evening with a heart fuller than it had been in a long time.

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