Unrestrained Heart

Chapter 1

Wei Wuxian had heard the rumors for years that the Lan Sect of Gusu has over three thousand rules. He had always wondered if the talk could be exaggerated. Now he can't help but to stare at the infamous wall of discipline in horror. The rules seem to go on forever.

Wei Wuxian reads through just a few of them but that only makes his horror grow.

Bad enough are ones that prohibit alcohol. Or the one that states anyone coming in after curfew will not be allowed to enter until the next morning. At least those he could understand even if he didn't agree with them.

Worse were the ones that prohibited talking unnecessarily, demanding silence during mealtimes, and even one that forbade smiling unnecessarily.

How did the disciples here survive? What must it have been like to be a child under the weight of all these rules? Wei Wuxian can't imagine it. He remembers his own childhood as being full of laughter with Jiang Yanli and friendly scuffles with Jiang Cheng.

He looks over to where the twin jades of Lan, the alphas Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, are standing. He hasn't met them in person yet, but he has heard a little about them. Lan Xichen is the older one, he has a friendly face and smiles easily. However, the younger one, Lan Wangji, looks as cold as a statue carved from ice. He stands tall looking disapprovingly over the new students. If Wei Wuxian hadn't known better, he would think Lan Wangji was a stern master instead of a student just like the rest of them.

Wei Wuxian has to admit the alpha is beautiful though.

The omega standing next to him must have noticed the direction of his gaze because he says, "Don't waste your time. Lan Wangji is absolutely gorgeous, but he never pays the omegas any attention. That one only cares about studying and training."

Wei Wuxian waves his hand at the wall of discipline and says, "Well it's probably against the rules somewhere. Do not date until you are married or something like that."

This causes the other omega to burst out laughing. The Lans glance their way and the omega opens his fan hiding his face.

"I am Nie Huaisang." The omega whispers from behind his fan. It's a name Wei Wuxian is familiar with, the younger brother of sect leader Nie.

"Wei Wuxian," He answers. He turns his head and sees his brother and sister in whispered conversation not far away. "I am here as a member of the Jiang Clan, that's Jiang Cheng and Jiang Yanli." Wei Wuxian knows that the omega probably wouldn't know his name, he had been adopted into the Jiang Clan as a child, but he would know of his siblings.

All these clans grew up knowing each other and Wei Wuxian often feels like an outsider.

Wei Wuxian glances over and notices Lan Wangji is still looking at him, eyes narrowed. Wei Wuxian smiles at him and gives him a little wave. Lan Wangji stares at him coldly for another few seconds then turns his attention back to what his brother is saying.

"Way to go, Wei Wuxian," he thinks to himself, "making friends already."

Speaking of friends. Wei Wuxian looks over to see Jin Zixuan surrounded by his entourage. Seriously can that stuck up guy not go anywhere without being surrounded by people ready to cater to his every whim? Aren't they here to study, why does he need so many servants? The man is casting glances at Jiang Yanli, but he hastily looks away when he sees Wei Wuxian watching him. Senior sister deserves so much better.

Lectures at the Cloud Recesses were unbelievably boring. Wei Wuxian tries his best to be a good student that would reflect well on the Jiang Clan, he owes them so much after all. However, sitting quietly while the dull lectures drag on for hours isn't his strong point. Within a day he is slouching behind Jiang Cheng so he can nap. When he is not napping, he is passing notes, not to mention snacks, back and forth with Nie Huaisang.