WangXian Forever Book 10

Chapter 13: Parting

They leave the children's room as quietly as they can and sit at their little table. Lan Zhan brews fresh hot tea once again, thinking rightly so that Wei Ying is far too excited to sleep just yet.

Wei Ying pulls out the coin, internally marvelling at how clever and bright their daughter is. He examines the sides again, this time, paying closer attention to the edges. Then he decides he's too far away from Lan Zhan and climbs into his lap.

"This is much better," he grins briefly, kissing Lan Zhan's chin.

"Mn."

"Look, my love. Do you see the levelling on the jagged bits around the edges? Now that Li XiWang's observations have given us a clue, it's easy to spot. I think this coin might have another half, and I'm going to speculate further by saying that I think the Emperor has it." Wei Ying tucks the coin away and rests his forearms on Lan Zhan's shoulders. "I would love to know its significance, though."

Lan Zhan nods, mesmerised by the beauty in his lap. This will never get old for him, having Wei Ying here, up close and personal. To look into his mercurial eyes and feel himself falling into their gorgeous depths, to know without a single doubt that this lovely man is just as much in love with him in return, it's really the best miracle.

Wei Ying is captivated by the strength of emotions he can see, golden flashes of fire swirling deep within amber depths. Lan Zhan is just so good, so nice, and the best person Wei Ying knows.

"Let's play a game," Lan Zhan says.

Right out of the blue, and as unexpected as a snow shower in the middle of summer.

"Huh?"

"A drinking game," Lan Zhan clarifies, smirking when Wei Ying's eyes light up in anticipation.

"A drinking game?" Wei Ying echoes, not exactly sure what has come over Lan Zhan tonight.

"With tea," Lan Zhan emphasises quickly.

"Oh." Wei Ying visibly deflates. "How do we play?"

"We each say something about ourselves. If it is a known fact, the person listening must drink. And so on, until the tea is finished and we can go to sleep."

"I feel like this game would be a lot more fun with my chosen drink...but anyway, okay! Let's play!" Wei Ying has to admit, Lan Zhan looks too cutely proud of himself for coming up with this, and there's no way he's not going to play.

Lan Zhan pours out the tea in a single cup. "We will share," he says emphatically.

"Hoo, ho 'kay," Wei Ying giggles, loving this forward side to his husband. "You go first."

"I like playing WangJi."

Wei Ying grabs the cup of tea and takes a sip.

"Hmm, let me see...I'm afraid of dogs." He carefully holds the cup to Lan Zhan's mouth, tenderly helping him drink.

"I love Wei Ying."

Wei Ying flashes him a wicked grin and tosses the entire contents of the cup into his mouth.

Lan Zhan watches his throat, the way each separate muscle works to swallow, and he wants to bite him there. He feels lightheaded as if they really were drinking something other than tea.

Wei Ying pours out more of their hot beverage and taps his nose, thinking hard.

"I love puzzles."

And so it goes on.

"I love the way Wei Ying sleeps."

"I love Lan Zhan's shoulders."

"I love it when Wei Ying plays Chenqing."